The International Triathlon Union (ITU) have announced PruHealth, a leading health insurance and wellness programme provider in the United Kingdom will be the title sponsor of the World Triathlon Grand Final.

PruHealth will activate its sponsorship as the title sponsor of the event, which will be known as the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London. 

This year marks the fourth time an event of the ITU World Triathlon Series is staged in London, but the first time that London will host the Grand Final. The Grand Final races will be held at the iconic Olympic venue in Hyde Park from 11-15 September 2013, giving all athletes the opportunity to compete on the same stage as the 2012 Olympians. 

“We are very excited PruHealth will be the title sponsor of the Grand Final London for several reasons,” President of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and IOC Member Marisol Casado said. “PruHealth’s goals of empowering the community to live healthy, active lives are symmetric with our own objectives to encourage overall wellbeing. It is always special to return to an Olympic venue, and the fact that PruHealth is a UK-based company will only serve to increase our outreach for the Grand Final in London.” 

PruHealth will offer 1,000 race entries to its members for the Open Age-Group Races which are being staged alongside the Grand Final, allowing participants of all levels to partake in triathlon. 

“Triathlon has seen a huge growth, especially in Great Britain, which has no doubt been spurred on by the Brownlee brothers’ legendary performances at the 2012 London Olympics,” said Nick Read, PruHealth’s Director of Vitality. “Because of this surge in popularity and the incredible health benefits of triathlon, we are very excited to join the sport at its highest level here in our own backyard.” 

The PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London will be available live on TV to an international audience of more than 160 countries, as well as streamed online. 

Upsolut, the marketing agency of the ITU World Triathlon Series and an agency of the Lagardere Unlimited Group, brokered the partnership. Tim Stemp, Chief Commercial Officer of the ITU World Triathlon Series said, “The partnership between ITU and PruHealth is an exciting avenue to facilitate the healthy lifestyle goals of both organisations through the sport of triathlon.”

Pearl Izumi, discount a worldwide leading manufacturer of cycling apparel and footwear, impotent has announced its official technical apparel sponsorship for BMC Switzerland’s fleet of competitive cycling squads – including the BMC Racing Team.

The Santa Rosa, ambulance California-based UCI Pro Team is one of the top ranked teams on the UCI World Tour road circuit.

With a 3-year sponsorship in place, Pearl Izumi will provide BMC Switzerland’s Road, Development, MTB and Enduro programs with a variety of performance race and training apparel. The partnership is seen as a natural extension of BMC Switzerland’s continued presence as ‘a leading bike manufacturer with a commitment to advanced innovation and world-class performance in their products.’

“Pearl Izumi is one of the most respected apparel makers in our industry,” said Steven Jonckheere, Sports Marketing Manager of BMC Switzerland. “Some of the biggest races and greatest riders consistently turn to Pearl Izumi for ground-breaking innovation and authentic quality.

“We trust that Pearl Izumi will help drive our teams forward, from both a technical and aesthetic stance. In cycling, both on- or off-road, race apparel has become one of the decisive elements. We permanently optimize our own product, the bicycle, and so do our component suppliers for their parts and so does Pearl Izumi for the apparel.”

Cache Mundy, VP of Product and Brand for Pearl Izumi, added: “Outfitting some of the fastest cyclists on the planet is an endeavour we do not take lightly. These riders have inspired our entire company. Using the most technically advanced fabrics, fit and constructions, BMC Racing’s aerodynamic uniforms will be the fastest apparel available.”

Former V8 Supercars Championship winning sponsor, viagra Pirtek, prescription will re-enter the category this season as the co-sponsor of Casey Stoner’s Red Bull Holden in the Dunlop Series.

Stoner has officially confirmed his entry into the full seven-round Dunlop Series making the switch for MotoGP.

The hydraulic and industrial hose products and services provider was the naming rights sponsor of Marcos Ambrose’s 2003 and 2004 championship winning Fords as part of an eight-year partnership with Stone Brothers Racing.

Stoner’s Red Bull/Pirtek livery is set to be unveiled in Adelaide on Wednesday February 27, just two days before his debut in the seven-round series.

Pirtek Group General Manager, Stephen Dutton, said the opportunity to link with Stoner was the catalyst for re-entering the sport.

“We have always been keen to play a role in the development of young talent, whether that is in the general community or on the race track, football field, golf course or athletics track,” he said.

“Although Casey is a two-time world champion, he comes into this series as a rookie and we are excited to be a part of his entry into V8 Supercars with a successful team like Triple Eight and a co-sponsor with the profile of Red Bull.

“We have no on-track expectations given Casey’s V8 experience, but his work ethic, attitude and desire to be successful is a perfect fit for Pirtek and our franchisees and customers.”

Triple Eight principal Roland Dane commented: “It has always been important for Triple Eight Race Engineering to have partnerships with strong brands and good people and we get both those things with Pirtek in this program.” 

