Tsingtao, the famous Chinese brewery has committed to the Chinese Basketball Association’s (CBA) Professional League as new Official Partner.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, negotiated by the CBA’s official media and marketing partner Infront, the Tsingtao brand will be involved at all 272 games of the regular season as well as at the widely followed playoffs (37 games) and final on 22 March. The package also includes a particular highlight of the annual basketball season – the CBA All-Star Weekend, played on 23 and 24 February 2013 at the Guangzhou International Sports Arena. Attracting cumulative television audiences of more than 100 million viewers, it guarantees extensive brand exposure to Tsingtao as well as significant additional print and online coverage.

This season, television exposure is also set to increase further – to the benefit of the associated sponsors. From next weekend onwards, CCTV-5 will broadcast a total of seven selected games each week including four live and three delayed. In the history of the CBA this is an unprecedented amount of exposure on China’s top sports channel. In addition, Infront is amid positive negotiations with many regional networks for additional live coverage throughout the year. 

In order to ensure maximum brand visibility on TV – Tsingtao’s official sponsorship package comprises extensive brand exposure in the arena, including advertising on LED boards. The Tsingtao Brewery will also act as the Title Sponsor for the cheerleading squad, benefitting from additional attention during all game breaks. Beyond that, the company can carry out promotional activities onsite as well as supplementary PR events featuring top players from all 17 CBA clubs. In order to support Chinese basketball at all levels, Tsingtao also intends to set up a 3-on-3 basketball series across China for amateur players and basketball fans. Finally, the brand will be integrated into all promotional materials as well as on the official CBA League website.

Mr. Huang Kexing, President of Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, commented: “Tsingtao has been a strong supporter of sports in China and the development of basketball has always been our major focus. The partnership between the Tsingtao brewery, a world known Chinese brand and the CBA, the top professional basketball league in China, is a great match and will be mutually benefiting.”

Mr. Wang Ruiyong, Vice President of Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, added: “Tsingtao will make the best of the sports marketing platform provided by the CBA. We will launch plenty of activities to enrich the interactive experience of basketball among our consumers. Tsingtao will provide full support to the development of basketball in China.”

Ma Guoli, Managing Director of Infront China, added: “Events like the CBA League finals and the CBA All-Star Game rank among the most watched Chinese sports events of the year and the additional broadcast agreements for the 2012/13 season will further add to this. It is therefore an ideal property for brand engagement with Chinese consumers, making use of the ever growing popularity of basketball in the country. On the other hand, the Chinese Basketball Association also benefits from the strength of the Tsingtao brand. Taking the company’s history as a major supporter of Chinese sport in all its diversity into account, the CBA has won a highly reliable and trusted partner for the future.”

Asia’s premier tennis tournament, the Shanghai Rolex Masters has welcomed ANZ as it’s new International Banking and Finance Partner in a five-year deal.

This Diamond Sponsorship of the Shanghai Rolex Masters,  now in its fifth year etends ANZ’s association with tennis following its continued successful partnership with the Australian Open Grand Slam. The Masters will be held between 7-13 October 2013.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms Joyce Phillips, CEO of ANZ Global Wealth and Private Banking, said: “The Shanghai Rolex Masters has quickly become one of the pre-eminent events on the global tennis calendar reaching a worldwide audience of more than 45 million.

“ANZ has a long-standing presence in China and this partnership not only reinforces our long-term commitment to China but also provides a valuable platform to help build our brand connection across the region,” Ms Phillips said.

Shanghai Rolex Masters Tournament Director Michael Luevano said: “ANZ is a well-respected bank in Asia-Pacific and we are delighted to welcome them as one of the tournament partners. ANZ has a strong history supporting tennis in Asia Pacific and its involvement in the Shanghai Rolex Masters will help ensure a lasting legacy is left on the sport in China and the broader region.”

ANZ will also gain naming rights to the China Tennis Development Program, a grassroots initiative aimed at developing young talent and supporting the growth of tennis in China. In the summer of 2013, 400 children from schools across China will be invited to participate in a series of training sessions under the guidance of experienced tennis coaches.

