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.”

Motorcycle-Superstore.com and AMA Pro Racing have announced the extension of their existing partnership with GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing for the third consecutive year.

Motorcycle-Superstore.com will once again be named as the Official Motorcycle Parts and Apparel Online Retailer of the Series and the title sponsor of the AMA Pro Motorcycle-Supersport.com SuperSport division. As part of the agreement, AMA Pro Racing will distribute $25,000 to riders in the form of a year-end points fund due to the gracious support of Motorcycle-Superstore.com. 

“We are excited to have Motorcycle-Superstore.com return to the paddock with us for the 2013 season,” said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “The relationship in years past between Motorcycle-Superstore.com and AMA Pro Racing has clearly been very beneficial for all parties involved. We are very thankful for the continued dedication and support the company has granted AMA Pro Racing competitors through the Motorcycle-Superstore.com Year-End Points Funds.” 

As part of the agreement, Motorcycle-Superstore.com will once again have access to on-site activation at each GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing event in 2013, in addition to an expanded online presence in AMA Pro Racing’s website content and social media initiatives.

Global sports clothing retailer, therapy Under Armour has inked a significant partnership with USA Gymnastics providing performance apparel, footwear, and accessories for the athletes, coaches, and staff for the next eight years, through the 2020 Olympic Games.

This is the brand’s first sponsorship of a national governing body for a summer Olympic sport.

“Under Armour is already known for its wide-range of innovative and stylish performance products,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, “and the plans we have discussed for our partnership have the potential to elevate both of our brands both in the United States and on the international stage.”

“As Under Armour continues to expand into new categories globally, we are committed to strengthening our position as the leader in performance innovation,” said Matt Mirchin, SVP Brand and Sports Marketing, Under Armour. “We are proud to partner with USA Gymnastics, providing state-of-the-art performance apparel, footwear, and accessories designed to help these elite gymnasts perform at their best.”

Designated as the official performance apparel and footwear outfitter, Under Armour will provide team members with competition, conditioning and training apparel, accessories and footwear, including competition leotards. The U.S. National Team coaches, athletes and staff will also be outfitted head-to-toe at national training camps and national and international competition.

Under Armour will collaborate with GK Elite Sportswear, L.P. to create the U.S. National Team competition apparel for men’s and women’s gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling. GK Elite has been the exclusive manufacturer of competitive gymnastics apparel for the U.S. National Team since 2000.

“GK Elite is proud to be partnering with Under Armour and USA Gymnastics for the next two Olympic cycles,” said Kelly McKeown, EVP of Corporate Relations. 

USA Gymnastics athletes and staff will first appear in Under Armour apparel at the upcoming AT&T American Cup Saturday, March 2.

In addition to USA Gymnastics, Under Armour outfits several winter Olympic sports and athletes, including US Speedskating, Bobsled and Skeleton in the United States, Canada Snowboard, and Olympic skiing gold-medalist Lindsey Vonn.

Steve Penny recently talked to iSportconnect as he explained more about the organisation. Click here>>

European basketball governing body, FIBA have announced a number of sponsors for their flagship competition, the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

Beko were announced as the presenting sponsor of the tournament at an ‘Executive Summit’ in Alcobendas, Spain.

Also Four leading Spanish companies – CaixaBank, Endesa, Iberia and San Miguel – all of which have obtained the exclusive status of Event Sponsors. While Mutua Madrilena and Halcon Viajes, have both signed up as National Supporters.

These companies join FIBA’s seven long-term Global Partners: bwin, Champion, Intersport, Molten, Peak, Tissot and Turespana.

All companies have been granted exclusive communications rights in their respective product categories for this event.

FIBA President Yvan Mainini said: “In a period when people regularly raise concerns about the state of the economy – especially in Europe – it is extremely encouraging to be able to count on a great group of companies. FIBA and FEB not only rely on their financial contributions, but just as importantly will need their promotional support to make the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup a resounding success worldwide.”

FEB President Jose Luis Saez explained: “From the outset, it was our objective to grow the World Cup on two levels: the duration and scope of the event. With the road to the World Cup starting now, we extend the event from two weeks to 500 days.

“With the international campaign, we take the event outside of Spain and around the globe. We are very happy about the great co-operation with FIBA and look forward to working with them and all companies gathered here today to make this an unforgettable event.”

Australian equipment hire company, Coates Hire have announced they will title sponsor the 2013 WRC Rally Australia.

The race will now be officially known as the Coates Hire Rally Australia as a result of the new deal.

Rally Australia Event Manager David Catchpole explained that the company’s sponsorship was an ideal fit with the WRC race.

“The unique nature of a special-stage world rally requires extensive temporary infrastructure across an entire region, and no company is better equipped or more experienced than Coates Hire to support us in this major project,” said Catchpole.

“Rally Australia’s previous experiences with Coates Hire have been very successful,” he added. “Now we’re delighted to be stepping up our relationship to one that is both operational and promotional.”

Coates Hire’s strategic marketing group manager Jeremy Hill explained that the deal wasn’t just the usual case of providing the race with extra money, but went much deeper in this car.

“Coates Hire goes beyond a traditional sponsorship model and becomes a true partner with the sporting association by providing a tailored hire equipment services solution to cover all of the difficult logistical and geographical challenges that rallying provides,” Hill said.

The hire company had a long history of involvement with rallying throughout Australia, and has also become the ‘Official Hire Equipment Sponsor’ of the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally Championship.

The 2013 Coates Hire Rally Australia will be held on September 12-15 in the Coffs Coast region of New South Wales, and will constitute round 10 of the 2013 World Rally Championship.