Bitzio, Inc., a leader in apps, mobile media and behavioral analytics, today announced that is has acquired the exclusive Latin America and United States animation rights to Carlos Valderrama, one of the most popular and widely recognizable Colombian football players of all time.

Carlos Valderrama, also known as El Pibe (“The Kid”), is a former Colombian football player. His mass of blond, permed hair makes him one of Colombia’s most recognizable footballers. He was a member of the Colombia national football team in the 1990s. Between 1985 and 1998 he represented Colombia in 111 full internationals and scored 11 times, making him the most capped player in the country’s history. In 2004, Valderrama was included in the FIFA 100, a list of “greatest living footballers” chosen by Pelé to celebrate the 100th anniversary of FIFA.

“We are so incredibly excited to be working with a star like Carlos. His career achievements speak for themselves – but it’s what his legions of adoring fans continue to say about him that makes this so amazing for Bitzio. Carlos continues to be a revered figure all across Latin America, and the rest of the athletic world. We’re so thrilled to see our sports and entertainment strategy coming to life, starting with a global superstar like Carlos Valderrama,” said William Schonbrun, President and CEO of Bitzio.

“Carlos also has such a unique look that makes him so easily recognizable, which is perfect for many of our apps – like PiciBooth. We’re planning to do so many amazing things with the animated Carlos Valderrama character, starting with a special PiciBooth edition where fans can take their own pictures and apply big blond permed hair and a moustache to look like Carlos, then share with friends, and other Carlos fans. We have plans to release many apps and digital experiences with Carlos in the coming months that will engage and delight his fans for years. The goal of all of these apps is to allow fans to get closer to the players, and clubs, they support and love,” continued Schonbrun.

Xoom Corporation, a leader in the online consumer-to-consumer international money transfer industry, announced today that it has become an official sponsor of the Peruvian Olympic team for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games.

Xoom is kicking off its sponsorship with a corporate donation to support the Peruvian Olympic team, and will donate an additional dollar for every transaction sent to Peru using Xoom.com in the month of July. Xoom is also promoting quick and easy grassroots giving through its money transfer website and helping Peruvians in the U.S. make direct no-fee donations to their team through Aug 31.

While Xoom’s financial support is important to the Peruvian team, Xoom’s main objective is to rally support for the Peruvian Olympic Team from the Peruvian community in the U.S. through an awareness campaign. A 30-minute documentary highlighting the Peruvian athletes’ preparations, challenges and aspirations has been produced by Miami-based agency Hispanic Group for Xoom and will be broadcast on Sur Peru on Saturdays at 7:00 PM EDT and Sundays at 6:30 PM EDT through Aug 12, 2012 and Xoom’s new Facebook page “Vamos Peru – Olimpiadas 2012” dedicated to the team’s 2012 efforts (facebook.com/XoomOlimpiadas). A new dedicated Twitter hashtag (#VamosPeru) will relay real-time updates on the team’s progress during the final weeks of training, as well as throughout the games. 

“We are extremely excited to sponsor the Peruvian Olympic team in the London games. Peru is one of our top remittance markets, and we are proud to showcase the team’s remarkable efforts to the Peruvian community in the U.S.,” said John Kunze, President and CEO of Xoom Corporation. “We chose Peru because, while facing many difficulties, the Peruvian Olympic team has the spirit, determination and perseverance needed to compete against larger, better-funded teams. This is the same spirit, determination and perseverance we see every day in our customers who work hard to send money home and to succeed in this country.” 

Ivan Dibos, Member of the International Olympic Committee and Peruvian Olympic Committee, added: “We are truly pleased to have the support of Xoom. We are glad to see this U.S. company make such a big deal out of the Peruvian Olympic team. We are a small team, with a big heart, and Xoom definitely recognizes that. Partnering with Xoom was a good choice because they are helping us connect with Peruvians in the U.S. and through this connection, encouraging them to feel proud of their team. I can tell you that our athletic heroes love their country very much and go through incredible sacrifices for Peru. For them to have Peruvians, who are thousands of kilometers away from their country cheer them on and stay up to date with their performances, is a sacred honor that keeps their heart going during those times in competition when their body says no more.” 

