USA Swimming have announced an eight-year sponsorship agreement with global swimwear company Arena.

Under the new deal is Arena’s role as exclusive sponsor of the U.S. National Team, sale which includes the creation of new National Team uniforms. The sponsorship goes into effect in January of 2013.

In addition to its role as sponsor of the U.S. National Team, and Arena will also be the exclusive title sponsor of USA Swimming’s annual Grand Prix Series, play a key supporting role in the USA Swimming Foundation and its Make a Splash water safety initiative, and enjoy worldwide merchandising rights for the USA Swimming brand.

“Based on our international success over the past decade, it was time for us to target one of the most ambitious projects in our history – to be a leading player in the U.S., the most important market in the world of swimming,” said Arena CEO Cristiano Portas. “USA Swimming is an organization that excels both in and out of the pool and is a leader worldwide in advancing the sport. Today, we are immensely proud to partner with them, because we share their vision, passion, and determination.” 

The new partnership signals Arena’s growing presence and commitment to the U.S. market and comes on the heels of the recent opening of its wholly-owned North American subsidiary in Portland, Oregon. In less than two years since re-entering the U.S. market, propelled by the groundbreaking technology found in its top-performing suits and the speed of innovation that is powering its surge worldwide, Arena has now claimed a leading role in the racing category. 

“It was clear from our first meeting with USA Swimming that we share the same values and devotion to making sure the sport of swimming continues to grow for generations to come,” said Vice President and General Manager of Arena North America, Tim McCool. “We are excited to work with them on multiple levels, from elite to grassroots, all to benefit and celebrate the sport year-round.”

American swimming is stronger than ever, and rapidly growing in popularity and participation. The strength of the sport in the U.S. is growing with a projected growth in membership after London 2012 of 10% or more, record attendance and TV ratings for the U.S. Olympic Trials, long-term TV and Internet partnerships, and all topped off by the highest medal production of any swimming country in the Olympic Games. 

“Arena shares our vision of growing participation in the sport at the grassroots level and recognizing the top athletes in the country,” said USA Swimming Chief Marketing Officer Matt Farrell. “Exciting things are in store to grow the Grand Prix Series like never before with more support than ever for the top athletes.”

Arena’s commitment to the highest level of U.S. swimming builds upon the brand’s existing involvement in the nation’s swimming community. Arena is involved at numerous levels, from individual sponsorships of athletes including Rebecca Soni, Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, and Conor Dwyer, to strategic college sponsorships (including the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Men’s champions the Cal Bears), grassroots sponsorship of Swim America (an American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) program), and charitable initiatives including the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation and Eric Shanteau’s Swim For Your Life program. 

“The fact that USA Swimming and Arena are joining forces creates an extremely powerful combination. I’ve been a member of the U.S. National Team, as well as a member of the Arena family, for several years and have a tremendous amount of respect for what both organizations stand for,” said six-time Olympic medalist Rebecca Soni. “This partnership will absolutely benefit the swimming community, both here in the U.S. and on a global level.”

Nissan has announced the signing of an exclusive sponsorship agreement for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in South Africa in 2013, link and in Morocco in 2015.

With this sponsorship, Nissan will become the “Official Automotive Partner” of both events.

The global car manufacturer, which sponsors diverse sporting activities, already has a keen interest in soccer through its South African affiliate’s sponsorship of local soccer premier league club, Kaizer Chiefs. As the most popular sport in Africa, and one that unifies the continent’s diversity of cultures – as witnessed during South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup – Nissan is delighted to extend its involvement in soccer into Africa.

“Nissan’s association with Afcon, which attracts a large following throughout the continent, provides a powerful platform to build our brand,” said Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Nissan South Africa.

“As the automotive partner of the 2013 and 2015 events, we are particularly pleased to be involved in football, a sport that touches the heart of many, and reaches across the continent”, said Whitfield. He added that Nissan’s brand values campaign “Innovation that Excites”, is aimed at inspiring a Nissan following through its diverse vehicle range. This parallels with soccer, a sport infused with excitement, drawing supporters who are attracted by the skill and performance of its diverse players.

