DISH Sponsors Scott Speed Leavine Family Racing Car During Daytona 500

DISH has announced its sponsorship of the Leavine Family Racing’s No. 95 DISH Ford Fusion to be piloted by up-and-coming driver Scott Speed during Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Other than the Hopper logo, buy the car will be virtually ad-free, meaning consumers will see the DISH brand on FOX in spite of the network’s ongoing refusal to air ads for DISH’s consumer-friendly Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR.

“The world of technology moves fast, but FOX keeps trying to wave a yellow flag and put consumers under caution, attempting to slow their access to the best in TV entertainment,” said DISH President and CEO Joe Clayton. “The Hopper is in the pole position as the fastest in the consumer technology race. We are giving consumers what they want, when they want and where they want it. FOX is trying to hold up traffic. You can’t stop the future.”

DISH will sponsor up-and-coming driver Scott Speed at the Daytona 500. Speed is no stranger to racing and his diverse career in driving includes qualifying for the Formula One team in 2006. Speed became the first American to race in Formula One since Michael Andretti in 1993. His recent success in qualifying for the Daytona 500 makes him a great contender for Sunday.

“I’m a big DISH fan and am excited to return to Daytona International Speedway Sunday with the Hopper riding shotgun,” said Scott Speed. “Hopper is great for people like me — we can record more programming and take our favorite shows with us.”

Oris Upgrades Williams F1 Sponsorship

The Williams F1 Team have announce today that its long-term Official Watch Partner, site Oris, has upgraded its sponsorship of the team ahead of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship.

This will be Oris’ eleventh full season as an Official Partner of the Williams F1 Team, after entering into partnership in 2003 and having subsequently enjoyed a strong relationship.  For 2013, the Oris logo will feature on the cars’ front wing and cockpit shoulders.  Oris will also continue its presence on the driver and mechanic overalls, driver gloves and driver helmets.

Ulrich W. Herzog, Executive Chairman of Oris, commented; “The prestigious world of Formula One continues to be the perfect platform to promote Oris and renewing the partnership reinforces our support and commitment to the Williams F1 Team.  We at Oris identify ourselves with the competitive racing environment and the commitment to quality and success.”

Sir Frank Williams, Team Principal of the Williams F1 Team, added: “It gives me great pleasure when one of our existing partners renews their engagement with the team, especially when it is one of the longest standing relationships in our sponsorship portfolio. We very much look forward to continuing our relationship with them in the season ahead and I’d like to thank them for their continued support.”

Oris has a heritage of over 100 years of watch manufacturing in H?lstein, Switzerland and is the world’s leading manufacturer of mechanical watches.

This follows deals with with Kemppi, Withuri, Experian and Randstad

FTI Consulting Renews Sponsorship of PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings

Global business advisory, FTI Consulting has extended its sponsorship of the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s Most Valuable Player Rankings.

FTI has put pen to paper on a six-figure deal for the next two years following a successful partnership with the PCA and ECB.

The FTI MVPs is a ranking system which analyses the performances of England internationals and their counterparts in county cricket on a like-for-like basis.

The new deal follows a recent collaboration between FTI Consulting and the ECB at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.

Consultants from the company worked closely with Michael Bourne, the ECB’s Head of Science and Medicine, to analyse the data produced by the FTI MVP rankings.

This provided insights which the Performance Analysis team could build into their overall knowledge database to support various England teams across the game’s different formats.

PCA assistant chief executive Jason Ratcliffe said: “We’re delighted that FTI Consulting has renewed their partnership with us for another two years and very much look forward to working with them again.

“There are some exciting changes to the format in the pipeline which will make the FTI MVPs even more relevant to players and coaches in both the international and county game.”

John Waples, UK head of strategic communications for FTI Consulting, said: “We are pleased with the partnership we have developed with the PCA and ECB over the last few years.

“The rankings are now well established in the game and have really gained traction with the England team and the county professionals. The banter on Twitter shows how seriously the players and the supporters take the rankings.

“We are delighted to have been able to lend our expertise to the ECB’s Performance Analysis team in assisting to make the various England cricket teams the best prepared in the world game.”

TYR Sport Sponsors USA Swimming

USA Swimming has announced a four-year partnership agreement with TYR Sport, a global swimming brand.

The deal between TYR and USA Swimming marks the first ever partnership of its kind. 

TYR will serve as an official sponsor of USA Swimming through 2016 in the categories of technical products (ex. swimsuits, swim caps and goggles) and performance apparel (ex. polo shirts, sweat suits, jackets, etc.). 

“This is an exciting new day to be involved with TYR and we welcome them to our partner family,” said Matt Farrell, the Chief Marketing Officer of USA Swimming. “In getting to know the team at TYR we both share the same excitement for promoting and growing the sport of swimming in the coming years.”

