RK Motors Charlotte, story one of the nation’s premier restorers, medical re-sellers and builders of classic, generic muscle and high-performance cars, have agreed a deal to sponsor the 17th annual Queen’s Cup Steeplechase horse races on Saturday, April 28, in Mineral Springs, N.C.

This is the first year that RK Motors Charlotte will sponsor Brooklandwood Village at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase event.

“All of us at RK Motors Charlotte love the sophistication and deeply rooted traditions of the Queen’s Cup event,” said Joseph Carroll, RK Motors Charlotte’s President/CEO. “We share the same passion and competitive spirit as the people who attend these horse races. Our presence at the Queen’s Cup this year gives us the opportunity to support this wonderful sport and connect with fellow enthusiasts.”

Always the last Saturday in April, the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase race attracts thousands of fans who flock to the event each year to witness thoroughbred races throughout the day. RK Motors Charlotte will be present at Brooklandwood Village, where team members will greet attendees. Souvenirs, raffle tickets, pony rides, a U.S. Military display and more will also be located at the Village.

Bill Price, co-race chairman of the Queen’s Cup, said: “We are thrilled to have RK Motors Charlotte sponsor Brooklandwood Village this year. The tie-in between American steeplechase racing and classic cars that RK Motors Charlotte will be displaying under a tent in an outdoor setting is a natural. Steeplechasing, cars, tailgating and horsepower are certainly activities we share with one another.”

From horse races to horsepower, RK Motors Charlotte will feature one of its most exclusive vehicles from the RK Motors Charlotte Private Collection at the company’s display.

The Brooklandwood Racecourse will open its gates starting at 10 a.m. EDT on Saturday, with the post time for the first of the six races at 1:30 p.m. Multiple activities are scheduled to take place throughout the day, including Jack Russell Terrier races, pony rides, tailgate and hat contests and more, leading up to the grand finale, the live thoroughbred races. The highlight of the event will be the feature race, known as the Queen’s Cup / MPC ‘Chase, scheduled for 2:40 p.m.

by Ismail Uddin

The Yorkshire Cricket Academy has obtained leading Yorkshire law firm, Dickinson Dees, as it’s first commercial sponsor.

The five-figure deal will give Dickinson Dees a direct association with arguably the most successful cricket academy of all time.

Ian Dews, Yorkshire CCC’s director of cricket development, said: “The Yorkshire Cricket Academy was started by Brian Close and Bob Appleyard back in the 1980s and has gone on to nurture some of the game’s most talented exponents, including Michael Vaughan, Darren Gough and Johnny Bairstow.

“Of the 5,000 cricket clubs currently active in the UK, almost a thousand are situated in Yorkshire. As impressive as this may seem, the statistic brings with it challenges and opportunities in equal number, as any talent dwelling therein first needs to be spotted, and then fed into the academy.

“This is where sponsorships such as that from Dickinson Dees really come into their own. We are thrilled that Dickinson Dees has agreed to become the Official Sponsor of the Yorkshire Cricket Academy,” he added.

John Marshall, the senior partner of Dickinson Dees, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring The Yorkshire Cricket Academy. The Academy has produced some brilliant home-grown players for Yorkshire, and is the envy of other cricketing counties across the country, whilst Northern Ballet consistently creates and presents work of the very highest standard.

“Our association with this extremely high-profile organisation illustrates a firm and lasting commitment to sport in Yorkshire by Dickinson Dees. Our move to Leeds places us at the heart of the legal and commercial community of the city, but we are determined to be part of the wider social and cultural fabric of the city, too.”

by Ismail Uddin

New Zealand’s leading campervan brand Britz has announced that it has renewed its sponsorship of Auckland Rugby’s Premier Club Rugby grade for the 2012 season.

With more than 6,000 premier club rugby players in the Auckland Rugby region, Britz will be showing their support from the sidelines with onsite presence at 10 matches throughout the season, along with rewarding consistent and dedicated players from all clubs with the return of the Britz Club Rugby Player of the Week award.

