T-Mobile USA, stuff Inc. has announced a major new partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) becoming the Official Wireless Sponsor of MLB.

As part of the multi-year, pharm multimillion-dollar partnership, site T-Mobile will work with MLB and its industry-leading digital media and technology company, MLB Advanced Media L.P. (MLBAM), to enhance America’s national pastime on and off the field with game-changing wireless capabilities. This marks the first time in more than a decade that MLB has partnered with a major wireless provider.

Under the agreement, T-Mobile will provide MLB with a new On-Field Communication System, powered by T-Mobile’s powerful nationwide 4G network technology. The first use of this technology will be in a wireless voice system connecting managers in select Major League dugouts to coaches in bullpens. This dugout-to-bullpen system will start to roll out in 2013 and the new On-Field Communication System solution will offer greater mobility as well as options for future innovation within the game.

“We look forward to working with Major League Baseball and are excited they have chosen T-Mobile’s technology to power a new, in-game communication system at ballparks across the country,” said Mike Sievert, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “Unlike a typical sponsorship, we’re approaching this partnership as a collaboration in which T-Mobile, MLB and MLBAM will work together to evolve the game with exciting new technology innovation, enhancing the experience for customers and fans.”

“T-Mobile has made a significant commitment to Major League Baseball across our game and business, and its innovative drive and expertise in wireless technology will be an outstanding addition to the baseball industry,” said Tim Brosnan, MLB executive vice president, business. “T-Mobile has been an impact player in the wireless industry, and we look forward to its innovative spirit positively influencing the game and the way fans enjoy it.”

In collaboration with MLBAM, T-Mobile also will tap the power of its nationwide 4G network, currently available in 229 metro areas, reaching more than 220 million people, to further enhance and broaden network coverage and connectivity for fans in MLB ballparks. This past season, MLB recorded its fifth-best attendance year in its long and storied history by attracting more than 74.8 million fans to regular-season games.

In addition, MLBAM, which develops, deploys and distributes the top-ranked sports mobile application of all-time — MLB.com At Bat — will work with T-Mobile to enrich the digital experience on T-Mobile’s smartphones and tablets; create custom, compelling content exclusively for its customers; and develop promotional opportunities and unique offers for MLB.com content.

“Baseball is America’s No. 1 digitally consumed sport, and today’s baseball fan is technologically savvy and data hungry, which makes this partnership a great opportunity for not only baseball enthusiasts, but also millions of T-Mobile customers,” Sievert said.

“The underpinning of a partnership with a key provider such as T-Mobile mirrors baseball’s long-held belief in leveraging and implementing wireless technology to deliver first-rate products and services to the industry and our fans,” said Bob Bowman, president and CEO, MLBAM. “T-Mobile will play an important role as we continue that focus on bringing top-notch content, connectivity and customizable experiences to consumers wherever they are.”

The T-Mobile investment in baseball is a comprehensive, multifaceted marketing approach that will include partnerships with national broadcast partners FOX, Turner, MLB Network, and ESPN. T-Mobile will be the presenting sponsor of ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball, including on-air, digital and mobile sponsorship initiatives, in addition to features on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight.

T-Mobile and MLB also will develop marquee media opportunities and marketing extensions at events throughout the year, as well as local sponsorships with select MLB Clubs. Currently, T-Mobile is a sponsor of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners.

Swiss DIY chain JUMBO is a new Official Co-Sponsor of the Tour de Suisse.

Tour de Suisse organiser and marketing agency, cough IMG (Schweiz) AG, and the specialist retailer have agreed to work together to promote the event.

A fully owned company of Geneva-based MAUS FRÈRES HOLDING SA, Jumbo operates 41 independent DIY stores run as stand-alone businesses in Switzerland and aims to become a regional market leader across the whole country.

Sponsoring the Tour de Suisse, which passes through all the country’s language regions and is very much embedded in regional activities, brings JUMBO one step closer to this aim.

Official Co-Sponsor is a third-level sponsorship package and covers advertising along the route and at the start and finish lines with a wide range of promotional opportunities and a hospitality allocation.

The ATP and Rolex, shop the luxury Swiss watch brand, have agreed a new multi-year partnership which will see Rolex become the Official Timekeeper of the ATP World Tour starting from 1 January 2013. 

The agreement has also led to an extension of the existing Rolex sponsorship of the Barclay’s ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in London. 

Brad Drewett, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Rolex, such a prestigious brand with an exceptional sporting heritage. This new partnership underlines the global appeal of our game to both fans and sponsors alike – it’s a very exciting time to be involved in men’s professional tennis.” 

