FIS together with the rights holder European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and its marketing partner Tridem Sports AG has announced that the winter season’s highlight event has been sold-out from the international marketing and sponsoring perspective.

Joining an esteemed circle of seven international companies, vcialis 40mg Deichmann is the final international brand to sign up as a partner of FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2013 in Schladming, pills Austria. In addition to presenting partner Audi, the event will be supported by Milka, UNIQA, Vattenfall, Gösser, Halti Skiwear and official timing and data partner Longines.

“For FIS, this level of commercial success for our flagship event is testimony to the continuing strong appeal of winter sports in the international marketplace,” stated FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. “We look forward to delivering an unforgettable two weeks of ski racing and celebrating the Championship’s motto of a “Ski Festival with Heart” in Schladming in February 2013.”

With this engagement as a main partner of the FIS Alpine World Ski Champions, Deichmann further extends its involvement in winter sports. The shoe retailer based in Essen, Germany already partnered with the 2011 and 2009 FIS World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) and in Val d’Isère (FRA), and in addition to becoming a sponsors of Schladming 2013, has already signed up for the coming two editions in Vail-Beaver Creek (USA) in 2015 and St. Moritz (SUI) in 2017.

The agreement for Schladming 2013 is part of a long-term cooperation between Deichmann and Tridem Sports AG that features extensive rights for Deichmann including television visibility through bannering in the finish area, along the course, and on starting bibs. The commitment represents the first long-term sport sponsoring engagement by Deichmann. In Switzerland, Deichmann has partnered with the Audi FIS Ski World Cup events through the brand of Ochsner Sport in Wengen, Adelboden and Lenzerheide since 2004 and is also a long-term part of the Swiss National Ski Association Swiss-Ski.

Steve Schennach, Member of the Board at Dosenbach – Ochsner and Head of Marketing at the Deichmann Swiss subsidiary which is implementing the sponsoring engagement, stated: “We are proud to be part of the upcoming FIS Alpine World Ski Championships with the Deichmann Group. This long-term, central engagement is going to have a positive impact on all the 22 countries where the Deichmann Group is active. In February, there will be a need for both warm shoes for cold feet and the first spring fashion.

“As part of the Deichmann Group, and as a Swiss shoe and sports retailer, we are very happy about the engagement of the Deichmann Group in our core markets and even more so about the additional highlight of the 2017 edition of the Championships in St. Moritz in our home market,“ adds Schennach. “First, however, we will celebrate the Schladming event next February together with the 100-year anniversary of Deichmann in 2013.”

Christian Pirzer, CEO Tridem Sports AG commented: “We are very pleased to see Deichmann commit to the FIS World Championships for the long-term. After the success of their engagement with the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Deichmann’s new contract with the EBU extends until 2017. This also means that we have sold-out all the international sponsoring packages more than four months before the Championships in Schladming.“

“Under extremely challenging economic conditions this result is a demonstration of the strength of the unique and direct contact between the sponsors and broadcasters which only the EBU is able to provide. It is furthermore a proof of the professionalism of our service provider, Tridem Sports AG, and the excellent cooperation we have with FIS on broadcasting and marketing matters. This configuration seems to be a real win-win situation,” added Ingolfur Hannesson, Head of Sports Rights – Winter & Indoor Sports at the EBU.

Precison, therapy UKs No.1 supplier of sports training equipment, symptoms have secured a one of a kind partnership with the Irish Football Association to become their Official Training Aid supplier to the Northern Ireland football team.

In association with top local sports company Podium 4 Sport the ground-breaking partnership, store which includes a three year agreement, is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

The new agreement will see Precision supply market-leading training equipment to all levels of the Irish Football Association from the national team through to the grass roots level of the game.

Former England Manager and Precision ambassador Graham Taylor was in Belfast to help launch the programme.

Speaking at a coaching event at Belfast University hosted by the Irish FA and Precision, he said; “I am delighted to be here in Belfast to help launch the new partnership between the Irish FA and Precision.

“Training techniques and the equipment that is required has changed dramatically from my days as a player and a manager and they continue to innovate at a rapidly increasing rate and the partnership will help everyone stay ahead of the game.”

Geoff Wilson, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Irish FA, said; “We are delighted to welcome Precision into our commercial progamme as the latest official supplier to the Irish FA.

“The equipment they supply will help our coaches provide even more opportunities for local people to take part in professionally organised and equipped football activities.”

David Sanderson, Brand and Marketing Director at Precision, commented; “This is a very significant step for the Precision brand and we are very excited about the potential of the partnership with the Irish FA.

