Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC has announced its newest product line, CeraVe Sun Care, will partner with USA Swimmer Rebecca Soni, six-time Olympic medalist and World Record holder in the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke, as the face of the brand in 2013.  

Katherine Salazar, Associate Director, Valeant Consumer Medical Products, stated: “Because of the significant time Ms. Soni has spent in and around the pool, she is very aware of the kind of daily care and sun protection her skin needs…and her skin goes through a lot.  She can relate well to women around the country and we are confident that she’ll be a fantastic spokesperson for CeraVe Sun Care.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with CeraVe this year!” said Rebecca Soni .  “I love the original CeraVe skin care products especially because as a swimmer, it’s easy to dry out your skin.  Representing the new Sun Care line will be a natural partnership for me.”

The CeraVe Sun Care line, developed with dermatologists, includes eight new products for the face and body with various applications offering both broad spectrum SPF 30 and SPF 50 protection, and will be sold in the sun protection aisle in drugstores and mass market retailers nationwide starting this month.

“Ms. Soni will appear in print advertisements throughout the year and is involved with helping to promote CeraVe Sun Care through our Social Media outreach on Facebook, Twitter (@rebsoni) and YouTube,” explained Salazar.  “We are very excited to continue our support of USA Swimming and work with one of their top talents in 2013!”

Soni currently holds five swimming World Records.  She entered the international swim scene at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing where she won two silver medals and one gold.  At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Soni won Olympic gold in the 200-meter breaststroke in World Record time, becoming the first woman to defend her title in the event.

The European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) has announced that Club Car has extended it’s partnership with the organisation.

Club Car, the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero emissions electric vehicles, has been a partner of the EGCOA since its inauguration in 2006. 
Club Car’s support has played a key role in helping the association share its message with the European and worldwide golfing community. 

“The EGCOA is looking forward to continuing its partnership with Club Car, whose support and extensive industry knowledge have enabled us to grow and continue to improve the EGCOA service we provide. 

“Club Car’s market insight, support and innovation within the worldwide golfing arena is truly market-leading, and working with such an organisation is a great privilege,” said EGCOA Director Lodewijk Klootwijk.

“Club Car fully advocates EGCOA’s commitment to improving golf business on a European level and endorses the Association’s continued support to golf course owners from around the region,” commented Kevin Hart, Sales Director Golf – EMEIA, Club Car.

“It has been a genuine pleasure to see the organisation prosper and grow under the leadership of Marcel Welling and Lodewijk Klootwijk,” added Hart. “By renewing our partnership, we endeavour to support EGCOA in improving the golf business as a whole, creating a positive public opinion of golf and, ultimately, growing the game.”

Panini America, ampoule the global leader in licensed sports and entertainment collectibles, sale announced today that it has reached a multiyear agreement with the AFC West-champion Denver Broncos to be the franchise’s exclusive provider of game-worn memorabilia through Panini Authentic, the company’s memorabilia division.

The partnership will afford Denver Broncos fans the rare opportunity to own historic jerseys worn by the team’s biggest superstars during their march to the AFC West title. The Broncos season continues Saturday with an AFC Divisional Playoff matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Fans can explore the complete inventory of game-worn jerseys now at the Panini Authentic Website.

“We are pleased to partner with one of the elite franchises in the NFL for a relationship that allows us to procure rare and valuable game-worn memorabilia directly from the Denver Broncos, and offer ironclad authenticity and peace of mind to fans and collectors,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America.

“Our utmost priority throughout this process was identifying a partner that cared as much about protecting the integrity and collectibility of our memorabilia and brand as we did,” said Mac Freeman, Denver Broncos Senior Vice President of Business Development. “Clearly, Panini America and its Panini Authentic division is that partner. They are a recognized leader in the world of sports cards, collectibles and memorabilia, and their commitment to authenticity will benefit Broncos fans.”

As part of the partnership, Panini America also is serving as a supporting sponsor of Broncos Bunch, the official kids club of the Denver Broncos, and will provide in-stadium sampling of trading cards at least once per season throughout the length of the agreement.

Panini America also has maintained exclusive relationships with Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Andrew Luck and the Dallas Mavericks.

Audi Australia has been announced as the presenting partner of the 2013 Australian Amateur Championships, which begin next week in Melbourne.

An official partner of Golf Australia, Audi will team up with Australia’s oldest golfing championships and the home of Australian and international rising stars.

A 288-strong field featuring over 50 international players from Canada, USA, England, Germany, Scotland, Finland, Japan, France, Singapore, Korea and New Zealand will tee it up against Australia’s best at Commonwealth and Woodlands Golf Clubs on Melbourne’s sandbelt from 15-20 January.

Kevin Goult, Audi’s General Manager of Marketing said: “Audi is looking forward to a successful association with one of Australia’s biggest participation sports, through our partnership with Golf Australia. We are also excited by the prospect that we will be supporting the future crop of professional Australian golfers,” Mr Goult said.