Peruvian athletes have won a total of four medals in the summer Olympic games: One gold medal in shooting in London 1948, two silver medals in shooting in Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992, and a silver medal in women’s volleyball in Seoul 1988.

Australian Capital Territory Totalizator Agency Board (ACTTAB) has become the naming rights sponsor of Canberra Centenary Cup (2000 metres) for next year’s race.

Record crowds were present at Thoroughbred Park in March for the Super Sunday 2012 event, which included the Cup, the $(AU)250,000 Black Opal Stakes (1200m), as well as the National Sprint (1400m) and the Canberra Guineas (1400m).

Canberra Racing chief executive Peter Stubbs said: “It’s a great way to celebrate Canberra’s 100th birthday, and it is only fitting that ACTTAB have the naming rights to the race having supported the local community since 1964.”

The Cup will take place on March 10.{jcomments on}

Web.com, the leading provider of internet services and online marketing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), today announced a 10-year agreement whereby the company becomes the umbrella sponsor of the newly named Web.com Tour replacing Nationwide.

Formerly known as the Nationwide Tour, the Web.com Tour will continue to identify and transition players who are ready to compete and win on the PGA TOUR. It currently awards PGA TOUR membership to the 25 leading money winners at the end of the season. Beginning in 2013, however, the importance of the Web.com Tour will further increase when the new qualifying structure for the PGA TOUR expands that number to 50.

The Web.com umbrella sponsorship takes effect immediately with this week’s United Leasing Championship at Victoria National Golf Club near Evansville, Ind., and extends through 2021. In addition to the umbrella sponsorship, Web.com will also become an Official Marketing Partner of the PGA TOUR, Web.com Tour and Champions Tour.

The announcements were made jointly by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem; David L. Brown, Web.com’s Chairman, President and CEO; and Bill Calfee, President of the Web.com Tour.

“This sponsorship is a perfect fit for us – Web.com is committed to helping small- and medium-sized businesses compete and succeed online, just as the Web.com Tour helps talented, dedicated athletes maximize their potential and fulfill their dreams,” Brown said. “The Web.com brand will gain exceptional visibility as a result of our sponsorship of the Web.com Tour. In addition, we believe that the professionalism and competition of PGA TOUR golf resonates strongly with small- and medium-sized business owners, making the national and international exposure we achieve with this sponsorship an unparalleled opportunity to reach more of our target market.”

As the umbrella sponsor of the Tour, Web.com will receive media coverage throughout the year and international television exposure through Golf Channel’s live telecasts of Web.com Tour tournaments and ancillary programming. Extensive branding and promotion at tournament sites; local and national advertising opportunities across print, broadcast, internet and social media properties; regular exposure through PGA TOUR media assets and various hospitality opportunities are also part of the Web.com agreement. The Web.com Tour will also be a familiar element during PGA TOUR telecasts, particularly when alumni play their way into contention.   In addition, Web.com, via its Official Marketing Partnership, will offer its internet services and online solutions for players across all three Tours and events looking to grow their individual brands.

Brown continued, “This sponsorship is a unique and powerful opportunity to elevate our brand on a highly desirable global platform, but it also offers us deep, local exposure in the 27 markets where Web.com Tour events are currently staged as well as access to other markets where the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour have forged strong ties. We intend to actively engage in those communities and use our expertise to help local businesses and organizations succeed online.”

Web.com will also enhance each Web.com Tour community through charitable outreach. In 2011, the Web.com Tour raised $7.35 million for charity, pushing its cumulative total since inception in 1990 to $75 million.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Web.com into the PGA TOUR’s family of sponsors,” Finchem said. “The Web.com Tour truly is an extension of the PGA TOUR and has proven to be the most effective and consistent indicator of future success on TOUR. We consider this an ideal association with a recognized industry leader in helping small- to medium-sized businesses become successful as a result of using its services. To that end, we are particularly delighted that, in addition to the sponsorship, Web.com will be offering its expertise to help our tournaments, players and charities enhance their own web presence.”

Nationwide Insurance sponsored the Tour since 2003. As previously announced, the Columbus, Ohio-based company decided to assume presenting sponsorship of its hometown PGA TOUR event, the Memorial Tournament, when that opportunity opened for the 2011 season. It was prepared to fulfill its umbrella sponsorship of the Tour through this year before Web.com expressed interest in assuming the sponsorship immediately.

