Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced another new commercial partner on board in Blue Label Telecoms, cough which has secured the naming rights for the Proteas squad for all T20 international matches.

Th deal begins from the start of the T20 international series against England until the end of the Pakistan tour in March.

The Blue Label Telecoms Proteas squad will play eight T20 international matches during this period – three against England this month, three against New Zealand over the December festive period and two against Pakistan in the first week of March.

“It gives us great pleasure to welcome Blue Label Telecoms to the CSA family,” commented CSA acting CEO Jacques Faul. “As it is Blue Label Telecoms’ first foray into sponsorship, they have asked for an initial short-term agreement to the end of March, 2013, with the first rights to renew thereafter.

“They have indicated that they see this as a long-term investment in cricket and are looking to extend the partnership over a substantial period of time.

“The Blue Label Telecoms Proteas currently hold the No 1 ICC ranking in T20 international cricket and will be looking to add further value to the Blue Label sponsorship in the months and years ahead,” added Faul.

Blue Label Telecoms will also have the rights to roll out CSA’s customer engagement programme, which is a new initiative and one that will benefit all cricket loving fans.

Dr David Fraser, the Group CTO of Blue Label Telecoms, added, “We see the opportunity to provide a customer engagement platform as a terrific way of rewarding South Africa’s loyal cricket fans with a complete and exciting supporter-centred programme across all forms of the game.

“This compelling programme will appeal to existing fans as well as attracting new supporters and will help CSA understand the needs of the cricket-loving public even better,”

“As a leading South African company, we are delighted and honoured to be associated with the best cricket team in the world,” Fraser concluded.

This sponsorship does not include the rights to the Proteas for the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this month as its business clashes with one of the ICC major event sponsors.

Sports management company ID Sports has signed Multi Screen Media-owned sports channel Sony Six as the official broadcast partner for the third season of its cycling event Tour De India.

The organisers have also roped in Air India as the associate sponsor of the event which has Godrej Eon as title sponsor.

Tour de India 2012 races will be hosted in Delhi, Mumbai and Srinagar on 4, 7 and 11 November respectively and will see over 60 celebrity participants, 20 teams and around 40,000 people attending the races across cities.

MSM CEO Man Jit Singh said, “We are delighted to associate with Godrej Eon Tour De India’ as the official broadcast partner. Our association with ‘Godrej Eon Tour De India’ reiterates our commitment to bring the best sporting properties for the knowledgeable and empowered youth of today who are enthusiastic to adopt and experiment with new sport formats. We are confident that viewers will enjoy our latest offering on Sony Six.”

Air India CMD Rohit Nandan, commented: “Air India, the flying ambassador of India, is proud to be associated with Godrej Eon Tour de India 2012, which is the official parallel to the world renowned Tour de France, as a travel partner. Air India has been an integral part of tourism promotion in India. Also, Air India has been playing a key role in promoting sports and sports person in our country for decades.”

As a firm known for community outreach and support of athletic programs, Delaware Investments has agreed to sponsor Kasey Brown, an internationally ranked professional squash player.

Brown is ranked eighth in the world and number one in her home country of Australia.

“We are thrilled to support such a motivated, focused athlete,” said Patrick Coyne, president, Delaware Investments. “Kasey embodies many of the qualities we value as an asset management firm. Much like Delaware Investments, Kasey has a focus on discipline and consistency, and above all, she shares our passion for performance.”

Brown is set to compete in the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships, a nine-day tournament in the Philadelphia area. The tournament, which takes place Oct. 4–12, brings together the world’s top-ranked male and female squash players. Most matches will take place at the Daskalakis Athletic Center on the campus of Drexel University, located in Philadelphia’s University City.

Before arriving in Philadelphia, Brown is scheduled to compete at the Malaysian Open and the Carol Weymuller Open in New York City. After the U.S. Open, she will continue on to compete at the China Open, Hong Kong Open, and Women’s World Open in the Cayman Islands.

As part of this sponsorship, Brown may participate in a number of events with Delaware Investments, including squash exhibitions and speaking engagements.

Die Leica Camera AG setzt die erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit mit den Schloss Bensberg Classics auch im Jahr 2012 fort. Bereits zum vierten Mal unterstützt der Traditionshersteller von Kamera- und Sportoptik-Produkten aus dem hessischen Solms diese Oldtimer-Veranstaltung der Premiumklasse, die 2009 mit Hilfe von Leica aus der Taufe gehoben wurde. Vor der imposanten Kulisse des Grandhotels Schloss Bensberg bei Bergisch Gladbach finden vom 07. bis zum 09. September 2012 die Wettbewerbe der erlesenen Oldtimer statt, einmal in einer “Rallye Historique” für Fahrzeuge bis 1979, die quer durch das Bergische Land führt, einmal im sogenannten “Concours d’Elégance”, bei welchem die 40 Automobile in insgesamt 16 Kategorien bewertet werden.

