The PGA TOUR and Shriners Hospitals for Children announced today a five-year title sponsorship extension, sick carrying the commitment to the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open through 2017.

Additionally, the purse will increase to $6 million when the extension takes effect in 2013, representing an increase of $1.5 million over this year’s tournament, which is scheduled for October 4-7 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.

“Shriners Hospitals is delighted by this new relationship with the PGA TOUR and looks forward to continuing to provide the highest level of golf for the Las Vegas community,” said Gary Dunwoody, Chairman, Shriners Hospitals for Children Golf Committee. “Shriners extends its appreciation to the PGA TOUR for affording this opportunity; and we compliment the media, the Las Vegas community and our staff and volunteers who worked so hard to create this expanded relationship.”

The extension and purse increase coincide with the tournament’s move to the early part of the reconfigured 2013-2014 PGA TOUR schedule and inclusion in the FedExCup. As announced in March, the PGA TOUR season will begin in October 2013 with the current Fall Series and conclude in late September 2014 with the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Last Monday, the PGA TOUR Policy Board granted a full allocation of FedExCup points to the PGA TOUR’s fall tournaments when the new schedule takes effect.

“Shriners Hospitals for Children has been a very active and supportive sponsor since 2008,” said Andy Pazder, Chief of Operations for the PGA TOUR. “We are extremely pleased that it has agreed to title sponsor the tournament for another five years as it becomes a FedExCup event that helps kick off the new schedule.”

“As we celebrate 30 years of PGA TOUR golf in Las Vegas, we’re thrilled to announce the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children have agreed to sponsor the tournament for an additional five years,” said Adam Sperling, tournament director of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. “Both the Hospitals and the Shriner Fraternity have played vital roles in the success of this event, and their leadership and involvement will be a tremendous asset to us as we move forward in our efforts to support the Las Vegas community through the game of golf.”

Cesc Fabregas, one of the integral figures in Spain’s Euro 2012 success has struck a deal with SOUL Electronics to become their new brand ambassador. 

The FC Barcelona player will be featured in the company’s upcoming “SOUL of Greatness” video series and campaign. Fabregas will also represent the SOUL brand during various sporting events throughout the year.

“Fabregas is one of the most talented international footballers in the game, making him the perfect athlete to align with,” commented Len Davi, Executive Director of SOUL Electronics.  “Fabregas’ achievements and athleticism make him a great representation of what the SOUL of Greatness campaign stands for.  He’s dedicated, focused and driven on attaining goals and striving for excellence.”

“Motivation and hard work are key ingredients for success,” noted Cesc Fabregas. “Listening to music shuts out distractions and helps me stay focused, whether on the field, in the locker room or at home.  I am excited to partner with SOUL to help spread the message that anyone can find will and determination from within.”

Cesc Fabregas joins Olympic athlete and SOUL Electronics partner Usain Bolt, as well as original SOUL by Ludacris brand partner Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, who will also each appear in key video spots for the series.  Other stars of the campaign will be announced soon.

English Football league team, sale Birmingham City FC have announced that they agreed a three year deal with Diadora as their new Official Technical Kit Supplier.

This will thus see Diadora supply the Championship club with three new kits as from the start of the 2012/13 campaign. Diadora will be replacing previous kit suppliers Xtep, which deal between the club and the former company ended by mutual consent.

Diadora, established in 1948, has become one of the most recognisable sporting brands in the world and JD Sports are exclusive retailers of Diadora in the UK.

Wayne Cowen, Blues’ Head of Retail, said: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Diadora and are looking forward to seeing the three new kits being worn with pride.

“The kits are of the highest quality, as to be expected from a brand with Diadora’s calibre. We feel this is a fantastic move for the club and are looking forward to working with such an established sporting brand. ”

Guy Walker, JD Sports Head of Football, said: “Diadora is a fantastic brand and we are very pleased to have secured this partnership with Birmingham City FC.

