Lowe’’s Extends Hendrick Motorsports Sponsorship

Lowe’’s Companies Inc. have continued their successful relationship with Hendrick Motorsports after signing a two-year contract extension that secures the full-season primary sponsorship of the No. 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup team and five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson in 2014 and 2015.

The agreement builds upon a partnership launched in 2001 when Johnson was selected to drive for the new No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team. Now in its 12th full season, the sponsor-driver-team relationship has become one of the most successful in NASCAR history.

“”It has been a great ride with Jimmie since he started in the Cup Series 12 years ago,”” said Tom Lamb, Lowe’’s chief marketing officer. “”We are proud to sponsor one of the most elite teams and drivers in racing and have a five-time champion carry the Lowe’s brand each week.””

Since his first full-time Sprint Cup season in 2002, Johnson has earned 61 victories — the most in the series during that span — and never finished lower than sixth in championship points.

On Sunday in his 400th Cup race, Johnson drove the No. 48 Lowe’’s Chevrolet SS to his second career Daytona 500 win. In the process, he became just the second driver (teammate Jeff Gordon is the other) to have the same primary sponsor for each of his first 400 Cup starts.

“”Lowe’’s believed in me before I had any success,”” said Johnson, 37, whose contract with Hendrick Motorsports runs through 2015. “”They are all I’ve ever known in my Sprint Cup career, and their support of me and the No. 48 team is second to none in the sport. We’ve been together for this crazy ride, and I’m so happy we’re continuing it together. They truly are family, and I’m proud to represent them.””

Led by crew chief Chad Knaus, the No. 48 Lowe’s team has now scored at least one Sprint Cup win in 12 consecutive seasons (2002-13). Johnson’s five championships trail only first-ballot Hall of Fame drivers Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, who each posted seven.

“”We caught lightning in a bottle with this combination,”” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. ““Jimmie and Chad have been successful because they always have a plan and do a great job executing. Lowe’s is the same way as a sponsor. The partnership has been incredible, and we’re looking forward to working together for many more years.””

blueseventy to Support Ironman World Champion Pete Jacobs

Wetsuit and technical swimming brand, cheap blueseventy, unhealthy has confirmed it will be supporting reigning Ironman World Champion, doctor Pete Jacobs during the 2013 season.

“I’m very happy to be back in the best fitting wetsuit I’ve ever worn,” said Jacobs. As one of the most exciting triathletes today, placing second in Kona in 2011 and improving on that performance with a convincing victory in 2012, at just 31 Jacobs could dominate in Kona for years to come.

Tim Moxey, blueseventy’s CEO is pleased to have the long distance triathlete back as a sponsored athlete. “Pete’s one of the best swimmers in the world and chose blueseventy as his first ever suit when he was coming up through the ranks in Australia. Knowing how important the fit of the suit is for him, we knew the current helix [wetsuit] would lure him back. It’s the fastest suit on the market.”

blueseventy’s Director of Athlete Support, Ryan Vanderloop, has set up Jacobs with the brand’s new suit to help get him ready to race the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon this coming weekend. “We have some new products we’re developing for Pete, and he’s helping us with some tweaks to some of our suits for next year, but the goal right now is to ensure he’s ready for the cold water in the San Francisco Bay.”

Participation in long distance triathlon is growing at a phenomenal rate around the world, and blueseventy is proud to be working with the two best long course athletes in the world with Jacobs and Leanda Cave, the defending Ironman and 70.3 World Champion.

Moxey added, “Pete and Leanda will be wearing our PZ3TX swimskin in Hawaii and I think it speaks volumes that more professional athletes chose to wear our swimskin than any other brand on the start line in Kona last year.”

Mattress Company Beautyrest to Sponsor Kurt Busch for Phoenix Nascar Race

Joining Kurt Busch as an associate sponsor on his NASCAR No. 78 Chevrolet SS for the Phoenix race will be Beautyrest, arthritis the Atlanta-based manufacturer of premium mattresses, which are sold at Denver Mattress locations nationwide. It will be the first of seven races that Beautyrest will have associate sponsorship on the No. 78.

“We had a strong run in Phoenix back in November and we look for the same or better in our Furniture Row/Beautyrest Chevrolet on Sunday,” said Busch, winner of the 2005 spring race at Phoenix. “Beautyrest is one of the best of the better brands and they obviously deserve a solid performance.”

Busch and Furniture Row Racing are expecting nothing less than a solid performance at Phoenix’s one-mile oval. Busch drove the Furniture Row car to an eighth place finish at Phoenix in November, and had it not been for a loose lug nut on one pit stop and a fiery final-lap accident, the finish could have been better.