In its first three years in 2009-2011, the Shanghai Rolex Masters was voted by the ATP players to be the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year.

FIFA has added to their portfolio of sponsors by announcing Brazilian Trade and Investment agency, bronchi Apex-Brasil, medic becoming the fifth National Supporter of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

The agreement provides Apex-Brasil with the opportunity to showcase Brazilian industry in general as well as promoting Brazil as an innovative and sustainable country. The two events will facilitate Apex-Brasil’s mission to bring together Brazilian businesses and potential foreign investors, order order | with a view to strengthening business ties and securing investment.

Brazilian Minister of Sport, Aldo Rebelo, highlights the relevance of the partnership established between Apex-Brasil and FIFA. “In addition to being one of the world´s biggest sporting events, the FIFA World Cup also features a major opportunity for its host country. Thanks to Apex-Brasil´s valuable initiative,

“Brazilian products and services, cutting-edge technology, gastronomy and fashion will be showcased at an exceptional promotion station which is to be set up during the event. And the country shall take advantage of this unique opportunity, which adds to its economy and its image perception worldwide”, said Aldo Rebelo.

Mauricio Borges, President of Apex-Brasil, reflected on the agreement, stating: “The trade promotion actions to be implemented during the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup encompass unparalleled opportunities for us to present an innovative Brazil to the world, a country capable of organizing major sporting events and of developing products and services with high added value and unique design”

FIFA’s Marketing Director, Thierry Weil commented on the agreement, saying: “It gives us great pleasure to welcome Apex-Brasil as the latest National Supporter of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The events present Apex-Brasil with the ideal platform to position Brazil as an attractive business destination. We truly have a common goal – to focus the eyes of the world on Brazil, showcasing the strength of this unique country”.

The agreement with Apex-Brasil represents the penultimate partnership to be signed in the build- up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup with FIFA’s sponsorship structure now almost complete. All global sponsorship slots are occupied, with just one National Supporter space left to fill.

English Championship club, Blackburn Rovers FC have announced a two-year sponsorship deal for the Riverside Stand at Ewood Park with Regulatory Finance Solutions (RFS).

A management consultancy business who provide regulatory expertise for the financial services industry, RFS work closely with the UK’s major banks, life and insurance companies.

RFS CEO, John Turner, commented on the partnership: “I used to sit in the old Riverside Stand as a schoolboy and have been a season ticket holder over the years before and after the new Riverside Stand was developed. I used to bring my mum to games and have many happy memories of my time with her watching Rovers play. Supporting Rovers is a real passion of mine and I’m delighted to sponsor my hometown team.”

Greg Coar, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Rovers, said: “When you speak to John, you can hear the passion for the club loud and clear. It’s fantastic that he sees a commercial benefit for his company is aligning RFS with Rovers and, as a staunch fan, he is justifiably proud to have such a visible presence at Ewood Park.”

Paul Agnew, Operations Director at Rovers, added: “It is very encouraging for us to secure this stand sponsorship with RFS, particularly as the man at the helm has such strong Rovers connections. We are fighting hard in a trying economic climate to bring new business to Ewood Park and this new contract provides a clear indication that we are moving in the right direction.”

Red Bull Racing has secured a partnership with Latin American television provider SKY for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. 

Logos will appear on the bargeboards of the RB8 throughout the event, as well as on driver overalls and race shirts.

“We are very excited with this partnership,” said Luiz Eduardo Baptista da Rocha, SKY’s Brazil CEO. “For the third year in a row we extended our deal with Red Bull, which started in 2009 with the Red Bull Racing Stock Car Team and then progressed to the Formula One Team for the Brazilian Grand Prix. I hope that together we can achieve a great result in this race, as we have achieved in Stock Car season.”

Red Bull achieved 1-2 finishes in both the 2010 and 2011 Brazilian Grands Prix

English Rugby League team, cialis Huddersfield Giants have announced that current partners Q-Connect, check one of the country’s leading brands of office stationery and equipment, ed have renewed their sponsorship for 2013 to be their club’s Main Partner.