“They have such a great and loyal fan base and I am looking forward to the forthcoming kit launches to hear the fans reaction and comments. We are delighted to have a club of this stature endorse the Diadora brand. The three bespoke kits have been designed exclusively for the club and we are sure they will prove to be very popular with both the players and fans.”

Leeds United has announced a partnership with Levy Restaurants, the Sport and Leisure division of Compass Group UK & Ireland.

Levy Restaurants will be delivering the catering at the venue on both match days and non-match days and will be responsible for the food and drink throughout the club’s retail concessions, its hospitality provision and its conference and banqueting offering.

Shaun Harvey, Chief Executive said: “We have agreed a partnership arrangement with Compass for an initial period of five years from 1 October 2012. The time between now and the commencement date will be utilised to ensure a seamless transition for our fans on match days and our conference and banqueting customers on non-match days. Our talented existing staff will become part of the Compass team at Elland Road.

“We anticipate that Compass’ expert sales team will help increase the demand for our facilities on non-match days from the national market, and believe their experience in this specialist sector will assist us in our desire to remain the number one choice in Leeds for conference and banqueting events.”

Neil MacLaurin, Business Development Director of Compass said: “We are delighted to have established this partnership with Leeds United Football Club. We are committed to building on the legacy of this historic club and look forward to working with the team to deliver an amazing match day and non match day experience by enhancing the high standards that are already in place.

The Swiss Football League (SFL) has gained five new official sponsors initiated by Infront Ringier Sports & Entertainment Switzerland AG, the exclusive marketing partner of the SFL.

Starting from the 2012/13 season onwards Swisscom (telecommunications), Allianz Suisse (insurance), Mitsubishi (automotive), Sporttip (sports betting) and Manor (department chain store) will sponsor the SFL, the Raiffeisen Super League and the Challenge League.

The new sponsorship deals are based on an optimised marketing concept for the Swiss Football League. For the first time, five official sponsorship packages for both professional leagues were offered centrally by InfrontRingier. The companies will receive a continuous advertising presence on LED or rotating boards at all games of Raiffeisen Super League as well as during the live games of the Challenge League.

The new sponsors will also benefit from additional exposure as their company logos will be displayed in the official publications and through other promotional activities of the SFL. Furthermore they have been granted the use of the “Official Sponsor of the Swiss Football League” title and the SFL logo for their communication and promotional purposes. A comprehensive ticket and hospitality contingent is also included.

Besides the five Official Sponsors, the publications Blick, Schweizer Illustrierte and L’illustré will be engaged as new Media Partners. InfrontRingier has also secured Ochsner Sport as the Official Sports Store of the Raiffeisen Super League.

Claudius Schaefer, CEO of the Swiss Football League, said: “The successful marketing of the five official sponsorship packages demonstrates impressively the appeal of Swiss football for sponsors. With Swisscom, Allianz Suisse, Mitsubishi, Sporttip and Manor, InfrontRingier has secured five nationally successful brands as sponsors of the Swiss Football League. These key partnerships ensure consistency and will further strengthen the Raiffeisen Super League and the Challenge League.”

Armin Meier, Managing Director of InfrontRingier, added: “The high demand from interested companies has confirmed that we are on the right path with our centralised marketing concept. For the first time, the Swiss Football League can guarantee their Official Sponsors continuous brand visibility throughout the whole season. Never before have commercial partners been so closely associated with the two top leagues. Regardless of their favourite team, Swiss fans will in the future associate these five brands with top Swiss football.”

Huddersfield Town have announced that award winning architects One17 Design has extended its official partnership with the Club for the upcoming Championship season. 

Huddersfield based One 17 Design has supported the Club over the last couple of seasons before becoming an official partner last summer. 

Over the last two seasons One17 have strengthened their own profile within Huddersfield with a full page advert in ‘Give us an H’, the Club’s award-winning Match Day Magazine. Also, they were one of over 40 companies and fans to donate to the Play-Off Final ticket initiative in 2010 – a pioneering scheme create by Town’s Chairman Dean Hoyle, which raised over £25,000 and allowed 800 school children to attend Old Trafford. 

