MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports SL and Hertz Corporation, discount the world’s largest general use car rental brand, have announced a two year extension to their global agreement, with Hertz moving from Provider to Rental Services Supplier to the MotoGP World Championship.

Partners since 2010, Hertz will continue to offer Dorna Sports a range of car and equipment rental services throughout the 2012 and 2013 seasons, for the world’s premier motorcycling championship. Dorna Sports will continue to benefit from the rental of Hertz vehicles, power generators and climate control equipment used in the MotoGP Paddock. The MotoGP World Championship provides Hertz with a platform to showcase its range and reliability of services, including television coverage of Hertz branding on track.

As part of the close collaboration between the companies, Hertz also served as title sponsor of the 2012 Hertz British Grand Prix, which was held at the Silverstone circuit in June.

“We are delighted about the renewal of the contract between Hertz and Dorna Sports,” said Michel Taride, President of Hertz International and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation. “Hertz will continue to accompany the eighteen-race series, throughout four continents, to provide vehicle and equipment rental services to Dorna Sports and benefit from global exposure of the Hertz brand. As the world’s premier motorcycling championship, MotoGP is an ideal platform to showcase our mobility solutions.”

Pau Serracanta, Managing Director Commercial Area Dorna Sports, added: “I’m very pleased with the new agreement with one of our most important partners. As global sport providers, we need partners such as Hertz, who offer an excellent worldwide service for both vehicle and equipment rental. Our collaboration has been very successful to date, which is why we’ve gone ahead and renewed our partnership. A premier class racing series like MotoGP needs precision, punctuality and modern practices, which is why Hertz is the ideal company to fulfil our requirements.”

Six Star Pro Nutrition, stuff one of the USA’s leading sport supplement brands, sale has announced the signing of the world’s #1 ranked female tennis player, unhealthy Victoria Azarenka, to its elite roster of endorsers.

Azarenka will be featured in an integrated Six Star marketing campaign that combines print and digital media, in-store point-of-purchase material, and multiple social media platforms that engages her expansive fan base.

“Despite her young age, Victoria’s already had a string of successes on the court, including the #1 ranking in women’s tennis,” says Iovate Health Sciences International Chief Marketing Officer Vito Sanzone. “But we know that this is only the start of what will be a promising career and we’re proud to be a part of it!”

Victoria Azarenka is the 2012 Australian Open singles champion and a twelve-time WTA Champion. Nicknamed ‘Vika,’ the 22-year-old has spent 20 weeks as the world #1 and recently reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon. Azarenka will represent Belarus at the upcoming games in London this summer.

“I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Six Star team and be an advocate for a brand I believe in,” says Azarenka. “This partnership gives me the opportunity to reach out and inspire more young women to pursue and achieve their goals.”

Azarenka joins NFL New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, NBA Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Russell Westbrook, MLB Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and UFC Heavyweight Brendan Schaub as the company’s athlete spokespeople.

The New Zealand ‘All Blacks’, current Rugby Union World Champions, have signed an agreement to use OptaPro data and analysis software to power their player performance and opposition scouting.

In conjunction with SportsTec’s SportsCode software, Opta have been appointed the official sports data software and performance data providers for the New Zealand Rugby Union. The technology will be used by the All Blacks coaches as well as all clubs in New Zealand Super Rugby, ITM Cup, Sevens and New Zealand Under 20 teams.

The combination of Opta data and the SportsCode analysis software allows NZRU to combine the most granular level of rugby data available with the leading sports analysis system.  The All Blacks can now measure their own performance in great depth and compare it to all of their major competitors.

Steve Cliffe, Opta’s Business development manager in Australia and New Zealand said:  “We are very proud to be the data provider for an organisation that boasts the best rugby teams in the world, including the World Champion All Blacks.  The coaches and analysis teams now have access to one of the most comprehensive databases of rugby performance data available around the world and our unique level of data analysis helps them stay ahead of the game,”

NZRU High Performance Manager Don Tricker said the Sportstec and Opta combination provided an essential part of team preparation in the modern era of professional rugby.

“New Zealand rugby prides itself on using world-class technology to measure and analyse how our teams perform and how they can improve. The technology that Sportstec provides, and the data collection that Opta provides means we can break down a game to a remarkable level of detail.  And while all our teams have access to the same technology, each team can use the system to suit their needs. This ability to analyse allows each of our teams, from All Blacks to Super Rugby franchises, to identify areas of strength, and areas that need more work,” he said.

The addition of the All Blacks to a stable of clients including the RFU, the WRU, IRFU, Premier Rugby and the RFL means that OptaPro maintains its position of providing data and analysis to the top teams and leagues in world rugby.

