The Seattle Mariners and Coors Light have announced a new three-year sponsorship agreement to make The World’s Most Refreshing Beer the “official beer” of the MLB team. 

“The Mariners are very happy to welcome Coors Light as our newest corporate partner. We are looking forward to the opportunities this new relationship brings both inside and outside Safeco Field, medicine ” said Bob Aylward, Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President of Business Operations.

Joe Gleason, MillerCoors sales GM for Washington and Alaska, said the opportunity to form an alliance with the Mariners was especially appealing because of the response from the brewer’s local distributors.

“The Mariners are building a great foundation of exciting young players and they have one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country,” said Gleason. “That’s why MillerCoors and our distributor partners are so excited about the opportunity to build a deep relationship with the Mariners and the team’s legal-drinking-age fans.”

As part of the sponsorship The Rail Bar in The ‘Pen, presented by ROOT SPORTS, will be rebranded the Coors Light Rail Bar and Coors Light will be the exclusive presenting sponsor of the ROOT SPORTS Mariners pregame program that originates from The ‘Pen before every Mariners home game.

As the Mariners official beer, Coors Light will be celebrating the Mariners 35th Anniversary this summer with a series of pint glasses that will feature the likenesses of Mariners legends Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. The glasses will be used in select pubs, bars and restaurants throughout the Pacific Northwest for a limited time.

Other elements of the agreement include prominent placement of the Coors Light brand on the Safeco Field main center field scoreboard as well as on rotating home plate signage and LED ribbon boards.

There will also be Videoboard features and displays on the in-park TV system known as Venue Vision. Coors Light will also have the rights to use Mariners marks in retail campaigns throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana, access to promotional player appearances and tie-ins and enhancement of various special events at Safeco Field during Mariners games throughout the season.

by Ismail Uddin

Shorai Inc. has announced sponsorship and contingency plans in support of AMA Pro Road Racing for the 2012 season.

Shorai will provide contingency money to the top seven finishers for all 12 of the XR Series Races, totaling $7800 for the season, to racers utilizing Shorai LFX lithium Powersports batteries.

The company will also offer rider support programs as part of ongoing sponsorship efforts.  Interested racers may contact Shorai directly.

Kevin Riley, EVP Sales & Marketing for Shorai, said: “We are very excited about entering a contingency program with the AMA Pro Racing Series. As the world’s leading, lithium Powersports battery, we are excited to offer the myriad of product benefits, including dramatic weight savings, faster starting, lower self discharge rates and lack of sulfation to this exciting racing series.

“We are quite certain that many racers will appreciate Shorai’s class leading technology, and we are proud to partner with a top level partner in the AMA.”

by Ismail Uddin

Mouser Electronics, patient Inc., unhealthy | regarded as a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announced it will become a primary sponsor of the No. 11 Mouser Electronics/GEICO/KV Racing Technology Chevrolet/Firestone car driven by IndyCar Champion Tony Kanaan for five key events including the 2012 Indianapolis 500.

Kanaan brings a proven track record to IndyCar racing. In 2003, Michael Andretti selected Kanaan to take his driver’s seat. He didn’t disappoint, posting one victory, nine top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 16 races. 2004 was even more spectacular. He became the first driver in major auto racing history to finish every lap of every race for an entire season on his way to driving away with the 2004 IndyCar Series title. To date, he has captured 14 victories and 14 poles in addition to his championship run in 2004.

“It’s his undeniable skill behind the wheel and his experience as a brand ambassador of motorsports that made the selection for Mouser an easy one,” says Larry Johannes, Mouser Vice President of Strategic Marketing. “Last year, Mouser attached its name to the high-speed, high-tech world of IndyCar as an innovative way to promote our supplier partners and gain brand exposure as we continue to expand our operations worldwide. Since every advanced, sophisticated component that’s built to go inside an IndyCar is about state-of-the-art engineering and delivering a performance edge on the track, IndyCar is a natural fit. IndyCar provides us the perfect vehicle to build top-of-mind awareness for Mouser and our valued supplier and manufacturer rep partnerships.”