Britz Brand Manager, Sharron Clark, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing back all things Britz to Premier Club Rugby this season. We feel that 2011 was a fantastic and highly successful first year of sponsorship and we are looking forward to being involved with the grassroots rugby community again over the coming months.”

Auckland Rugby Sponsorship Manager, Jeremy Cameron, says the partnership with Britz provided a unique platform for both players and supporters of the Premier Grade to engage and they are sure it will be a welcome return this season.

“Britz were fantastic sponsor partners in 2011. They brought so much enthusiasm to club rugby – not just at the games where they were vibrant and visible but also online with their wonderful Britz Player of the Week award. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the partnership with Britz and are looking forward to doing it all again in what has already begun as an exciting 2012 club rugby season,” he said.

by Ismail Uddin

American automobile manufacturer, Jeep, has today been named the “Official Vehicle of USA Basketball.” 

The Jeep brand formed a global partnership with USA Basketball to support the men’s and women’s national teams. Accordingly, the Jeep brand will launch a full advertising and marketing campaign scheduled to begin Saturday, April 28.  The Jeep brand also announced the introduction of a uniquely designed special edition model, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude Edition, which will be featured in the campaign.

“Each member of the USA Basketball team embodies inner strength, passion, a drive to win and a true sense of dedication they use to not only represent their team, but also their country,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Jeep brand is proud to be on the same team as these talented men and women.  Both symbolize American pride, a strong history, a humble spirit, integrity, courage and leadership.”

Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball Chairman, added: “We are proud to have the Jeep brand’s support of USA Basketball as we prepare to represent our country both on and off the court this summer. The defining characteristics of these two American brands make the affiliation feel natural, and the strategic buildup of USA Basketball-themed events, along with the comprehensive advertising and marketing campaign, will put the Jeep brand top of mind with sports fans around the world.”

The Jeep brand also named 2012 USA Basketball finalist and 2008 team member, Chris Paul, as its spokesman for this partnership. In this role, Paul will be featured in the Jeep brand’s advertising campaign and appear in a series of video vignettes that will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at various facets of the partnership with USA Basketball.

“Like all Jeep brand vehicles, Chris Paul defines the meaning of true athleticism and capability; we greatly admire his philanthropic efforts and dedication to giving back to the community.  His altruistic nature, compassion and drive perfectly aligns with the Jeep brand values and makes him a great fit for this initiative,” said Manley. 

“The Jeep brand has always been associated with the American spirit and as a member of the 2012 USA Men’s Basketball National Team, I am proud to serve as spokesman for Jeep’s partnership with USA Basketball,” stated Chris Paul.  “The concept of the ‘Power Within’ is evidenced in my everyday life, both on and off the court.  It will be that power that will energize USA Basketballand Jeep to maximize this global partnership in support of the Men’s and Women’s National Teams.”  

by Ismail Uddin

Yokohama Tire Corporation announced today it has renewed its partnership with the New York Yankees.

The 27-time World Champions are the latest addition to Yokohama’s growing 2012 sports sponsorship roster.

Shawn Denlein, allergy Yokohama director of sales, bronchi Consumer Products, said: “The Yankees transcend baseball and is one of the most recognizable brands in all of sports. Our multi-year agreement includes a permanent sign on the bleacher wall in left field, hospitality and the opportunity to conduct a consumer sweepstakes program.”

With more than 3.6 million fans attending games in 2011, plus millions of television viewers, Denlein said partnering with the New York Yankees will give the company extraordinary visibility that will drive consumer traffic to its local dealers. 

In addition to the Yankees, Yokohama’s 2012 baseball sponsorships include deals with the Philadelphia Phillies and Angels Baseball. Yokohama also has existing partnerships with the National Basketball Association’s Houston Rockets, as well as three National Football League teams: the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.

by Ismail Uddin

 

The Atlanta ATP World Tour event will now be known as the BB&T Atlanta Open after the American bank became the new title sponsor of the competition.

