The Green Bay Packers and Oneida Nation have announced a multi-year extension of their partnership as well as the renewal of the company’s sponsored gate at Lambeau Field.

Already a long-standing partner of the Packers, search Oneida expanded its agreement in 2003 during Lambeau Field’s renovation by sponsoring the east gate, which faces Oneida Street. The renewed partnership allows Oneida Nation to continue to promote tourism and Oneida’s local businesses including the Radisson and Wingate hotels, Thornberry Creek and Oneida One-Stop gas stations and convenience stores.

“The Green Bay Packers are proud to continue our long-lasting relationship with a great community partner,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “The Oneida Nation shares a rich history with the Packers and we both look forward to continuing to provide great experiences to our residents as well as our visitors.”

In the past, Oneida has sponsored “Oneida Nation Kids Clinic,” a football camp for young members of the Oneida Nation at the Don Hudson Center. Oneida has also teamed up with the Packers on several occasions to enhance the gameday experience at Lambeau Field by providing dancers during the halftime show.

As a part of Oneida’s partnership with the Packers, the Oneida Nation and its attractions are represented in more than 35 locations inside the stadium, in addition to the east gate entrance, providing exposure to more than 70,000 fans during each game.

Oneida has a rich relationship with professional football in Green Bay that dates back to the late 1800s. Some of the first professional paid football players in the city were Oneida men Tom Skenandore, Taylor Smith, Martin Wheelock and Jonas Metoxen.

“Oneida has experienced tremendous success along with the Packers during our relationship,” said Ed Delgado, chairman of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. “Two Super Bowl wins helped bolster our economy and generate positive things happening in our community. We look forward to more successful seasons in Titletown.”

OPSM, prostate Australia’s leading eye care and eyewear provider, today announced a five-year partnership with Cricket Australia.

As the official eye care partner for Cricket Australia, OPSM will provide Australia’s elite cricket players with optometry services, world-leading technology and the latest range of sunglasses and spectacles.

Melinda Spencer, Vice President of Marketing for Luxottica, commented: “We are excited to be partnering with Cricket Australia as we head into the summer season. This new relationship with OPSM will give our cricket players access to cutting edge technology, outstanding service and the highest quality range of eyewear in the world to help them perform at their best.

“Our goal is to improve eye health for all Australians and we look forward to bringing the partnership to life.  It’s important for cricket players of all ages to protect their eyes from harmful UV rays.”

Mike McKenna General Manager – Operations, Cricket Australia, said: “We are thrilled to bring OPSM on as a gold partner and look forward to working with its team of experts over the next five years to help build awareness of the importance of protecting eyes for both players and spectators.”

Bradford Bulls have announced their first Asian sponsor after a fast food supplier Rajas signed a one-year partnership with the club.

The Bradford-based company was confirmed as new partners by new Bulls owner Omar Khan.

Restaurateur Khan, who took over the Super League outfit in September, told the club’s official website: “I am delighted Rajas have come on board with us.

“They approached me as soon as we took over the club and asked if they could help us and today’s announcement is the culmination of that process.

“Rajas are well known in the Asian Community as a quality company and they have provided a significant investment for the club with this sponsorship.”

Bulls chairman Gerry Sutcliffe said: “This is a very significant investment both for the club and for the sport. Rajas will be one of, if not the first, Asian businesses to become partners with a Rugby League Club.”

InterContinental’s Hua Hin Hotel Resort has been confirmed as an official sponsor of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012, playing host to the centrepiece of the Official Trophy Tour of the tournament.

The resort is sponsoring next month’s FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 – in the hope of generating local interest in the game and encouraging Hua Hin’s youth to develop an active interest in the indoor-based variation of football.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 will be held in Bangkok in November, marking the first time the prestigious tournament has been held in Thailand.

The InterContinental Hua Hin Resort is the historical town’s most prominent resort.

The royally-inspired heritage hotel features beachfront villas as well as La Residence, a 480sqm, two-storey Rama VI period beachfront house which dates back to the 1920s.

The InterContinental Hua Hin Resort recently hosted an opening ceremony to mark the occasion, at which the tournament’s coveted trophy was displayed to guests.