South Korean conglomerate Doosan will continue its sponsorship of The British Open, price widely recognized as the most prestigious of the four major golf tournaments in the world.

The sponsorship forms an important part of Doosan’s marketing strategy and reflects the company’s continued global development. Through its UK-based subsidiary Doosan Power Systems the company is committed to pursuing further contracts and investment in the UK and Europe in its core market, power generation.

“We are delighted to continue our successful relationship with The Open as a patron as it is an excellent opportunity for Doosan to raise its profile throughout the world.” explains Jean-Michel Aubertin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Doosan Power Systems.

French racquet maker Babolat has announced a new partnership with Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

Starting January 1st, 2013, and for a period of five years, Babolat will become the official shoe brand of Wimbledon.

“Wimbledon is an iconic tennis tournament and an international tennis brand. We’re proud to be able to establish a partnership between Wimbledon and our Babolat tennis shoes. With Wimbledon, we share both being at the origin of tennis and being on the cutting edge of the sport. Our high standards for equipment are demonstrated each day, on courts everywhere in the world, and from now on, on the grass at Wimbledon,” said Eric Babolat, Chairman and CEO of Babolat.

As from 2013, Babolat will equip the ball boys and girls during The Championships.

Mick Desmond, Commercial Director at the All England Club said: “We are delighted to be in partnership with Babolat for the provision of shoes for our ball boys and girls on the grass courts at Wimbledon. Babolat and Wimbledon share many of the same brand values as well as a strong heritage in tennis and  we look forward to a long association in the years to come.”

Exeter Chiefs have announced that Europe’s largest regional airline, Flybe is extending its sponsorship of the team into a third season with the two parties confirming a new and improved agreement.

Having first come on board with the Aviva Premiership club in 2010 following its promotion into English rugby’s top flight for the first time, Flybe’s new deal sees the Exeter-based airline continue to take extensive branding in and around the club’s Sandy Park Stadium, Corporate Hospitality area, as well as naming rights on match-days for the Gold Card Suite, which plays host to a large percentage of the club’s corporate dining guests.

Also included in the contract is Flybe’s pledge to again use the services of Chiefs’ Head Coach, Rob Baxter, in an ambassadorial role, which will see him again go out into the community to help deliver coaching sessions at local schools.

John Wood, Head of Corporate at Exeter Rugby Club, has welcomed the sponsorship extension, stating: “This partnership brings together two highly successful organisations with a really strong cultural and strategic fit. Flybe has been a sponsor of Exeter Chiefs ever since we moved into the Premiership and we are delighted it has extended its partnership with us, especially given the challenges facing the aviation industry at the present time. 

“Flybe’s representatives clearly believes rugby plays a positive and beneficial role in relationship to its brand positioning and also that increased brand visibility within the local business and community sectors is crucial to its commitment in always contributing economically to the regions in which it operates also cementing its role championing the city’s major sporting asset.”

Andrew Strong, Flybe UK MD added: “We are privileged to have had the opportunity to share the extraordinary success of the Chiefs over the past two years and are pleased to continue supporting them by extending our sponsorship for a further year and on their journey into Europe with the Heineken Cup.

“Flybe always goes to great lengths to ensure that the sponsorship deals we secure incorporate opportunities for the support of community activities and the development of grassroots’ sport. To this end, the provision of rugby coaching into local Exeter schools forms an integral part of this sponsorship extension and we look forward to following the development of some of the young stars of the future.”

Talmage, therapy LLC announced today that it will serve as Title Sponsor of the 2012 Women’s Doubles Squash Association (WDSA) Wilson Cup Championship in Southampton, New York.

Top international players from around the world will be competing in the championship, which will run from July 12 – July 15. Proceeds from the event will benefit the youth program at the Southampton Youth Services’ (SYS) Elmaleh/Stanton Squash Center that provides playing facilities, coaching and mentoring to families and their children in the surrounding area.

“We are delighted to support the WDSA and the first annual Wilson Cup”

“We are delighted to support the WDSA and the first annual Wilson Cup,” said Edward L. Shugrue III, CEO of Talmage, LLC. “Narelle Krizek, founder of WDSA, has done an incredible job of bringing an elite, international roster of champions to Southampton and selecting an excellent charity to support with SYS. We wish all the participants the best of luck for what will be a truly exciting weekend of highly competitive, first-class squash.”

Talmage is an institutional investor that invests in, and advises on, large and complex commercial real estate transactions. 

Leeds Rhinos build up for their Carnegie Challenge Cup Semi-Final against Wigan Warriors was boosted by the announcement today of a new sponsorship deal with current main club sponsors, Leeds Building Society.

