Yachting New Zealand has announced that New Zealand’s premier Olympic and Paralympic Class regatta has a new name: Oceanbridge Sail Auckland.

Oceanbridge, advice a New Zealand owned and operated international shipping and freight specialist, has come on board as the naming rights sponsor for this annual regatta which will next be held from 2-5 February 2013.

“We’re really excited about this new relationship” said Bill Speedy, Oceanbridge’s managing director. “The regatta is evolving and international participation is on the rise. We look forward to playing our part in taking Oceanbridge Sail Auckland up to the next level.”

Last year, the regatta attracted over 230 competitors from 16 countries and many of those attended the event in preparation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Speedy continued. “We hope that our continued involvement can help develop the international reputation of the regatta and support sailors from outside the Auckland region and outside New Zealand to attend”.

Oceanbridge has offices in Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch, and provides a complete shipping and freight package to many New Zealand importers and exporters by land, sea or air including customs and trucking.

“Yachting New Zealand and Oceanbridge have a long standing relationship; not only in terms of logistical support for our high performance and youth sailors, but through contribution to major sailing events in NZ such as Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta”. Dave Abercrombie, YNZ’s Chief Executive explained.

“The purpose of Sail Auckland is to foster and promote Olympic and Paralympic class sailing in NZ.” Abercrombie said. “We need people from all over New Zealand and also international participants to boost the size and depth of the fleets. This relationship with Oceanbridge will help to achieve that”.

Oceanbridge Sail Auckland will be held from 2-5 February 2013 at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. Registration is now open online the new regatta website.

Unilever through their Dove Men+Care brand has further extended its association with the Irish Rugby Football Union.

Dove Men+Care is already a premium partner to the ERC for the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup tournaments, story a partner to the Welsh Rugby Union and the naming rights partner to the Dove Men Series autumn fixtures at the Millennium Stadium.

The deal with the IRFU will cement its involvement with the sport in Ireland and will see Dove Men+Care become the official male grooming partner to the Irish national team.

The partnership, prostate which includes extensive matchday branding rights at the Aviva Stadium, experiential & sampling rights, promotional rights, national team rights and ticketing rights will kick off at the 2012 GUINNESS Series.

The Series will see Ireland face South Africa (November 10) and Argentina (November 24) at the Aviva Stadium, whilst an Ireland XV will take on Fiji at Thomond Park (November 17).

Padraig Power, IRFU Commercial and Marketing Director, said: “We have seen the investment that Dove Men+Care has been making at both club and international level and we are thrilled to have Dove Men+Care on board as a partner to both the IRFU and our national team.”

John Savage, Brand Manager for Dove Men+Care, commented: “We have witnessed the strength of Irish rugby at club level through our association with the Heineken Cup and this official partnership with the IRFU was a natural progression for our involvement with the sport in Ireland. We will use the partnership to further engage with Irish rugby fans across the country.”

Longines has become the Official Timekeeper of the Gucci Paris Masters, and which will be held between November 30th and December 2nd, price viagra 2012 at the Parc des Expositions, Paris Nord Villepinte.

This new partnership means that the Longines Speed Challenge event will now carry the Longines colours.

Already Title Sponsor of the Longines Hong Kong Masters (February 28th – March 2nd, 2013), the second round of the Indoor Grand Slam Indoor Masters organized by EEM World after Paris and before New York, Longines decided to strengthen its involvement in equestrian sports.

Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a jockey and his horse engraved. Since 1881, this watch was to be found on racecourses, having become extremely popular with jockeys and equestrian fans, in general. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes flat racing, jumps and endurance.

Christophe Ameeuw, Managing Director of EEM World: “We are proud to welcome Longines on board as a long-term partner of the Paris event. The prestigious Longines brand will grace the Friday evening, when riders will tackle the Longines Speed Challenge – a high octane show is guaranteed”.

Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing, Longines: “At Longines, we are delighted to be involved in the Gucci Paris Masters, organised by EEM World, as Official Sponsor and Official Timekeeper. The Longines Speed Challenge will be one of the highlights of the event. Time and precision are, of course, core values for Longines, who can boast long years of experience in timekeeping for equestrian sports.”

SNAP Infusion, the creators of SUPERCANDY, announced today that they have partnered with U.S. Ski Team athletes Tucker Perkins and Mikaela Shiffrin.

This is another step in SNAP Infusion’s mission to help promote a healthy, active lifestyle. SNAP Infusion is committed to creating a premium sports nutrition brand with a function product profile.

On track to be a contender at the 2014 Olympic Games, Tucker Perkins was named to the first-ever U.S. Pro HalfPipe Team. One of five originally selected, Tucker was identified as a top rider in the United States. Tucker is known for his smooth style, huge amplitude and stomping tricks when it counts. A force to be reckoned with at 21 years old, Tucker’s hard work and determination has earned him the respect of his peers.

