CNN, therapy US cable news channel has announced today it has become the Global Media Partner for Jaguar Heritage Racing at a news conference held at the Royal Automobile Club in London.

Jaguar Heritage Racing will see “works supported” Jaguars return to the historic race events of the world such as Goodwood, recipe the Mille Miglia and the legendary Old Timer GP at the Nürburgring. Frequent reports and results from these events in the form of thirty second and one minute updates – created by CNN ad-sales’ creative agency, TCP – will appear in commercial airtime across the CNN global network, which is viewed in 255 million households and hotel rooms across the world. In addition, there will be a Jaguar Heritage-sponsored feature page on CNN.com. CNN.com has huge global reach with over 1.4 billion page views last month.

TCP will attend Jaguar Heritage Racing events to record the action, and capture the passion and unique atmosphere of these legendary cars and occasions.  During the racing season, and throughout the year, these will be broadcast in a series of 30 second and one minute updates, with around 2 hours of content created in total. The Jaguar Heritage feature page on CNN.com will contain films and images from the events, results and background information on Jaguar’s heritage and racing pedigree. 

Frank Klaas, Global Head of Jaguar Land Rover Communications and Jaguar Heritage Trustee said: “We are delighted to announce that CNN is our Global Media Partner for Jaguar Heritage Racing. CNN has huge global reach, industry leading content and an affluent, intelligent and well-travelled audience. This is a perfect fit with Jaguar’s premium customer base and demographic. This media partnership will enable enthusiasts and consumers across the globe to share in the magic and passion of Jaguar’s glorious heritage.” 

Rani Raad, SVP of CNN Ad Sales & Business Development added: “Motorsport is an exciting arena and an increasingly important part of our offering. Jaguar is among the most famous car brands in the world and its racing history is the stuff of legends.  As such we are delighted to partner with the new Jaguar Heritage Racing Programme.  It’s a great example of how our TCP is creating bespoke commercial content on-air and on-line.”

North American Power, a green energy company, announced today that it will be a sponsor of the New York Yankees during the 2012 season.

As part of the sponsorship, North American Power will deliver the pre-game centerfield LED Board “power report” feature, highlighting the Yankees’ leading in-season individual statistical performers.

“North American Power is proud to become a sponsor of the New York Yankees,” says North American Power CEO Kerry Breitbart. “As a company that is committed to restoring America’s energy future, it’s a natural to support America’s favorite pastime.”

Michael J. Tusiani, Yankees Senior Vice President of Corporate Sales & Sponsorships, said: “We are extremely pleased about our new relationship with North American Power, and hope its in-Stadium branding will reinforce the importance of environmental attentiveness.”

by Ismail Uddin

The Los Angeles Clippers have announced that Virgin America, the only California-based airline, has been named “The Official Airline Partner of the Los Angeles Clippers” now through the 2013-2014 season.

The multi-year sponsorship will include a variety of fan and flyer promotions as well as in-arena, online and radio advertising as part of the partnership. With the largest in-flight entertainment library in the skies, Virgin America has become the airline of choice for sports fans. Every Virgin America guest enjoys a live satellite television channel line-up that features a rich range of live sports and news programming.

With one of the largest in-flight television screens in the domestic skies and live games at every seat, Clippers fans can now catch many of the team’s nationally televised games live at 35,000 feet on TNT and ESPN, televised NFL games, nationally televised baseball games on FOX (New York) and NHL games on NBC (New York). Guests can also catch up on the latest scores via the airline’s fleetwide WiFi.

“We’re thrilled to enter into this new partnership with Virgin America,” stated Clippers’ Vice President of Marketing and Broadcasting Christian Howard. “We look forward to working with them in finding new and exciting ways to build both of our brands for years to come.”

With over 700 hours of media content and award-winning interactive features, the Red system offers every guest a personal touch-screen entertainment center right at their seatback – with 24 television channels, more than 35 on-demand films, a 3,000 MP3 library (with the ability for travelers to build their own playlist), a Kid’s entertainment platform (with parental controls), videogames, music videos, interactive Google Maps that track a flight’s journey, a seat-to-seat text chat system and more.

“As California’s only hometown airline, we are thrilled to partner with the Los Angeles Clippers,” said Virgin America Director of Marketing Dimitrios Papadogonas. “The Virgin America brand is all about bringing entertainment and fun to the skies and the Clippers are an exciting team to watch. And Clippers fans flying on Virgin America can catch the action via the airline’s expanded live sports television line-up.”

by Ismail Uddin

World Snooker has announced Betfair as the new title sponsor of this week’s Players Tour Championship (PTC) Grand Finals 2012.

