Rovio Entertainment has become the official mascot of the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. 

HockeyBird was designed by Rovio Lead Artist Toni Kysenius in order to delight fans of both Angry Birds and the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, viagra order the biggest annual winter sports event in the world. The deal was broquered by Infront Sports & Media the exclusive marketing partner of IIHF.

The entertainment media company Rovio, viagra sale based in Finland, medstore is the creative mind behind the globally successful Angry Birds franchise. Since its development in 2009, the strategy puzzle game for touchscreen smartphones has been downloaded over 700 million times. As its popularity continues to grow, Rovio has expanded into a variety of business areas including animation, merchandising, and book publishing. 

Harri Koponen, EVP Consumer Products at Rovio Entertainment, commented: “We are delighted to work with the IIHF World Championship to connect our beloved Angry Birds character to the world of ice hockey and its fans.”

Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, added: “Together with the IIHF and the Local Organising Committee of the 2012 tournament we were able to realise a collaboration with one of the most successful entertainment media companies around today. With HockeyBird, we now have a true digital media star on board for the upcoming tournament, whose entertainment factor will keep a pace with the spectacular ice hockey action.” 

With the tournament in Finland and Sweden starting in a week, the HockeyBird figure is now increasingly present in the host cities of Helsinki and Stockholm as well as in all print and online outlets announcing the top event in international ice hockey. 

Mika Sulin, General Secretary of the Finnish Organising Committee, said: “For us, getting the HockeyBird was fantastic. Angry Birds is Finnish, known worldwide, and one of the hottest topics of conversation wherever you go.”

by Ismail Uddin

The Women’s GB Beach Volleyball team have agreed a partnership with cosmetic and skincare manufacturer Clinique.

GB Beach Volleyball hopefuls, Denise Johns and Lucy Boulton will be provided with with skin care, makeup and sun protection needs in the build up to London 2012.

Lucy and Denise have competed together on the world FIVB (Fédération International de Volleyball) tour since 2006 and recently came fourth in the Test Event at Horse Guards Parade.

Janet Saunders, general manager, Clinique UK said: “Clinique is delighted to be teaming up with GB Beach Volleyball hopefuls Denise and Lucy. With our dermatological developed and custom-fit approach, we can provide the talented duo with the skin care they need to help protect their skin while playing, along with the makeup they need to ensure a healthy, natural look that lasts throughout their matches.

“We wish them all the best and are proud to be supporting them.”

Lucy Boulton, added: “Teaming up with a brand like Clinique is the perfect fit. The basics are really important to us, so to have beauty products that we know work, and that we can trust, is essential – especially when it comes to sun protection and long wearing makeup.”

Premium iPhone protective case manufacturer OtterBox, buy cialis headquartered in Fort Collins, cialis Colo., anabolics has partnered with the Denver Broncos for the 2012 season as the “Official Protector of the Denver Broncos’ Digital Playbook.”

As early adopters of the modern methodology, the Broncos are among the first in the league to deploy Apple devices to all players and coaches. The team will use the PlayerLync application, supported by Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. But the real advantage is what they use to protect their delicate digital playbooks. Each team iPad will be outfitted with an OtterBox Defender Series case – known globally as the premium protective solution for technology.

“The Denver Broncos are proud to partner with OtterBox on this project,” said Denver Broncos Senior Vice President of Business Development Mac Freeman. “The adoption of the digital playbook represents a positive step into modern technology for the Broncos. OtterBox is the perfect protector for this new team asset.”

The switch from 500-page printouts to 64-gigabyte iPads will greatly decrease printer and paper costs each season. Simply keeping the devices protected with OtterBox brings a cost savings to the team as well.

OtterBox Director of Marketing Brian Ewing, said: “I have confidence our team won’t fumble on the field but if it happens to these tablets in the locker room or on the way to the airport, OtterBox will protect the game. The idea is for OtterBox to become known in the world of football as another piece of essential, protective gear. Players come to training camp at the beginning of the season and pick up their helmet, pads, playbook and OtterBox.”

by Ismail Uddin

Genworth Financial have signed a new four year deal with The European Tour which sees the specialist global insurer renew its role as Official Sponsor of The European Tour Statistics.

The new deal includes continued sponsorship of the Tour Statistics, health with the 2012 season being used to launch an enhanced programme, order and involvement with more Tour events.  Genworth will be an Official Sponsor at several high profile tournaments in Europe – the Nordea Masters in Sweden, the BMW International Open in Germany and the Madrid Masters in Spain – as well as, for the first time, two in Asia – last week’s Volvo China Open and the Hong Kong Open, reflecting the company’s expansion in that region.

Alongside the European Tour deal, Genworth announced the signing of two new ambassadors, Sweden’s Peter Hanson, fresh from his third place finish at the Masters Tournament, and Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal.

Genworth will also continue the hugely successful Putts4Charity programme, which is in its sixth year having raised in excess of €865,000 driven by donations from the Genworth Foundation since 2007.