“Since the birth of Precision in 2005 we have been dedicated to giving all sportsmen and women the opportunity to access a range of high quality products used by the professionals at affordable prices – and that continues today.

“Our rapid expansion to become the number one choice for specialist sports training aids and apparel is something we are very proud of and we look forward to working with the Irish FA to keep moving football forward in Northern Ireland.”

Emirates have secured title sponsorship rights to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games venue in a £5m ($8m) sponsorship deal.

The facility includes the Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

The deal has been struck by Glasgow City Council with Dubai-based Emirates Airlines that will see the facility bear its name for at least ten years.

Next month the £113m arena situated in London Road across from Celtic Park will open to the public for the first time.

Council leader Gordon Matheson said: “This is a fantastic deal for the people of Glasgow. Many of the world’s top sports venues already enjoy the considerable benefits and prestige secured through a naming rights agreement and this partnership with Emirates puts us firmly in that elite group.

“The Emirates Arena is a truly world-class venue that will host a genuinely world-class sporting events programme. This partnership will bring that venue and global brand together and it will be the people of Glasgow who will reap the benefits. Over the next ten years this multi-million pound deal will leave a lasting legacy.

“We are one of the world’s top ten sporting cities and the Emirates Arena will play a huge part in ensuring we retain and build on that position in the coming years. We can’t wait for the action to get under way at the Emirates Arena.”

In 2004, Emirates took a significant step into sports sponsorship after agreeing a 15-year naming rights deal for Arsenal FC’s new stadium which will be worth at least £100m to the English Premier League side.

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’s senior vice president of commercial operations in Europe, said: “As a truly global airline we are committed to connecting people and cultures and this new sponsorship in Glasgow is a true reflection of this commitment.

“We sponsor a number of the world’s most prominent international sporting and cultural events and this multi-million pound agreement will not only help to inject significant funds into the Glasgow economy, but will also highlight Glasgow’s place on the international sporting stage.”

The Emirates Arena consists of a 6500-capacity indoor stadium when set up for sporting events, while the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome within it will have a permanent capacity for 2000 seated and 500 standing spectators viewing the 250m cycle track.

The International Sports Promotion Society, ISPS, announced today it will become the title sponsor of the inaugural Perth International which will see the event rebranded as the ISPS HANDA Perth International.

Midori Miyazaki, ISPS’ Executive Director of International Affairs said, “ISPS is delighted to become title sponsor of this exciting new major event.”

“Perth is a wonderful, vibrant city and as the second home of our Chairman, Dr Haruhisa Handa, who has received the keys to the City of Perth and the City of Swan for his significant philanthropic endeavours, it is a very fitting partnership.”

“ISPS has a long history of supporting golf around the globe and are committed to raising the profile of blind and disabled golf throughout the world.

“Dr Handa established the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA) in 1998 and through ISPS recently initiated the ISPS HANDA PGA Academy Programme in the UK.”

“In 2012 this programme will deliver over 1000 lessons from PGA Professionals to blind and disabled golfers of all ages.”

“Our intention is to roll out this initiative in Australia and the rest of the world reaching those in need of this specialised coaching.”

“We believe the ISPS HANDA Perth International offers another great platform from which to promote out ultimate mission for golf to become a Paralympic sport.”

Commenting on the announcement, Senior Vice President, Global Co-Managing Director of IMG, Robbie Henchman remarked, “We are delighted to welcome ISPS HANDA as our naming rights partner and on behalf of IMG I would like to extend our thanks for their invaluable support.”

The ISPS HANDA Perth International will be played at the magnificent Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 18 to 21 October 2012.

It is the richest tournament in Australia and the only event in this country to be co-sanctioned between the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour.

The Perth International has also announced that FOX SPORTS will be the exclusive domestic broadcaster of the tournament. FOX SPORTS is easily the biggest golf broadcaster in Australia via its extensive coverage of the PGA TOUR; European Tour; Web.com Tour; Asian Tour; LPGA; Ladies European Tour along with magazine style programming such as “The Golf Show” and Golfing World.

IMG Media will produce their “best in class” broadcast in HD and the event will be broadcast live / near to live for five hours on all four days from 12:30 to 17:30 Perth time and 15:30 to 20:30 AEST.

Northampton Saints today announced that Technology Services Group Ltd (TSG) has become the club’s new Official Technology Partner in a new four-year deal.

The IT services specialist will deploy its SystemCare support service which is trusted by thousands of small and medium sized business and organisations across the UK.

TSG SystemCare is a proactive solution to the health and wellbeing of any IT environment, combining 24/7 network monitoring, automated fixing, live-fix technology and access to TSG’s team of highly skilled technicians.