Last season, Director Mark Lee was a cyclist in the ‘Road to Wembley’ bike road – another innovative scheme devised by Chairman Dean Hoyle to raise money for 800 local school children to attend Town’s Play-Off Final victory over Sheffield United. 

Town’s Sean Jarvis and Mark Jacobs are pictured with One17 Design partner Mark Lee at the Stadium. 

Huddersfield Town Commercial Director, Sean Jarvis, commented: “One 17 Design is recognised as an award winning architect company and like Huddersfield Town is striving to be market leaders within their industry. They are a successful Huddersfield based company who have shown a desire over the last year to be actively involved with the Club and help on many different fronts. 

“Last season Mark cycled 200 miles with six other Town fans to help raise £45,000 to allow local school children enjoy a fantastic day at Wembley. I am looking forward to working with them over the upcoming season.” 

One17 Design Director, Mark Lee, commented: “The closer business relationship with Huddersfield Town and other partner organisations has completely justified itself, you cannot help but feel a much bigger part of what is happening at the Club when you are involved day to day, we can’t wait for the new season to begin.” 

Located in Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield, One17 deal in all aspects of design work, from architecture and project management, to structural and interior design and graphic communication. One17 Design have been in practice in Huddersfield since 1960. With two of their three partners being natives of the town, they have made a specific commitment to stay in Huddersfield.

Die Formel 3 Euro Serie und der Mineralölkonzern BP/Aral haben eine neue Premium-Partnerschaft vereinbart. Ab sofort ist der Marktführer im deutschen Tankstellengeschäft offizieller Kraftstofflieferant der stärksten Nachwuchsserie der Welt und baut damit sein Engagement im Motorsport aus.

Als langjähriger Serienpartner und exklusiver Kraftstofflieferant der DTM hat BP/Aral in den vergangenen Jahren auch die Formel 3 Euro Serie sowie alle Rahmenserien der populärsten internationalen Tourenwagenserie mit dem Hochleistungskraftstoff Aral Ultimate 102 versorgt. Dieser garantiert eine gleichbleibend hohe Qualität, thumb die Teams und Fahrer brauchen, um das gesamte Potential ihrer Rennwagen auf die Strecke zu bringen und ist für jeden Fan und Autofahrer in exakt gleicher Qualität an über 1.600 Aral Tankstellen erhältlich.

Bereits ab dem DTM-Rennwochenende auf dem Norisring (29. Juni – 1. Juli) wird Aral nun als offizieller Kraftstofflieferant der Formel 3 Euro Serie auch werblich in Erscheinung treten. Der blau-weiße Diamant und das Ultimate Logo werden ab sofort alle Euro-Serie-Boliden in Form zweier Werbeflächen an den Frontflügeln zieren.

Mit starken Partnern wie Aral untermauert die Formel 3 Euro Serie einmal mehr ihren Anspruch, den talentiertesten Nachwuchspiloten der Welt ein höchst professionelles Umfeld zu bieten, in dem sich die jungen Fahrer optimal entwickeln können. Dass dies gelingt, beweisen nicht zuletzt die zahlreichen Formel-1-Fahrer und Formel-1-Weltmeister, die diese Rennserie in den vergangenen Jahren hervorgebracht hat, darunter Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Romain Grosjean, Nico Hülkenberg oder auch Paul Di Resta. Natürlich rekrutiert auch die DTM ihre Stars aus der Formel 3 Euro Serie: Aktuell gehen Jamie Green, Roberto Mehri, Edoardo Mortara, Bruno Spengler und Christian Vietoris in der populärsten internationalen Tourenwagenserie an den Start.