The BB&T Atlanta Open will be held at Atlantic Station July 14-22 and is the first men’s event in the Emirates Airline US OpenSeries. The player field is slated to include former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, order current world No. 11 John Isner, drugs young rising American star Jack Sock and an international contingent including current world No. 17 Kei Nishikori, viagra Japan’s highest ranking male player in the Open Era, and current world No. 32 Kevin Anderson of South Africa.

“A solid sponsorship base is critical to the sustainable success of a professional tennis event in the Atlanta market,” stated Tournament Director Bob Bryant. “In BB&T, we gained a sponsor and a true partner in supporting this event and the avid Atlanta tennis community. We could not have found a better partner and look forward to BB&T’s active participation in the efforts of USTA Southern and the BB&T Atlanta Open.”

The partnership terms are for a minimum of three years and include official sponsorship of the USTA Southern Section, which represents approximately 25 percent of the national USTA membership. A study by the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the BB&T Atlanta Open economic impact on the city to exceed $10.3 million. The tournament is broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel, as well as globally via several international broadcasters. American Mardy Fish, a top 10 ATP World Tour player, has won the last two Atlanta tournaments facing Isner in the final both times. The tournament has also featured collegiate players from Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State.

“We are excited to partner with the Atlanta ATP World Tour event and look forward to supporting tennis in Atlanta for years to come,” said Brant Standridge, regional president of BB&T North Atlanta region. “The Atlanta market is very important to BB&T and this investment is a perfect fit. We believe our local community focus truly differentiates us from other banks. This is a significant event for Midtown Atlanta, and with our regional headquarters in Atlantic Station, we are ideally suited to participate in a marquis attraction for the area.”

USTA Southern President and BB&T Atlanta Open Tournament Chairman Mike McNulty said, “As we grow tennis in the South, our section’s partnership with BB&T is a major move forward in our nine-state section. BB&T is a major financial institution in six of those states. This is a win-win-win as the section and the tournament both get a new partner.”

The BB&T Atlanta Open is moving from previous suburban Atlanta locations to the heart of Midtown Atlanta for the first year of a multi-year partnership with Atlantic Station as the new host site. The tournament will be played on three new competition courts and three new practice courts being built on the site.

by Ismail Uddin

Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has secured a sponsorship deal with Maidstone United to mark the football club’s return to Kent’s county town.

The sponsorship deal will see the clubhouse at The Gallagher Stadium named The Spitfire Lounge, allergy after one of the family-owned brewery’s most famous brands. It will open on Saturday 14 July – the day when The Stones entertain Championship club Brighton and Hove Albion.

To celebrate Maidstone United’s return to Kent’s county town, the Faversham-based brewer will launch an ale, named after the club.

Club chief executive Bill Williams said: “Shepherd Neame has supported Maidstone United for many years, so it is great that the brewer will be part of our homecoming. As well as kitting out the bar and stocking it with some of the company’s famous brands, it is a real coup to get an ale named after the club. This will help promote The Stones and celebrate the long-awaited return.

Head of Freetrade at Shepherd Neame Giles Hilton added: “These are exciting times for Maidstone United and we are delighted to be part of their homecoming. Shepherd Neame is committed to supporting sport, investing more than £500,000 annually across the south east. The Stones’ first game, against Brighton, promises to be a fantastic day for the county town.”

Shepherd Neame is an independent, family brewer which operates more than 350 pubs, inns and hotels across the south east. The company brews a portfolio of distinctive Kentish ales, including Spitfire, Bishops Finger and Master Brew in addition to international lagers Asahi, Sam Adams Boston Lager and Oranjeboom, which are brewed under licence.

by Ismail Uddin

5-Hour Energy has extended it’s investment in Michael Waltrip Racing driver Clint Bowyer to 35 race, all but one of the 36 points races

Last October at Kansas Speedway, it was agreed Clint Bowyer would drive the team’s third car with sponsorship from 5-Hour Energy for 25 races in 2012.