For the upcoming IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012, Kanaan and the KV Racing Technology team will welcome the new IndyCar chassis and engine package. The team’s IndyCar will be powered by Chevrolet’s fantastic new Twin-Turbocharged Indy V6; its chassis is designed and built by Dallara, its tires are from Firestone, and its host of advanced electronics needs is supplied by Mouser.

“There’s no better feeling than having a solid company behind you – the kind of excitement for motorsports we share with Mouser makes it a great experience,” says Tony Kanaan, who in 2011 finished in the top-five in the overall IndyCar Series standings. “When Jimmy (Vasser) and I were taking a tour of their facilities and saw all the products that they potentially supply to the sport of IndyCar, we were extremely impressed. Mouser is a great partner for us; we are going to work harder than ever to make this a winning partnership on and off the racetrack.”

by Ismail Uddin

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has signed a ten-year sponsorship deal with Procter & Gamble (P&G) South Africa.

The announcement of the sponsorship, which is a major boost for the South African 2012 Olympic Team, was made at Sascoc house in Johannesburg on Wednesday. 

With this deal, Procter & Gamble will be one of Team South Africa’s main sponsors for the 2012 Olympic Games which will be held in London. Both the South African senior female team, Banyana Banyana and the female hockey team have already qualified for the global event.

Sascoc Chief Executive Officer, Tubby Reddy said: “Without sponsorship like this, our task of producing sporting champions would be much harder,” he said.

Procter & Gamble South Africa vice President for South and East Africa, Stanislav Vecera, said while the total amount set aside to support Sascoc had not been finalised, it would be a ten-year sponsorship programme.

The consumer products company will also undertake a major youth development programme across schools in the country in collaboration with Sascoc.

Sascoc President, Gideon Sam, added: “We are very excited about this partnership. In the past, we had no sponsorship as we were relying on the lottery board to support us financially.

“Whether it is for our elite athletes or at grassroots level, all forms of help are gratefully appreciated by the sports fraternity.”

Representing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dr Sam Ramsamy said they were happy about the announcement.

by Ismail Uddin

British Cycling has appointed TrainingPeaks as its new official Training Software Supplier.

TrainingPeaks will provide GB Cycling Team athletes and coaches, as well as British Cycling members, with a software programme that plans and analyses training, nutrition and daily metrics.

TrainingPeaks, which is also a partner of Team Sky, will provide athletes and coaches with the tools needed to upload their training data, which can then be analysed by coaches and sports scientists to improve their customised training programmes. Club members will be able to use TrainingPeaks to enhance their riding through sharing favourite workouts and routes and providing the motivation needed to help them achieve their goals, whilst club coaches will also benefit through the ability to provide plans and schedule rides.

British Cycling’s Performance Director, Dave Brailsford said: “TrainingPeaks has everything you need in a data management system – from detailed analysis reports to easy-to-use web and mobile logging options for the riders. The programme will help the GB Cycling Team coaches and riders better understand what type of training drives success.

“It will also be of huge benefit to British Cycling members who want to get the most out of their riding. Regardless of what you are training for – whether it’s early season racing or sportives – TrainingPeaks will help ensure you are maximising your performance on the bike.”

The premium athlete edition of the TrainingPeaks programme, enhanced with the Virtual Coach functionality, has graph charts and in-depth analytics that help formalise detailed training plans. For a one-year subscription, British Cycling’s Level 3 coaches can get a 50% discount at £75, with Gold Members and Level 2 coaches of British Cycling receiving 40% discount on the athlete premium programme. All other members and Level 1 coaches will receive a 20% discount. Further details on prices and discounts for coaches and cyclists are available here.

