Precision Goalkeeping has completed a double swoop in time for the 2012/13 season.

Carlisle United’s Adam Collin and Oxford United’s Ryan Clarke have both committed to wearing Precision Goalkeeping gloves in League 1 and League 2 next season respectively.

Collin, bronchi who started his career at Newcastle United, was ever present for a Carlisle side that narrowly missed out on a play off spot in 2011/12.

Clarke, who was a winner of the Football League Precision Goalkeeping Glove Award in December, kept 15 clean sheets in his 44 appearances for Oxford last season.

They will both be wearing the Precision Goalkeeping Vortex Contact Classic range next season.

David Sanderson, Brand and Marketing Director at Precision, said; “We are delighted to have secured two more fantastic goalkeepers ahead of the 2012/13 season.

“They have both been on our radar for quite some time and we are very pleased to have them on board at Precision Goalkeeping.

“The new range of Precision Goalkeeping gloves have done very well both with the professional players approval and also in the retail market and we continue to strengthen our position in the market both on and off the field.”

Precision Goalkeeping was launched in 2010 as part of a brand expansion programme by parent brand Precision.

The two latest recruits join an impressive stable of Precison Goalkeeping stable that includes Kasper Schmeichel, Kieren Westwood, Frank Fielding, Andy Lonergan, Scott Loach, David Forde, Darren Randolph, Brian Jensen, Robert Olejnik, Ian McLoughlin, Trevor Carson and Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach and former International Alan Kelly.

Former England manager Graham Taylor is lead Brand Ambassador for Precision and the Nottingham based company also have official partnerships with Aston Villa and are official suppliers of specialist training aids to the Football League.

Triathlete Martin Beare, forming part of theGB team in the 2012 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships has gained a new local sponsor.

Chris Gray, owner of Ampthill-based stove and fireplace retailer Ampthill Fireplaces, has announced that the company is agreed to be the lead sponsor of Martin, after he expressed financial concerns of being able to afford to take part.

With each Ironman race costing in the region of £2,000 to compete in, the money will help support Martin’s training and competition schedule for the remainder of 2012.

Ampthill Fireplaces has also renamed its selection of cast iron stoves to the Cast Ironman Range.

For every purchase of a cast iron stove from Ampthill Fireplaces in 2012, the company will donate £10 towards Beare’s Ironman fund.

Mr Gray said: “When I read about Martin’s story in the Times & Citizen and saw he was looking for sponsors I just knew that we had to help in some way.

“I was blown away by his achievements – he only took up running four years ago and is now competing at a national level and beating people half his age.

Martin added: “Having a sponsor will make a real difference to me. It’s great to have Ampthill Fireplaces on board and I hope this will inspire more local businesses to come forward and be part of our team.”

The University of Iowa has secured a partnership with beer giant, Anheuser-Busch to use the Tigerhawk logo. 

The Tigerhawk is the pride of Iowa City, but soon this logo could be added to posters like those hanging in area bars.

An agreement between Anheuser-Busch, Hawkeye Sports Properties, and Learfield Communications was reached to add the university logo to posters and other items.

Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs, Rick Klatt says the university agreed to the deal, but only after making it clear to Anheuser-Busch that it would have to meet certain requirements.

“Everywhere the Tigerhawk appears a responsible drinking message would also appear in the comparable size, which is important. Every time the Tigerhawk was going to be used with the responsible drinking message the university will require prior approval before production and distribution would occur,” said Klatt.

Some students at the University of Iowa say it’s a conflict of interest to have any sort of relationship with Anheuser-Busch. They say it conflicts with the university’s policy on responsible drinking.

University of Iowa student, Melina Neves says this relationship is counter productive.

“I think Iowa is already notorious for being a party school and I don’t think we really need any more help,” said Neves.

But Klatt disagrees saying the drink responsible message will carry a lot of weight.

“The idea is at the very point of sale that we are reminding people to be safe, legal, and responsible with their consumption,” said Klatt.