Rolex has an association with tennis dating back to 1978, when the brand became the Official Timekeeper of The Wimbledon Championships. They now sponsor several tournaments around the world and a number of leading players, including Roger Federer.

South Korean automobile manufacturer, bronchi Kia has extended its sponsorship of the Australian Open through 2018, lifting the South Korean automaker’s backing of the tennis Grand Slam tournament to an unprecedented 17 straight years.

Kia, which replaced Ford Motor Co. as the main sponsor of the season-opening major in Melbourne in 2002, committed to a “multi-million dollar” extension and the sponsorship rights of the renewed agreement will remain largely the same, Tennis Australia said today in a statement.

“To our knowledge, Kia will now be the longest and biggest Asian-based sponsor of sport in Australian history,” Steve Wood, the governing body’s chief executive officer, told reporters at Melbourne Park.

As part of its sponsorship, Kia supplies the two-week tournament with a fleet of more than 100 vehicles that transport tennis players, officials and VIPs around Melbourne.

Time Warner Cable announced today that it has partnered with World Golf Champion, Ian Poulter, to launch it’s marketing campaign Enjoy Sports Better.

Poulter is an English professional golfer who is a member of the world’s top two professional golf tours, the U.S.-based PGA Tour and the European Tour. He has previously been ranked as high as number 5 in the world rankings. The partnership will feature Poulter in a national advertising campaign as well as appearances at golf tournaments and exclusive opportunities with customers in Time Warner Cable markets.

“We’re tremendously pleased to have Ian partner with us in support of our Enjoy Sports Better campaign,” said Jeffrey A. Hirsch, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Residential Services of Time Warner Cable. “He is widely regarded as one of the best putters in the game and without a doubt will also serve as an important voice for our customers who are passionate about all things golf.”

In the next few months, Time Warner Cable customers across its footprint can view a new Enjoy Sports Better commercial featuring Poulter and other top athletes. Additionally, customers will have the chance to meet and greet Poulter at golf tournaments where he will be competing.

“I am thrilled to begin the 2013 season with Time Warner Cable as my newest partner,” said Poulter. “We both value entertainment as a key component of life! I am looking forward to a long relationship with Time Warner Cable!”

Phoenix Racing announced Guy Roofing Inc. will sponsor its No. 1 Chevrolet in the DRIVE4COPD 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race Feb. 23 and its No. 51 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 Feb. 24.

The events at the historic, doctor high-banked 2.5-mile oval will mark the organization’s first NASCAR sponsorship endeavors.

Guy Roofing is a national full service residential, commercial, and industrial roofing contractor headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C. They provide services in the 48 contiguous states. It is a family-owned corporation celebrating more than 40 years in business.

“NASCAR started as a small organization, and has grown into a long established national sport,” said Jeff Guy, vice-president of Guy Roofing. “With NASCAR series tracks in virtually all of the market areas where Guy Roofing provides our services, it made perfect sense for us to partner with Phoenix Racing. Stock car racing is an American tradition, in many cases passed down from generation to generation. As a third-generation family operated business, Guy Roofing values the commitment to excellence and quality that enable operations like NASCAR to withstand the test of time and continue to grow. It is that dedication that truly illustrates the American spirit.”

“Phoenix Racing is thrilled to have Guy Roofing partner with us for the races in Daytona,” said James Finch, team owner. “There’s not a better way for them to enter the NASCAR arena than to be part of those events. We’re excited for NASCAR fans to learn about their company and find out about the tremendous services that they offer.”

Canadian road racer Ben Young has announced a new partnership with UK-based KICK Energy Drink for the 2013 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike season.

KICK Energy Drink is owned by Global Brands Limited in the United Kingdom and distributed in the US by Streamwood, IL’s Dolce Beverage Company LLC. 

Canadian-based Young, just coming off of a successful debut in the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Championship, and KICK Energy are both originally from the UK and share a passion to excel in the U.S. 

“We think that this is a great opportunity to get the KICK Energy name out there in a very cool environment and sport! We look forward fueling Ben’s continuing success and developing this partnership into something that can be expand down the road.” said Courtney Voss, Dolce Beverage Group, Marketing & PR Manager. 

KICK Energy Drink is one of the fastest growing products in its sector in Europe and debuted in the United States in 2011.

Young stated: “Because of what’s in KICK, and what isn’t, it’s the ideal energy drink for me and our crew to ‘Stay in the Game’ during each race weekend! I’m proud that the Dolce Beverage Company has placed their trust in me and the BYR team to kick-start KICK Energy Drink’s introduction to AMA Pro Road Racing’s fans and the motorcycling community.” 

