BB&T Corporation and the Charlotte Knights, a minor league baseball team, have signed a long-term agreement for BB&T to become the naming-rights sponsor for the Triple-A baseball team’s proposed new stadium in uptown Charlotte.

“BB&T is committed to supporting the communities in which we work and live,” said Wes Beckner, regional president of BB&T’s Charlotte metro region. “We believe a new baseball stadium in a spectacular setting in uptown Charlotte will create jobs and attract business investment with new restaurants and other businesses. It also will draw crowds to a family-friendly, affordable environment.

“We understand approval of the stadium is a process and critical decisions still need to be made. If those decisions are positive, we are delighted to support what we believe will be a tremendous economic catalyst for Charlotte and the region.”

Don Beaver, managing partner of the Charlotte Knights, added, “We are excited to have BB&T join our team as we create a vibrant new entertainment center in uptown Charlotte. With its strong track record of community support and commitment to family entertainment, BB&T is the perfect partner. Our partnership significantly increases the excitement, credibility and economic feasibility of our proposed uptown stadium. We couldn’t be prouder to have the BB&T name atop what will be a magnificent addition to the Charlotte landscape.”

In addition to becoming the Knights’ new home field, the planned 10,000-seat stadium in Third Ward near the future Romare Bearden Park in the heart of uptown Charlotte is expected to attract high school and college championship tournaments, concerts and many other entertainment options.

Under the agreement, the stadium would carry the BB&T name and include signage and other promotional opportunities, starting when the Knights are scheduled to begin play in April 2014. The team, now an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, has been playing at a stadium in Fort Mill, S.C., since 1990. Previously, a popular former minor league team, the Charlotte O’s, played its games near uptown Charlotte in the South End area.

Pete Zifchak, BB&T senior vice president of corporate sports marketing and event planning, said: “The proposed stadium is a compelling opportunity for us to extend the BB&T brand in Charlotte, an important market for BB&T. We carefully select our sports marketing partnerships to ensure that they have a positive impact on the community and elevate the profile of BB&T in the region. Triple-A baseball in the attractive setting of uptown Charlotte will enhance the area’s vibrancy and raise the awareness of BB&T and our commitment to the communities we serve.”

Since 2007, BB&T has widened its sports marketing scope with high-profile partnerships, including the Atlantic Coast Conference, Richard Childress Racing, Wake Forest football, the Winston-Salem Dash and the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro.

With its agreement with the Knights, BB&T joins the Charlotte Chamber, Charlotte Center City Partners, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and other groups in supporting the team’s planned new stadium on land it is leasing from Mecklenburg County.

by Ismail Uddin

The Pirtek Racing team in the 2012 British Touring Car Championships (BTCC) have announced Revive! Waltham Abbey will become their new sponsor.

Owned by Ken Allison, decease the company specialises in repairing scuffs and scrapes to vehicles and alloy wheels so it seemed appropriate for Revive! to display its distinctive branding on the bumper of the Pirtek Racing car. The first race was held recently at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Hopes are high for 24-year-old driver Andrew Jordan, ampoule who placed fifth during the recent BTCC media day.

His debut BTCC season was in 2008 and he made BTCC history by being the youngest ever driver to qualify in pole position.

Last year he had one race win, price ed six podiums and four wins driving as an independent under the Pirtek banner.

Mr Allison said: “Quality is the key word for us – we wanted to link up with a team that shares our commitment to excellence and striving for the best results. We’re excited about Pirtek’s new generation touring car and are impressed by Andrew Jordan’s enthusiasm and ambition.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Revive! branding to be seen throughout the 2012 season, and we wish Pirtek and Andrew every success.”

Revive!’s customers include car dealerships, manufacturers and private motorists.

by Ismail Uddin

Restaurant chain, cialis buy Subway, has signed former Baylor quarterback and 2011 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III (RG3) to an endorsement contract.

RG3 is to become Subway’s latest Famous Fan. RG3 is expected to be taken with the second overall pick in next week’s NFL draft, a slot the Washington Redskins currently hold, giving the quick service restaurant a solid “FAN” in the Washington, DC market. Subway currently has over 25,000 locations in the United States.

Next week, Subway will build an RG3 bust from its currently featured “Smokehouse BBQ Chicken” at a Subway store in midtown Manhattan. Print ads will appear in Sports Illustrated and USA Today with commercial spots likely following.