That race will be at Talladega in two weeks when Bowyer drives an Alabama-themed Aaron’s car in honor of the Crimson Tide’s BCS title.

“We have measured real growth through our retail partnerships, in-market activation, sales growth and brand awareness,” 5-Hour Energy president Scott Henderson said in a release. “The numbers show we’ve exceeded all expectations. This increase allows us to target even more markets. We’re business people, and the numbers show NASCAR delivers the audience we need to market our product.”

by Ismail Uddin

The Western & Southern Open tennis tournament will keep its name for at least three more years after it extended it’s sponsorship deal with the Mason event.

Western & Southern Corp’s title sponsorship began in 2002. The two sides did not disclose details of the multimillion-dollar deal, according to a news release.

The Warren County tournament brings in roughly $25 million in economic impact for the Southwest Ohio region, including parts of the Dayton area to the south, as well as the northern parts of Cincinnati. That makes it one of the largest boosts to the region’s economy from a single sporting event.

Western & Southern CEO John Barrett said: “The Western & Southern Open is a world-class event that brings national and international recognition and incredibly positive economic impact to Cincinnati. We’re proud to continue our title sponsorship and help keep this terrific tournament such a valuable part of our community.”

The Western & Southern Open is one of only nine tennis tournaments in the world, including the four Grand Slam events, to host a top-tier men’s and women’s competition during the same week at the same venue.

“Western & Southern has been a true partner of the event for more than a decade,” Western & Southern Open CEO Elaine Bruening said. “It’s a perfect marriage between an iconic Cincinnati company and our historic event, first played here in 1899.”

This year’s event is scheduled for Aug. 11-19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. The facility is in the final year of a three-year, $24 million expansion. Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray are defending champions.

by Ismail Uddin

Don Miguel Gascón, one of Argentina’s most prestigious and historic brands of Malbec wine has extended its sponsorship of the 2012 Maserati Miami Beach Polo World Cup VIII, taking place on the sands of South Beach in Florida, April 26th through April 29th, 2012.

This year marks the second year in which Don Miguel Gascón has stamped its authority on the world of Beach Polo as the official wine of The Miami Beach Polo World Cup, crystallizing its close partnership and continued journey with The Polo Life, LLC, a Florida-based organization responsible for producing professional Beach Polo competitions around the world. Gascón Winery will be sponsoring two teams – men’s and women’s – competing in this year’s event, that will battle it out with vigor and grace during the world’s largest and longest-running professional Beach Polo tournament.

Don Miguel Gascón will also be prominently featured in the Miami Beach Polo World Cup Village. Attendees are invited to visit the on-site Gascón Tasting Tent in which comfortable seating allows guests to have a front-row view of the polo, while at the same time sample the elegant style of Gascón’s most acclaimed Classic Malbec or Reserva Malbec, as the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon’s sporting entertainment.

“We are proud and very excited to be returning to this year’s Miami Beach Polo World Cup,” said Don Miguel Gascón Winery President, Ernesto Catena. “The Polo Life has taken ownership of professional Beach Polo and has turned the traditional game into a fun and exciting contemporary format that still maintains the sophistication and exhilaration of Arena Polo. Our company reflects the values and traditions the sport continues to represent and we look forward to developing our partnership with The Polo Life Tour and being part of its vision for Beach Polo in the U.S and internationally.”

Argentina is considered the birthplace of polo from as far back as 1875, and is regarded as one of the country’s two national sports, with the capital city of Buenos Aires hosting more than 30,000 polo fans each year at the Argentine Open, considered the world’s most prestigious polo tournament, along with The Palermo Open, Hurlingham Open, and the Tortugas Open, otherwise known as the “Triple Crown.”

by Ismail Uddin