“After tasting the product and meeting with the team, I was inspired by what they wanted to create. There aren’t a lot of products out there that I feel good about putting in my body, but SNAP is one that I’m really excited about,” saysTucker Perkins. “It’s easy to take with me and the taste is awesome.”

Another 2014 Olympic contender, Mikaela Shiffrin began turning heads two years ago at age 15 with top finishes at the NorAm Cup races and a World Cup podium during her rookie season. Mikaela’s spectacular skills and talent landed her a spot in the elite top-25 World Cup Finals this past March. With an incredible work ethic and passion, Mikaela strives to be an inspiration to young girls as others on the U.S. Ski Team were to her growing up.

“Being on the U.S. Ski Team, I have a pretty rigorous training and nutrition program and SUPERCANDY is a perfect addition. Some of my favorites are SNAP MEL, BEAN and GUMMY and they help give me an extra boost,” saysMikaela Shiffrin. “I’m really excited to be part of the team so look for some exciting things this year!”

“It’s great to have two athletes on board who believe in the ideals of SUPERCANDY and SNAP Infusion,” said Eric Stoll, President and Founder of SNAP Infusion. “It was Mikaela’s and Tucker’s enthusiasm about the product that made us really want to have them both part of our team. We felt that they would fit perfectly within our brand.”

This joint venture marks another sports partnership for SNAP Infusion. Earlier this year, SNAP Infusion became the Official SUPERCANDY of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing Association and in 2013 will become the official SUPERCANDY of the New York Yankees.

The Zurich 2014 European Athletics Championships have announced three Official Suppliers for the next edition of the continent’s premier athletics event, which the Swiss city will host in two years time. 

Office and printing solutions company Graphax, sports equipment company Nordic Sport sports equipment, and the well-known Zürich based catering services company ZFV have become Zürich 2014 Official Suppliers. 

The 2014 European Athletics Championships which will take place from 12 to 17 August that summer. 

The International Partners for the event are SPAR, Omega, Le Gruyère AOC and Eurovision, as well as the Swiss global financial services company UBS. Zürich 2014 is already enjoying a very positive image in the local community.

An extensive survey in September showed that 96% of residents of the German-speaking part of Switzerland either approved of, or chose a neutral position, concerning the Championships. 

The unaided awareness of Zürich 2014 was 29%. Very encouragingly, 45% of the respondents stated that they would like to attend the Championships: 19% stating that they would definitely try to attend while 26% of the respondents answered that they would probably try to attend.

Liberty Mutual has been announced as the official property and casualty and life insurance sponsor of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams (USOC) for the 2014 and 2016 games in Sochi, look Russia, and Rio de Janeiro.

“I am happy to welcome Liberty Mutual to the family of great USOC sponsors, and I am eager to work together over the coming years in support and celebration of Team USA athletes,” says Scott Blackmun, chief executive officer of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). “Liberty Mutual is dedicated to sport at all levels – from youth sports to the highest level of international competition – and it will be a great partner to our U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes.”

Liberty Mutual has donated to athletic programs since 2007 through its Responsible Sports program, which helps young sports coaches and their parents across the U.S. in partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance, Amateur Softball Association of America, American Youth Soccer Organization, USA Hockey, USA Wrestling and US Youth Soccer.

“We are excited to join the Olympic and Paralympic Movements through our sponsorship of Team USA,” says David H. Long, president and chief executive officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance. “Liberty Mutual Insurance has long celebrated the dreams of athletes, supporting youth athletics through our Responsible Sports program, and we look forward to continuing that support during the 2014 and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The U.S. Olympic Committee encompasses both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States, and manages the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games.

Liberty Mutual’s sponsorship of the USOC takes effect in January 2013.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in the consumer electronics industry, announced today that it signed a sponsorship agreement for the 17 Asian Games Incheon 2014.

The ceremony was held at Macau Dome in Macau, China and was attended by H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the president of Olympic Council of Asia, Mr. Kyung-Sang Kwon, secretary general of 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC)and Mr. Sunny Hwang, vice president and head of Global Sports Marketing of Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics became the longest-running Prestige Partner, after becoming the sponsor of the Asian Games for five consecutive times, since the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. Samsung will provide multifaceted support during the Asian Games, including mobile, audio and visual products and home appliances. In addition, it will supply personal computers (desktops and notebook computers) to Olympic personnel for the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014, expanding the coverage of its sponsorship. 

“Samsung is proud of its legacy for the Asian Games, which is one of the world’s leading sporting events” said Mr. Sunny Hwang, vice president and head of Global Sports Marketing of Samsung Electronics. 

The agreement Samsung signed with the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) specifies that the company will continue to implement a marketing campaign based on its rights as a sponsor, such as using the logo and emblem. The deal also includes Samsung’s presence in the medal awarding ceremony, venue branding and exclusive rights to conferring the ‘Samsung MVP Award.’ 

Mr. Kyung-Sang Kwon, the secretary general of IAGOC said, “We’re very pleased that Samsung has made a commitment to support the 17^th Asian Games Incheon 2014. We’ll be working in close association with Samsung to stage a successful event together.” 

