American Pistachio Growers, a non-profit voluntary trade association representing more than 540 American pistachio growers, has announced that professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones will join the APG athlete ambassador team, claiming American-grown pistachios as his “Official Snack.”

Jeremy is the newest addition to an ambassador lineup that includes the U.S.A. Men’s and Women’s Water Polo teams and Miss California. 

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy on board,” says Judy Hirigoyen, Director, Global Marketing for APG. “With protein, antioxidants, healthy fats, and much more, pistachios are the ideal fuel for a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle. Jeremy truly represents the Power of Pistachios.” 

Jeremy Jones is one of the world’s premier big mountain snowboarders and founder of Jones Snowboards and Protect Our Winters, a non-profit climate change advocacy group. He has been featured in a number of award-winning snow sports films, including Deeper (2010) and Further (2012), which document his efforts to access remote backcountry terrain. He was recently named one of National Geographic Adventure’s 2013 Adventurers of the Year, and one of the 50 Most Influential People in Action Sports by ESPN. 

“Without proper nutrition, I would not be able to continue to push the limits of what’s possible,” says Jeremy. “Pistachios are an important part of my diet that allow me to stay fueled and recover quickly after intense physical exertion. I’m really pleased to support the growers of a food I love so much.” 

The APG ambassador team will represent the organization internationally to promote proper nutrition through the organization’s global Power of Pistachios campaign.

Suncorp Bank has extended its partnership with the annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon, sale which is on the 6 – 7 July, anabolics with the renewed sponsorship to include naming rights of the 5.7km Challenge for 2013 and 2014.

Suncorp Bank Regional General Manager for the Gold Coast, vcialis 40mg Michael Hall, said the organisation was proud to continue its association with the Gold Coast Airport Marathon as a major sponsor for the next two years.

“Suncorp Bank is very proud to announce the renewal of our partnership with the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in 2013,” said Mr Hall.

“The new partnership will see Suncorp Bank continue as a major sponsor of the 2013 and 2014 events – and naming rights partner of the Suncorp Bank 5.7km Challenge.”

Mr Hall encouraged Suncorp Bank staff and customers to take part in the event and said he was looking forward to seeing his team assist thousands of participants in various areas over the weekend.

“Since we came on board in 2011, the Gold Coast Airport Marathon has become one of the most popular events for our staff and customers here in South East Queensland,” said Mr Hall.

“The great thing about the Gold Coast Airport Marathon is that the program features events for all ages and abilities. Last year we had more than 250 staff participate in the event or volunteer over the weekend and many took the opportunity to enjoy a day out with their family and friends.

“This year we’re looking forward to another fantastic weekend. Our team will be out in force taking part in the events supporting participants through the Suncorp Bank Volunteer Program including helping out at the event information booths, left luggage tents and aid stations.”

Mr Hall said the Gold Coast Airport Marathon was a great opportunity to deliver the SunWise message and spend time with local Suncorp Bank employees and customers.

“As in previous years, we will also be taking the opportunity to spread the SunWise message by reminding racegoers to wear 30+ sunscreen, a hat and sun protective clothing while out in the Queensland sun.

Gold Coast Events General Manager Cameron Hart welcomed the renewed partnership between Suncorp Bank and the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

“Since 2011, Suncorp Bank has been a great supporter and major sponsor of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and we’re thrilled to have them on board for another two years,” said Mr Hart.

“The 5.7km Challenge is about involving the community in physical activity and that is why Suncorp Bank is the perfect match for this race and the event as a whole.

“In addition, they will continue their pivotal role in supporting the event’s volunteer program, left luggage and information booths which are essential in the delivery of our event.

“We apply considerable resources to servicing all of our sponsorships to ensure our commercial partners are getting a return on their investment and we provide the benefits they are seeking.

“Suncorp Bank’s increased investment and the renewal of other sponsorships since the record-breaking 2012 event is a great reward for a lot of hard work.”

The 35th Gold Coast Airport Marathon will be held on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July 2013.

Continental Tire was named the exclusive tire supplier for the Prototype Challenge (PC) class in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón (ALMS) for the 2013 season.

Continental Tire will also become the presenting sponsor of the PC class with the official name being, pills “Prototype Challenge presented by Continental Tire”. Continental tires will debut in the PC class at the Continental Tire-sponsored, ALMS-sanctioned test, March 11-12 at Sebring.