Walter Mertes, Vorstand für Marketing und Sponsoring des ITR e.V. und Vermarkter der Formel 3 Euro Serie zu den Rahmenbedingungen der stärksten Nachwuchsrennserie: „In erster Linie werden unsere Teams von dieser neuen Vereinbarung profitieren, denen wir auf diese Weise den für die Rennveranstaltung nötigen Kraftstoff kostenfrei zur Verfügung stellen können. Wir haben uns zur Aufgabe gemacht, unseren Teilnehmern eine möglichst perfekte Bühne für ihren Sport zu bieten und gleichzeitig eine Kostenreduzierung zu erreichen. An diesen Zielen arbeiten wir auch während einer Saison stetig weiter und freuen uns, durch die neue Partnerschaft mit Aral unseren Zielen wieder ein Stück näher gekommen zu sein.“

Robert Mehrtens, Fuels Product Manager Deutschland und verantwortlich für Sponsoring bei BP/Aral: „Wir freuen uns sehr, mit der jetzt mit der Formel-3-Organisation getroffenen Vereinbarung die Fahrer und Teams der erfolgreichen Nachwuchsserie unterstützen zu können und wir sind sehr stolz, mit unserem Hochleistungskraftstoff Aral Ultimate 102 dazu beitragen zu können, jungen Fahrern den Weg in die DTM und den internationalen Motorsport zu ermöglichen. Dass der Fan an der Tankstelle genau den gleichen Kraftstoff tanken kann wie die Rennfahrzeuge der Formel 3 Euro Serie ist zudem ein Beweis für die hohe Qualität von Aral Ultimate 102.“

Einen Monat vor Beginn der Olympischen Spiele hat der DOSB seine Partnerschaft mit Olympia Partner Audi vorzeitig bis 2016 verlängert. Das Ingolstädter Unternehmen steht damit weitere vier Jahre an der Seite der deutschen Olympioniken und Paralympioniken. Das verkündeten der Deutsche Olympische Sportbund (DOSB), der Deutsche Behindertensportverband (DBS) und Audi im Rahmen des Parlamentarischen Abends des DOSB in Berlin.

Für den DOSB ist die Fortsetzung der Partnerschaft mit Audi ein wichtiges Signal: “Wir sind stolz, dass eine so anerkannte Marke aus der deutschen Wirtschaft uns für vier weitere Jahre begleitet und damit Teil von ‘Wir für Deutschland” ist, des Mottos der Deutschen Olympiamannschaft. Audi steht ebenso wie der DOSB für Sportlichkeit und Erfolg. Das Engagement von Audi bestätigt die hohe Wertschätzung, die den Athleten der Deutschen Olympiamannschaft entgegengebracht wird. Das motiviert auch beim Kampf um Höchstleistungen”, sagt DOSB-Präsident Thomas Bach. Audi war Anfang 2010 als Olympia Partner beim DOSB eingestiegen.

Auch DBS-Präsident Friedhelm-Julius Beucher freut sich über die weitere Zusammenarbeit mit den Ingolstädtern. “Das paralympische Thema hat starke und verlässliche Partner verdient. Mit Audi weiß der DBS und sein Team ein Unternehmen an seiner Seite, das sich mit voller Kraft für den Sport einsetzt – das spornt an.”

Verhandlungspartner von Audi für die Engagements im olympischen und paralympischen Bereich ist die Deutsche Sport-Marketing (DSM) als offizielle Vermarktungsagentur der beiden Verbände. Für Geschäftsführer Axel Achten hat die Fortführung der Zusammenarbeit zukunftsweisende Funktion: “Immer mehr Unternehmen entschließen sich zu übergreifenden Partnerschaften, um die Kooperationen vielseitig mit Leben zu füllen und Inhalte miteinander zu verbinden. Audi ist ein wunderbares Beispiel dafür, wie ein solches Modell erfolgreich umgesetzt werden kann.”

“Mit dieser Partnerschaft unterstützen wir die besten Sportler Deutschlands”, sagt Michael-Julius Renz, Leiter Vertrieb Deutschland der Audi AG. “Durch die Olympischen und Paralympischen Spiele erhalten Sportarten die Aufmerksamkeit, die den Athleten und ihrer Leistung gebührt.” Gleichzeitig komplettiert Audi sein jahrzehntelanges Engagement im nationalen und internationalen Spitzensport. Dazu gehören Partnerschaften im Fußball ebenso wie im Golf oder Segeln sowie im Wintersport. Hier präsentiert Audi nicht nur die Alpinen Ski-Weltmeisterschaften, sondern ist auch Partner von insgesamt 15 Nationalteams. Alle Disziplinen, in denen Audi sich bewegt, sind oder werden olympisch.