University President Sally Mason says proceeds from the beer deal will fund the university’s program to reduce binge drinking. University officials are not releasing how much the deal is worth.

Singapore Indoor Stadium has agreed a new partnership with Mercedes-Benz with the German automobile manufacturer being named the Official Car of the Singapore Indoor Stadium, drugs Singapore’s top destination for live entertainment and sporting events, medic following an agreement with Daimler South East Asia. 

Mercedes-Benz will be granted a variety of exclusive branding rights, ticketing privileges and marketing activation opportunities through its sponsorship, which was secured by World Sport Group, the Sports Hub’s exclusive commercial partner.

Among the benefits offered to the German luxury car manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz car owners will have access to a limited number of reserved, prime parking spots which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis up to 30-minutes prior to the start of events at the SIS. In addition, Mercedes-Benz branded signage and animated graphics will be featured on LED displays throughout the stadium. 

Wolfgang Huppenbauer, President & CEO at Daimler South East Asia Pte Ltd, siad: “Mercedes-Benz is proud to be the exclusive official car sponsor for the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and our partnership is driven by a mutual passion for excellence. SIS is a premier venue that will definitely appeal to many Mercedes-Benz customers, and reinforces our strategy of connecting with our customers and positioning Mercedes-Benz at the forefront of marquee sporting events and world-class performances.”

‘We are delighted to welcome Mercedes Benz as the exclusive official car sponsor for the Singapore Indoor Stadium.  With the exciting line up of international and local sports and entertainment events we have secured over the coming years, we anticipate a very fruitful and beneficial partnership and we very much look forward to working together,’ said Managing Director Singapore Indoor Stadium, Mark Collins.

Vaudoise Insurances has been named the new presenting sponsor of the Tour de Suisse, medical IMG Switzerland, the Swiss arm of IMG, the global sports, fashion and media company, announced today.

The fourth biggest professional cycling event on the cycling calendar and part of the UCI World Tour, will be billed as ‘Vaudoise Insurance presents the Tour de Suisse’ for the 2013 and 2014 races.

This year’s race was won yesterday (Sunday) by Portugal’s Rui Costa from the Moviestar team in Soerenberg. The event, run over nine stages in as many days, was shown in 118 countries worldwide.

Rolf Huser, Sales Director of IMG Switzerland, said: “We are delighted that Vaudoise Insurances has come on board as the Presenting Sponsor of The Tour de Suisse for the next two years.  They are a major insurance company of the highest calibre in Switzerland and will replace our long-standing partner, Würth.”

Philippe Hebeisen, CEO of Vaudoise Insurances, said: “The Tour de Suisse is an absolute highlight in the cycling calendar and fascinates the crowds lining the route and the people watching at home on TV. For us as a company, it’s an ideal platform for making direct contact with our customers and partners.”

As the Presenting Sponsor, Vaudoise also presents the yellow jersey, worn by the leader of the overall standings throughout the race and by the overall winner of the Tour de Suisse.

The Tour de Suisse was first held in 1933 and has seen a number of Tour de France winners such as Eddy Merckx also take the coveted yellow jersey.

IMG has held the rights to the event since1999. IMG Media in Cologne, Germany, were also involved in the sale of the television rights.

Am 1. Juli wird die Deutsche Post AG sechster offizieller Premium-Partner des DeutschenFußball-Bundes (DFB) und der Nationalmannschaft. DFB-Präsident Wolfgang Niersbach undIngo Bohlken, Chief Marketing Officer BRIEF Deutschland, haben in Frankfurt am Main einenbis zum Ende der EURO 2016 laufenden Vier-Jahres-Vertrag unterschrieben.

Zudem bleibt die Deutsche Post AG, die bereits seit drei Jahren Premium-Partnerder deutschen Frauen-Nationalmannschaft ist und als Nationaler Förderer aktiv dieFIFA Frauenfußball-Weltmeisterschaft 2011 unterstützte, auch Top-Partner des DFB-Pokals. Deshalb ist die Ausweitung der Partnerschaft für die Deutsche Post auf dieNationalmannschaft der Männer der nächste logische Schritt.