Peter Barrett, Senior Vice President, Lifestyle Protection at Genworth, said: “Genworth is absolutely delighted to be continuing the partnership with The European Tour as Official Statistics sponsor for another four years.

“The European Tour brings us closer to our distribution partners and their customers through the terrific coverage and profile that the sport has.  The Tour is very closely aligned with our geographic footprint and we are particularly excited taking our partnership to Asia for the first time.”

European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady added: “We are very proud of the successful partnership that we have developed with Genworth over the past five years and are therefore very pleased to agree a new deal that will see this relationship continue to grow and develop.”

by Ismail Uddin

Kenya Rugby Union have agreed a Kshs 4million ($48, pilule 077) partnership with Samsung Electronics East Africa (SEEA) giving a major boost to development of rugby in the country.

Under the deal covering Kenya Rugby Union’s current season, mind Samsung Electronics East Africa will take the podium position as the Match officials and Ball boys exclusive sponsors.

Commencing this weekend’s Kenya VS Uganda Test match Elgon Cup tournament, drug the match officials and ball boys will be turning up for the field assignment resplendent in Samsung kits.

Speaking during a partnership signing ceremony at the Kenya Rugby Union Grounds, Samsung Electronics Business Leader, Robert Ngeru, disclosed that the firm’s sponsorship deal will cover seven key rugby tournaments.

As part of the company’s Built for Africa strategy, Samsung, Ngeru pointed out remains very passionate about sporting activities based on the company-wide belief that sport plays a unique role in unifying people.

Samsung’s partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union, Ngeru explained, is geared at facilitating the development of Kenya rugby while facilitating the mentorship of young rugby players under the Kenya Rugby Union Ball boys development programme.

“At Samsung East Africa, we are proud to be partnering with Kenya Rugby Union in their strategic plans to further raise the standard of Rugby tournaments by maintaining international standards,” Ngeru said.

And added: “For this reason, the largely unsung heroes of rugby games who include the referees, assistant referees and ball boys will this season be stepping out to the pitch resplendent in Samsung rugby kits.”

Among other key tournaments slated for this season include the Elgon Cup tournament, Bamburi Rugby Super Series, Ford Pumas Tour, English Counties Tour, National Sevens Circuit, Safaricom Safari Sevens, Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup.

On the local and international front, Samsung Electronics, Radier explained has stepped up its sport sponsorship programmes as a part of a strategic marketing plan.

Over the years, Samsung has been connecting with sports fans the world over by supporting sporting events including the Samsung Diamond League, the Winter Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the World Cyber Games and Samsung Super League (Equestrian) among others.

by Ismail Uddin

Investec and Epsom have announced a lucrative ten-year extension to the Derby festival sponsorship until 2021, a deal hyped as the biggest sponsorship agreement in British racing history.

The extension, agreed in the fourth year of the original five year contract, means the Investec Derby is reinstated as the richest race in the UK offering a prize fund of £1,325,000 in 2012.

Epsom managing director Rupert Trevelyan said: “We are delighted that Investec have agreed to extend their sponsorship for a further ten years. They are a fantastic brand to work with, very forward thinking and proactive, and we will continue to work in collaboration with them to develop the Investec Derby Festival. It is only fitting for such a prestigious event like the Derby to have such a high profile, committed and long term partner.

“The recently announced prize money increases were a direct consequence of Investec’s intention to strengthen their relationship with Epsom and the Derby Festival. In March we announced an increase of £25,000 to £350,000 for the Investec Oaks, a £50,000 increase to £300,000 for the Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup (sponsored by Investec), and an increase to £50,000 for the Investec Derby Trial.”

by Ismail Uddin

North Carolina State has completed a four-year, ailment $7 million shoe and apparel deal with German sports apparel giant adidas, allergy which will outfit all of the Wolfpack’s sports teams.

adidas had a previous deal with the football and men’s basketball teams, but the new deal will cover all 23 N.C. State teams, which is projected to save the school between $900,000 and $1 million a year from its previous deals with a variety of shoe and apparel companies.

Included in the adidas deal is an annual cash payment of $425,000, which, in part, is used as supplemental income for football coach Tom O’Brien and men’s basketball coach Mark Gottfried. O’Brien receives $360,000 in supplemental compensation, according to his contract, and Gottfried receives $450,000.

The supplemental pay for the top two coaches is comprised of money from the apparel deal and the media contract. N.C. State signed a new, 10-year multimedia deal with Capitol Broadcasting and Learfield Sports, worth $49 million, in March.

by Ismail Uddin

Procter and Gamble’s (P&G) Tide and the National Football League have announced a multi-year sponsorship starting with the 2012 NFL season.

A staple of NFL locker rooms for years, pharmacy Tide is also now a sponsor of the League and all 32 NFL teams, ed affirming the brand as the “Official Laundry Detergent of the NFL.”