“Continental Tire is honored to step up and help support the PC class in ALMS this year,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for Continental Tire. “Sports car racing continues to grow in the US, and we’re certainly eager to expand on our portfolio and showcase our technologies to such a dedicated audience. This is certainly a step toward the future of sports car racing for us.” 

“It’s always a tremendous day when we can welcome a new manufacturer into the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón,” said ALMS president and CEO Scott Atherton. “The platform we provide to manufacturers encourages technical advances – a goal we share with Continental Tire. Our PC teams and our customers will certainly benefit from this new partnership.”

Continental Tire’s technology-driven products, combined with their superior performance in the GRAND-AM Series, make them an excellent fit with ALMS. The PC class will use the same race-proven tire as the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype (DP) class. Continental Tire will provide full at-track support at all ALMS races in 2013. And, as part of the agreement, Continental Tire will receive logo placement on all PC cars (front, sides and rear). Continental Tire will also air commercial spots during the ALMS broadcasts on ABC, ESPN2 and SPEED.

Continental Tire will continue as the exclusive tire provider to the GRAND-AM Rolex Series as well as the title sponsor of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series.

After a successful first Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season together, illness Asia Racing Team and Team BetterLife have agreed to extend the partnership into 2013.

Team BetterLife is the racing arm of BetterLife Group. The company is perceived as the premium car specialists in the Beijing area and runs Porsche Centre Beijing Yizhuang, Porsche Centre Beijing Haidian and Porsche Centre Tianjin. 

Eddy Mok, General Manager of Porsche BetterLife Group, said: “Our relationship with Asia Racing Team has strengthened over the last year and I am very pleased to announce we have been able to extend that relationship in time for the 2013 season. In order to succeed on track you need the best technical support and Asia Racing Team proved to be the right choice .” 

Philippe Descombes, Team Manager of Asia Racing Team, added: “We are delighted and very proud that Betterlife have chosen to place their car and driver with us again in 2013. We’ve had the pleasure of having Wang Jian Wei as part of the team last year and we’ve seen him improving towards end of the season last year. Everybody knows this is a very competitive championship but we are ready for the challenge.”

Baltimore-based STX, prostate a global sporting goods leader, announced that it has signed an agreement with current Team USA Field Hockey Player Katie O’Donnell to represent and advise the brand on field hockey products through 2016.

O’Donnell appeared in the 2012 Summer Games for Team USA and is the most decorated field hockey athlete in the nation, with commendations that range from College All-America to being named the Sportswoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2010, a title she shares with the likes of Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and Serena and Venus Williams. O’Donnell, a native of Blue Bell, PA, has been at the forefront of the most recent resurgence in American field hockey, having led the team to a Gold medal at the Pan Am Games in 2011.

“We are so excited that Katie has decided the STX brand of equipment is the right choice for her as she begins preparations for her run up to and through the 2016 Summer Games,” said STX Field Hockey Brand Manager Emily Hughes. “To have an athlete and person of Katie’s caliber make a deliberate and thoughtful decision about aligning her playing future with our products is an incredible validation of the work our product team is doing here. Nothing short of an honor,” continued Hughes.

O’Donnell will work closely with the STX product management and R&D groups, located in Baltimore, in developing the next generation of STX field hockey products. While STX is already the US market leader in field hockey market share, the company has, of late, expressed a renewed commitment to driving further innovation in the category, something that appealed to O’Donnell in her decision-making process.

“Having had the opportunity to see the energy and effort that is being poured into field hockey at STX is really amazing,” said O’Donnell, “It is clear that STX recognizes the true potential in our sport and the athletes who participate in it. I am really excited to get behind their efforts to advance the game here in the US and abroad.”

The PGA TOUR, buy tournament host organization Copperhead Charities and EverBank Financial Corp announced today a one-year agreement whereby EverBank will be the presenting sponsor of the TOUR’s upcoming Tampa Bay Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

The Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank is scheduled for March 14-17 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course.

“We are extremely pleased that EverBank has agreed to become presenting sponsor of the 2013 Tampa Bay Championship and thank the company for its commitment, ailment ” said Andy Pazder, pills Chief of Operations for the PGA TOUR. “With only a couple of weeks before the tournament, we are focusing all of our time and energy on helping EverBank to become fully integrated, including development of on-site signage and the broadcast presentation and implementing a full-scale customer engagement program.”