“Golf is a strong drawcard for our customers, and our involvement with this amateur championship is a great way to kick off our 2013 golf sport activities. Golf is a highly-accepted sport in Australia and connects well with our brand values of sportiness and progressiveness.”

The World’s Number 1 amateur female golfer and defending champion, Lydia Ko (NZ) goes into the women’s championship as a strong favourite, while American and four-time US Mid Amateur Champion Meghan Stasi will also be a strong force.

Australia’s World Number 4 amateur Minjee Lee (WA) and World Number 10 amateur Su-Hyun Oh (Vic) will be looking for their first Australian Amateur crown.

The Men’s Championship will have a new winner, with the 2012 Champion Marcel Schneider (Germany) having turned professional.

The Australian contingent includes 2012 Australian Amateur Medalist Cameron Smith (Qld), WA Open runner-up Brady Watt (WA), and National Squad Member Brett Drewitt (NSW), will all be hoping the trophy remains Down Under.

The youngest player in the field is 13 year old Yumi Matsubara from Japan who plays off a Plus 1.4 handicap, whilst the oldest player in the field is 51 year old Kim Johnson from Long Island Golf Club in Victoria.

Past winners include Michael Clayton, Michael Campbell, Matt Goggin, Brett Rumford, Kristie Smith, and Nikki Campbell, and with both champions receiving exemptions into their respective Australian Opens, they are the most prized titles in Australian amateur golf.

The Australian Amateur Championships presented by Audi will be held at Commonwealth and Woodlands Golf Clubs from 15-20 January.

NFL’s surprise package, Seattle Seahawks have announced today a partnership with SportStream, a leading social second-screen experience for sports fans that will deliver a customized Seahawks social feed during all games.

On Seahawks game days, the second-screen experience can be found at Seahawks.com and at shwks.com/sportstream. Seahawks fans will be able to utilize the feed during the Seahawks versus Falcons game on Sunday, January 13. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT. 

“Our partnership with SportStream provides Seahawks fans one location to view all team related news and information from respected sources,” said Seahawks president Peter McLoughlin. 

The Seahawks’ custom social stream, powered by SportStream, will deliver the most relevant Facebook, Twitter and news content as it relates to the team and players. Seahawks fans will receive a comprehensive view of the game that allows them to share their thoughts with other fans. Additional specialized content includes full game stats, play-by-plays and a live game tracker. Fans can access the live feed not just during games, but all week to remain the most informed fans in the NFL. 

“Partnering with the Seahawks to help their fans find the best content and enjoy live games in a new way is the evolution of the entire sports-watching experience,” said Bob Morgan, CEO and founder of SportStream. “The Seahawks are at the forefront of fan engagement. From the stadium design to their prominent social media presence to the second-screen platform we are providing, it’s a great time to be a fan.”

Now the NHL season will finally get going, Florida Panthers have announced Incapital, a leading underwriter and distributor of fixed income will become an official sponsor of the team.

“This sponsorship will serve as an opportunity to support the Florida Panthers and allow us to create greater awareness for several important charities throughout South Florida,” said John Radtke , CEO of Incapital. “Incapital has always made it a priority to collaborate with organizations outside of the financial arena, such as the Panthers. Through this partnership, we can engage with charitable organizations such as the Forgotten Soldiers and help spread awareness of their efforts in the local community.”

The distribution of leading financial products is the foundation of Incapital’s business model; as such, Incapital will recognize the Panther’s player who ‘distributes’ the best assist each game. Incapital is also known for creating a pipeline of financial products that stretches from Wall Street to Main Street. The ‘Incapital Pipeline Player of the Night’ will honor an up and coming future star from the Panthers farm system.

The sponsorship also includes in-game signage over the course of the Panther’s season.

“Our support for the Florida Panthers and Forgotten Soldiers further strengthens our ties to the South Florida region that many of Incapital’s employees call home,” said Chris Clews , Executive Director of Marketing at Incapital. “Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to build upon our brand awareness campaign both locally and nationally with a well-established sports franchise.”

This sponsorship follows several other sports marketing agreements with Incapital, including the Herbalife World Football Challenge this past summer, the 2012 BIG East men’s basketball tournament, the Chicago Cubs and the sponsorship of several UFC athletes.

Chain Reaction Cycles have announce they will be the title sponsor of the An Post-Chain Reaction Cycles-Sean Kelly team in 2013.

The Irish sponsored Belgian registered team is a UCI Continental outfit and races all over the world.

CRC’s primary aim in getting on board is to promote Vitus Bikes – a brand which they revived three years ago. It’s an obvious partnership as team co-sponsor Sean Kelly made Vitus famous in the 1980s and is now involved in their promotion.

Chain Reaction aren’t new to the world of pro sponsorship as they’ve sponsored the CRC/Nukeproof downhill team for the past five years. “We began our professional downhill programme back in 2008, and ever since then we’ve had ambitions to continue our mountain bike success on the road,” marketing manager Damien Duggan told BikeRadar. “Sean Kelly joined Vitus as brand ambassador shortly after we took on the brand, and with his input we’ve created a very popular range of entry-level and race ready bikes.”