The event, to be known as the Betfair Players Tour Championship Grand Finals, runs from March 14 to 18 at the Bailey Allen Hall in Galway, Ireland, and features 24 of the world’s best players including John Higgins, Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are very pleased to bring on board Betfair, the world’s biggest international online sports betting company, as title sponsor for this prestigious tournament. Betfair is a fantastic company to be working with and I’m sure they will enjoy five days of top quality snooker.

“It’s a superb line up for the event and we’re expecting great live support from the Irish fans. The PTC Series has run across the whole season and now the players at the business end are chasing the £70,000 top prize. We look forward to a wonderful conclusion to the series.”

Matt Robinson, Director of European & Emerging Markets added: “Betfair is delighted to be associated with this event and in what hopefully will be a great week for Irish sport with Cheltenham and Six Nations Rugby, we are looking forward to a tournament that thrills both fans and punters alike.

“The event is a great fit for our brand as we continue to grow our list of sponsorship properties. We hope this signals the first step of a long and productive partnership with World Snooker.”

by Ismail Uddin

FedEx Corp. Autism Speaks and Dover International Speedway have announced that FedEx will return as the title sponsor for the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway, anesthetist on June 3, pilule 2012.

This is the second straight year FedEx has been the title sponsor for the spring NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway. It’s also the sixth straight year that the Monster Mile will partner with Autism Speaks, order the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, helping to raise funds and awareness for the cause throughout race weekend.

“FedEx is a firm believer in giving back to the community and it is a core mission of FedEx to support the important work of charities such as Autism Speaks,” said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice president of Market Development at FedEx. “As the official sponsor of the FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks, we are able to leverage our involvement in the racing world for this great cause.”

The partnership with FedEx is just another step in the company’s strong presence in NASCAR. FedEx has been the primary sponsor of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota of Joe Gibbs Racing since the beginning of the 2005 season, and has a long history of supporting sports teams, leagues and franchises. The “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” marks the second time FedEx has sponsored a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, both in Dover.

Also returning this year will be the Autism Speaks puzzle piece decals for drivers to display on their cars during the June 1-3, 2012 NASCAR race weekend. In 2011, approximately 65 drivers across all three national touring series participated to help generate awareness for Autism Speaks.

Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks, said: “We are honored to partner with FedEx for a second year in a row and continue our longstanding relationship with Dover International Speedway. The FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks has been a tremendous platform to raise funds and autism awareness. The dedication of both FedEx and Dover International Speedway, combined with NASCAR’s generous support, demonstrates a true commitment to helping the autism community.”

NASCAR action returns to Dover International Speedway June 1-3, 2012 with the June 1 “Lucas Oil 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, the June 2 “5-hour ENERGY 200” NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the June 3 “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

by Ismail Uddin

Prudential Financial has expanded its partnership with the LPGA Tour to become the Official Financial Services Provider of the Tour and the Umbrella Media Sponsor.

“We are thrilled that Prudential will continue its partnership with the LPGA in a significantly expanded role, site ” said LPGA Chief Marketing Officer Jon Podany. “Prudential is a blue-chip brand that represents strength and stability and their enhanced partnership with the Tour is a great sign of our continued growth and positive momentum.”

The “Bring Your Challenges” campaign will continue to be integrated into the partnership in a Golf Channel tournament telecast feature called, viagra ed | “Up to the Challenge,” which will highlight a Tour player who endured obstacles and rose to the occasion on the golf course. Prudential’s media exposure will also include premier positioning throughout LPGA Golf Channel telecasts, across LPGA digital assets, on-site at LPGA tournaments, and in various print media.

Colin McConnell, Vice President of Advertising for Prudential, said: “Prudential is pleased to be extending its partnership with the LPGA for the next two years. The enhanced partnership is a prestigious association for Prudential and an effective way to reach our target audience in a space that is not inundated with advertisers.”

by Ismail Uddin

Chase Card Services, unhealthy | a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co., stomach will sponsor of four-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports as part of its partnership with the AARP Foundation.

This year, anesthetist Chase will sponsor the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet for five 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races throughout the country. Beginning mid-March, the AARP Visa Card from Chase logo will appear on the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet.

In addition to the five-race sponsorship, Chase will again donate $0.03 for each purchase made with the AARP Visa Card from Chase, as well as $1 for each new account opened – up to $2 million in 2012 – to AARP Foundation for Drive to End Hunger. Through this same approach in 2011, Chase contributed nearly $2 million, equivalent to an estimated 750,000 meals for older Americans in need, to AARP Foundation for Drive to End Hunger. Chase also sponsored Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet in two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond, Va., and Dover, Del., in 2011.