“Obviously Pirtek had some great years with SBR and Marcos and what was achieved during that era still resonates with the fans.

“Like Marcos, Casey is the ultimate professional and I think everyone involved is looking forward to being a part of his transition from two to four wheels.”

Two-time MotoGP world champion Stoner, added: “I am not promising we can deliver what Marcos did before heading off to NASCAR, but we will be trying to learn and develop as quickly as we can and see what that brings.”

The women’s South Africa national cricket team have secured a six-year sponsorship deal with financial services group Momentum just before the ICC Cricket World Cup.

“This is a landmark sponsorship for our national women’s team, being the first significant financial backing they have ever received,” said Cricket SA’s acting CEO Jacques Faul in Potchefstroom on Friday.

“This deal will also go a long way to assist our development programmes to increase the depth in our women’s game.”

Faul said it would be a massive confidence boost for captain Mignon du Preez and the rest of the side, who would now take to the field in India with a sponsorship logo on their shirts for the first time.

He admitted women’s cricket was a difficult product to sell because of its limited media exposure.

“Women’s cricket in South Africa has been badly neglected and it’s hugely challenging for the affiliates to give equal attention and allocate resources to all the different facets of the game.

“The sponsor’s attitude has been fantastic and we want to make women’s cricket as close to a professional setup and we can, otherwise we will never be able to challenge the likes of England or Australia.”

Women’s cricket in South Africa had suffered the same disadvantages as the national netball team and other sports which were non-professional.

“We talk a lot about gender equality, but we don’t fund it, but this is a start and hopefully the ICC are also moving in that direction to give women more exposure.”

“The more we see it on television, the better it will be, but it needed someone to come to us and say ‘we want to do it’.”

Momentum’s brand manager Danie van den Berg said their recent association with the One-Day Cup had been a massive boost for them and, while they realised they would never get the same benefit from the women’s game, it fitted with their image to promote the role of the family as well as gender equality.

The ICC Women’s World Cup will be held from January 31 to February 17 in India.

South Africa play their first game of the tournament against New Zealand on February 1.

IndyCar’s Panther DRR announced Thursday that the Mecum Auction Company has become a sponsor of the team and the No. 22 Panther DRR machine for the 2013 and 2014 IndyCar seasons.

Founder and President of Mecum Auctions Dana Mecum noted, “Last season’s inaugural sponsor partnership with Panther DRR was very exciting for Mecum Auctions with our fantastic finish at the Indianapolis 500. The entire Mecum family has been involved in racing for many years, it makes us very happy to announce our commitment to two more years of sponsorship with a passionate team with such deep racing roots like Panther DRR.” 

“We’re proud of our continued partnership with the Mecum Auctions. To align our team and valued team sponsor partners with such a well-respected, successful and growing brand is truly a privilege. We look forward to working with Dana and his entire team both on and off the track over the next several years,” commented Panther DRR owner, Dennis Reinbold. 

Oriol Servia, back for a second season with Panther DRR, will drive the No. 22 Mecum Auctions car at the Indianapolis 500, as well as several other IZOD IndyCar events in both 2013 and 2014. This partnership is an extension of the relationship that began in 2012, where Oriol Servia drove the No. 22 Mecum Auctions machine to a fourth placed finish at the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500. 

“Mecum Auctions and Panther DRR share a passion for the automotive industry, so this couldn’t be a better fit. We’re excited to build upon the success we had last year at the 500 with a fourth placed finish and perform at the very highest level on behalf of Dana, his employees, valued customers and the entire Mecum family,” stated Panther DRR co-owner Robbie Buhl.

Gaganjeet Singh Bhullar, a four time Asian Tour winner, has been signed as a brand ambassador for the Jaypee Green Golf Resort for a period of three years and he would be representing the debutants Jaypee Green Greater Noida in the second edition of the golf’s original IPL format inter-city tournament.

Bhullar, who played for Dev-Ellora Chandigarh Team last year, would team up with veterans Sanjay Kumar and Vijay Kumar and the trio has so far won over 100 professional events between them.

Bhullar, who reached a career high ranking of 88 last year, also said that he aimed to get into the top-50 in the world ranking this year and get more invitations from the European tour. “I didn’t have a great tournament recently but I am looking for some solid performances in the upcoming tournaments starting with the Louis Philippe Cup,” added Bhullar, who is also likely to conduct coaching clinics at the course in the future.

Through their support for the Greater Noida team in the Louis Philippe Cup, as one of the largest investors in golf infrastructure in the country today, Jaypee Greens is looking to take their association with professional golf to an all new level, by making deeper connections with the golf enthusiasts all over the city and country.

Vidya Basarkod, President (Sales & Marketing), Jaypee Greens articulated: “Jaypee Greens have been a pioneer in developing international standard golf-centric townships. It is only logical for developers like us to promote the game and the players as well, because that is complementing our infrastructure.”