H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Al Sabah, the president of the Olympic Council of Asia said, “We are delighted that Samsung has once again come on board to sponsor the Asian Games, as a long time sponsor.” The president of OCA added, “The OCA is extremely proud of its association with Samsung and was confident that Samsung’s commitment will play an integral part in the success of the 2014 Asian Games.” 

Samsung has continued to explore ways to engage with consumers through sports sponsorship. Mr. Hwang said, “Samsung is excited that this sponsorship provides us with the opportunity to inspire our consumers in the Asian market. We hope that people are able to make new discoveries and  experience new possibilities at the Incheon Asian Games with our smart products and technology.” 

The 2014 Incheon Asian Games will be held from September 19th to October 4th (16 days) with more than 20,000 athletes and staff, along with journalists from 45 countries participating in the event.

Cutter & Buck has renewed its exclusive apparel sponsorship of PGA Magazine’s Merchandiser of the Year Conference for the second consecutive season.

This prestigious gathering of PGA professionals will take place in Orlando, bronchi Fla., medicine prior to January’s PGA Merchandise Show, and engages the expertise of golf’s best merchandisers in identifying best practices that can be shared with the 27,000 other member professionals of the PGA of America.

“We’re pleased to join forces again with one of golf’s iconic brands to stage this important industry gathering. Cutter & Buck has been a longtime supporter of the PGA golf professional and is a great fit for this key conference,” said Rick Summers, Chairman & CEO, PGA Magazine.

Cutter & Buck designs and markets upscale sportswear and outerwear for men and women under the Cutter & Buck and ANNIKA brands. All Cutter & Buck products feature distinctive, comfortable designs, high-quality materials and rich detailing. The company sells its products through golf pro shops and resorts, specialty retail shops, corporate sales and online at cutterbuck.com.

The Seattle-based apparel manufacturer has enjoyed continued growth in the ANNIKA line, named and designed for legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam, since its introduction in 2004. The company also produces a separate women’s line under the Cutter & Buck label.

“The goal of the annual Merchandiser of the Year conference is to bring together PGA award-winning merchandisers and AGM members to share and discuss challenges, opportunities and best practices within the retailing side of the industry,” said Jake Rawson, global director of sales, golf for Cutter & Buck. “This aligns perfectly with our goals and provides for personal interaction with our customer base.”

Nearly 150 PGA Merchandiser of the Year award winners, Association of Golf Merchandiser members, PGA of America representatives and various industry professionals will be in attendance.

The Washington Capitals announced today they will sponsor the USA Wounded Warriors in the third annual USA Hockey Sled Classic presented by the National Hockey League.

The competition will take place at the Northtown Center at Amherst in Buffalo Nov. 9-11, pills with the Rockville, drug Md., USA Warriors ice hockey team representing Washington.

The USA Hockey Sled Classic is an annual round robin format tournament between NHL-affiliated teams. Established in 2010, it is the first competitive adult tournament of its kind.

Washington will begin the tournament in a game against Buffalo on Friday, Nov. 9, followed by a contest against Carolina. On Saturday, Nov. 10, Washington will compete against a second Buffalo-based team, with semifinals and the championship game scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 11.

The 2012 competition marks the first year a Capitals sponsored team is participating in the classic. Washington Capitals Charities, the nonprofit arm of the Washington Capitals, funded the registration fee and provided the USA Warriors with Capitals Jerseys including the players’ names and numbers, in addition to helmet decals.

A member of USA Hockey and the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association, the mission of the USA Warriors ice hockey program is to organize and administer an ice hockey program that provides a recreational, therapeutic experience and education to those wounded in defense of the United States. Established in 2006, the team is based out of the Rockville Ice Arena.

A total of 12 NHL teams are sending one or more teams to participate in the USA Hockey Sled Classic, including the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lance Armstrong doping scandal has not deterred Oakley from cycling sponsorship after the eyewear company announced they will become a partner of the Tour de France bicycle race next year

Chief Executive Officer Colin Baden said in an interview in London yesterday that Oakley did not receive a discount because of the doping scandal centering around Armstrong, buy who was stripped of his Tour titles for 1999-2005. Oakley dropped their Armstrong sponsorship following the revelations. 

Oakley’s move comes at a time when sponsors such as the Netherlands’ biggest mortgage lender, Rabobank Groep, are shunning cycling because of the doping scandal.

“I would like to see that the sport be what it once was,” Baden said, without giving details of the sponsorship deal. “It’s unfortunate what we’ve all experienced. It would be really nice to get back to the place where it’s admired, respected and understood.”

Oakley had been working on the sponsorship deal for 12 months. Baden said the decision to partner the Tour for the first time deepens the company’s relationship with a sport where he says the Oakley brand “was discovered.”

Oakley signed its first cycling endorsement with Greg LeMond, the American who won three Tour de France crowns in 1986 to 1990. Since then, it has endorsed top riders including 2012 winner Bradley Wiggins of Britain.