Sales growth is gaining momentum across the African continent following the 2011 launch of Nissan’s mid-term business plan, Nissan Power 88, which targets a global market share of 8% and corporate operating profit of 8% by 2016. One of the highlights of the plan is expanded ‘mobility for all’ through dedicated new cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) developed for entry-level segments and emerging markets. In Africa, the aim is to achieve a double-digit market share by 2016.

National Rugby League’s South Sydney Rabbitohs have revisited a previous partnership with one of Australia’s leading wineries, Tyrrell’s Wines, signing a two-year partnership agreement this week to become the Rabbitohs’ official wine partner.

Tyrrell’s award winning wine range will have the rights to exclusive pourage across all Rabbitohs corporate events and functions for the next two years, as well as becoming the naming rights sponsor to the Tyrrell’s Wines Legends Lounge at Rabbitohs home games.

Tyrrell’s Wines Managing Director, Mr Bruce Tyrrell AM: said: “It is a great thrill to be reunited with the South Sydney club.”

“Tyrrell’s first became associated with both Souths Seniors and Souths Juniors in 1983 when Steve Rogers, the great Rugby League player, was working with us and managing our club business.

“The fit of foundation members of both the Rugby League and the wine industry in NSW is perfect.

“Both of us are steeped in history but have eyes to the future and to improving our own and our sectors’ performance.

“I look forward to Souths winning premiership number 21 and some more ‘Best Wine of Show’ trophies for Tyrrell’s.”

Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson commented on the deal: “Tyrrell’s Wines is widely regarded as one of the success stories in the Australian wine industry, and we’re delighted to be partnering with them once again,” Mr Richardson said.

“Both organisations have long and proud histories within our industries, with Tyrrell’s Wines enjoying over 150 years of experience doing business in this country.

“We’re looking forward to renewing our association with the Tyrrell family and bringing the best-in-class wines to our corporate rooms and functions over the next two years.”

Luxury watch brand, clinic TAG Heuer has joined the Rugby Players’ Association as the latest Commercial partner to sign up in support of the professional rugby players in England.

TAG Heuer becomes the Exclusive Official Watch Partner of the RPA as well as title sponsors of The RPA TAG Heuer Six Nations Review Dinner for the next three seasons. The inaugural event will be held at the Cutty Sark, impotent Greenwich on 21st March 2013 and will be headlined by guest speakers Sir Ian McGeechan OBE and Sir Clive Woodward OBE. 

TAG Heuer will also continue to sponsor the Special Merit Award at The RPA Computacenter Players’ Awards until 2015, sample cheap which was last year presented to Saracens’ and England lock Hugh Vyvyan.

Rob Diver, Managing Director for TAG Heuer UK said of the partnership: “Rugby Union is one of the most revered team sports across the United Kingdom and the world, the sport exemplifies teamwork, performance and commitment; values not just shared by TAG Heuer but epitomised in its DNA.  

“Partnering with The RPA, the largest representative body in England for professional rugby players is another demonstration of TAG Heuer’s dedication to elite sports and we are delighted to be involved.” 

RPA Commercial Director, Nick Byrom, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with TAG Heuer and to introduce the RPA TAG Heuer Six Nations Review Dinner as a highlight of the rugby event calendar for years to come. The RPA is proud to work with some of the best brands in sport and TAG Heuer’s partnership will have a direct impact on the service we can offer the players.”

Founded in 1860 by Edouard Heuer, TAG Heuer has set many major milestones in high-end watchmaking and, as one of the largest, most desired brands in the luxury watch industry, the Swiss legend draws upon its active engagement in the world of sports to create the most accurate timing instruments and watches in the world.

England Hockey and sports bra brand Berlei today announced an official partnership that will see the brand become the Official Partner of the highly successful ‘Back to Hockey’ programme and the Official Sports Bra Supplier to the England and Great Britain women’s hockey teams until after the Olympic Games in 2016.

With 168,000 people taking part in hockey every month, Berlei is proud to provide women across the UK with high quality support for their sporting adventures.  Under the partnership, the Back to Hockey programme will be promoted as ‘Back to Hockey, supported by Berlei’.

The agreement will see Berlei supply sports bras for the England and Great Britain senior women’s teams, with members of Great Britain’s Olympic bronze medal winning team set to be involved in the designing of a new sports bra for hockey. Berlei will also receive a series of marketing benefits, including athlete appearances and hockey event advertising. 