Bryan Herta Autosport has announced today that Barracuda Networks will continue to be the primary sponsor for the team’s 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series No. 98 “Barracuda Racing” entry.

The Barracuda Networks sponsorship will again include primary branding on the car and all team equipment. The Honda-powered, allergist | No. 98 Dallara DW12 livery will be unveiled in the upcoming weeks, along with associate sponsor announcements.

“Barracuda Racing had an amazing 2012 season and we are looking forward to an even stronger one in 2013,” said Michael Perone, executive vice president and CMO at Barracuda Networks. “The sense of teamwork, drive and focus on innovation is unparalleled and we are proud to be the primary sponsor and share that with our customers and partners around the world.”

“Barracuda Networks has proven to be an ideal partner for Bryan Herta Autosport and our Barracuda Racing IndyCar,” commented Bryan Herta. “In 2012 we achieved many milestones together, and we plan to build on those successes on and off the track together. Barracuda is well known for their performance, reliability, and quality and we are proud to represent the brand for a second year in the IZOD IndyCar Series. I know I speak for everyone at BHA when I say we cannot wait for the 2013 season to begin.”

Barracuda Networks is a technology company that works with businesses to simplify their information technology (IT) processes and protect their networks, data and end–users. Barracuda Networks offers a wide range of products that protect organizations from email and Web threats, improve application delivery and network access, and backup and archive critical data.

 

Chris Sarbora has agreed a deal to wear Hazardous Racing protective clothing for his 2013 attempt at the Isle of Man TT.

Hazardous, cialis formed in 2012, herbal is an American-based leathers and apparel company dedicated to producing the highest-quality suits available, at the most affordable final cost to the racer. By reducing the cost of entry to high-grade protection, Hazardous hopes to increase the level of safety available for everyone – from the professional racer to the everyday street rider.

“Obviously, quality protective gear is important in all aspects of motorcycling, but it is never more important than on the Isle of Man, during a TT race,” Chris said. “I’m very excited to wear Hazardous this year not only because I believe in the company’s vision of quality gear for every rider, but also because I know that its founder’s idea of ‘quality gear’ is based in personal, real-world experience. I won’t be wearing the product of some engineering design committee; I’ll be wearing the product of a fellow racer’s years of expertise.”

“When it’s houses, trees and stone walls you’re streaking past instead of racing curbs and gravel traps, it’s important to be able to breathe easy and know that your gear fits you properly, isn’t going to affect your movement, and is going to stay together and do its job if the worst should happen,” he added.

Hazardous Racing has already made quite a splash on the national racing scene on both the west and east coasts, with a fast-growing presence in both AMA Pro as well as regional club races. With the addition of Chris to its team roster, Hazardous is thrilled to debut in Europe and on the world stage.

“There is no greater race than the Isle of Man TT,” commented company founder Matt Alexander, “and we think there is no greater opportunity to prove ourselves than in competition at that race. With Chris on the team we hope to spread the word that top-level safety doesn’t have to be exclusive.”

Unifi, ailment Inc., makers of the REPREVE brand of fibers, announced that REPREVE will be a first-time sponsor of X Games Aspen, which will take place Jan. 24 to 27, 2013.

As the recycling sponsor of X Games Aspen 2013, the goal is to raise awareness about the significance of recycling plastic bottles and choosing REPREVE-based products. REPREVE is made from recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles, and is an essential ingredient that makes fabrics and garments sustainable.

To help drive awareness, Elena Hight has teamed up with the REPREVE brand to help promote a greener lifestyle. Hight is best known for her progressive riding style and is a decorated X Games Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe medalist. As brand ambassador, Hight will help promote the importance of recycling and choosing products made with REPREVE.

“The X Games is an ideal event to showcase REPREVE, because the recycled fiber goes into many winter sports-related brands including Patagonia, The North Face and Polartec-based products,” said Roger Berrier, President and chief operating officer of Unifi, Inc. “Together with Elena Hight and the X Games, we have a special opportunity to educate consumers on the importance of recycling and the innovative products produced from recycled plastics, providing consumers a new way to lighten their impact on the environment.”

“The environment plays such an important role in winter sports and we can help make a difference by recycling and choosing products made with REPREVE,” said Elena Hight. “Not many people know that REPREVE is a recycled ingredient that makes so many of the clothes we buy eco-friendly. It’s really cool to know that the bottles we recycle at X Games Aspen could actually end up in my clothes.”

As part of Hight’s collaboration with the REPREVE brand, she will be featured in a television advertisement showcasing the REPREVE brand fiber on ESPN during X Games Aspen. She will also be available at the REPREVE booth Sunday, Jan. 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for photo opportunities with fans.