NHL’s Ottawa Senators announced today a partnership with local golfer Brad Fritsch, who qualified for the 2013 PGA tour this past weekend.

The Senators entered into this promotional partnership with Fritsch this past summer, with the aim of assisting him to reach his goal of earning a PGA tour card.

Fritsch accomplished his goal and earned his PGA tour card this weekend by finishing tied for ninth place in the year’s final tournament, the Web.com Tour Championship at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas, which left him in 18th place on the Web.com Tour money list.The top 25 in earnings on the money list of the Web.com tour automatically earned PGA tour cards for the 2013 golf season, which begins in January.

“We want to congratulate Brad on achieving his goal and earning his PGA tour card,” said Jeff Kyle, Senators vice-president of marketing. “We entered into this partnership with Brad because we believe that many of his best qualities, including his dedication and perseverance, reflect much of what the Ottawa Senators organization is all about. In sports, one of the most important ingredients to success is belief in achieving the ultimate goal and we were glad to be able to demonstrate to Brad that we are here to support him during the most important time of his career.”

Fritsch’s partnership with the Senators provides him with financial support and will see him sporting the Senators logo on both his shirt and his golf bag on the 2013 PGA Tour. Fritsch will also be participating in a number of community events with the Senators.

“As an avid Senators fan, we are proud to have Brad represent our organization and work with us to support local charities in innovative ways”, added Kyle. “We are excited about how great this partnership will be for both Brad and the Senators.”

“I am overjoyed to partner with and represent the NHL team that I’ve grown up with the last 20 years,” said Fritsch. “It is an honour and a pleasure to be associated with the Senators and my hope is that this is a partnership that will last for many, many years.”

“Brad and I are very excited for this opportunity we have with the Ottawa Senators,” noted Stephen Fritsch, Brad’s agent. “As both of us are huge fans, we felt that this would be a perfect fit and we look forward to working with the hockey team we both grew up cheering for.”

The 2012 golf season was the fourth year on the Web.com tour (formerly the Nationwide Tour) for the 34-year old Fritsch, who resides in Manotick, Ont. He began his professional golf career in 2000 and has also played on the Canadian Tour.

Gatorade has teamed up with PlayFootball, doctor the national small sided football brand, in a five year brand partnership agreement.

Small sided football is one of the highest participation sports in the UK, with over 2.6 million regular players each week. This compares with 1.8 million players of 11-a-side football.

PlayFootball is one of the fastest growing branded operators now with 13 owned centres throughout the UK including PlayFootball Romford, which opened in October. The centres provide between 10 and 14 purpose built 5 and 7-a-side football courts with the latest all weather 3G surface, floodlights, rebound boards, roof nets, ample car parking, sports bar and club house changing rooms. In addition to the destination centres themselves, PlayFootball also provides a service model which embraces 24/7 on line engagement including fixtures, results and league table services and a social media platform.

PlayFootball CEO Barry Hunter explains “We are delighted to have Gatorade as a long term brand partner. We provide a unique opportunity for brands to engage with their target audience in a relevant environment, at the point of sweat. Our customers are regular so frequency of reach is high but we also benefit from long dwell times, which give Gatorade time to engage in a manner most other communication channels cannot offer.”

Gatorade joins adidas as the second brand to partner PlayFootball. Hunter continues “We aim to develop a limited number of complimentary brand partners who are looking to target 18-30 year old males. We aim to fully understand a brands communication strategy and develop unique solutions for them.”

Ashley Read, Marketing Manager of Gatorade, added: “We are thrilled with the new partnership with PlayFootball as it’s a great opportunity to communicate and educate a unique audience. To get started over the next six months, we’ll be investing over 400 hours of sampling and athlete nutrition presentations across the PlayFootball estate to start our journey of educating athletes on the benefits of hydration during sport.”

US golf apparel brand Footjoy has agreed a deal to sponsor the 2012 DP World Tour Championship as part of a three-year agreement between Dubai-based sports wholesale distribution company ProSports International and the $8 million tournament.