Matt DiLorenzo, the Chief Executive Officer of TYR expressed, “We are very excited to be partnering with USA Swimming.  As a United States based company, it is fitting that we work together to elevate swimming’s profile in our home country. USA Swimming has some very innovative ideas and we are enthusiastic to contribute in a meaningful way.”

“TYR has been an amazing partner for me in my swimming career. They’ve helped me reach my goals and achieve success.” praised 4x OLYMPIC Gold Medalist and TYR Athlete Matt Grevers. “The greatest swim team in the world just got better.”

Toyota to Title Sponsor NASCAR Race at Phoenix International Raceway

Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) announced today that Toyota will be the title sponsor for the Toyota 120 NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series race at PIR on Friday, medicine March 1.

The landmark event will be the first time that the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series has competed in the United States.

“This is an important race for PIR and the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series, as well as the sport in general,” said Sperber. “To have a sponsor of Toyota’s caliber join us in presenting this event is very exciting.”

The 75-lap event will feature a format that includes a scheduled break following the first 50-laps, with a 25-lap sprint to the finish. A full field of drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series is expected to participate in the history making race, including 2012 series champion Jorge Goeters.

“It’s exciting to see the NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series grow to include a race in the Unites States at PIR,” said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. “This was a unique opportunity and we wanted to be a part of this historic event. We have enjoyed a meaningful relationship with PIR over the years — currently the Toyota Avalon will serve as the track’s official pace car this year — and this race entitlement is a great way to expand our partnership.”

“We commend Toyota and NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series decision to hold this historic inaugural race in Avondale at Phoenix International Raceway,” said Marie Lopez-Rogers, Mayor of Avondale, AZ and president of the National League of Cities.

Toyota began competing in NASCAR regional series racing in 2000, and later joined NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition with the Tundra in 2004 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series with the Camry in 2007.

The NASCAR Mexico Toyota series will kick off its 10th season overall and seventh under the NASCAR banner at Phoenix International Raceway on March 1, 2013 followed by 14 races at eight different tracks throughout Mexico.

Jessica Ennis Signs Santander Endorsement Deal

Jessica Ennis has signed an endorsement deal with Santander and will be showcased in upcoming TV advertising campaigns.

Santander, which in the past has used sports stars including Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to front advertising campaigns, said that the addition of Ennis to its cast of brand ambassadors would enable it to appeal more to women.

Ana Botin, Santander UK’s chief executive, said: “Santander UK’s corporate partnerships with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Rory McIlroy have been extremely successful. 

“I am delighted to welcome Jessica to our extraordinary Santander team, to build on the success of our existing partnerships and to form a new alliance for us, in a different sport.”

Santander claims that its use of sports stars has raised its UK brand awareness from 20% to 94%.

Olympic heptathlon champion, Ennis added: “Santander is a traditional bank, as well as one that focuses on giving value to customers through very competitive products.

“I’m proud to say I am one of those customers, and am really excited to be working with Santander and appearing in the new advertising campaign.”

Ennis’s other recent endorsement deals have included Jaguar, Coca-Cola-owned Powerade, BA, Aviva and Procter & Gamble’s skincare brand Olay.

NASCAR Canada Renews Sponsorship Deals with Four Brands

NASCAR Canada have announced Canadian Tire, sick Dodge, herbal Pinty’s Delicious Foods, viagra and Toyota will return as sponsors for the new season.

Throughout the racing season, NASCAR on TSN is driven by NASCAR Canada, a partnership between TSN and NASCAR that is responsible for the growth and commercialization of NASCAR’s Canadian sponsorship, licensing, and integrated media assets.

“As we look forward to another dynamic racing season, we are very proud to be partnering once again with Canadian Tire, Dodge, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, and Toyota to deliver exceptional multi-platform NASCAR coverage to fans in Canada,” said Ian Charlton, Managing Director of NASCAR Canada. “Our relationship with these marquee brands is a testament to NASCAR’s popularity and significance on the Canadian sports landscape. In addition, their involvement with NASCAR Canada enables us to give fans even more opportunities throughout the season to get involved with NASCAR and experience stock car racing like never before.”

Canadian Tire will remain the Official Automotive Retailer of NASCAR in Canada. It is also the title sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Clarington, ON, which will host a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race this year. In addition, Canadian Tire puts Canadians behind the wheel to help develop young, homegrown racing talent.

Dodge is the Official Vehicle of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and provides the series with a fleet of state-of-the-art vehicles to keep Canada’s stock car racing series rolling from coast to coast. Dodge is also the sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series’ Mopar Fast Five driver support program and is activating a trackside promotion this year that gives one lucky fan the chance to win a brand-new Dodge Dart.