Saints Chief Executive Allan Robson says that the progressive IT support that TSG will provide can help the club continue to grow and develop over the coming seasons.

“There are going to be many changes in the infrastructure at Franklin’s Gardens over the next few years – not least the anticipated stadium expansion in 2014 – and we believe TSG is the right company to help take us forward,” he said.

“We were very impressed with TSG’s people, credentials and reputation, and I’m confident that over the next four years TSG will provide the quality of service which will help us achieve our goals.”

Mark Jenner, Regional Managing Director of TSG, said: “The Saints have enjoyed a fantastic start to the new season and we’re delighted to be part of such a successful team. The club has some really exciting plans for the future and it’s essential that these developments are underpinned by robust IT systems that always perform at their best.

“As Official Technology Partner, we’re confident that our talented team of experts will deliver results and we’re really looking forward to building a winning relationship with Northampton Saints.”

Built on proven technology, TSG SystemCare is one of the most advanced technology support services available and is the result of an on-going programme of significant investment.

It is part of a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to keep every element of an IT system running smoothly, from line-of-business applications to telephony, CRM to ERP, ensuring that users always have the tools they need available to operate effectively and efficiently.

Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution have announced that Sovereign Santander have become the “Official Bank of the New England Revolution.”

The multi-faceted agreement will focus heavily on the Bank’s and the Revolution’s joint community involvement and engagement under the tagline, “One Team, One Goal,” which will be used in all of Sovereign Santander’s Revolution programs.

Sovereign Santander’s agreement with the Revolution also includes day-of-game sponsorships; on-site game day programs; community clinics run by the Revolution Academy and Revs players; naming rights for the team’s official “Man of the Match” award; on-field advertising during Revolution matches; away game trips; as well as television broadcast, radio broadcast, print and digital inventory.

The New England Revolution is Sovereign Santander’s first US-based soccer property and joins Santander’s global sporting portfolio that includes sponsorship of Copa Santander Libertardores, as well as the 2011 Copa America Argentina, Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Santander Sudamericana.  Santander also sponsors the Ferrari Formula 1 race team, including Spanish driver Fernando Alonso and Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, as well as British McLaren drivers, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. In addition, Santander sponsors the four most prominent European races of the Formula 1 calendar: the British, German, Italian and Spanish Grand Prixs.

“Sovereign Santander is a proud and committed partner of the New England Revolution and we carry that commitment to the communities and customers we serve,” commented Sovereign | Santander President and CEO Jorge Morán.  “Soccer is the world’s most-followed sport. We have seen its immense impact through our relationships and existing sponsorships.  We look forward to expanding our commitment to the sport in New England to further engage and enrich our community with this significant partnership.”

“It is great to partner with a champion in the banking industry like Sovereign | Santander,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group, the holding company for the New England Revolution. “Since our inception, the Revolution players and staff have always been champions in the community. The players regularly volunteer their time and resources to the communities that provide so much support for them throughout the year. Customer service is emphasized in everything that we do and teaming up with a company like Sovereign | Santander, which is equally committed to excellence in customer care, is important to us. We believe in the strength of teamwork and look forward to the many opportunities we will have to engage our fans through this new partnership.”

The Welsh Rugby Union has secured a six-year sponsorship deal with rugby ball manufacturer Gilbert.

The deal, pills the value of which is not being disclosed, ed will see the Gilbert name appearing on balls used in Welsh home rugby internationals.

It will also provide balls to all of the WRU’s teams and 294 domestic league clubs, with a specific design scheme to reflect the needs of each competition and group of players.

Gilbert take over from Webb Ellis, which has held the contract for six years.

All WRU member clubs will receive an allocation of balls each season – with the number of balls they receive depending on the number of sides they run.

Gilbert had previously held the contract with the WRU before the six-year Webb Ellis deal.

Sales and marketing director at Gilbert Richard Gray said: “Everybody at Gilbert is delighted to be starting a new relationship with the WRU and to be working at every level to grow the sport in Wales. We are especially proud that the Gilbert ball has been chosen by Wales following on from their fantastic season and exciting Rugby World Cup campaign.

“This major new deal with Gilbert will be for the good of Welsh rugby from grass roots to senior level for the next six years.”

“We hope that this new colour-coded system will prove to be aspirational for young players.”

Previously clubs have simply been sent an allocation of, on average 20 balls for the season but a new system of distribution will see clubs that run more teams being rewarded with the right size and standard of balls for their teams.

The WRU’s head of sales and marketing Craig Maxwell said: “This new association with Gilbert is a significant announcement for the WRU and is our most comprehensive ball deal to date.

