Market-leading electric trolley brand, cough PowaKaddy (PK), has announced that it has signed a new three-year agreement with The PGA.

The deal sees PowaKaddy continue as the ‘Official Supplier’ to one of golf’s leading governing bodies through to 2016, cementing a strong relationship that began in 2009.

Built on the foundation of growing the game at all levels, the partnership, that encompasses electric golf trolleys, cart bags and accessory categories, ensures PowaKaddy’s cutting-edge equipment and first-class service support will be available to the ever-growing network of PGA Professionals.

Buoyed by the recent launch of PowaKaddy’s all-new Freeway Family, the company’s Chairman, John deGraft-Johnson sees deal as integral to the continued growth of the brand across all facets of the game, “Our relationship with The PGA has been extremely important and beneficial to both parties and we are very pleased to continue our support for a further three years.”

“The PGA has a wide international network of members and branded venues around the globe and we want to continue working with both current and next generation PGA Professionals to promote the wider benefits that PowaKaddy can bring to the table in terms of health and fitness. Our reputation has been built on delivering quality, functionality, innovative technologies and performance, all geared to making the game more enjoyable and accessible for golfers of all ages and abilities.”

The key to PowaKaddy’s continued success has been its ability to lead the market with ‘best in class’ products at key price points and influence consumer preferences to keep the electric trolley market moving forward. The continued strategic alliance with the PGA will further strengthen PowaKaddy’s position as the pioneers of the electric trolley market.

Robert Maxfield, PGA’s Property and Commercial Director, said: “We are delighted that PowaKaddy has extended its partnership with The PGA and is a much valued member of our Official Supplier programme.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with PowaKaddy at not just PGA branded facilities but on a commercial level with our members and on a wider level in the wider context of making the game more enjoyable to all.”

Belgian watch brand Ice-Watch has agreed a deal to become Premium Partner of BMW Motorsport of the DTM Series.

For the 2013 season, herbal Marco Wittmann of BMW Team MTEK will take to the track at the wheel of the Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM, which bears the start number 21.

“Time plays a vital role in the DTM. The difference between victory and defeat comes down to mere fractions of a second in qualifying, the race, and during pit stops. We are now picking up on the subject of time in the form of our partnership with Ice-Watch,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We are delighted to team up with a partner like Ice-Watch, which sets trends in its industry and therefore carries a dynamic image. That suits BMW Motorsport and Marco Wittmann very well. After all, Marco is our youngest driver. A look at the BMW Motorsport watch collection proves the licence partnership between BMW and Ice-Watch in the lifestyle segment is a winning project for both sides from the word go. I’m sure we will see these stunning models on many wrists in the DTM paddock in the 2013 season.”

Within the framework of the partnership with BMW Motorsport, Ice-Watch has also developed a dedicated BMW Motorsport watch collection. “We are looking forward to our new licence partner Ice-Watch – and the appearance of these sporty watches in the classic BMW Motorsport colours at the DTM race tracks,” said Dr Thomas Goerdt, Head of BMW Group Lifestyle Collections.

Marco Wittmann said: “The Ice-Watch BMW M3 DTM looks fantastic. The very first time I saw the design of my DTM car for 2013, I fell in love with it. I also really like the watches. They are very practical and also look sporty.”

Jean-Pierre Lutgen, CEO of Ice-Watch, added: “BMW embodies innovation, design, cutting-edge performance and robustness, as well as excellent after sales service and accessibility. This partnership is further proof the Ice-Watch brand is seen as a sound and credible partner. It offers the brand the chance to further consolidate its position among the leading names in ‘fashion watches’, acquired thanks to a new vision of watches, affordable prices, a wide range of colours and models, and constant innovation.”

cityfitness have announced their sponsorship to the Chiefs Investec Super Rugby team.

The fitness chain is a relative new-comer to the Waikato market with their Te Rapa Straight club opened in March 2012.

Sean Austin, impotent Chiefs Commercial and Marketing Manager said: “The Chiefs success is built on training to be the best they can be. We are therefore thrilled to be entering into a partnership with cityfitness, search to provide our players access to their fantastic facility to give us an extra edge in helping physically prepare for the toughest rugby competition in the world.”

The sponsorship arrangement will enable Chiefs players and cheerleaders to utilise both cityfitness gym and its subsidiary hot yoga and Pilate’s studio, allergist Abundance, which is located inside the club.

cityfitness Managing Director Dominic Rogerson added: “we’re thrilled to be involved with the Chiefs and happy that they have chosen our services and facilities to further enhance their training routines.”

“Over the past year, we’ve introduced a number of new initiatives to many of our clubs including ‘Training Zones’ which are a separate ‘user pays’ area of the gym incorporating three new fitness programmes; TRX Suspension Training, Boxmaster and CrossFit. As well as this we’ve developed and implemented time efficient ‘membership inclusive’ workout programmes including citycircuit and R30 – two 30 minute, intense, results based workout alternatives.”

cityfitness is a New Zealand based, family owned company beginning with one club in Porirua in 2000 and has steadily grown to 21 clubs nationwide over the last 12 years.

Zeasorb, a leading dermatologist recommended antifungal powder, now continues as the official antifungal powder of World Triathlon Corporations’s (WTC) Ironman.

Made by Stiefel, Zeasorb powders provide an effective treatment for ailments such as athlete’s foot and ‘jock itch’, and help relieve frictional skin irritation.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Ironman and to provide an effective antifungal product that supports the needs of the many endurance athletes who push their bodies to new levels with each race,” said Claire Edmondson, Brand Manager, Skin Health at GlaxoSmithKline.