The distinctive Q-Connect logo will be featured across the front of the clubs’ principle and alternative shirts, as well as on many items of the club’s training gear.

In a further boost from our sponsor, the clubs’ supporters will receive a special one day offer of complimentary shirt printing with all purchases of the new principal kit this coming Saturday 24^th November at the Open Day at the John Smith’s Stadium starting at 10am (gates open at 9.30am full details to follow).

Sales & Marketing Director, Steve Howarth commented: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Giants again this season as we continue to raise the profile of the Q-Connect brand and support our customers. With the home shirt launching on the 24^th November and a really fantastic day planned for the fans at the stadium, we are delighted to be able to play our part and help and thank the supporters with what we think is a great offer. ”

Huddersfield Giants Managing Director, Richard Thewlis added: “The continued backing of a main partner is essential in so many ways but in particular for the confidence that it brings to all areas of the club. Q-Connect are one of the biggest brands in their field of office supplies and stationery and in their support, we have a partner who shares our vision for a bright future here at the John Smith’s Stadium.

“I am sure the supporters will be delighted with their continued support and of course the offer of free printing on the open day added to the amnesty scheme and the season ticket holder discount, the printed shirts will be by far the lowest priced in the entire game.  I would probably say that this fantastic offer turns the price clock back to the early 2000’s which is wonderful news.

“Q-Connect will be present on the open day as will many other of our partners so let’s hope for fine weather and a great turn out for what should be a fun morning with everyone connected with the club.”

Swindon Robins Speedway Team have acquired a new local partner with Excalibur Communications becoming their main sponsors in 2013.

Following on from their sponsorship in 2012, pills Excalibur CEO James Phipps has made the decision to sponsor the naming rights to the team next season creating the Excalibur Communications Swindon Robins. This partnership comes after an extremely successful season for the Robins, ambulance beating the Poole Pirates to win the 2012 Elite League Championship final last month.

James commented: “We are very pleased to be making our announcement today as the Robins have gone from strength to strength resulting in becoming the Elite League Champions, so there’s high hopes for next year. The Speedway following in Swindon is extremely loyal and it’s a great pleasure to be able to move into 2013 as the Robins’ main sponsor.”

Gary Patchett and Alun Rossiter promote the speedway in Swindon tirelessly and are both extremely passionate about the sport. This evidently pays off in the success of the Robins and the team morale.

Gary says “It’s great for the club to have Excalibur on board, the support they have given us in 2012 has been fantastic. When James decided to go for main sponsor the club were delighted and it underpins all of the hard work we put in to win the Elite League.

“We’re now going into 2013 with the best riders in the UK and the backing to know we can really maximise and build on the strength of the club. I want to say a massive thank you all our supporters too. The stadium is always packed out and if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be in such a fortunate position.”

As part of the sponsorship, Excalibur have provided Alun Rossiter with a branded car so you’ll soon spot him driving around Swindon. The riders will have Excalibur branded leathers too, supporting the theme on the track next year.

Ice-Watch Brand’s has been named the premium partner of the German Handball Federation (DHB).

The Belgian watchmaker branding will be seen on Germany’s shirts when they take on Romania on 24 November and during the European Handball Championship which will take place between 4th to 16th December in Serbia.

The deal brokered by SPORTFIVE includes branding on the hall floor, promotions and print ads and a contingent of VIP tickets.The agreement was concluded for an initial one year including an option to extend it.

Volker Busse of the albu.con GmbH, the exclusive distribution of Ice-Watch Brands, said: “With our presence on the jersey of the national women’s team, we are breaking new ground. Handball matches is a fast, attractive game with varied combinations which work well for Ice-Watch Watches, which are available in more than 400 different varieties. We are convinced that we have with the DHB women found the perfect ambassadors for our brand. “

DHB President Ulrich Strombach added: “So far Ice-Watch was not present as a sponsor in handball. We are pleased that the company has opted for the eye-catching shirt sponsorship of our women’s team, and look forward to future collaboration. “