Footjoy – which is part of the US-based Acushnet Inc, hospital owners of another major golf brand “Titleist” – is one of the most recognised names in world golf having been involved in the industry for nearly 150 years. This will be its first commercial partnership with the final event on The European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

Footjoy are also partners of The European Tour and The Ryder Cup, while the company’s stable of Footjoy Ambassadors include 2009 Race to Dubai winner Lee Westwood and reigning Omega Dubai Desert Classic Champion Rafael Cabrera-Bello.

“We are very proud to have Footjoy chosen as the Official Merchandise Partner of the DP World Tour Championship,” said Ara Nakhnikian, Managing Partner of ProSports International, distributors of the brand in the GCC and Middle East.

“Footjoy products are synonymous with quality and the brand enjoys the status of being the number one shoe in golf and the number one glove in golf. With the much awaited launch of their comprehensive golf apparel range, we feel the partnership can only improve the standing of the tournament.”

Footjoy will supply apparel for European Tour staff, the teams competing in the Rolex Pro-Am and The European Tour Golf Day, while distributor ProSports is also the Official Merchandiser to the general public through the on course retail shop.

To be staged on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from 22-25 November, the DP World Tour Championship will see the top 60 players in The Race to Dubai competing for prize-money of $8 million as well as share of The Race to Dubai Bonus Pool of $3.75 million.

While the cream of The European Tour – including current Race to Dubai leader and World Number One Rory McIlroy and the other eleven members of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team – will play all four days at Jumeirah Golf Estates, the event is also backed by many of the biggest commercial partners in golf.

“Now in its fourth year, the DP World Tour Championship is the perfect finale to The Race to Dubai and brings together recognised names both on and off the course,” said Nick Tarratt, European Tour International Director, Dubai Office.

“Footjoy is one of the most recognised brands in golf so it is a major boost to have them on board for the next three years and we are delighted to have ProSports International and Footjoy in our family of sponsors.”

Established in Dubai in 1995, ProSports International is a major sports wholesale distribution company in the UAE supplying a wide variety of sports products to all major golf and other clubs, retailers, corporate and marketing companies throughout the GCC and Egypt.

ProSports has been involved as Official Merchandiser with the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7s since 2000 and were also appointed Official Merchandiser for the Rugby 7s World Cup 2009 and the retail merchandise operator for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2010.

Die Deutsche Fernsehlotterie als Hauptsponsor des FC St. Pauli ruft gemeinsam mit Do You Football, vialis 40mg dem Ausrüster des Vereins, und dem Hamburger Zweitligisten einen einmaligen Wettbewerb ins Leben: Unter dem Motto “Traumtrikot – Dein Design für den guten Zweck” sind Fans und kreative Köpfe aufgerufen, ein Trikot für die Kiezkicker zu entwerfen. Das Besondere: Der Sieger-Entwurf wird anschließend produziert und für den guten Zweck verkauft. Und beim Heimspiel gegen Hertha BSC (April 2013) werden die Profis des FC St. Pauli das “Traumtrikot” auch tatsächlich tragen!

Entwürfe können bis zum 30.11.2012 per E-Mail oder Post an die Deutsche Fernsehlotterie gesendet werden. Eine prominente Jury trifft eine Vorauswahl, die besten Entwürfe gehen dann ins Online-Voting – und die Fans entscheiden über den Sieger!

“Wir freuen uns, diese in der Bundesliga bislang einzigartige Aktion für den guten Zweck umsetzen zu können und den Fans die Möglichkeit zu bieten, ein echtes Spieler-Trikot zu gestalten”, so Christian Kipper, Geschäftsführer der Deutschen Fernsehlotterie.

Auch Michael Meeske, Geschäftsführer des FC St. Pauli, ist von der Aktion begeistert: “Das ist eine tolle Idee, die wir gerne unterstützen und ich bin sicher, dass wir zahlreiche kreative Vorschläge erhalten werden und am Ende ein außergewöhnliches Trikot präsentieren können.”