Other Subway famous fans include: Blake Giffin , Apolo Ohno, Carl Edwards, CC Sabathia, Michael Phelps, Ryan Howard, Justin Tuck, Michael Strahan, Jay Glazer, Ndamukong Suh & Nastia Liukin.

According to Bob Dorfman, EVP of Baker Street Advertising, Subway traditionally signs a top college football prospect to a short-term deal around this time every year to capitalize on the NFL Draft hype, but RG3 is a pitchman Subway could stick with long term. Added Dorfman: “His amazing physique fits well with the brand’s “healthy choice” message, and while draft position is no guarantee of future success as an NFL quarterback, his prospects of becoming a star in the league are bright. He’s articulate, charismatic, and has the talent to make a difference immediately.”

Industry giant CAA Sports is responsible for all of RG3?s marketing deals. CAA and RG3 have done nicely pre-draft, signing endorsement contracts with Adidas, EA Sports and Castrol Oil.

by Ismail Uddin

With London 2012 on the horizon, Great Britain’s Olympic beach volleyball squad and leading global health benefits company Aetna announced today their deal for Aetna to become the squad’s first major commercial sponsor.

The Olympic beach volleyball tournament will occur in July and will be staged at the Horse Guards Parade. Tickets for this event are already the most oversubscribed of the entire Games. The relationship between Aetna and the UK Volleyball team covers 2012 whilst also bringing the athletes much needed financing to aid their progress in the Olympic Games.

The news comes as Team GB continue their preparations for the Games and their bid to secure extra team spots in both the men’s and women’s competitions, in addition to two automatic spots as the host to the women’s and men’s competition. Team GB has also represented at the Games on only one previous occasion, at Atlanta in 1996, when the women’s team participated.

Under the terms of the sponsorship, Team GB players’ kits will carry the Aetna logo as they face a hectic travel, training and qualifying tournament schedule in the lead up to the Games. The sponsorship was brokered by sports specialist Beach Volleyball UK Ltd.

David Healy, General Manager of Europe, Aetna International, said: “We’re proud to offer our support to Team GB as they seek to use London 2012 as a launchpad to grow interest and participation in beach volleyball.

“As an organisation, we are committed to empowering people to live healthier lives through the provision of both insurance and health management services. This partnership is the perfect fit for us, given the fact that volleyball is a sport that can be played by almost anyone, yet it also demands its competing athletes maintain the highest levels of health, nutrition and fitness.”

Richard Callicott, President of the British Volleyball Federation, commented: “This significant sponsorship with Aetna is wonderfully welcome as an opportunity to intensify our preparations and continuing efforts to both qualify and perform at the London 2012 Games.

It gives us particular pleasure to work with a leading company in the global health care industry, given the emphasis of our sport on activity, strength, fitness and high-quality athleticism, in addition to well-being and fun.”

GB Head Beach Coach, Morph Bowes, also added that the sponsorship will allow the Squad to focus on its efforts on the FIVB Swatch World Beach Tour and other Olympic qualifying events in a bid to qualify both women’s teams for the Horse Guards Parade event, and to further support the best efforts of a men’s team in their bid to represent their country.

by Ismail Uddin

Global brewery Carlsberg has been named the Official Beer of the Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS).

As part of the deal, asthma secured by the World Sport Group, ed the exclusive commercial partner of the Singapore Sports Hub which includes the SIS, Singapore’s number one imported premium beer will enjoy branding opportunities and exclusive pourage rights at the venue for its wide range of beer and cider products including Carlsberg Green Label, Carlsberg Gold, Kronenbourg 1664, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc and Somersby. 

Mr. Bart Lim, General Manager, Carlsberg Singapore, said: “We are extremely proud to have been appointed as the Official Beer of Singapore’s premier multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility. We look forward to enhancing event goers’ experiences with our presence. 