Busch has tackled the Phoenix mile 20 times in his Sprint Cup career. He has one win (April 2005), four top-fives, 11 top-10s and has led 750 laps. His average start is 13.0 and average finish 13.2.

Alpari to Sponsor BNP Paribas Showdown

Alpari, for sale a global provider of online foreign exchange and futures trading services, medicine today announced the sponsorship of the BNP Paribas Showdown taking place at Madison Square Garden on March 4, price 2013.

As an official sponsor of this annual one-night tennis event, Alpari will have premium brand exposure in-arena, on the courtside panels and end-zone LED. In addition, Alpari will host key clients and industry professionals through unique and expansive hospitality arrangements that include access to today’s top tennis players that will be participating in the event.

Jermaine Harmon, CEO of Alpari (US), commented: “Our partnership with Madison Square Garden has presented great opportunities to introduce the Alpari brand to an international audience and facilitate new business growth. The BNP Paribas Showdown expands upon that further, allowing us to bring our services closer to an even more prestigious and like-minded fan base.”

The 2013 BNP Paribas Showdown will be broadcast live internationally in more than 130 countries across the globe. 

Michelin Extends Deal as CEV Moto2 Tyre Supplier

French tyre manufacturer, pills Michelin has confirmed it has reached an agreement with Dorna Sports to remain as tyre supplier of the Moto2 tier of the CEV championship up to and including the 2015 season.

Since the category was launched in 2010, its hallmark has been identical equipment to ensure a hard-fought series. This formula has allowed numerous riders to fight for race victories across the championship’s first three seasons.

Rory McIlroy to Endorse Bose Headphones

Bose Corporation announced that Rory McIlroy will be a Global Brand Ambassador for the company’s headphones, try portable speakers, arthritis home and automotive systems.

McIlroy joins Bose in a multi-year agreement as he begins 2013 as the number one golfer in the world.

A lifelong music lover, order McIlroy has been a Bose customer for years. “I’ve always chosen Bose because I’ve always wanted the best sound quality I could get,” said McIlroy. “Bose products are different. And Bose is different. They work hard at their innovations, they aren’t conventional, and they’re committed to doing things that haven’t been done before, just like I am.”

“Rory is a once-in-a-generation athlete,” said Bob Maresca, president of Bose Corporation. “Just like his millions of fans around the world, we’re amazed by his talent and his passion. We know a lot goes into his game even when he’s off the course. He loves music, just like we do, and we’re thrilled to be a part of how he competes and relaxes.”

This is the first endorsement for McIlroy involving a consumer electronics brand, and he will only be representing Bose products that he uses. “We want Rory’s fans and our customers to know that if they hear from Rory about Bose, it’s on behalf of something he chooses – not something we choose for him,” said Maresca.

Currently, McIlroy owns several Bose products, including the SoundLink Mobile speaker II, the Bose VideoWave II entertainment system, the BoseQuietComfort15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones, and the Bose MIE2i mobile headset.

“I’m a huge headphone guy,” said McIlroy. “And Bose headphones are the best I’ve found. I use their in-ear headphones to work-out, and their noise cancelling headphones to travel. Whether I need motivation, or to tune-out, I reach for Bose. Their headphones go with me everywhere.”

The agreement was finalized after McIlroy visited the Bose R&D facility in Framingham, Massachusetts at the company’s world headquarters. “Rory got to see our commitment to research,” said Maresca. McIlroy commented that it became clearer why and how Bose products excel in such a crowded market. “They are driven. They innovate. They make the investments to outperform the competition. And I can relate to that.”

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Npower Confirms End to Football League Sponsorship

Energy supplier, npower have confirmed they will not sponsor the Football League next season.

Npower signed a three-year deal, believed to be worth around £21million, to replace Coca-Cola in 2010 but have been rumoured to end their sponsorship and have now confirmed the end to their partnership.

“We can confirm that we will not renew our sponsorship of The Football League when the current season ends at the end of May,” a statement read.

“During the last three years, we have enjoyed a hugely successful relationship with The Football League and have engaged the passion of thousands of football fans across the country.”

No announcement is due on who will replace npower as the league’s principal sponsor.

“The contract comes to an end at a time when npower is in the process of reviewing and defining brand positioning and marketing strategy to help shape future direction, following a restructure which saw the generation arm merge into a wider pan-European company,” the statement continued.

MillerCoors Extends Milwaukee Brewers Sponsorship

MillerCoors and the Milwaukee Brewers have announced a multi-year sponsorship renewal that will keep Miller Lite as the team’s exclusive beer sponsor. 