Der DFB zeigt sich erfreut darüber, dass er weiterhin auf die Unterstützung der Post bauenkann. “Wir sind sehr froh, die vertrauensvolle Partnerschaft mit der Deutschen Post bis indas Jahr 2016 verlängert zu haben”, sagt Wolfgang Niersbach. “Die Deutsche Post nimmtmit ihrem vielfältigen Engagement für den DFB, die Nationalmannschaften sowie als Top-Partner des DFB-Pokals eine sehr wichtige Rolle im Kreise der DFB-Partner ein. Durchdie Erweiterung der Partnerschaft auf die Herren-Nationalmannschaft wird die seit 2009hervorragende Zusammenarbeit nunmehr weiter intensiviert.”

Und Ingo Bohlken ergänzt: “Die Partnerschaft mit dem DFB trägt sehr erfolgreich dazu bei, die Marke Deutsche Post und unsere innovativen Leistungen effizient und flächendeckend zu kommunizieren. Zudem passen die beiden Premium Marken DFB und Deutsche Post optimal zusammen.”

Bei der Vertragsunterzeichnung in der DFB-Zentrale ist zudem vereinbart worden, dass sich die Deutsche Post in den kommenden Jahren nicht nur im sportlichen Bereich, sondern auch in den Nachhaltigkeitsprojekten des DFB und seiner Landesverbände, zum Beispiel im Bereich Fairplay, engagieren wird.

Manchester United has apologised for a misunderstanding after it became apparent Rio Ferdinand has been involved in promoting a company that owns one of Asia’s biggest cigarette brands.

The Manchester United defender features in billboard advertisements and YouTube videos in Indonesia that promote Gudang Garam International’s internet-based sports channel, Intersport.

Gundang Garam International is one of Indonesia’s largest tobacco firms and its cigarettes are popular with children. Gudang Garam International makes much of its profits from tobacco, its Intersport channel shows Premier League football matches and helps to raise the profile of English football in Asia,

A spokesman for Ferdinand, who supports the global children’s charity Unicef, said he was advertising the sports channel and not tobacco and that Ferdinand was consulting lawyers about the use of his image in the campaign.

Gudang Garam International makes much of its profits from tobacco, its Intersport channel shows Premier League football matches and helps to raise the profile of English football in Asia,

In the YouTube videos, Ferdinand, is wearing a red football kit and displaying the GGI corporate badge.

The final scene cuts to the Intersport logo, which is then followed by the Gudam Garang International logo and a tobacco health warning.

A United spokeswoman said: ”The contractual agreement between Rio and Gudang Garam Intersports runs to  October 31 2012, at which time all forms of advertising will cease.

“Both Manchester United and Rio Ferdinand are sorry for this misunderstanding and will endeavour to ensure that it is not repeated in the future.”

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Singha beer has extended partnership as official beer of the Asian Tour until the end of 2013.

The Thai brewery company supports a number of golf events and players. It sponsors the All Thailand Golf Tour and All Thailand Challenge.

The deal with the Asian Tour will provide Singha with opportunities to promote its brand via television, order magazines and the event’s official website. The Asian Golf Tour Show will continue its “Singha Shot of the Week” feature.

Manager of the Sports Promotion Office of Singha Corporation, symptoms Suang Chantra-Urai, said:

“This is a perfect match for us. Singha Beer is delighted to extend out tour partnership with the Asian Tour, which continues to lead the growth and development of professional golf in this region, until the end of 2013.

“Over the past two years, we have enjoyed being involved with the rise of the Asian Tour and it remains our vision and goal to maintain this wonderful collaboration, which provides immense commercial branding benefits to Singha Beer. We are developing Singha Corporation into a global brand and the Asian Tour is not only focused in Asia but has exposure in Europe and the United States. This is a good partnership.”

Mike Keer, CEO of the Asian Tour, said: “The Asian Tour would like to toast Singha Beer for its continued support and involvement with the elite of professional golf in Asia. Singha beer has been a teriffic supporter of the game and has been instrumental towards the growth of golf in Thailand.