The UK’s 5th largest building society and the current Super League and World Club Champions have agreed a three-year contract for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons. This new deal is the third successive three-year sponsorship agreed between Leeds Building Society and Leeds Rhinos.

Leeds Building Society Chief Executive Peter Hill said, “We are delighted to sign up to the Rhinos for another three years. We share so many values; our passion for success, our team spirit and our commitment to the communities we serve.

“Leeds Rhinos have enjoyed their most successful period in history, with Leeds Building Society proudly on the front of the most popular shirt in rugby. Likewise, the Society has handled the financial crisis with great skill and tenacity, emerging stronger and with more members that at any time in our history.

“I am passionate about supporting grassroots rugby in our heartland and our Blue & Amber affinity account has already contributed over £320,000 for the development of junior rugby and supported Leeds Rhinos’ excellent community programmes. I am proud that our affinity account has helped youth development at the club, which is demonstrated by the number of top class youngsters coming through from the academy.

“Both the Rhinos and ourselves are successful Leeds organisations, play major roles in the city and we have many customers and staff who are Rhinos supporters. This sponsorship puts us where we should be, at the heart of Leeds life.”

Commenting on the announcement, Leeds Rugby Chief Executive Gary Hetherington added: “Leeds Building Society has certainly played a major part in our success when you consider that we have won 7 major trophies in the 6 years they have been main sponsors, and this year’s Challenge Cup and Grand Final are still to play for. There is a perfect fit between us both and we are very proud to carry the name of a major Leeds business on the shirts. This is an excellent deal for both parties and we are absolutely delighted.

“Over the past twelve years we have built up a very successful partnership with Leeds Building Society through our affinity account for Rhinos supporters. We share many common ideals. We are both proud of our heritage, are integral parts of the fabric of the city and embrace change. We both reward loyalty and offer outstanding value.

“Our success on the pitch could not be achieved without successful partnerships off it. There is no doubt that having a main club sponsor as successful as Leeds Building Society is vitally important to us and I am sure we will have a bright future together, starting hopefully with a win on Saturday.”

The Belfast Telegraph has agreed a one year extension to their sponsorship of the Irish FA Championship 1 & 2 for the 2012/13 season.

Aidan Murphy, Chairman of the IFA Championship Committee, said: “We had a very successful partnership last season with fantastic articles and match reports in The Park supplement every week, and the Belfast Telegraph’s online vote for Player of the Month was very popular with fans from all clubs.  I am looking forward to this upcoming season and am sure that we will again benefit from the great coverage and promotion the Belfast Telegraph provides for Championship 1 & 2.”

Martin Mawhinney, Editor of the Park, echoes the views of Aidan Murphy and believes this partnership shows the Belfast Telegraph’s loyalty to Championship football.

“The Belfast Telegraph are delighted to be continuing our sponsorship of the IFA Championship. We are committed to covering junior and intermediate level football every Monday in our football supplement The Park, and this deal strengthens that commitment further.

“As ever, The Park will be the first newspaper to bring you all the action and the stories from the clubs in the Championship each week. We’ll be there all the way from the first kick in August, to the drama of the title race in April.”

Western Union, stuff a leader in global payment services, abortion has become the new Global Partner and the Presenting Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League.

This partnership will commence immediately and run through to the UEFA Europa League Final in 2015.

This sponsorship of the world’s largest club competition, cialis comprising 193 professional football teams from 53 countries, provides Western Union with a unique opportunity for worldwide brand visibility, with the competition broadcast in more than 200 countries and enjoying an average cumulative audience of 1.3 billion every season. Drawing upon this global reach will allow Western Union, with its extensive network of 500,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories, to engage its customers and agents around the world in the excitement of the UEFA Europa League. The agreement also provides video, digital and social media content opportunities, and use of the UEFA Europa League brand assets.

Diane Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer and President, Western Union Ventures, said: “We are delighted to become the Presenting Partner of the UEFA Europa League. What makes football truly unique is being universal, with an unmatched global appeal. As a brand in 200 countries worldwide, Western Union wants to enable its customers and partners to engage in the excitement of the UEFA Europa League, and provide them with opportunities and ways to do so anywhere on the planet.”

Marc Audrit, Vice President Global Brand at Western Union, added: “Western Union’s partnership with UEFA is a fantastic opportunity to communicate our brand on a global scale. Awareness of the UEFA Europa League is totally global, with 92 percent of football fans internationally knowing of the competition, in places such as Mexico, Nigeria and Hong Kong. Over 1,400 players representing 113 countries were involved in last year’s competition.”

As part of its overall support for the UEFA Europa League, Western Union is developing a comprehensive marketing and communications programme that will seek to involve customers from around the world and the players in the competition in a unique and inspiring way.