The riders will race on the Vitus Vitesse road frame, as used in the Sean Kelly LTD Edition, and Chrono time trial machine with components supplied by FSA, Vision, Continental and Prologo. More details of the bikes will be available after the team launch in February.

FourQuest Energy, an international oilfield services company, announced today that they’re the gold sponsor of Team Gushue, one of the top teams in Canadian curling and 2014 Canadian Olympic team hopefuls.

“We are extremely proud to support Team Gushue and the Canadian sporting tradition of curling,” said Executive Vice-President Karl Gannon. “With an operational base in Newfoundland, we’re excited to be a part of such a great community and to work with such an accomplished team.”

“We are very excited to have FourQuest Energy join our team,” said Skip Brad Gushue. “Their support will allow us to properly prepare for the run towards the 2014 Olympics and a Brier title. We look forward to a lot of success together.”

Team Gushue will compete next in the Canadian Open in Port Hawksbury, Nova Scotia from January 23 – 27.

English Premier League champions, Manchester City have announced Fabulous Fan Fare as the new catering partner at the Etihad Stadium.

The newly-formed company is a joint venture between Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts and Legends Hospitality and will be partnered with the Club for next five years. 

The agreement, beginning in August 2013, will cover all hospitality and catering services including all public concessions, hospitality areas and the City Square fan zone as well as non-match event catering.

“It is our ambition to create a world class customer experience for everybody who visits the Etihad Stadium. We are looking forward to working with these two leading brands as we continue to develop our stadium to achieve this aim,” said Tom Glick, Chief Commercial and Operating Officer for MCFC.

Nigel Harris, MD of Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts continued: “Fabulous Feasts has proven over the last couple of years that we can deliver world class food on a grand scale.”

“Our passion for providing tasty food to the public is second to none and so we’re enormously excited to be working with Manchester City and Legends to offer what we believe will be the best stadium catering in the Premier League.

“We’ve been in discussions with the club for many months and we now have a dedicated team in place to ensure that the hospitality at the Etihad Stadium is truly something special.”

“This is obviously an exciting and important partnership for us,” saidDave Checketts, Chairman and CEO, Legends.

“We have long sought out to expand our footprint internationally and think Manchester City and Etihad Stadium are the perfect start and fit quite well with our stable of iconic venues.

“Our experience providing exceptional food and beverage to millions of fans and passion for delivering premium customer service at these venues combined with Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts’ credibility, brand recognition and market knowledge provides an offering that we feel Manchester City supporters will truly enjoy.”

Sports nutrition brand Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN) have announced a new three-year sponsorship agreement with Welsh Cycling.

Commercial sports marketing agency 100AND10% facilitated the deal.

The six figure agreement is the largest commercial deal in Welsh Cycling’s history and will see USN secure naming rights to the Welsh Cycling managed UCI Track Cycling World Cup team, anabolics as well as becoming official supplier of nutritional products to the national governing body. As official nutrition partner of Welsh Cycling, USN will also be providing nutritional supplements, support and expert advice for Welsh Cycling riders at all levels.  

100AND10% began working with Welsh Cycling mid-2012, when the company was chosen to design a suite of rights to help attract external investment; the USN deal is the first in a series of announcements set to be made as 100AND10% supports Welsh Cycling to attract new sponsors.

The new partnership with USN was debuted at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in November, which hosted the British leg of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup series. Team USN riders have had a fantastic start to their inaugural season on the World Cup circuit, already picking up a series of medals, as well as success from Jon Mould and George Atkins who won the National Madison Championships in Manchester earlier this month.

Matt Cosgrove, performance director for Welsh Cycling, said: “We engaged 100AND10% early in 2012 to design and implement a new sponsorship strategy for Welsh Cycling. This is a new era for us as a National Governing Body; we chose 100AND10% after a competitive tender process and we have been delighted with the results achieved to date which have without doubt exceeded our original expectations.

“The audit that created the rights packages and sales strategy has proved to be very effective and with our new headline sponsor in USN alongside a number of new partnerships at various stages of negotiation, we are creating a very bright future for Welsh Cycling and a positive long term partnership with 100AND10%.”

Jonathan Wilson, managing director for 100AND10%, said: “Working closely with the team at Welsh Cycling, we have developed a sponsorship strategy that not only meets their commercial requirements but has already proven to be an attractive and exciting opportunity for prospective sponsors.

“With a number of ongoing discussions taking place and new prospects in the pipeline, we are starting 2013 in a fantastic position and look forward to furthering our partnership with Welsh Cycling and delivering long term value for all parties.”

Focused on delivering a fresh approach to creative, commercial and marketing challenges faced by its clients, 100AND10% offers a range of expertise including the design and delivery of marketing strategies, creative, PR and communications, event management and sponsorship sales.

Its clients include The FA & St. George’s Park, Tickets.com, CYBEX International, Powerleague, Rugby Expo and the Professional Players’ Federation.