Jonathan Cockcroft, England Hockey Commercial and Membership Manager, said: “With an Olympic bronze medal to our name, the launch of Back to Hockey and 30,000 more people playing hockey, this has been an incredible year and I’m thrilled that we are ending on this high with Berlei joining the Hockey Nation. Berlei and England Hockey share common goals in promoting women’s participation in sport and providing them with the tools they need to enjoy playing hockey at every level. Our elite athletes continue to inspire generations of girls and women on the pitch and we are looking forward to working with Berlei to design a product that will be specific to the growing hockey market.”

Tony Jarvis, Berlei Managing Director added: “We are incredibly excited to collaborate with England and Great Britain Hockey; to not only work with their talented elite squads, but to also help inspire more women to benefit from physical activity. Our aim is to provide the highest technological and specialist support for women of all ages. We will be working closely with the National Governing Body to educate young girls about the importance of wearing a well-fitting sports bra as soon as they are physically active.”

Launched in 1917, Berlei celebrates women and their many life-stages. It’s from these life-stages Berlei has taken inspiration to design practical and stylish sports bras. It is fitting then that Berlei and England Hockey are keen to push home the importance of wearing a sports-specific bra from an early age and Berlei are proud to have a strong presence at the School Sports Games 2013, as well as a number of hockey events for young people.

Watch brand Omega has announced that Chinese golfer Shanshan Feng has become an ambassador of its brand.

Feng began her duties as an ambassador at last week’s Dubai Ladies Masters. Omega was naming rights sponsor of the tournament and Feng produced another impressive performance to win the tournament.

This year Feng, currently ranked sixth in the world, became the first golf player from Chinese mainland to win a major tournament when she claimed victory at the Wegmans LPGA Championship in New York in June.

Omega said golf has become enormously popular in China and continues to enjoy extraordinary growth.

Omega said it hopes Shanshan Feng will raise awareness of its brand even further, particularly among the millions of Chinese golf fans.{jcomments on}

The Four Hills Tournament also known as the Vierschanzentournee has added the BAUHAUS brand as it’s main sponsor.

The contract was closed with Infront Sports & Media, the official marketing partner of the ski jumping series, and guarantees BAUHAUS a comprehensive advertising presence at all four of the event venues in Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen. In addition, the company will be present at other FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Events in Switzerland, Norway and Finland, where Infront has introduced a collective marketing approach for the first time this year – following the example set by the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

Robert Koehler, Head of Communications at BAUHAUS, said: “The Vierschanzentournee is one of Central Europe’s most popular winter sport events and supplements our branding strategy with its wide-reaching sponsorship platform. The impressive Austrian domination and surprising success of the German athletes at the start of this season will further boost the competition in its host countries this winter and we are delighted to be a part of it as Main Sponsor.”

Through the new partnership BAUHAUS is complementing its existing broad and versatile sports sponsorship portfolio. Amongst others the Brand is involved in ice hockey (as sponsor of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and as partner of the German Ice Hockey Federation), in biathlon (as Main Sponsor of the IBU World Cup), in bobsleigh/skeleton (as sponsor of the FIBT World Cup), in handball (as sponsor of the EHF EURO) and in football (as partner of Fortuna Düsseldorf and other Bundesliga clubs).

Michael Witta, Managing Director of Infront Austria, commented: “In the German-speaking countries, BAUHAUS belongs to the group of companies that have the most comprehensive sponsorship commitment and is among fans perceived as a firmly established brand in sports. With the selection of additional top events, the company is sustainably underpinning this development and presenting itself as a strong sports partner throughout the year.”

The Buffalo Sabres today announced a partnership with Lexus to rename the Harbour Club, an upscale club and banquet facility located inside First Niagara Center, as the Lexus Club.

The multiyear deal begins immediately and the Lexus Club will be open for all future arena events.

“The Lexus brand signifies class and quality and that’s exactly what the Lexus Club will offer our fans when they visit,” said John Livsey, the Sabres’ vice president of sales and business development. “It’s an honor for us to rename our club overlooking the harbor after them and to grow our partnership with Lexus.”