As an official sponsor for the past few years, Stiefel, which owns the Zeasorb brand, has expanded its sponsorship with Ironman to include support of approximately 30 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events, while Zeasorb is designated as an ‘Official Product of Ironman’ on packaging.

The Zeasorb family of products is available at leading national US retailers. 

John Deere Limited has extended its partnership with UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) as a Diamond Corporate Partner, generic a year on from their initial partnership announcement at BTME 2012 in Harrogate.

“The UKGCOA is delighted that John Deere has renewed its commitment to support the continued development of the association, stuff as we grow towards our 200th member golf course in early 2013, prostate ” said UKGCOA executive director Jerry Kilby. “For the UKGCOA to have one of the premier brands in golf course maintenance equipment as a corporate partner is a wonderful accolade and endorsement of the association, and of the work we undertake on behalf of the proprietary sector of golf course management in the UK.”

The UKGCOA was set up in 2010 to promote, develop and represent the interests of golf course owners in the United Kingdom and act as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences. “About a third of all golf courses in the UK are proprietary owned and operated,” said Jerry Kilby. “We strongly believe that our association can and should play an important role in the growth of the game of golf and the development of individual golf businesses, while also having a more effective voice in the wider golf industry.”

John Deere Limited turf division sales manager Joedy Ibbotson added: “We are very pleased with the excellent relationship we have established with the UKGCOA since joining last year. John Deere is fully committed to working together with Jerry Kilby and the association’s new general manager James Cameron to support their key objectives in this important sector of the UK golf market.”

Incapital, a leading underwriter and distributor of fixed income and other financial products, today announced that for the second year in a row, it will be an official sponsor of the 2013 Big East Men’s Basketball Championship.

“We have enjoyed supporting this event and are pleased to once again be associated with the championship,” said John Radtke, Chief Executive Officer at Incapital. “The Big East Tournament is typically one of the most exciting and hardest fought tournaments in the country and we are proud to be a part of it.”

As an official sponsor, Incapital will have a strong presence during the tournament games with branding on both sides of the basket as well as LED signage around the arena.

“Incapital’s affiliation with the 2013 Big East Championship is an ideal platform to further familiarize financial industry professionals with the strength of the Incapital brand,” said Chris Clews, Executive Director of Marketing at Incapital. “As sports marketing plays a vital role in growing our brand, we feel aligning our name with the Big East tournament fits seamlessly into our overall strategy.”

The 2013 Men’s BIG East Basketball Tournament runs from March 12-16 at Madison Square Garden in New York. For more information on the 2013 BIG EAST Tournament. 

Josh Wise will strap in for the 312-lap Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway this Sunday with a new partnership with Blockbuster.

The entertainment company will return for a second race with the No. 35 Front Row Motorsports team after earning attention in Daytona Beach last week when Wise secured his first career starting spot in the “Great American Race.” Wise was running a strong race at Daytona until he got collected in a nine-car, domino-effect accident on Lap 138. He looks to bounce back in Sunday’s Subway Fresh Fit 500.

Blockbuster is celebrating its partnership with Wise and Front Row Motorsports with special offers for NASCAR fans

“We are excited to support the upcoming NASCAR star, Josh Wise, as he races in the nation’s premier series,” said Mitch Weinraub, Blockbuster vice president of product. “

Wise has a Nationwide Series career-best 18th-place finish out of six starts at the Avondale, Ariz., track.

Comments from Blockbuster team driver Josh Wise heading to Phoenix:

“We’re thrilled to give Blockbuster another ride on the No. 35 Ford. It was great having them on board for the Daytona 500. The whole experience of my first Daytona 500 was unforgettable. Unfortunately, we got taken out in a big wreck – one of those ‘caught in the wrong place at the wrong time’ deals that we couldn’t help. But I’m excited to get back in the car and get back on track at Phoenix.

“Phoenix is a whole different animal from Daytona. We really change directions from the first race of the season to the second. Daytona is just about getting speed out of your car, getting it to handle well in the draft and strategizing on how you’re going to work with other cars. There’s a lot more finesse driving involved with at Phoenix. It’s a flat track so you’re hard on the brakes and you’ve got to get your car handling well out of the turns. So I’ve got a whole different race ahead of me this weekend.

“This is just a great opportunity for me. I’m really grateful to Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze and everyone at Front Row Motorsports for working so hard all winter to build great cars, and also to Blockbuster for their support. If we can put the bad luck of the 500 behind us, I think we can turn some heads.”

St Helens Saints have entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Totally Wicked-Eliquid that will see the North Stand renamed for the next two seasons. 

The significant investment will see the e-cigarette company – established in Blackburn in 2008 – align its brand with one of the most successful and innovative teams in Rugby League. 

The partnership will also see the launch of club branded vaping products and several other initiatives to promote a better matchday experience for all. 

Electronic cigarettes contain just nicotine and flavourings and none of the toxins of normal cigarettes and are also not prohibited by anti-smoking or sports stadia legislation. 

Dave Hutchinson, Saints Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “Approximately 25 per cent of our supporter base smoke and we, as their club, take a responsibility in offering an alternative to conventional cigarettes. 

“The Club plays an active role in not only sport, but health and education and we believe this pioneering move will not only help raise awareness of the damage smoking tobacco can do but also deter people from taking on the habit in the first place. 

“The Club have tried various activities to help its supports quit smoking, some have been with success, and this latest initiative is a further step in trying to further this cause. 

“Totally Wicked are true innovators themselves and we thank them for their support as we look forward to working together in the future.” 

Fraser Cropper, Business Development Director at Totally Wicked, added: “We are really excited by this new partnership and we hope all our fans will be equally supportive as we progress our aims for St Helens to be the first ever ‘Vaping Friendly’ Rugby League club in the world.”