“The alliance with the Brewers is perfect for Miller Lite because you see Miller Time brought to life in so many ways with Brewers fans, overnight buy ” said Andy England, discount chief marketing officer at MillerCoors. “Whether it’s the crew gathered at the pre-game tailgate, look celebrating a big play in Miller Park or toasting another victory at the bar, Brewers fans have a true passion for their team that’s a shared experience all season long.”

The highlight of the new deal is the creation of the new Miller Lite Party Deck, a 70-seat deck built above the Miller Park right field Loge Bleachers that will open at the start of the 2013 season.

The Party Deck will feature 1,400 square feet of entertaining space and will include a new fixed bar, buffet counter, flat panel televisions and two levels of seating. The area will be available for groups to reserve for Brewers home games, offering an all-inclusive food and beverage experience in addition to a unique and private setting for the game.

“The Milwaukee Brewers and MillerCoors partnership continues a relationship between two iconic heritage brands from our market,” said Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger. “We have great appreciation for the support that MillerCoors has demonstrated to the Brewers over the years, and today’s announcement reaffirms that commitment. We look forward to the partnership’s new offerings, including the Miller Lite Party Deck, which will further enhance Miller Park as one of the best fan experiences in professional sports.”

Canon Becomes Official Imaging Partner of Asian Tour

The Asian Tour have announced Canon, anesthetist the global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions, canada drugs viagra. will become the Official Imaging Partner of the Tour until the end of 2015.

Canon will enjoy various benefits on the region’s elite circuit including the creation of the Canon Power Play segment on the Asian Tour Golf Show.

Canon will also enjoy multiple opportunities to leverage its brand across the Asian Tour’s worldwide media platforms that include its official website and a global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million households.

The partnership will also allow Canon to increase its brand visibility through on-site branding and activities at Asian Tour events. The Asian Tour will celebrate its milestone 10th season in 2013 following its launch as a player-organisation in 2004.

Kensaku Konishi, President & CEO, Canon South & South East Asia, was delighted to forge a partnership and align Canon’s brand values with the Asian Tour.

“At Canon, we live and breathe our corporate philosophy of kyosei, which means to live and work together for the common good. The spirit of uniting athletes, spectators and photographers to share in the joy of sports together has resulted in Canon being active patrons of the sporting community and partners with organisations such as the Canon Lion City Cup and SingaporeBowling,” said Mr Konishi.

“Our partnership with Asian Tour has provided us the opportunity to help in the promotion of golf whose popularity is increasing in emerging countries like India, Indonesia and Myanmar.  We feel that it is good for golf enthusiasts in these countries where the Asian Tour takes place, to experience the sport at its highest level.  At the same time, we are happy to be able to leverage our brand across the Tour’s media platforms to reach out to our customers and partners in the same region.”

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said the partnership with Canon was another strong endorsement towards the cosmopolitan appeal of the Asian Tour.

He also expressed his gratitude to Canon for their support, saying it reinforces the extensive backing of Corporate Asia towards professional golf at the highest level in Asia.

“On behalf of our talented players, we are delighted to welcome Canon on board as our newest Tour Partner. The Asian Tour has established itself as one of the elite professional Tours in the world after the PGA Tour and European Tour and this is made possible through the tremendous support of great sponsors such as Canon,” said Han.

“We are looking forward to working very closely with Canon to further promote the game across Asia. Through the exciting Canon Power Play segment which will highlight the best action from our tournaments, it will create another memorable viewing experience for our global television audience and showcase the best action from our tournaments.”

Based in Singapore, where Canon’s regional headquarter for South and Southeast Asia region is located, Mr Konishi is responsible for leading and overseeing the operations in the fast growing region which spans 18 countries, including the domestic market.

With this partnership, Canon joins the Asian Tour’s stable of Tour partners who include Abacus (Official Apparel Partner), BlackBerry (Official Communications Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), Srixon (Official Ball), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts) and Rolex (Official Timekeeper).

Wakefield Wildcats Lose Main Sponsor

Following the collapse of their principal main sponsors, Wakefield Wildcats have revealed their need to fill the gap.

Eric France Metal Recycling, who trade under JKL (Wakefield) Ltd, have opted to enter into a creditors’ voluntary liquidation, news which will also hit Championship side Dewsbury.

The Super League team released a statement on Wednesday which read: “Following a creditors’ meeting with administrators KPMG yesterday, it appears highly unlikely that Eric France Metal Recycling will be able to fulfil their commitment of a significant six-figure sum, as the club’s main sponsor.

“While this is a hole to fill in the club’s budget, the areas of sponsorship available are the most prestigious – main shirt sponsor, East Stand sponsor and the back of the playing and replica shirts – making it an attractive proposition to a number of companies.

“The club is active in the market in its attempts to find a replacement sponsor.”