The official opening of the club will be marked by a launch party being held tonight, Dec. 17, from 5-8 p.m. in the Lexus Club. Sabres alumni, including Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, Rene Robert, Rob Ray, Andrew Peters and Adam Mair, will join executives from the Sabres, Lexus and other corporate partners to celebrate the opening.

The exclusive Lexus Club at First Niagara Center can be found on the 100 level of the arena. The Lexus Club is a beautiful, multifaceted dining room and banquet facility that provides stunning views of Buffalo’s waterfront and the perfect setting for celebrations of any kind. It seats 400 people and can accommodate cocktail parties of up to 500 guests and features two large bars, a 13’x9’ state-of-the-art video screen and television monitors throughout the club.

“Northtown Lexus is proud to expand our longstanding partnership with the Buffalo Sabres with the announcement of the all-new Lexus Club,” said David DiPasquale, general manager of Northtown Lexus. “We believe the association continues to grow Northtown Lexus and the Lexus brand to Sabres fans and all those who attend events at First Niagara Center. The Lexus Club will be another great addition to all of the exciting changes that we have seen over the past year at First Niagara Center and with the redesigned Lexus vehicle line-up. The new look of the Lexus Club will enhance the brands and offer fans a very upscale experience.”

First Niagara Center is Buffalo’s premier sports and entertainment facility. Located on Buffalo’s waterfront, this state-of-the-art venue was designed with live entertainment in mind.

The Remark Group, treatment intelligent business technology innovator, order has been named home sponsor of Middlesbrough Football Club’s Marvin Emnes for the 2012-2013 season. 

After installing the club’s business telephone systems in 2011 and providing on going aftercare since, sale the brand decided to sponsor the Dutch player. This is the second year running in which Remark has supported a striker at the north-east club. 

Named Middlesbrough’s top scorer last season, Marvin Emnes will continue to play up front this year with Remark’s backing in the Championship. Emnes joined the club in July 2008 from Sparta Rotterdam for £3.2 million and has continually received praise with accolades such as man of the match and player of the weekend as well as top scorer.

James McCallum, Managing Director of Remark, said: “Over the past two years we have enjoyed a great relationship with Middlesbrough Football Club and the sponsorship of Marvin Emnes is our way of showing our support, not only for Middlesbrough’s talented team, but also for the world class football being played. We wish the club every success for the remainder of the 2012/2013 season.” 

Emnes commented on the sponsorship: “It’s nice to know there are companies out there who want to give the players their backing. I’d like to thank everyone at the Remark Group for their support and wish them every success. I’m looking forward to meeting them at the sponsors’ lunch later in the season.”

Icom family, sales through its distributor Icom France, has become the Official Technical Partner for the Vendée Globe, a prestigious round-the-world single-handed yacht race.

Icom France was chosen to be the events Official Radio Communication technical partner in 2008 by the Vendée Globe organisation. Icom radio equipment provides the communication required to ensure a smooth start and finish as well as information for sailors.

Among the equipment supplied to the event include the IC-M71 VHF Marine Transceiver, IC-M91D Buoyant VHF/DSC Handheld with GPS , IC-M423 Fixed Mount VHF/DSC Transceiver and MA-500TR Class B AIS Transponder.

The Vendée Globe is one of the world’s most famous races and is sailed single handed, non-stop and without assistance. The race was originally founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989 has taken place every four years since 1992. The 2012-2013 event started on Saturday, November 10, 2012. This single-handed non-stop round-the-world race is seen as a serious test of individual endurance and is regarded by many as the ultimate in ocean racing.

David Lewin, Managing Director of Icom France said: “We are proud to have been chosen to work hand-in-hand with the elite of the sailing world, once again allowing us to continue test our equipment against the very toughest of conditions. As always, our goal is to provide amateur and professional yachtsmen with the most effective and reliable communication tools for sailors.”

“This year, our new generation of waterproof Icom VHF radios will be tested. Both the IC-M91D GPS Marine VHF/DSC Handheld and IC-M423 Compact Fixed Mount VHF/DSC models share a new common user interface and noise cancelling technology that are unequalled in VHF models today.”

Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager of Icom UK Ltd added: “Icom are the number one choice for radio communications for many events across the globe whether it be on land, air and sea. Organisers and competitors continue to put their trust in the quality and dependability that our product range offers. On behalf of everyone at Icom UK, we wish every success to those taking part in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe.”