“Nationwide is proud of our 10-year association with the Nationwide Tour, the PGA TOUR and all the outstanding individuals dedicated to developing and preparing golfers for the next stage of their professional lives,” said Matt Jauchius, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for Nationwide. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the PGA TOUR as sponsor of the Memorial Tournament and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational, and wish both the Tour and Web.com the best in their new partnership.”

Financial services company, ING Insurance Berhad, has become a major sponsor of the Malaysia’s national softball championship.

ING is the first major corporate sponsor of the national championships has and the deal is reportedly worth RM25,000 (almost $US 8,000).

The National Open Softball Championships is taking place at the University of Putra Malaysia and will conclude on Monday.

Twenty male teams and twelve female teams will compete in the tournament. {jcomments on}

Pepsi will return as the Super Bowl halftime show’s title sponsor, according to Sports Business Journal.

Pepsi sponsored the Super Bowl XLI halftime show in 2007, which featured Prince and the Florida A&M marching band on a rainy night in Miami.

Bridgestone took over as the title sponsor the following year and trotted out Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, The Black Eyed Peas and Madonna for its shows.

AdvoCare has become the first jersey sponsor in FC Dallas history as the Texas-based health and wellness company has inked a multi-million dollar, ampoule multi-year partnership with the Major League Soccer club.

“When we decided to put a company’s name on our team’s jersey, we were determined to find the right company that was a fit with what we believe in at FC Dallas,” said Hunt Sports Group Chairman Clark Hunt. “When I met AdvoCare CEO Richard Wright and his wife Sherry, I knew we had found the ideal partner. We share the same core values as well as a commitment to building champions. Something else that is very important to us is that AdvoCare is a fellow Texas-based company; headquartered just minutes from FC Dallas Stadium. We look forward to partnering with AdvoCare for many years to come.”

AdvoCare offers quality, safe and effective nutrition, weight loss, energy and sports performance products.

FC Dallas President and CEO Doug Quinn, said: “For the past year and a half we have spent countless hours identifying, meeting with and presenting the hero partner that will adorn the chest of over 200 teams that make up the FC Dallas club. Our ultimate intent was to secure the perfect partners and  we’re delighted to have found that in Advocare. Today our journey together begins as we are thrilled to call this group of wonderful people family.”

The partnership puts AdvoCare on the front of every FC Dallas jersey and all team gear. AdvoCare will have a major presence throughout FC Dallas Stadium and Complex, as well as in team media and promotional initiatives. The sponsorship also places AdvoCare on FC Dallas Academy and Youth jerseys.

“Our main goal is to promote health, wellness and the AdvoCare business opportunity. One way we successfully do this is by partnering with world-class athletes who choose AdvoCare, because our products help them perform at peak levels. FC Dallas shares many of the same values as AdvoCare, making this partnership a perfect fit,” AdvoCare President and CEO Richard Wright said. “AdvoCare has been building champions for nearly 20 years and is honored to be the first jersey sponsor for FC Dallas. We look forward to building champions together as millions watch AdvoCare and FC Dallas nationwide.”

AdvoCare also sponsors the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., the No. 3 Car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the AdvoCare 500, a Sprint Cup series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Panini America has signed endorsement deals with projected NBA first round picks Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson and Harrison Barnes to exclusive trading cards agreements, prior to Thursday’s 2012 NBA draft.

Panini America has continued it’s tradition of signing expectant stars after inking deals with 2011 NBA Draft Class Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams among others.

This year, Panini will not only include the aforementioned 2012 draft standouts in a trading card release, the company has combined the 2012 standouts with rookie stars from the 2011 class to create a “double rookie card class”, which will be released later this year.

“We’re genuinely excited to add these gentlemen – the next generation of NBA superstars – to the Panini America family, and we can’t wait to get their first trading cards into the hands of fans and collectors,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “The presence of these players in our complete line of 2012-13 products, in concert with the best rookies from the 2011-12 season, will create an unprecedented opportunity for fans and collectors to pursue a Double Rookie Card class in Panini America’s official NBA products throughout the entire season.”