“We’re excited to continue supporting AARP Foundation through Drive to End Hunger and we are looking forward to having a greater presence through Jeff Gordon and the sponsorship of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet,” said Ralph Pinto, senior director, Chase Card Services. “One in 11 older Americans is at risk of hunger and Chase is encouraged by the response from cardmembers who want to help address this problem.”

Since AARP and AARP Foundation launched Drive to End Hunger in 2011, the initiative has donated more than 5.8 million meals and driven corporate and individual donor commitments with an expected value of $15.6 million.

by Ismail Uddin

US Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) have struck a three-year sponsorship contract with Reebok cricket North America for the promotion of cricket in the country.

According to YCA president, Jamie Harrison, the deal will allow cricket to spread among the masses and will provide significant opportunities for the game to flourish in this region, along with enabling the citizen to watch one of the most exciting sports on the planet.

YCA is an associate member of United States American Cricket Association (USACA) and is the largest organization in US, which is devoted to promote cricket across schools, summer camps and other youth organizations.

Harrison believes that the deal with Reebok is an important step forward, and the kind of support they had been looking for a very long time. He further acknowledged the fact that the support showed by an international brand will aid them in accomplishing their long term goals.

“We think it’s going to open the door for a lot of other sponsorships because I think it’s a statement that Reebok thinks we’re sponsorship worthy,” said the president.

YCA have a commendable past record for reaching out to the American youth as compared with the USA Cricket Association and the new deal echoes that fact.

“For the last two years I’ve been telling anybody who would listen that what we were doing was going to work; that it was worthwhile and was worth getting behind, and a lot of people in cricket have applauded that,” said the president.

Harrison further revealed that apart from providing licensed apparel for USYCA, Reebok will grant them enough funding, which will allow them to cover their organizational as well as operational expenses for the next three years.

Cricket in America is a minority sport and USCA is an associate member of ICC. The US national team however, continues to play without any sponsors and have only one American player in their side.

YCA aims to extend its full support in helping anyone, who is willing to take up cricket as a profession, and their president reiterated their stance by concluding that the organization will take all the necessary steps to ensure that cricket becomes a major force in this part of the world.

by Ismail Uddin

Sentient Jet, cough one of the leading private aviation companies in the U.S. and the Official Private Jet Partner of the PGA TOUR, announced today it will sponsor the 2012 Tavistock Cup, a team golf event featuring professional golfers from around the world.

As part of the sponsorship, Sentient Jet Cards will host a luxury-viewing gallery on the 18th Hole and award exceptional prizes to Tavistock Cup competitors.

The ninth annual Tavistock Cup, which takes place March 19 and 20, 2012 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, is an officially sanctioned PGA TOUR event showcasing the ultimate golf competition between four global clubs – Albany, Isleworth Golf & Country Club, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and Queenwood Golf Club. The Tavistock Cup event will again be one of the most sought after tickets in sports as the invitation-only, no-ropes gallery is limited to approximately 3,500 invited guests.

“Sentient is honored to once again sponsor the Tavistock Cup and some of the world’s elite golfers as they compete to determine the World Golf and Country Club Champion,” said Kevin Vaughan, President of Sentient Jet Cards. “We look forward to offering guests a special environment at the 18 hole with a tremendous view and unparalleled comfort. In addition, we hope to add a little extra incentive to the tournament with opportunities for the golfers to win Sentient Jet Cards and experience for themselves the smartest way to fly privately.”

Among the highlights, Sentient will sponsor the competition at the Par 3, 13th Hole. Any golfer that records a hole-in-one will earn individual $25,000 Sentient Jet Cards for every member of his six-man team. Sentient will also award a $20,000 Sentient Jet Card to the individual winner of the “closest-to-the-pin” contest over the two-day competition. In addition, Sentient’s luxury viewing gallery on the 18th hole will provide invited guests with an exciting and comfortable view of all the great action on the final hole.

by Ismail Uddin

Panasonic has expanded its Olympic sponsorship commitments by signing a deal to become an official partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The consumer electronics giant is to be the Games’ audio and visual equipment partner.

The company has been a worldwide Olympic partner since 1988, buy but this will be the first time Panasonic has signed up to sponsor the Paralympics.

It will provide audio systems, bronchi flat screen TVs, tadalafil broadcast equipment and large LED screen display systems for the Games.

Panasonic will also supply its high-definition video equipment to the competition venues, and the International Broadcast Center, so that the London 2012 Paralympic Games will be broadcast completely in Full HD format.

by Ismail Uddin