Pinty’s Delicious Foods is the Official Wingman of NASCAR in Canada. In the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the Canadian poultry company also sponsors the Wingman of the Race Award, which is presented to the crew chief of the team that best qualifies and finishes a race. The brand has a strong presence trackside at all NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races, with interactive displays and giveaways, including the upcoming Ultimate Wingman contest that will send NASCAR’S best wingman to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race next month at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV.

Toyota delivers the “Toyota Keys to the Race with Michael Waltrip” segment to Canadian fans during every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series broadcast on TSN and TSN2. Toyota is one of three manufacturers competing at the pinnacle of the sport – the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

San Antonio Spurs Gets Local Air Conditioning Sponsor

Four-time NBA champions, help San Antonio Spurs has signed an agreement for Champion AC, pills a San Antonio-based air conditioning and heating company, to become an official sponsor.

The partnership agreement means Champion AC commercials featuring the Spurs Coyote mascot will run during Spurs’ television broadcasts. Champion AC will also receive a banner on the Spurs’ website and be featured at promotional tables during select Spurs games.

“It was a no-brainer to partner with the Spurs,” said Tony Martinez, co-owner of Champion AC. “This city loves the Spurs, and so do we.”

As part of the partnership, all Spurs fans receive a $19 service call from Champion AC, which services and installs all makes and models of air conditioning and heating equipment.

Miller Lite Named Beer Sponsor of Gold Cup

MillerCoors and the Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today announced a multi-year agreement that strengthens the long-standing partnership between Miller Lite and CONCACAF.

Miller Lite will be the global exclusive beer sponsor of the 2013 Gold Cup, CONCACAF’s premier national team tournament; Miller Lite has sponsored the tournament since 2005. The brand also will bring Miller Time to legal-drinking-age soccer fans across the United States as the exclusive U.S. sponsor of the confederation’s club team tournament, the CONCACAF Champions League. The CONCACAF Champions League partnership covers the 2013/14 and 2014/15 tournaments.

“We are excited to have Miller Lite partnering again with CONCACAF supporting our top two tournaments,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “Miller Lite’s history and commitment to the sport in our region has left tangible benefits, including increased awareness of our events thanks to their unique activation and promotional strategies.”

Under terms of the agreement, Miller Lite receives rights to use the tournaments’ intellectual property for advertising and marketing materials, as well as packaging, consumer promotions, signage and video features at tournament games. The deal also features the presentation of the Gold Cup “Miller Lite MVP” award and inclusion in the tournaments’ promotional marketing materials.

As part of its commitment to promoting responsible fan behavior, Miller Lite also will bring the Designated Driver program, popular at sports arenas around the country, to Gold Cup stadiums, encouraging soccer fans to plan ahead for a safe ride home from the match with a designated driver. Fans who pledge to be responsible and never drive drunk can also receive a free cab voucher to help them get home safely.

“Miller Time is all about bringing good friends together for great times over a beer, which is why the Gold Cup and Champions League tournaments are such a perfect fit for Miller Lite,” said Rudy Rodriguez, senior director of multicultural marketing for MillerCoors. “CONCACAF has done a great job of building two special events that bring out the passion soccer fans have for their favorite teams. We look forward to being part of the celebration, whether you’re watching the game in the stadium, at a bar or in your living room with all your buddies.”

Traffic Sports, the commercial agency for CONCACAF, led the negotiation to renew and expand the partnership with Miller Lite. CONCACAF and Traffic are committed to building on the momentum of the region’s two most important soccer tournaments, with Gold Cup building fan excitement leading into the start of the Champions League tournament. 

Pop Group JYJ Become Ambassadors for 2014 Incheon Asian Games

Three member pop group, JYJ (Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, Kim Junsu) have been named as publicity ambassadors for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. 

2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (President, Kim Young Soo) held an ambassador appointment ceremony for JYJ at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, on February 20, 2013.

The Committee said that they have picked JYJ, a popular K-pop trio gaining massive popularity in Asia, as their publicity ambassador to step up their efforts to increase people’s awareness of the event and for its publicity in the Asian region.

“JYJ’s appointment as publicity ambassador means a lot to us because it is the first step to promote the event overseas,” said Kim Young Soo, the president of the organizing committee. “We hope that the Incheon Asian Games will successfully be known to the 4.5 billion Asians in the world with JYJ gaining Asian-wide popularity as the ambassadors of the 2014 Asian Games.”

“We are honored and thankful to have this great chance to be selected as publicity ambassadors for the Incheon Asian Games, one of major national events,” said JYJ. “We will do our best to promote the Incheon Asian Games, as well as Incheon as the host city of the upcoming Asian Game to our fans both at home and abroad.”

JYJ will participate in making songs, dances, and music videos for Incheon Asian Games and they will also join the Road Show, which will be held in October and November in Hanoi, Vietnam and Guangzhou, China to wish the success in Incheon Asian Games.