Die Erlöse aus der “Traumtrikot”-Aktion kommen der Aktion “Kinderreisen – Ein Platz an der Sonne” der Deutschen Fernsehlotterie zugute. Die “Kinderreisen” ermöglichen Kindern aus sozial benachteiligten Familien eine Woche Urlaub in einem Feriencamp. Für viele der Kinder ist dies der erste Urlaub in ihrem Leben.

Offizieller Partner der Aktion “Traumtrikot” ist die Sportplattform Spox.com. Starfotograf und Video-Künstler Paul Ripke wird prominente Unterstützer der Aktion visuell in Szene setzen. Die musikalische Begleitung liefert die Band “Le Fly”.

Zum Spiel gegen Hertha BSC wird der Gewinner Gast in der Loge der Deutschen Fernsehlotterie sein. Dort kann er die Spitzenpartie in der einmaligen Atmosphäre des Millerntor-Stadions genießen – und bekommt sein ganz persönliches Trikot-Exemplar überreicht.

 

BNZ is extending its rugby support for New Zealand’s national game by today announcing a three year sponsorship of the Maori All Blacks. 

The bank has a long history of working alongside Maori entrepreneurs and iwi groups as they’ve forged ahead in tourism, hospitality, construction, forestry, agriculture and a wide range of other industries.

The Maori All Blacks sponsorship joins existing partnerships such as the BNZ Ahuwhenua Maori Excellence in Farming Awards, Aotearoa New Zealand Maori Business Leaders Awards, and the Atamira Maori in the City Festival.

BNZ CEO Andrew Thorburn says that over the years the bank has gained a special appreciation of the values and aspirations that make Maori businesses different.

“Maori history and culture is a valuable point of difference and provides a unique perspective. When combined with sound business principles this can result in significant opportunities for Maori and Maori business,” says Mr Thorburn.

“We also understand that managing and growing iwi and Maori wealth is vital for the long-term strength of New Zealand’s economy.”

BNZ’s sponsorship comes as the Maori All Blacks 2012 tour of the United Kingdom gets underway in November.

“We thank BNZ for its support which enables the Maori All Blacks to continue to share its legacy of rugby success and proud culture with local and international audiences,” says New Zealand Rugby Union Chief Executive Steve Tew.

AFL’s Gold Coast Suns have announced 2XU, the country’s leading high performance sports apparel brand, as the Clubs new official apparel partner.

The powerful new relationship will not only offer all Gold Coast SUNS players the benefits of a highly technical, custom-designed Club Uniform, but access to 2XU’s highly acclaimed compression garments for the Club’s high performance needs.

Travis Auld, GC SUNS CEO, commented on the deal: “We are really looking forward to working closely with 2XU.”

“In many ways, the switch to 2XU reflects the evolution of our Club. As we demand more from our playing group, it is important we support them with the most technically advanced high performance apparel available.”  

Already the exclusive Official Compression Partner to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), 2XU is one of the world’s most revered engineers of performance compression and boasts an enviable list of allies both nationally and internationally.

While 2XU has been involved with AFL Clubs for over five years by way of compression, the 2013 Season will mark its Official AFL Apparel debut. Having supplied uniforms to some of Australia’s most prestigious entities including Rowing Australia and the London 2012 Australian Paralympic Team, foray into the AFL was a logical next step for 2XU.

As the highest-level professional competition in the sport of AFL, and the most popular spectator sport in Australia, entry into AFL has been a long time goal for 2XU, said 2XU Teamwear Division Manager Graeme Clarke.“With a fiercely passionate player and corporate group driven by an excitement and respect for innovation, alignment with the GC SUNS has offered us an invaluable opportunity to flex some true 2XU muscle and go well beyond standard product development protocols.”

To achieve the GC SUNS desired outcomes, 2XU worked with no less than seven of its finest suppliers to produce the required 23 mandatory units of on-field apparel. Over 30 fabrics have been utilised; almost half of which were developed exclusively for the GC SUNS high performance player, coaching and corporate needs.

New GC SUNS High Performance Manager, Stephen Schwerdt said: “2XU will provide players with the benefits of their highly acclaimed compression garments for training, game day and during recovery sessions to take advantage of an array of physiological benefits; from improved circulation and heightened agility through to reduced muscle fatigue and damage.”