“We are delighted to have Carlsberg on board as the official beer partner of the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The availability of one of the most well-known brands of beer will ensure that patrons to the Singapore Indoor Stadium will enjoy an enhanced experience at the various events where alcohol is served,” Mark Collins, Managing Director, Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

Carlsberg joins the sponsorship ranks alongside MasterCard and Jack Daniel’s. This is the first time that in-venue sponsorship opportunities have been available at the SIS and several more new sponsors are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

by Ismail Uddin

Der BMW Frankfurt Marathon geht mit drei neuen Sponsoren in die 31. Auflage am 28. Oktober 2012. So zeichnet die Fluggesellschaft Air France für die Tickets der Topathleten aus Kenia (Nairobi) und Äthiopien (Addis Abeba) verantwortlich und bringt die Organisatoren zu ihren Promoitioneinsätzen bei den führenden Marathonveranstaltungen in aller Welt. Zudem wird Startern und Besuchern eine Event-ID angeboten, ampoule mit der sie zwischen fünf und zehn Prozent Rabatt auf Flüge von Air France und KLM erhalten. Die französische Fluggesellschaft setzt damit ihr Sponsoring-Engagement im Marathon und bei anderen Laufevents in Europa und Übersee fort und unterstützt künftig auch den ältesten deutschen Stadtmarathon, der im vergangenen Jahr mit der Siegerzeit von Wilson Kipsang (Kenia/2:03:42 Stunden) international für Furore gesorgt hat.

Profitieren können die Teilnehmer des BMW Frankfurt Marathon auch vom Meilenbonus-Programm Flying Blue Running. Die Online-Community von Air France ist über www.flyingbluerunning.com erreichbar und bietet ermäßigte Flugtarife und weltweite Laufstreckenführer für alle Metropolen. „Im Zuge unserer wachsenden Internationalität bieten wir damit einen großartigen Service für unsere Teilnehmer aus dem Ausland“, sagt der Frankfurter Renndirektor Jo Schindler.

Mit dem Engagement des Unternehmens High5, das Anfang der neunziger Jahre von den Zwillingsbrüdern Mick und Tim Atkinson gegründet wurde, bietet der BMW Frankfurt Marathon einen Premiumservice entlang der 42,195 Kilometer langen Strecke durch die Börsenmetropole. Für alle Läufer/innen wird das so genannte Energy Gel an den Verpflegungsständen bei Kilometer 20, 25, 30 und 35 gereicht. „Die angenehm leichte Konsistenz und der erfrischende Geschmack machen das Gel zum idealen Energielieferanten. Das Energy Gel der neuen Generation hat sich im Vergleich zu den altbekannten zähen und dickflüssigen Gels deutlich verändert. Es ist nicht zu dick oder zu süß, und da auf die Zugabe von künstlichen Farb- und Geschmacksstoffen verzichtet wurde, ist es sehr gut verträglich“, sagt Alexander Lubina, Marketing & Events High5 Deutschland. Und der EM-Teilnehmer von 2002 (10.000 Meter) ergänzt: „Das Energy Gel Plus enthält zusätzlich eine moderate Menge an Koffein für eine höhere und schnellere Energiezufuhr.“ Hinzu kommt, dass alle Marathon- und Staffelläufer mit dem Produkt Zero, einer Form von Salztabletten, die in jedes Sportgetränk gemischt werden können, in ihren Starterbeuteln ausgestattet werden.

Als Gesundheitspartner stattet Wobenzym® plus den Massagebereich des BMW Frankfurt Marathon mit hochwertigen Produkten aus. Das rein natürliche Enzympräparat unterstützt die Regeneration der Muskeln, Sehnen, Bänder und Gelenke nach Entzündungen und sorgt für ein ausbalanciertes Immunsystem. Auf dem Messestand von Wobenzym® plus in der Messehalle 1.2 erwartet die mehr als 45.000 erwarteten Besucher der Marathonmall vom 26. bis 28. Oktober 2012 eine kostenlose Massage und das Gewinnspiel „Lauftraum“. Der/die Gewinner/in könnte dann beispielsweise beim Marathon in New York oder Honolulu starten.

Jaguar and Sky Pro Cycling have announced a new three-year global partnership, sick coinciding with the forthcoming consumer launch of the new XF Sportbrake.

The partnership, cheap which was announced in the elegant surroundings of Syon Park, prostate West London, was attended by the current road world champion Mark Cavendish, Juan Antonio Flecha and Team Principal Dave Brailsford. Representing Jaguar was Geoff Cousins, Global Director of Sponsorships.

Jaguar cars will provide invaluable support to the team during the races, carrying about £100,000 of cutting-edge cycling equipment on the roof alone.

The car also acts as the ‘nerve centre’ of the team on the road from where all vital strategic and split second tactical decisions are made. This year’s partnership is particularly timely as Jaguar is proud to provide Team Sky with its latest new model, the XF Sportbrake.