 

NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes have announced today that the Coyotes have renewed their corporate partnership agreement with Anheuser-Busch.

As part of the partnership agreement, Anheuser-Busch has acquired the naming rights to the Coyotes exclusive ice level club that will be called “Club Bud Light”. 

“We are very pleased to renew our partnership with Anheuser-Busch,” said President & COO Mike Nealy. “Anheuser-Busch is a great partner and we are thrilled that they have secured the naming rights to our prestigious ice level club in Jobing.com Arena. Club Bud Light will provide Anheuser-Busch with an opportunity to raise awareness about their brand and products with our premium season ticket holders and corporate partners and I know our fans will enjoy spending time in the club at Coyotes games.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Club Bud Light will be prominently outfitted with new brand integration, including entry and directional signage leading guests into the club and the club’s interior, as well as on tickets and passes required for club admission.

“We’re excited to renew our partnership with the Coyotes,” said Rich Gutierrez, Group Director, Local Media Buying, Anheuser-Busch. “It combines the strength and stability of the Bud Light brand with the club, and provides us with a great opportunity to connect with an important audience through exclusive hospitality experiences.”

USA Rugby has announced that American hard cider maker Crispin Cider Co. has signed a three-year agreement Rugby to become the official hard cider of USA Rugby. 

“Crispin has been a proud supporter of U.S. rugby teams since the day we bottled our first cider,” said Crispin Cider Co. President Joe Heron. “We’re as enthusiastic and passionate about the sport as the exceptional people who play the game. No helmets. No pads. Just lots of ice. Perfect. We like to tackle hard and play to win, just like the Eagles. The fit with the team at USA Rugby is natural in terms of values and personal chemistry.”  

As the official hard cider of USA Rugby, Crispin has rights to use USA Rugby marks on products and marketing, in addition to on-site visibility during official USA Rugby National Club Championship and domestic national team events. Sponsorship communications will be focused on rugby fans, players and USA Rugby members alike who are 21 and older. 

In addition to being an official sponsor of USA Rugby, Crispin will continue to partner at a grassroots level with rugby clubs across the nation. Crispin will further that involvement with the sponsorship of annual awards in partnership with USA Rugby. These include the USA Rugby Crispin Club Rugby Coach of the Year/NCS Championships for both male and female team coaches, and the USA Rugby Crispin Club Rugby MVP of the Year/NCS Championships for the best male and female rugby players. 

“Rugby is on fire in the U.S.,” said Nigel Melville, president and CEO of USA Rugby. “Participation and attendance at all levels are growing exponentially, the Eagles are performing at the highest level in our history, and we look forward to participating in the Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens World Cup in 2013, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014 and the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2015.  

“Rugby is a team game, and we’re thrilled to have Crispin on our team going forward. We love their energy, their passion for the game, and their willingness to work with us to the benefit of the future of the sport as a whole, as well as clubs, players, fans, and of course, the Eagles.”

Diamond Resorts International, treat a global leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries, link has announced a new partnership and sponsorship with PGA Tour golfer, ambulance Brian Gay.

Gay became a professional golfer in 1994 and joined the PGA Tour in 1999. Throughout his 19 year career he has won four PGA Tournaments including Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya – Cancun in 2008, Verizon Heritage in 2009 and St. Jude Classic in 2009. Most recently, on January 21, 2013, Gay won the Humana Challenge in La Quinta, California, moving him to No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings.

Per the sponsorship agreement, Gay will represent Diamond Resorts International at all public appearances as well as PGA Tour events, and display the Diamond logo on the front of headwear and apparel. In addition, he will be the official PGA Tour Playing Professional for Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, a Diamond Resorts International property in Celebration, Florida. Gay will make personal appearances throughout the year at Diamond’s Perfectly Cut Events, conduct live golf clinics and participate in Diamond owner tournaments at Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club.

“I consider it an honor to represent Diamond Resorts International while on the PGA Tour and eagerly anticipate my involvement with Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club,” said Brian Gay. “Diamond, a company that my family and I enjoy staying with when traveling, sets the industry standard for customer service and offers high quality facilities. It’s a privilege to have this opportunity to meet and work with the talented team members at this resort and across North America.”

As a golf professional with nearly 20 years of experience, Gay consistently operates on a high-performance level ensuring flawless execution. This is the same standard that Diamond Resorts International strives to deliver to owners, members and guests worldwide.

According to Michael Flaskey, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, North America, Diamond Resorts International: “We are proud to sponsor such a talented and inspirational athlete who exhibits the same determination and commitment to excellence that we strive for at Diamond Resorts International. Our team members look forward to serving Gay and his family when staying at our resorts. We congratulate Gay on a great start to the season with his big victory at the Humana Challenge. We wish him the best of luck as he continues to compete on the 2013 PGA Tour.”