“We look forward to working closely with Singha Beer as we seek to drive professional golf to greater heights in Asia and around the world. Singha’s sponsorship shows the strength of the tour and to be supported by Corporate Asia, this is a real reflection of the quality of our players and the Asian Tour.”

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According to a new report from International Marketing Reports, overall primary shirt sponsorship deals are greater for the English Premiership, but averaged out by club, the German Bundesliga just edges it.

For the 2011/12 season, total shirt sponsorship spend for the Premier League amounted to (euros) E128 million ($162m), whereas Bundesliga clubs achieved E121m ($153m).

However, there are 20 clubs in the English Premiership giving an average deal value of E6.4m ($8.1m) whereas in Germany there are 18 clubs, meaning the average deal is slightly higher at E6.72m ($8.54m).

Commenting on the findings, report author, Simon Rines, says that there are other reasons for the Germans to be satisfied.

“If you look at the deals in detail, there is much less polarity in German deals than in the UK. The highest price paid in Germany is E26.5m for Bayern Munich’s deal with Deutsche Telekom, with the lowest being FC Ausberg’s E1m agreement with car components manufacturer AL-KO. There are, however, very few deals below E3m in Germany and 12 are above E4m. In England, the highest deals are for the two Manchester clubs, both on E22m, with the lowest being Blackburn Rovers on zero (charity partner) and Norwich on E0.3m (Aviva). Significantly, only 9 Premiership clubs achieve more than E4m and 11 achieve less than E3m.”

Rines also points out that the business sectors backing the Bundesliga show a more mature picture.

“In England there are seven gambling sponsors. This is a concern because gambling companies tend to be short-lived and do little to help develop the image of a club. For example, it is not, appropriate to run joint promotions with a sponsor involving children if that sponsor is a gambling or alcohol company. In Germany there are no shirt sponsors from either category.

The report also shows that Spain’s La Liga is the biggest struggler in terms of sponsorship investment. Several clubs went through the season with a shirt sponsor and if it wasn’t for the massive E32m ($40m) deal between Barcelona and the Qatar Foundation and Real Madrid’s E21m ($26.7m) from BWin, the total spend in the country would have been just E9m ($11.5m), an average of E0.5m ($635,000)for the remaining clubs.

“The figures highlight the polarity of income for La Liga clubs,” says Rines. “The difference in the size of TV deals that Barcelona and Real Madrid have compared to the rest of La Liga is already huge, but when sponsorship income is added, the financial imbalance just grows. With a deteriorating Spanish economy, the likelihood is that the situation will get even worse. A lot of the sponsorships in the division are with national companies and it is almost inevitable that they will be cutting back on their marketing budgets.”

Herbalife Ltd. and UCI Professional Cycling Team SpiderTech announced a one year sponsorship agreement making Herbalife the team’s Official Nutrition partner.

The riders will be fueled with the new Herbalife24 sports performance line, allergy which includes Formula 1 Sport, ed Hydrate, Prepare, Prolong, Rebuild Endurance, Rebuild Strength, and Restore.

SpiderTech will compete in the upcoming USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado, as well as having raced in the Amgen Tour of California, two of the biggest cycling stage races in the U.S. In addition, SpiderTech has 100 racing days planned across Europe. With a full-range of sports nutrition products, Team SpiderTech riders will have an optimal pre-race meal, hydration, on-the-bike fuel, and multiple recovery options with Herbalife24.

“Herbalife had a deep understanding of athletes’ nutritional needs when formulating these products,” says Steve Bauer, Director Sportif, and Olympic medalist who wore the famed Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey) in the Tour de France in 1988 and 1990. “The product diversity suits all of our riders’ needs.” Team SpiderTech also hails the fact that the Herbalife24 products do not contain any artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. “It’s something a lot of our riders have been advocates for,” says Ian McLagan, team manager. In addition to the Herbalife24 line, Herbalife offers a wide array of other supplements including heart health products ranging from omega-3 fish oils to joint health support.