Geoff Cousins, Jaguar Global Director of Sponsorships, commented: “We’re delighted to announce a new three year partnership with Team Sky. We know that our involvement in the rapidly growing sport of cycling and our support of Team Sky resonates strongly with new and existing Jaguar customers. Team Sky and Jaguar have similar ambitions and objectives and furthermore, the values of the team fit well with our human performance and Alive themes that sit at the heart of the Jaguar brand. We wish the riders the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating their successes over the coming years.”

Dave Brailsford, Sky Pro Cycling’s Team Principal added: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Jaguar. Over the past two years Jaguar has provided the team with fantastic support and we very much look forward to putting the new XF Sportbrake through its paces. I am confident it will play an important role in the team’s success this year by providing a fast, high performance and comfortable race support car. It provides the perfect environment from which to direct race operations when we’re on the road. The fact that it looks stunning too will make it the stand out car behind the peloton.”

by Ismail Uddin

Leicester Tigers have announced that Canterbury, the world’s largest dedicated rugby brand have become a long-term kit supplier for the Aviva Priemiership team in a new three-year deal.

The new deal will see Canterbury providing playing jerseys, training apparel, BaseLayer garments and off- field clothing to the Tigers, the nine-time English champions and the only club to win back-to-back Heineken Cups in Europe as well as this season’s Anglo-Welsh LV= Cup winners.

Canterbury will work closely with the Tigers to champion the club’s ethos of dedication, commitment, teamwork and the pursuit of excellence, incorporating its innovative design elements into the new kit to maximise performance and aid recovery.

Chris Stephenson, CEO of Canterbury, said: “Associations with leading rugby teams around the world have played a key role in promoting Canterbury’s heritage within the game over the years. By joining up with the Leicester Tigers, a club that has enjoyed a rich and successful history, Canterbury is demonstrating a continued desire to work with the very best teams in the world. We are delighted with this partnership and we hope the fans look forward to our involvement with this great club.”

Simon Cohen, Leicester Tigers CEO, added: “We are excited to partner with Canterbury, given their unrivalled experience of providing teams with the strongest, most technologically advanced kits available.

“Their recognised prowess and heritage in rugby is perfectly aligned with the Tigers’ culture and determination to remain at the top of European club rugby. We would also like to thank Cotton Traders for their commitment to the club over the years.”

by Ismail Uddin

viagogo, Europe’s largest online ticket marketplace and the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), have announced that viagogo has become an official collaborator of COE.

viagogo has been rapidly expanding in Spain, selling concert, sports and theatre tickets. The company believes that supporting the Spanish Olympic Movement will help strengthen its relationship with Spanish fans of live sport and entertainment.

Edward Parkinson, viagogo spokesperson said: “We’re proud to be supporting the Spanish Olympic Movement. We have always sought to partner with the world’s leading sports organisations and bring the benefits of our unique ticketing experience. Becoming a part of the Olympic movement in Spain is a big step for our business.”

Since launching in 2006, Viagogo has struck a number of ground-breaking partnerships with leading sports properties including Chelsea FC and Bayern Munich football clubs, Roland-Garros, and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Butterfly have extended their sponsorship of Anqi Luo of Ontario a 2012 Canada Olympic Table Tennis Qualifier.
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Butterfly will provide table tennis equipment to this outstanding athlete. In addition to being a 2012 Canada Olympic Table Tennis Qualifier, Anqi achieved a silver medal in Cadet Girls Team and a bronze medal in Cadet Girls Doubles at the 2011 Global Cadet Challenge. Plus, she won a silver medal in Cadet Girls Singles and two bronze medals in Junior Girls Team and Junior Girls Doubles at the 2011 Canadian Junior & Cadet Circuit. Anqi currently holds the #1 Junior 18 spot on Table Tennis Canada’s (TTCAN) rankings and has a rating of 2740.

Anqi Luo is a right-handed player and she is currently using a Butterfly Innerforce ZLC shakehand blade with Tenergy 05 rubber on the forehand and Tenergy 64 rubber on the backhand.

Butterfly is the world leader in table tennis / ping pong equipment and gear. Butterfly will be the official table sponsor for the 2012, 2014 & 2016 World Table Tennis Championships as well as the official ball sponsor for the 2013 & 2015 World Championships. Butterfly is also the official equipment sponsor of NCTTA’s 2011-2012 regular season as well as the 2012 College Table Tennis National Championships in Plano, Texas. 

by Ismail Uddin