Dirk Friel, TrainingPeaks co-founder and Chief Evangelist, said, “TrainingPeaks is proud to be selected as the Official Training Software Supplier of British Cycling. Our experience with the GB Cycling Team will help us to test and develop new software features with the world’s best athletes in order to help the athletes of all levels who use TrainingPeaks.”

by Ismail Uddin

IBF Light Welter Weight Champion Amir Khan has inked a sponsorship deal with Sports nutrition brand, sick Maximuscle.

The British boxer, vcialis 40mg and former unified WBA (super) Champion will be provided with individually-tailored nutritional support to complement his lifestyle, cheap training and fight preparation for the next two years.

The Hemel Hempstead-based company is part of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) owned Maxinutrition group.

Khan will face Lamont Peterson in a WBA ordered rematch following the controversial result of their December 2011 fight on 19^th May, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas.

Sponsorship manager for Maximuscle, Mark Morgan, said: “Amir Khan is one of the most exciting British sportsmen around and we are delighted to be able to help him achieve his boxing goals.

“Amir Khan is at a significant moment in his career and we are committed to helping him continue to build on his training and performances by providing him with first class sports nutrition. Maximuscle will focus its efforts on helping Khan to optimise his performance in key fights through bespoke nutritional support.”

Gareth Nicholas, Product and Education Specialist at Maximuscle added: “Khan has an incredibly hectic schedule which means that for him, the nutritional support that he receives need not only be of superior quality, but also convenient and easy to use. After any tough workout it is important to get protein into the body as soon as possible and Maximuscle products can help Amir achieve this.”

Discussing the new partnership with Maximuscle the British Boxer commented: “I’m training six hours a day 6 days a week, so my sports nutrition programme is vital during preparation for fights. In my sport making weight is a key focus so I am delighted to be able to call upon Maximuscle’s reliable sports nutritionists to help manage my diet and ensure I am in peak condition when I need to be.”

Maximuscle also works closely with over 1,000 elite athletes and professional sports teams including the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Rugby Football Union, Everton Football Club, London Wasps and Northampton Saints, as well as individuals such as Courtney Lawes, Stuart Broad, and European gymnastics champion, Daniel Keatings.

by Ismail Uddin

Murad, salve Inc., the innovative skincare line, announced today that they have been named the Official Skincare Partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2012 baseball season.

Murad will be providing skincare tips and sun protection advice along with product for the legendary baseball team’s players and fans with special giveaways and promotions during all daytime home games throughout the 2012 regular season.

Through this partnership, Murad will also provide the club’s fans and team members with important information on preventing sun damage, rooted in Murad founder Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD’s three-pronged, Inclusive Health approach – topical, internal and emotional care, which all play an important part in skin health. Dr. Murad’s Inclusive Health philosophy works to improve cellular health, which ultimately yields better sun protection through a stronger barrier function and healthier cells.

“As an avid Dodger fan, it is a privilege to partner with this legendary baseball team to provide education on ways to protect against sun damage, and the importance of health and wellness, both internally and externally,” said Dr. Murad. “Many people view skincare as simply cosmetic. My hope is that through this partnership, we will be able to further change the way people view skincare, helping fans to realize that your skin really is an overall reflection of the state of your health and that sun protection is an essential component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

Murad has also been named the presenting sponsor of the Mother’s Day home game on May 13, 2012. During this game, Murad and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be giving away tote bags with a special Murad offer to the first 20,000 fans. For the third year in a row, Murad is partnering with the Dodgers to provide skin care and sun protection products to the franchise and its fans.

by Ismail Uddin

Procter & Gamble Canada (P&G), price in cooperation with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), and has announced its sponsorship of nine Canadian Olympic hopefuls as they prepare to represent the country at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Each athlete will serve as an ambassador for P&G brands and will be integrated across various marketing channels including advertising, ailment in-store promotions, public relations, digital and social media.