“Every club will be provided for each year as well as all our national teams and development staff for the benefit of schools and junior teams.

“Not only do we get the top-class quality associated with Gilbert balls, but we are thrilled with the detail we have been able to include in the contract to support our policy which rewards clubs who are making efforts to develop our game through club and player development.”

Rolex have renewed their relationship with the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s blue riband event, the biennial 608-nautical mile Fastnet Race, will be supported by for a further five editions, until 2021.

The highly successful partnership stretches back to 2001.

“We are delighted with the continuation of our association with Rolex,” said RORC Commodore Mike Greville. “Our relationship with Rolex is a true partnership and in the past 11 years, we have seen the Rolex Fastnet grow in international stature, strength and popularity. Together with Rolex, we look forward to further developing one of the toughest challenges in offshore yacht-racing for the benefit of the participants and spectators alike.”

The race has been a sporting institution since it was first held in 1925 and the title sponsorship of Rolex over the past six editions has raised the race’s profile even higher. In the previous two editions, the limit of 300 boats was reached within a few weeks of the entry process opening. Coping with burgeoning demand and ensuring the interests of all competitors are properly catered for have been priorities for both the Royal Ocean Racing Club and Rolex.

RORC has introduced a fully automated online entry and crew management system to simplify and speed up the formal registration in procedure. Classes such as the IMOCA 60s, VO 70’s and multihulls are treated separately from the main fleet to maximise room within the 300-place entry limit. At the finish in Plymouth, a purpose-built race village in the historic Barbican area, offers crews all the facilities required on completing a race of this nature, while helping expose the Rolex Fastnet race to a wider public audience. Satellite tracking of the entire fleet allows shore-based followers to stay informed at every stage of the race.

“Our ambition for future editions of the Rolex Fastnet is to continue to improve the experience in every way possible for competitors before and after the race, while leaving it to the weather and to chance to enhance the thrill of the competition itself,” said Commodore Greville. “We also aim to enhance reporting of the action so friends, family and the public have access to all the information they need and want, in the manner deserving of this great sporting occasion.”

The next Rolex Fastnet Race will start on Sunday, 11 August 2013 from the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. Entries for the race open in January 2013.

Two lower league soccer clubs in Greece have turned to unusual places to acquire sponsorship by inking deals with a funeral service business and a brothel.

Although minor-league clubs, buy they have still managed to sign a sponsorship deal which is very hard to find in Greece, impotent even for top clubs, generic during the economic crisis.

Paliopygros FC have agreed a deal with a local undertaker and will now be playing in black shirts and shorts with a big purple cross on the shirts.

“It was a matter of survival. The owner of the funeral home is a friend and we agreed,” Paleopyrgo general manager Lefteris Vasiliou also told NovaSport FM.

“The previous season was very difficult for us with the economic crisis. We did not have a sponsor for the last three years.

On a much more lively note, Greek club Voukefalas have signed a deal with a local brothel. The club will be playing in pink shirt with black detail and the sponsor emblazoned on the front.

“When we announced to the players that our sponsor would be a brothel, they wanted to know about bonuses,” the club’s president Giannis Batziolas told local radio station NovaSport FM. “The proposal was made strictly for economic reasons. As soon as the offer was made, we couldn’t turn it down.”

USAA, allergist | a leading insurance provider to the military community, troche is now the exclusive “Official Military Appreciation Sponsor” for the Denver Broncos.

In 2011, USAA became the first-ever Official Military Appreciation Sponsor of the NFL.

“The Denver Broncos organization has been a longtime supporter of the military community. Our newfound relationship with USAA enables us to create new meaningful opportunities for the Broncos faithful to honor the sacrifices made by current and former military throughout the season”

Throughout the 2012 season, USAA and the Broncos will ramp up their military appreciation efforts in the greater Denver area. Plans include hosting families of deployed servicemen and women at each home game and providing exclusive team access to members of the military community. These efforts will culminate at the November 18 game versus the San Diego Chargers during the NFL-wide Salute to Service initiative taking place from November 8 through 19.

“This sponsorship focuses on USAA and the Broncos combining our efforts to honor and thank our military heroes,” said USAA executive director of marketing, Don Clark. “We’re excited about Broncos fans joining us throughout the season to salute current and former military members and their families.”

“The Denver Broncos organization has been a longtime supporter of the military community. Our newfound relationship with USAA enables us to create new meaningful opportunities for the Broncos faithful to honor the sacrifices made by current and former military throughout the season,” says Broncos Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Dennis Moore.

USAA offers insurance and more to members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength.