Dunkin’ Brands Inc. has secured a multi-year partnership with Lebron James with the NBA superstar agreeing to promote Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins ice cream in Asia where the company has about a third of its stores.

James will promote Dunkin’s brands in China, Taiwan, India and South Korea through advertisements, online media and in-store marketing, Dunkin’ said. James will also make personal appearances in Asia after the season ends in June.

Dunkin’ executive John Costello declined to give the terms of the deal, but said it was multiyear and worth multimillions of dollars.

“I’m really excited about partnering with Dunkin’ Brands and connecting with the huge community of basketball fans” in Asia, James said in a statement.

James, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, has the best-selling basketball jersey and shoe in China and has visited Asia four times. China is the NBA’s second-biggest market after the U.S., and NBA players often visit Asia on behalf of shoe companies or other sponsors during the offseason.

Dunkin’ is hoping James’ popularity will help boost sales in a region where it has about 5,400 stores, or about a third of its global total. Dunkin’ plans to add at least 250 stores in Asia during the next two to three years, Chief Executive Nigel Travis said.

Dunkin’ opened its first restaurant in Vietnam in December and plans to open its inaugural store in India later this year, Travis said. South Korea has the most Dunkin’ stores in Asia with about 1,900 while Japan has 1,087 – all Baskin-Robbins.

The company plans to boosts its total shops in China by 100 over the next few years from a current 150, Travis said.

The James deal “is Asia focused and reflects our commitment to Asia,” Travis told reporters in Singapore. “Lebron has a strong commitment to building his relationship in Asia so he’s definitely planning multiple trips to Asia in the offseason this year.”

The popularity of basketball in Asia has grown during the last decade, in part because of former Houston Rockets center Yao Ming of China, who retired last year. New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin has become an overnight sensation in Asia, especially in China and Taiwan. Lin, whose parents were born in Taiwan, is the first Asia-American player in the NBA.

Costello said Dunkin is happy to have snagged James, who has been an All-Star for eight seasons.

Lin “certainly is an exciting new player with 20 games to his history,” said Costello, who is Dunkin’s chief global marketing and innovation officer. “But Lebron James has had a fabulous nine years. We think the excitement around Jeremy Lin will actually create more awareness in Asia.”

James, 27, is in his ninth NBA season since turning professional straight out of high school. His Miami Heat lost in last year’s finals to the Dallas Mavericks.

by Ismail Uddin

Allstate Insurance Company have announced it has become an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA. 

Through a deal with CBS Sports and Turner Sports, the partnership will expand Allstate’s extensive presence in collegiate athletics, providing opportunities for the company to activate around the NCAA’s 89 men’s and women’s championship events and support important educational and community initiatives.

The timing of the announcement will allow the company to leverage its partnership surrounding this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, which tips off March 13 in Dayton, Ohio with the First Four and concludes with the NCAA Men’s Final Four in New Orleans March 31-April 2.  To launch its NCAA partnership, Allstate will air new television commercials during coverage of the tournament on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV.

“Allstate is thrilled to expand its commitment of supporting collegiate athletics and student athletes by becoming an official corporate partner of the NCAA,” said Lisa Cochrane, Allstate’s senior vice president of marketing. “The excitement of the NCAA tournament has shown us that anything can and will happen – it’s March and it can be mayhem.”

“Putting a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of student-athletes in the classroom and in competition is a common goal of the NCAA and our new corporate partner Allstate,” said Greg Shaheen, NCAA interim executive vice president for championships and alliances. “Allstate has shown its dedication to intercollegiate athletics over the years. We’re pleased to welcome Allstate to the NCAA corporate family and provide the company with championship platforms that will broaden its support of student-athletes and place additional emphasis on the value of higher education.”

Chris Simko, senior vice president, CBS Sports Sales and Marketing and director CBS Sports Properties Group, said: “Through this multi-year partnership with CBS and Turner, Allstate will have the opportunity to showcase its unique brand of creative messaging and strategic activation at NCAA Championship events throughout the year. The NCAA’s corporate marketing program is the perfect fit for a client who has displayed such a thorough corporate commitment to intercollegiate athletics and believes so strongly in the ideal of today’s student-athlete.”

“We’re excited to add another great brand to our Corporate Champion and Corporate Partner family,” said Will Funk, senior vice president of NCAA Partnerships and Branded Programming, Turner Sports. “Allstate’s creative and innovative marketing will bring a unique voice to the NCAA. We look forward to Allstate’s activation across television, digital, mobile and events at various NCAA Championships in the winter, spring and fall.”

Allstate will have presence on-site in New Orleans at the NCAA Men’s Final Four at Bracket Town refreshed by Coca-Cola Zero, providing fans the chance to experience basketball mayhem first hand.  Allstate will offer fans the chance to participate in basketball-themed activities and for the chance to win the ultimate college sports fan prize – a trip for two to the 2013 BCS National Championship game and the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Atlanta.

In addition to its NCAA partnership, Allstate is the title sponsor of the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.  The company has also contributed more than $2.4 million in general scholarship donations for successful field goal and extra point kicks as part of its Good Hands Nets program at 71 partner colleges and universities.

by Ismail Uddin

Motorcycle-Supertore.com has increased its commitment to AMA Pro Racing’s SuperSport series by sponsoring local Pacific Northwest rider Devon McDonough.

The returning title sponsor of AMA SuperSport will back the full-time entry in the 2012 season, health . The 16-year-old will contest the 2012 AMA SuperSport series aboard a Motorcycle-Superstore.com-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6. 

“Motorcycle Superstore is proud to return as title sponsor the AMA SuperSport series, medicine ” said Motorcycle Superstore founder and President Don Becklin. “The SuperSport class does an excellent job of showcasing the next generation of road racing talent, and Superstore is excited to support one the best young riders in the Pacific Northwest by backing Devon’s rookie campaign.” 

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, McDonough has been making waves in several local racing series and now the young ace upgrades to a full-time ride in the pro ranks. McDonough will also serve as a new contributor for Motorcycle USA – documenting his first year of racing in the AMA Pro Road Racing Series in regular report. 

McDonough enters his first pro season after finishing eighth overall in the Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association. Nabbing 18 podiums and taking third in the 600 Superbike division, McDonough has shown great promise within his age group. Since turning 16 McDonough has continued his success in the final three AFM races at Thunderhill Raceway, taking three top-five finishes.

“My dad bought me a Polini pocket bike for my eighth birthday,” said McDonough. “It was then that I started a sport I never thought I would love so much. Road racing is my passion and I hope to carry myself, my team and my sponsors to the top step of the podium.” 

McDonough will be Motorcycle-Superstore.com’s first full-time rider sponsorship in AMA Pro Racing. However, the Oregon-based online retailer of motorcycle gear, parts and accessories will also sponsor veteran rider Steve Rapp in the American SuperBike class at the 2012 Daytona opener – for now a one-round sponsorship. 

Motorcycle USA will also be present on the Daytona SportBike racing grid, as contributing editor Frankie Garcia races another Yamaha R6 in the 2012 Daytona 200.

by Ismail Uddin

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, a global leader in consumer electronics, and the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, has announced today an exclusive agreement with Jamie Oliver to be an ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Mr. Oliver will play a key role in raising awareness of Samsung’s sponsorship of London 2012 as a Worldwide Olympic Partner. The collaboration will start with appearances in multiplatform adverts and public relations campaigns, encouraging participation in Samsung’s London 2012 marketing campaign.

Oliver commented: “I’m truly honoured and excited to be involved in London 2012 as an ambassador for Samsung. Samsung have developed some fantastic initiatives to get young people from around the world involved in the Games and we both want as many people as possible to be part of this incredible event.”

Mr. Sunny Hwang, Vice President & Head of Global Sports Marketing at Samsung Electronics, said: “Jamie Oliver shares Samsung’s commitment to expanding the spirit of the Olympic Games. Together, it is our goal to do what we can to inspire people around the world to get involved with London 2012. Jamie has a unique perspective on some important global issues such as living a healthy, balanced life. He is a passionate communicator and has an innate talent for making these issues relevant to people from every walk of life.

Referring to Mr. Oliver’s role as ambassador for Samsung, Mr. Hwang observed that “Samsung’s ambition is to make London 2012 an Olympic Games for everyone. Having Jamie as a global brand ambassador will help us deliver this campaign message. With Jamie’s support and Samsung’s leading smartphone technology, we will be able to encourage more people to take part in and enjoy the Games wherever they are and build our Olympic Games campaign momentum.”

In the last 15 years, Jamie Oliver has been inspiring people all over the world to cook and eat better food. His books and TV series are enjoyed by millions across the globe and his charity, the Jamie Oliver Foundation, works tirelessly to raise the profile of food education through its work in communities and schools in the UK, USA and Australia. Jamie is dedicated to empowering and educating as many people as possible to learn how to cook and enjoy good food, giving them the chance to have a better future.