Auch in diesem Jahr wird der auf Automobilfotografie spezialisierte Fotograf René Staud in Kooperation mit Leica die am Concours teilnehmenden Oldtimer-Schmuckstücke vor Ort individuell in Szene setzen. Staud und sein Team werden 24 Stunden rund um die Uhr in dem eigens für das Event installierten mobilen Studio die mit dem Leica S2 System fotografierten Bilder professionell nachbearbeiten. Die Motive werden vom Laborpartner Whitewall auf Fotopapier vergrößert und in modernen Schrägschnittpassepartouts in Aluminiumchromrahmen eingelegt. Anschließend werden die Klassikerportraits bei der Siegerehrung präsentiert und an die Concours-Teilnehmer übergeben.

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender der Leica Camera AG und selbst begeisterter Oldtimer-Fan: “Die Arbeit von René Staud zeichnet sich durch handwerkliche Präzision und ästhetische Perfektion bis ins Detail aus. Das sind Eigenschaften und Werte, für die auch die Marke Leica seit bald 100 Jahren steht. Insofern ist es nur folgerichtig, automobile Klassiker mit Produkten eines so traditionsreichen Herstellers abzulichten, der sich Manufaktur, technische Perfektion und herausragendes, zeitloses Design auf die Fahnen geschrieben hat.”

Die Leica Camera AG unterstützt weitere Veranstaltungen dieser Art, um Oldtimer-Freunden und -Sammlern die Freude an den hochwertigen Leica Produkten zu vermitteln. Viele Kameras der Marke sind aufgrund eines besonderen Designs, einer limitierten Sonderauflage oder aufgrund ihres besonderen historischen Kontextes selbst zu begehrten Sammlerstücken geworden.

The Minnesota Vikings are kicking off the 2012 National Football League season with a marketing sponsorship extension with Familia Camarena Tequila.

This will mark the second consecutive year of partnership with the popular spirits brand. Terms of the marketing partnership include rights to the Minnesota Vikings logos, as well as in-stadium brand exposure during all Vikings regular season home games.

“The Vikings are committed to providing the ultimate game day experience for our fans,” said Steve LaCroix, Vikings Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer. “A substantial piece of that experience includes having unique food and beverage options, so our continued partnership with Camarena Tequila is a natural fit.”

“As we head into another season with the Minnesota Vikings, we look forward to providing the fans with even more variety and entertainment,” said Gerard Thoukis, Senior Director of Marketing for Camarena. “We worked together so well with the Vikings in 2011 that we know this year will only be better as we perfect our marketing strategies for an even more successful year with the fans and Minnesota market.”

Less than three years old, Familia Camarena Tequila’s professional sports marketing strategy has followed suit with the brand’s rapid growth since its inception in 2010. Announcement of Familia Camarena Tequila’s partnership with the Vikings coincides with sponsorship renewals with six Major League Baseball clubs, two National Basketball Association teams and three additional National Football League teams this year.

German UCI professional cycling team, Team NetApp have announced their primary sponsor has renewed it’s deal and the team will join forces with Endura team in 2013.

The sponsor and eight riders from the current Endura Racing setup will move across to the German squad next season, completing discussions held on the subject this year by Endura with other teams. That backer will be on board until the end of 2014, while the storage and data management company NetApp has extended its sponsorship of the team until the same point in time. The squad will be known as NetApp – Endura.

In addition to that, Fuji has come on board as the new bike supplier to the team. 

Team manager Ralph Denk says the team is on the up, and sees today’s news as a continuation of that. “We have undergone a sporting development that is virtually unprecedented. In three years we have managed to develop young riders into significant performers at the Giro d’Italia,” he said. “With ten victories so far, the team races its best season ever. I am delighted that NetApp continues to support this.”

The team went close to stage victories in its first Vuelta when Bartosz Huzarski and Jan Barta finished second on stages ten and fourteen. Its victories include Barta’s TT win and overall success in the Settimana Coppi e Bartali as well as the squad’s team time trial success there; it also took the Rund um Koln with Barta and the GP Stad Zottegem with Matthias Brandle. 

It is currently fifth in the UCI’s Europe Tour ranking, two places ahead of Endura Racing. The latter’s Jon Tiernan Locke is a superb third overall, but is rumoured to be moving to a WorldTour team.

Denk is convinced the amalgamation will prove to be a decisive moment. “That we have been able to resign NetApp and secure Endura as a key new partner is a milestone in the history of our team,” he explained. “NetApp’s commitment to the team’s success has been fundamental to our achievements and bringing Endura onboard as an ambitious brand that deserves to be presented at the most important races in the world. I am convinced that together we will be even more successful.”

The team states that it will keep as its core, the ‘German license and riders that have ridden for Team NetApp since it was set up or have been mainstays during the current season,’ while adding eight riders plus some team staff from this year’s Endura Racing lineup. There will be twenty riders on board next year. 

Amy Love, vice president of Brand and Communications at NetApp, said that the sponsorship renewal should boost the visibility of the sponsorship worldwide as the company starts looking to the North American and Asia-Pacific regions.

“The team’s success over the past three years, and the ways our customers and channel partners engaged with the cycling community serve as key reasons for our sponsorship expansion,” Love said. “The Team NetApp – Endura professional cycling team is an outstanding platform to express how NetApp enables our partners and clients businesses to go further, faster.”

Endura Ltd director Jim McFarlane should also see his company’s brand get a big visibility boost. “Our Continental Team, Endura Racing, is now one of the top ranked teams in the European Tour and this progress is the product of continuous commitment and hard work,” he said. “Team NetApp and Endura Racing share the same ambition of progressing to the highest levels of sporting success. Our commitment to Team NetApp – Endura means that we will be present at some of the biggest races on the planet.”

The Hershey Company, today announced it has extended its NCAA Corporate Partner agreement with CBS Sports and Turner Sports as well as signed a new sponsorship deal with IMG College.  

Both agreements will run through 2016 and provide Hershey with a larger presence within collegiate sports.

“This is an especially exciting time for Hershey as we not only extend our role as part of a prestigious group of NCAA partners, but also expand our presence within the collegiate realm through our partnership with IMG College,” said Dan Vucovich, Senior Vice President, President, United States, The Hershey Company. “The devotion, loyalty and tremendous following fans have for their respective NCAA teams mirrors the passion and desire people have for our iconic Reese’scandy, making the NCAA, Turner Sports, CBS Sports and IMG ideal partners to collaborate with and successfully market our full line of products.”

As part of the NCAA renewal with Turner Sports and CBS Sports, The Hershey Company has access to marketing rights across all 89 NCAA championships, including continued title sponsorship for its Reese’s College All-Star Game during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Weekend, which will be broadcast on CBS and title sponsorship of Reese’s Final Four Friday. Hershey, as the Official Candy Partner of the NCAA, will also continue to designate its Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as the NCAA’s Official Candy.   Hershey will also support the partnership with integrated marketing programs, promotional campaigns, activation platforms, social and digital media and advertising across a variety of mediums at the national, regional and local levels.

“Over the years, Hershey has demonstrated leading business principles and values, which echo the NCAA’s dedication to the highest standards in academics and athletics,” said Mark Lewis, executive vice president for championships and alliances, NCAA.  “We are thrilled Hershey will remain in the NCAA Corporate Partner family, and we look forward to four more successful years of working together.”

Further expanding Hershey’s presence within the college sports landscape, the Company’s new partner agreement with IMG College provides the Reese’s brand collective and individual rights at 49 universities across the country for all intercollegiate athletics, as well as designation as the “Official Candy” at each of the respective athletic programs.  In addition, this new sponsorship grants the Reese’s brand with key media opportunities including radio advertising in school football radio broadcasts, promotional use of trademarks and logos and digital and social media rights.

“We are very excited to partner with Hershey over the next four years as it works to expand its presence in collegiate sports,” said Roger VanDerSnick, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, IMG College. “Tapping into IMG’s national collegiate platform, Hershey gains the flexibility to utilize each school’s intellectual property to create customized retail promotions in each market, which will help differentiate the brand and drive overall awareness.”

As part of the 14-year multi-media agreement with the NCAA, CBS Sports and Turner Sports manage the NCAA’s corporate marketing program.

“The Hershey Company has proven through the years to be a perfect partner for the NCAA,” said Devron Edwards, Vice President, NCAA Partnerships, CBS Sports.  “Their ongoing support of higher education and the student-athlete on and off the court reflects their values as a company.  We are proud to partner with them and we look forward to many more successful years as we continue to expand our relationship.”

“We are very pleased that Hershey is continuing its valuable commitment to collegiate athletics through their NCAA Corporate Partnership,” said Will Funk, senior vice president of NCAA Partnerships and Branded Programming within Turner Sports Ad Sales. “Through this renewal, Hershey continues to have exclusive access to execute brand awareness across 89 NCAA Championships, and further extend its commitment with Reese’s during Men’s Final Four weekend.” 

Gillette, doctor the world’s leading male grooming brand, medstore today announced a new partnership with Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl linebacker, medstore Clay Matthews to support a campaign for the Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor.

Matthews has succeeded by going against the grain of conventional wisdom throughout his football career. He did not receive a scholarship coming out of high school in southern California and walked on to his college team where he only started for one season on defense. During the 2009 draft, the Green Bay Packers surprised fans by trading up to select him in the first round. Since the draft, Matthews’ combination of speed and strength has helped define today’s linebacker position and earned him a spot on three consecutive Pro Bowl rosters. Matthews will serve as the official Gillette brand ambassador during the NFL season.

Beginning today through September 27, to kick off the partnership and celebrate the passion of NFL fans everywhere, Matthews and Gillette are challenging NFL fans to post pictures of their best imitation of Matthews’ famous “Predator pose” on the brand’s Facebook page. By submitting a photo, NFL fans will join Gillette in supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Gillette has a goal to make a $100,000 donation, and every photo submitted by a fan gets us one step closer.

Gillette is the”Official Shave of the NFL” and beginning in early October, NFL fans should be on the lookout for Matthews in a new 30-second commercial for the Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor that captures Matthews challenging the status quo both on and off the field. In addition to appearing in the new TV commercial, Matthews will appear in digital advertising, as well as in-store merchandise displays.

“I’m pumped to be partnering with Gillette” said Matthews. “I know the NFL has the best fans in sports and I can’t wait to see if any of their ‘Predator poses’ can rival mine.”

“Through his dedication and persistence both on and off the field, Clay embodies what it means to go against the grain and create your own path,” said Elliott Wilke, Brand Manager Gillette. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the Gillette family, and are excited to work with him to celebrate the passion of NFL fans this season.”

“Every day, Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the U.S. empower millions of young people to discover and follow their passions on their own journey to success,” said Christina Alford, Vice President of National Corporate Partnerships, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “So, we are thrilled to partner with Gillette and Clay Matthews in an effort that will help us put even more young people on the path to great futures.”

IRONMAN announces myList as the presenting sponsor of the 34th IRONMAN World Championship, search taking place on Oct. 13, tadalafil 2012, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.

myList is a newly-launched Facebook-platform social application that helps users discover, save and share things among their Facebook friends.

According to research, 80 percent of U.S. social network users prefer to connect with the brands and people they care about through Facebook. Because myList is a native Facebook-platform app, meaning the user is interacting among friends and trusted Facebook pages, myList transforms the social sharing experience from “crowd-sourced” picture viewing into a connected community of self-expression and discovery made up of things and people that matter.

At the IRONMAN World Championship, more than 1,850 athletes embark on a 140.6-mile journey designed to test mind, body and spirit. The global IRONMAN brand has a portfolio of social platforms that provides informative and engaging multimedia content each day while attracting the largest global fan base in endurance sport. For the millions of international fans and viewers of the event, the myList partnership will provide unprecedented opportunities to learn from, and be inspired by, these remarkable athletes.

Erik Vervloet, Chief Marketing Officer of World Triathlon Corporation (IRONMAN) said: “IRONMAN already has the highest engagement rate in the endurance sport industry, reaching millions of athletes and enthusiasts across social platforms every day. We’re excited about this alliance because myList will bring additional value to this closely connected community, helping athletes and their supporters discover and collaborate on the topics that are the most meaningful to them.”

myList Chief Executive Officer Rob Wight added: “myList was built inside of Facebook so that each user’s experience could be personalized to that person – filtered through the collective lenses of the people and things that matter most to them. IRONMAN has a passionate fan community that is a natural fit in myList, providing a space where they can socially discover, save and share the things that will help them reach their impressive goals.”

The International Paralympic Committee has extended his partnership with financial services provider, ampoule  Allianz.

Sir Philip Craven, diagnosis President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Michael Diekmann, CEO of Allianz SE, announced the deal today (5 September) they will renew the contract between their two organisations. 

“The Paralympic Movement is happy to have dedicated and professional supporters like Allianz,” said Sir Philip. “Allianz has helped the Paralympic Movement to gain more awareness.” 

Allianz has been a supporter of the Paralympic Movement since 2006. 

In 2011, Allianz became the first and only International Partner of the IPC. Apart from a global cooperation, 10 Allianz companies support local National Paralympic Committees in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal and Turkey, as well as Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Croatia as well as Australia. 

“Allianz is proud to support the Paralympic Movement,” said Michael Diekmann, who spent a day at the Paralympics in London, where he met athletes and Sir Philip Craven. 

In addition to offering financial support to the Movement, Allianz has been creating awareness campaigns for Paralympic sports and inviting Paralympians into the company to hold motivational sessions for employees, managers, agents and clients, thereby increasing the pool of Paralympic ambassadors around the world.