In addition to the previously mentioned draft standouts, Panini has also inked exclusive deals with Andre Drummond, Austin Rivers, Jared Sullinger and John Henson.

“By adding this dynamic group of players to its roster, Panini America has bolstered what promises to be a great season for NBA trading cards,” said Lisa Goldberg, the NBA’s Vice President of Licensing and Global Merchandising. “Panini America continues to create new and innovative ways to generate excitement in the trading card industry and the 2012-13 double Rookie Card program is another example.”

Noticeably absent is expected #1 overall pick, Anthony Davis. While Davis may have yet to capitalize on the Panini opportunity, he currently has his eyes, focused on other marketing opportunities.

Panini has been the exclusive training card partner of the NBA since the 2009-10 season. The company also has exclusive relationships with USA Basketball, USA Baseball, and the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team.

AMD today announced that Major League Baseball’s (MLB) San Francisco Giants selected AMD as a technology partner.

The Giants have recently installed 66 new AMD A-Series Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)-based HP TouchSmart 320m All-In-One (AIO) touchscreen systems at AT&T Park, which will be followed by deployments of other AMD-powered systems throughout the organization.

“Our technology partnership with the San Francisco Giants puts AMD in a great position to showcase the role AMD technology can play to help large organizations harness the trends around consumerization, the Cloud and convergence to drive their business,” said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager, AMD Global Business Units. “From powering the front office infrastructure to the luxury suite experience at AT&T Park, AMD is ready to be a technology clean-up hitter for the Giants and their fans.”

The Giants are presently using AMD technology to empower fans at AT&T Park to vote their favorite players into the National League’s starting line-up for the upcoming MLB All-Star game on July 10. AIO desktops with touchscreens in all of the ballpark suites will be linked to the online MLB All-Star ballot allowing fans to quickly vote for their favorite Giants players.

“We are excited to have AMD power the technology behind the team,” said Bill Schlough, chief information officer, San Francisco Giants. “Much like the Giants, AMD is committed to innovation. We believe AMD technology will position the Giants to build upon our winning on the field while continuing to deliver the ultimate fan experience at AT&T Park.”

In addition to the AIO desktops in the luxury suites, the Giants front office will standardize on AMD-based desktops and notebooks over the course of the three-year agreement. The Giants also plan to install AMD Opteron-based servers in their data centers where appropriate.

Huddersfield Town’s have secured a new partnership with Life Fitness with the leading fitness equipment brand set to improve the gym facilities at Canalside Sports Complex, the Club’s official training ground.

Life Fitness is the number one fitness equipment brand in health clubs worldwide, supplying both commercial and domestic gym equipment across the globe. Based in Cambridgeshire, they are a new business partner of ‘The Yorkshire Club’ heading into the 2012/13 npower Championship season.

Part of the new deal will see Life Fitness supply Canalside’s gym with new, high-spec equipment from their ‘activate’ series over the coming months including seven treadmills, 10 bikes, five cross trainers, three rowing machines and a pulley resistance machine.

Huddersfield Town’s Commercial Director Sean Jarvis was delighted with the deal: “We’re delighted that Life Fitness has come on board with the Club. Like so many of our partners they are an industry-leader in their market and that fits perfectly with our own ethos – we want to be the trend-setters in football.

“I’m also delighted that this new partnership will further improve the facilities for the members at Canalside Sports Complex. Their fantastic equipment will add to the gym facilities at the complex and go hand in hand with the other dramatic improvements that are happening at the facility right now.

“The commercial team at the Club cannot wait to begin working with Life Fitness over the coming months and years; we’re looking forward to our relationship evolving and growing.”

Dave Pullen, Channel manager North, Life Fitness UK, commented: “Life Fitness is delighted to be working in partnership with Huddersfield Town Football Club and to be installing the fitness equipment at their newly refurbished fitness suite within the Canalside Sports Complex. By working closely with them and listening to the club’s needs, we were able to provide a package that perfectly matched the requirement, introducing our latest range of cardiovascular equipment – the Life Fitness Activate Series.

“This will enable their players to train efficiently and effectively off the pitch, improving fitness levels ahead of those all-important games. We are looking forward to developing the relationship with Huddersfield Town Football Club further.”