The tournament represents the second major sports sponsorship for the Jacksonville-based company. Since 2010, EverBank has held the naming rights to EverBank Field, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

“EverBank is extremely proud to partner with the PGA TOUR to sponsor this premier tournament here in our home state of Florida,” said Blake Wilson, EverBank’s president and chief operating officer.  “Like the TOUR and its players, EverBank is committed to excellence and we share a considerable passion for the game and its fans.  We’ve had a great experience for several years as supporters of THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass and we believe now is the right time for us to step up our PGA TOUR sponsorship with the Tampa Bay Championship. We’re looking forward to some exciting golf, and we’re particularly pleased the tournament will help support the Copperheads and their efforts to build a better community in the Tampa Bay area.”

“We are delighted to welcome EverBank as our presenting sponsor this year and look forward to working with them to ensure a highly successful tournament that will have a profound impact on the Tampa Bay region,” said David Robbins, General Chairman of the Copperheads. “Copperhead Charities is proud of our history of excellence with the PGA TOUR and what the tournament continues to do for the local economy and charitable giving.”

Triathlon Ireland and car rental company Europcar Ireland have signed a two-year partnership deal.

Under the agreement, there Europcar will provide fleet support to Triathlon Ireland and create a Europcar series of triathlon events.

The deal provides two Skoda Yetis for Triathlon Ireland staff to use at triathlon events around the country and transport support for athletes in Triathlon Ireland’s elite programme. The Europcar Mini Series will include the following events – Carrick-on-Suir Triathlon, Co. Tipperary, Brian Boru Triathlon Killaloe, Co Clare and Fingal Triathlon, Blanchardstown.

Europcar will also be present at many other triathlons over the course of the season.

“The Europcar sponsorship deal is fantastic for Triathlon Ireland,” said Chris Kitchen, CEO of Triathlon Ireland.“We want to offer a service that is second to none to our TI members, clubs, elite athletes, coaches, officials, event organisers and sponsors and this involves a huge amount of travel and logistics. The Europcar partnership will provide our key staff and elite athletes with an efficient and effective way to manage our vehicle requirements.

“The vehicles themselves demonstrate Europcar’s thought and understanding of our requirements being supremely practical for our purpose. The vehicle wrap too is a great advert for Triathlon Ireland and our sponsors and will make a positive statement and focal point at any event.”

“Triathlon has shown massive growth in Ireland over the past few years,” said Europcar CEO, Colm Menton. “Its growth trajectory mirrors that of Europcar’s business in Ireland and we have a number of staff who regularly compete in Tri events around the country.  We believe that there is a strong synergy between our commitment to customer satisfaction and Triathlon Ireland’s track record in delivering top class athlete focused events.

“Our domestic business through fleet management, replacement car hire and weekend rentals are all showing growth. Some of the key decision makers in Irish business are out competing in tri events every weekend and we see this as a positive association as it gives us an opportunity to increase awareness while supporting a great sport.”

Rajasthan Royals have announced the extension of the team’s association with Valvoline Cummins Limited for the 2013 season of the Pepsi Indian Premier League.

The extension will see the company continuing as Associate Sponsor for the second consecutive year, apoplectic sporting its logo on the Non Leading Arm of the players.

Valvoline is the world’s first and most enduring lubricant brand. More important, ampoule it’s evidence of the values the company upholds, and proof of the value it continues to deliver. Valvoline not only evolved, but also launched many groundbreaking innovations that are credited to have changed the industry. In India, Valvoline Cummins Ltd is a JV between Valvoline International INC USA (100% subsidiary of Ashland Inc. USA) and Cummins India Ltd.

Mr. Raghu Iyer, CEO, Rajasthan Royals, said: “Since last year’s association, Valvoline has been a very valuable partner of Rajasthan Royals. We are delighted to be extending our association with the brand and look forward to helping them create ever-growing value and achieve the best possible exposure through the partnership.”

Commenting on the association, Mr. Sandeep Kalia, CEO, Valvoline Cummins, said: “Valvoline takes great pride in partnering with excellent sporting teams across the globe. Our relationship with the brand during the last season has been very rewarding. We are excited to extend our partnership with such a strong and dedicated team as Rajasthan Royals.”