“The Canadian Olympic Committee is pleased to partner with P&G as they continue to help make a lasting difference for athletes, moms and families in Canada and around the world,” said Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee. “We appreciate their continued support of Canadian athletes on their journeys to London 2012.”

Globally, P&G will support 200 athletes, the largest group ever sponsored by an Olympic partner, and is committed to support the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) for the next ten years.

“We are committed to being the best partner the Olympic Movement has ever had,” said Thom C. Lachman, President, Procter & Gamble Canada. “Athletes inspire us with their dedication to perform at their best every day and their commitment to excellence, which is why we are extremely proud to support and champion these nine world class athletes.”

In addition to supporting moms through its “Thank You Mom” campaign, the athletes and sponsoring brands are:

Adam van Koeverden				Kayak				P&G Corporate Scale
Alexandre Despatie				Diving				Gillette
Paula Findlay				Triathlon				P&G Female Beauty
Clara Hughes				Cycling				Secret
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep				Athletics, 100m hurdles				Pampers
Annamay Pierse				Swimming				Pantene
Christine Sinclair				Soccer				Tide
Mary Spencer				Boxing				COVERGIRL
Simon Whitfield				Triathlon				Duracell

New Zealand’s leading campervan brand, Britz has announced an exciting new sponsorship deal with the inaugural team cycling event, Tour of New Zealand.

Hundreds of cyclists are expected to register for the eight-day race that kicks off on April 14 from Cape Reinga in the north and simultaneously from Bluff in the south. Teams of three, four, and five, as well as single competitors, will embark on an eight-stage journey incorporating many of the most picturesque cycle ways in the country.

Britz is sponsoring Day 6 (19 April) of both the North Island and South Island legs of the tour. In the north, cyclists ride 130km in two sub-stages from National Park to the river city of Wanganui, while in the south cyclists ride 125km as they pedal their way from Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura through rolling countryside and snow cradled valleys.

Britz Campervans Brand Manager, Sharron Clarksaid: “We are thrilled to support the Tour of New Zealand where cyclists and their support teams are able to take part in a journey of a lifetime, through many of New Zealand’s most scenic routes, roads and trails.

“New Zealand offers some of the best cycling in the world and this is a space where the Britz brand connects beautifully. Britz campervans not only provide cyclists with a home away from home, including a comfortable bed where competitors can enjoy a good night’s sleep before each stage of the race, but they also offer Britz bikes to use while you’re away, or you can take your own bike and use Britz bike racks.

“We look forward to the beginning of a successful and progressive partnership, celebrating and promoting the amazing tourism opportunities involving cycling that are available on our doorstep, in addition to helping Tour of New Zealand raise funds for three organisations that already make a significant contribution to cycling in this country.”

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Appeal, St John Ambulance, and The Hikurangi Foundation (helping communities develop a network of rural and urban cycleways and walkways) will all benefit from money raised by the teams, as well as any profits from event sponsorship and entry fees.

by Ismail Uddin

Ireland’s Paralympic Team for August’s London 2012 Paralympic Games now have an official sponsor in the fuels and convenience retailer, cure Topaz.

Paralympics Ireland have confirmed a five-figure sponsorship deal with Topaz as “Official Fuel and Convenience Partner” to promote the team and Irish Paralympic sport through its network of over 320 sites nationwide.

The Marketing and Corporate Services Director at Topaz, herbal Paul Candon, clinic said: “As a fully Irish owned and managed company we are thrilled to support this Irish team. While competing in the Games will be an unbelievable experience for all the competitors and their families we know the sacrifices these elite athletes will make over the next 170 days.”

The 2012 Paralympic Games will take place in London from 29th August to 9th September.

Ireland is targeting a team of around 42 athletes across 9 sports and 26 have already secured slots in various fields.

The full team will be announced in late June.

Irish Paralympic athlete Catherine Walsh said: “We’re aiming for a successful Games and the support will help bring the team’s achievements to a whole new audience in Ireland.”

by Ismail Uddin