Jamie Oliver joins an impressive line-up of Samsung ambassadors including David Beckham who joined Samsung’s London 2012 campaign in May 2011. Influential icons and carefully chosen partners, like Jamie Oliver, widen the reach of Samsung’s digital activation programmes that will support the Olympic Torch Relay and Samsung’s own global blogger programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

by Ismail Uddin

Lotus has announed that it has joined hands with Californian company iRise to improve delivery of racing related software to the Formula 1 team.

The British outfit says that the partnership would empower its IT organisation in leveraging computer-aided design tools for software design and delivery.

Lotus CEO Patrick Louis, erectile pills said: “The biggest problem we have with software development projects is ensuring the requirements identified up front match the requirements at the point of delivery. Our goal is to improve on-time delivery of our racing-related software which will be intuitive and of immediate benefit to its users, and iRise is a mission-critical element of our strategy to achieve that.”

Lotus will also become a strategic partner for iRise’s non-promotional executive roundtable Series, which was formed in 2005 with a vision to deliver content and networking to global CIO’s, with the theme of global motorsports as a platform.

by Ismail Uddin

HRT F1 team have inked a sponsorship deal with degreaser products brand, purchase KH-7 which will be featured on the Formula 1 cars and drivers’ overalls this season.

The agreement, clinic which was signed at the team’s new headquarters in Madrid, is for a year although the team says it could be extended.

HRT CEO Saul Ruiz de Marcos said that associating the team with Spanish companies “has been one of the team’s priorities since we started renovating.”

With the arrangement, the Spanish cleaning products brand intends to expand to foreign markets.

“In the last few years we have consolidated a position of leadership in our country and now we’ve decided to take a step forward and look to expand internationally,” said KH Lloreda president Josep Maria Lloreda. “To count with such an impressive showcase as is Formula 1 will help us to have great visibility and we strongly believe that this will aid our chances of consolidating ourselves in foreign markets.

“The only route we contemplated was joining HRT because, just like us, they are also a Spanish brand looking to position themselves internationally,” he added.

by Ismail Uddin

Rokform LLC. has announced today its new sponsorship agreement with Team Sho-Air/Specialized professional cycling team.

“We’re excited to bring a world-class Cycling Team like Sho-Air/Specialized together with Rokform,” said Jeff Whitten, Rokform’s VP. “Rokform is proud to associate itself with such a high level cycling team as Sho-Air/Specialized. The partnership is a perfect blend of innovation, performance and commitment.”

Rokform’s racing roots run deep as a former road racer, team owner and founder of Two Brothers Racing; Craig Erion who is also the President of Rokform is no stranger to racing at the championship level. “It’s great to give back to cycling; a sport that I enjoy on almost a daily basis, being able to partner with Team Sho-Air/Specialized will raise Rokform’s presence in the industry up a notch.”

“We are excited to have a partner like Rokform whose brand stretches across a broad base that team Sho-Air/Specialized and its athletes can build on,” said team manager Ty Kady. Surrounding ourselves with world class sponsors such as Rokform has been instrumental to our success now and will continue to be in the future.”

Team Sho-Air/Specialized is a professional mountain bike racing team based out of Southern California. The team races the U.S. Cup along with other select races throughout the country. Riders include Pua Mata, Ben Bostrom, Eric Bostrom, Lana Atchley, Cody Phillips, Brendon Davids, Manuel Prado, Ty Kady, John Muller and Justin Rosen.

Launched in January 2011 Rokform has quickly established itself in the consumer electronics industry by manufacturing uniquely designed and engineered products for the iPhone and iPad. 

by Ismail Uddin

Cowes Week Limited (CWL) has announced that Aberdeen Asset Management is to extend its sponsorship of the world-famous Cowes Week regatta until 2015.

This extension represents a further two year commitment to the event, denture enabling Aberdeen Asset Management to build upon the solid foundations already established with CWL and guarantee a stable financial footing for the regatta for the next four years.

CWL and Aberdeen look forward to developing the competitor experience at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week during this next stage in the regatta’s evolution.

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said: “Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2011 proved to be a tremendous success. We look forward to working with Cowes Week Limited to build on this positive start and are delighted to be extending our long-term commitment through to 2015 with this first-class sporting event.”

New Chairman of CWL, Peter Dickson, added: “I am delighted to be starting my period as Chairman on such a positive note. My predecessor, John Grandy, successfully steered the regatta through some challenging waters and I am very much looking forward to continuing his great work on the development of Cowes Week, in partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management and our family of event sponsors.”

Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week in 2012 takes place from the 11th to the 18th of August – later than usual in order to avoid a clash with the Olympic Games.

by Ismail Uddin

SKODA AUTO Deutschland baut sein umfassendes Engagement für Radsportbegeisterte weiter aus.

Die tschechische Traditionsmarke ist neuer Co-Sponsor der Schwalbe-TOUR-Transalp. Mit dem Co-Sponsoring unterstützt SKODA nun erstmals ein mehrtägiges Etappenrennen für Jedermann. Darüber hinaus fördert SKODA im Breitensport einige der größten Rennen für Hobbyradsportler. Die Marke unterstützt als Namensgeber den SKODA Velothon in Berlin, cialis den SKODA Velodom in Köln, pills buy die SKODA Velotour in Frankfurt am Main sowie als Fahrzeugpartner die Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg. Bei allen Veranstaltungen ist die Marke mit dem geflügelten Pfeil im Logo auch Partner der Profi-Rennen und stellt bis zu 40 Fahrzeuge für Organisation und Rennleitung zur Verfügung.

„Als Motor des Radsports freuen wir uns, unhealthy bei der TOUR-Transalp – einem der bekanntesten und spektakulärsten Jedermann-Events – dabei zu sein. Damit bauen wir unser Engagement in diesem Bereich konsequent aus”, erklärt Uwe Ungeheuer, Leiter Marketing SKODA AUTO Deutschland GmbH. SKODA wird auch selbst aktiv und schickt eigene Teams in die Jedermann-Rennen. Unter www.skoda-radsport.de wird ein Teil der begehrten Teilnehmerplätze für das SKODA Jedermann-Team verlost.

Die Schwalbe-TOUR-Transalp tartet vom 24.06.2012 bis zum 30.06.2012. In sieben Tagesetappen geht es für 1.300 Teilnehmer in Zweier-Teams vom deutschen Startort Mittenwald über die österreichischen und italienischen Alpen bis nach Arco in der Nähe des Gardasees. Gestartet wird in fünf Kategorien: Herren, Damen, Mixed, Masters (Herren, zusammen über 80 Jahre) und Grandmasters (Herren, zusammen über 100 Jahre). Die Wertung erfolgt jeweils in Etappen- und Gesamtsieg.

Mit dem Fahrrad begann die Massenbewegung des Menschen. 1895 waren es Vaclav Laurin und Vaclav Klement, die eine Fahrradmanufaktur im böhmischen Mlada Boleslav gründeten. Schon zehn Jahre später rollte mit der Voiturette A das erste Automobil der jungen Firma aus den Werkshallen. 1925 fusionierte Laurin & Klement mit SKODA. Heute fühlt sich SKODA auch als “Motor des Radsports” und ist stolz, Partner der Schwalbe-TOUR-Transalp zu sein. Darüber hinaus tritt SKODA in diesem Jahr zum neunten Mal als Hauptsponsor der Tour de France auf. SKODA AUTO Deutschland pflegt zudem eine erfolgreiche Partnerschaft mit dem Bund Deutscher Radfahrer (BDR). 

Canterbury has become the new official kit suppliers to England Rugby teams in a deal that runs from September until after the next World Cup in 2015, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Friday.

The RFU gave no financial details of the four-year agreement, which media reports suggested was worth more than 5 million pounds ($7.98 million) a year, but said it was the largest kit partnership in the Union’s history.

Canterbury, bought by British retailer JD Sports Fashion in 2009, has previously supplied shirts to the All Blacks,Australia and Ireland and is currently kit supplier to South Africa and Scotland.

The previous supplier was Nike with the sports apparel company having a partnership with the RFU since 1983.

RFU chief commercial officier Sophie Goldschmidt told reporters that Nike had been keen to continue their relationship and there had been in-depth discussions before the decision was made to go with Canterbury.

“It ended very amicably,” she added in a conference call.

The new deal comes with former champions England recovering from a dismal World Cup in New Zealand last year and rebuilding for the next tournament that they will host in 2015.

“We are excited about the future,” Canterbury Chief executive Chris Stephenson told reporters. “From what we’ve seen in the Six Nations so far, the team look re-energised.”

The RFU also signed a deal earlier this month with mobile specialists O2.

by Ismail Uddin