Während der Olympischen Spiele in London begleitet Audi die deutschen Athleten und Fans: So präsentiert die Marke mit den vier Ringen die TV-Übertragungen aus England in ARD und ZDF. Darüber hinaus stellt Audi dem Deutschen Haus 60 Shuttles zur Verfügung, darunter vier Audi A1 e-tron. Alle Medaillengewinner der Olympischen und Paralympischen Spiele in London erhalten von Audi über den Olympia- und Paralympics-Pass eine Einladung zu einer Audi drivingexperience.

Commonwealth Bank has become official sponsor of Run Melbourne’s Finish Line Festival.

Commonwealth Bank Regional General Manager, Richard Porter, said the bank is proud to sponsor the the event.

“We’re delighted to celebrate our centenary year with Run Melbourne and look forward to providing a day of fun, fitness and festivities for Victorians to enjoy,” he said.

Run Melbourne Sponsorship Manager, Byron Dodds, says they’re delighted to welcome Commonwealth Bank as a partner.

“Commonwealth Bank and Run Melbourne have a great synergy as we are both committed to supporting the Victorian community, and we are delighted that the Commonwealth Bank have selected Run Melbourne as an opportunity to celebrate their Centenary with our audience” he said.

The bank will provide the first 2,000 runners across the finish line a free healthy breakfast. The Commercial Bank marquee will hold a fashion show of the bank’s uniforms through the ages, a photo booth and a centenary quiz.

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Procter & Gamble announced that Jordyn Wieber, reigning All-Around World Champion, will serve as an ambassador for P&G Beauty brands including COVERGIRL, Head & Shoulders, Olay and Venus.

Wieber will join fellow teammate Alicia Sacramone as P&G Beauty ambassador, expanding on her existing partnership with P&G and their sponsorship of Team USA during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“We are thrilled to align with such a young talented athlete who continues to inspire her peers to achieve their personal best”

“As a girl who uses P&G Beauty brands like Olay, COVERGIRL and Pantene every day, I couldn’t be more excited about this partnership,” said Wieber. “I am thankful for P&G Beauty’s support as I continue to pursue my dream of becoming an Olympian.”

Wieber set her goal to become an Olympic Games athlete at the age of ten when she earned the title of elite gymnast, only four years after she started competing. Now 16 years old and a member of the U.S. Women’s Senior National Team, she has already won her third American Cup all-around championship, two all-around titles at the Visa National Championships and the all-around title at the World Championships. Having accomplished so much in the gymnastics world, Wieber continues to draw inspiration from family, teammates and girlfriends while becoming a role model herself for other young female athletes.

As part of Wieber’s ambassador role, she will support P&G Beauty’s recent pledge to donate $400,000 to the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund, created to support youth sports programs across the country and enrich the lives of children with the values and life lessons youth sports provides.

“We are thrilled to align with such a young talented athlete who continues to inspire her peers to achieve their personal best,” says Gina Drosos, Group President, P&G Beauty. “Hearing that Jordyn relies on her favorite P&G Beauty brands like COVERGIRL and Olay for all of her big moments, whether it is a competition or prom, is a true testament of our commitment to help women face the world with confidence. We’re proud to support her as she continues her Olympic Games journey.”

In addition to Wieber’s partnership with P&G Beauty, she will continue to support P&G’s “Thank you, Mom” campaign. As any Olympian will tell you, there is nothing like the support of family when training, working hard and facing tough competition. But no one offers better support than a mom, and Wieber can attest to that. In celebration of the “Thank You, Mom” campaign, Wieber, other Olympians and P&G, are taking the time to recognize and honor these very important women in their lives.