Tide’s NFL sponsorship is part of Procter and Gamble’s national sponsorship of the League. Products across Tide’s portfolio will be sporting specialty NFL packaging prior to the start of the NFL season as part of a fully-integrated program with support across all marketing channels. Additionally, the individual team sponsorships allow Tide the opportunity to utilize team marks and execute team-specific marketing programs.

“Tide’s NFL sponsorship allows us to tap into the huge passion America has for the NFL and the emotion that more than 180 million fans have for their favorite teams,” says Sundar Raman, North America Fabric Care Marketing Director at P&G. “The NFL is the ultimate test for a laundry detergent and we’re proud that our brand is one the equipment managers trust to keep uniforms clean.”

NFL teams clean more laundry in one week than the average US household does in two years. An average team can clean more than 5,500 pounds of laundry each week, compared to the average US household which does 41.5 pounds.

”We are pleased to welcome Tide to the NFL family and to expand our relationship with Procter & Gamble,” said Keith Turner, NFL Senior Vice President of Media Sales & Sponsorship. “Tide has been in NFL locker rooms for years and we look forward to having them as the newest ‘Official Locker Room Product of the NFL,’ to connect with the fans of all of our teams in new and innovative ways.”

P&G signed a corporate sponsorship agreement with the NFL in 2009 that provided several of its brands the rights to participate in the sponsorship. Tide is the latest P&G brand to announce an NFL sponsorship and the first to sign individual deals with all 32 NFL teams. “Having Tide join our family of brands working with the NFL further extends our reach and interaction with the fans”, said David Palmer, Head of Global Sports Marketing at P&G. “Our corporate sponsorship with the NFL was designed to allow us to grow our brand participation as strategies evolved.”

by Ismail Uddin

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity have announced its first-ever sponsorship of a NASCAR team, for sale JR Motorsports, viagra the management company and racing operation for Dale Earnhardt, sale viagra Jr.

Under the sponsorship, JR Motorsports cars will feature ACCCE logos, and members of the race team will be working with ACCCE to inform and educate Americans about the importance of coal and clean coal technology.

“Coal is America’s power, and we’re excited to be sponsoring one of America’s most successful sports teams,” said Evan Tracey, senior vice president for communications of ACCCE. “Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and his team are one of the elite groups in racing and we’re proud to be partnering with them to continue to raise awareness of the importance of coal.”

Over this summer and fall, ACCCE’s team will be traveling to races and participating in events with drivers Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Cole Whitt. In addition, ACCCE’s logos will appear on the team’s cars.

ACCCE will have associate sponsorship placement on Whitt’s car starting this week at Richmond International Raceway and continuing through the remainder of the season. ACCCE will be an associate sponsor on Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s No. 5 Chevrolet in the Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5.

“NASCAR is a great way for ACCCE to reach out to American families about the important role that coal plays in delivering affordable, reliable power for American families and businesses. We’re excited to talk to JR Motorsports fans about how coal keeps electricity affordable, reliable and increasingly clean,” said Tracey.

7UP have announced an inaugural partnership with Alianza de Futbol, pilule the premier Hispanic soccer scouting program in the United States, to launch the 7UP Sueño Alianza soccer tryout series.

This premier series of tryouts are designed to give up-and-coming soccer stars the chance to fulfill their dreams of playing collegiate or professional soccer.

7UP will sponsor a series of Sueño Alianza tryouts for players under age 19 born in 1993-1999 (U-19 and U-14) in 10 cities across the nation. The tryouts begin in Phoenix on April 28-29, followed by Houston (May 5-6); El Paso, Texas (May 26-27); Denver (June 9-10); New York (June 16-17); Atlanta (June 23-24); Dallas (June 30-July 1); Chicago (July 21-22); Los Angeles (July 28-29 and Aug. 4-5); and San Francisco (Aug. 11-12 and Aug. 18-19). This title sponsorship of Sueño Alianza, which loosely translates to English as Alliance for Dreams, demonstrates the brand’s commitment to youth empowerment and success.

“Like Alianza de Futbol, we recognize that soccer is more than a sport for the Hispanic community, it’s a way of life,” said Dave Falk, director of marketing for 7UP. “These tryouts will give outstanding young soccer players the chance to make their dreams of playing soccer professionally come true.”

In select markets, 7UP will partner with non-profit Good Sports to donate $4,000 worth of new sports equipment to local teams and sports organizations to ensure that local teams have the tools they need to stay active. These donations are made possible through Let’s Play, a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to get kids and families active nationwide.

Each 7UP Sueño Alianza tryout weekend offers the opportunity for U-19 and U-14 soccer players to try out on Saturday for one of 20 slots to play in a game the following day to showcase their skills for talent scouts. Standouts from local tryouts showcases will have the chance to advance to an all-expenses paid trip to the Alianza national all-star showcase week in San Francisco and the chance to play in front of the best scouts from Mexico and the United States.

The best players selected by the scouts from the Alianza national all-star week will travel to Mexico to test their skills in the best teams from Mexico later in the year. In the past four years, more than 22 Sueño Alianza players have signed professional soccer contracts and received academic scholarships for college.

by Ismail Uddin