ExxonMobil Qatar has underlined its ongoing commitment to the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, drugs by signing a two-year sponsorship agreement with the Doha-staged European Tour golf event.

This deal builds on many years of sponsorship between ExxonMobil and the event since the partnership first began in 1998. This year’s tournament will again be hosted by the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), see the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and the Commercial Bank Qatar at Doha Golf Club from February 2 – 5.

Bart Cahir, President and General Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Inc, said: “ExxonMobil has been firmly behind this tournament since it began fourteen years ago and we are delighted to have seen it grow to become one of the premier overseas tournaments on the European Tour schedule. With first appearances by Jason Day and Hunter Mahan – two of the brightest talents in the game – golf fans around the world will look to Qatar to see who will be named the next champion.

“Qatar’s leadership has identified sports as a way to showcase Qatar to the world – and events like the Commercialbank Qatar Masters demonstrate Qatar’s great success in this area,” said Cahir.  “Thanks to the Qatar Golf Association, Qatar Olympic Committee and Commercialbank, this golf tournament ranks alongside the very best in the sport and again confirms the nation as a home of world-class sporting properties – a key component in the Qatar National Vision 2030.”

The agreement was signed by Bart Cahir and Commercialbank Deputy CEO Abdulla Al Raisi in the presence of Qatar Golf Association President Hassan Al Naimi, Dolphin Energy General Manager Qatar Adel Ahmed Albuainain and Tournament Manager and Doha Golf Club General Manager Chris Myers during a signing ceremony at Doha Golf Club.

“The Qatar Golf Association and ExxonMobil have an excellent relationship stretching back to the first professional tournament staged here back in 1998,” said Al Raisi. “This tournament benefits from working hand-in-hand with sponsors who are not only supporters of sport but also of the State of Qatar. ExxonMobil is one of those sponsors who work with us to maintain the event’s status as one of the most popular and professional events on the players’ calendar and we thank them once again for showing their commitment to the tournament’s future.”

The 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, has attracted a formidable field who will take to a 7,414-yard course widely considered the toughest Middle East challenge on The European Tour.  Day and Mahan will join World Number Two Lee Westwood, World Number Four Martin Kaymer, 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, TPC Champion KJ Choi, and reigning Dubai World Champion and former Commercialbank Qatar Masters winner Alvaro Quiros in the battle for the championship.

“We have a powerful line-up of players and an equally-strong collection of sponsors,” added Tournament Manager Chris Myers. “Our thanks go to ExxonMobil for their support in what we have achieved and their belief in the event’s future.”

Golf products maker Callaway is accclerating its mobile strategy by sponsoring the PGA Tour’s new iPad application.

The PGA Tour HD app gives golf fans a behind-the-scenes look at live coverage of tournaments and PGA Tour events. The app is available for free download in Apple’s App Store.

“The goal of this app is two-fold – to give fans a live experience on the tablet that they cannot have on another platform and to let golf fans follow their favorite players on the course, prescription ” said Scott Gutterman, healing executive producer at PGATour.com.

Callaway manufacturers golf equiptment, buy apparel, footwear, eyewear and accessories.

The app, which resembles a scoreboard, sits in portrait view when opened and unlike many apps, it gives users a few quick hints on how to navigate the app, which is helpful for sports fans who are looking for quick information.

Callaway is running banner ads inside the PGA Tour app that display along the bottom to promote the company’s new line of Razr Fit golf clubs. The clubs launch Feb. 17.

Users who tap on the banner ads are taken to a mobile landing page where they can learn more about the golf clubs with pictures and videos. Consumers can also find the nearest Callaway retail location using the tablet’s GPS.

Consumers can also shop from inside the banner ads from Callaway’s other product.

In addition to the banner ads, the Callaway logo is also branded on the right side of the app’s screen.

Golf fans can live stream videos of PGA Tour games from inside the app.

The app also shows a full listing of players that are in each tournament and users can view individual stats about the golfers.

Der Deutsche Tennis Bund (DTB) hat mit Porsche einen neuen Premium-Partner gewonnen. Das zunächst auf drei Jahre angelegte Engagement der Porsche AG umfasst den deutschen Damen-Nachwuchs sowie die Damentennis-Nationalmannschaft. Das “Porsche Team Deutschland” startet am 4. und 5. Februar gegen Tschechien in die neue Fed Cup Saison, cialis die Juniorinnen-Nationalmannschaft (U16) des DTB tritt zukünftig als “Porsche Talentteam Deutschland” auf.

Für die Porsche AG ist die Partnerschaft mit dem DTB ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der Sponsoring-Konzeption, bronchi die unter anderem auch den Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart umfasst. “Wir wollen, dass die deutschen Spielerinnen auch als Team erfolgreich sind”, sagt Matthias Müller, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Porsche AG. Von den Erfolgen der Spitzenspielerinnen profitiere auch der Tennis-Nachwuchs in Deutschland, dessen Entwicklung Porsche ebenfalls sehr am Herzen liegt. Matthias Müller: “Es macht jungen Menschen sehr viel mehr Spaß, Tennis zu spielen, wenn sie Vorbilder haben. Wir wollen dazu beitragen, dass es diese Vorbilder auch in Zukunft gibt.”

Für das neue Team an der Spitze des Deutschen Tennis Bundes ist die Kooperation mit Porsche der erste Schritt auf dem Weg in eine erfolgreiche Zukunft des DTB. “Die Premium-Partnerschaft mit der Porsche AG ist ein Meilenstein für den Deutschen Tennis Bund. Gerade in der derzeitigen Phase eines Neuanfangs ist die Unterstützung durch die Wirtschaft besonders wichtig”, betont DTB-Hauptgeschäftsführer Stephan Brune. “Wir haben hervorragende sportliche Konzepte und wollen die Aufbruchsstimmung im deutschen Tennis nutzen, um sie umzusetzen. Ich freue mich, dass Porsche uns dabei unterstützt, die Weichen für eine erfolgreiche Zukunft des deutschen Damentennis zu stellen.”

Mehr als 50 Wirtschaftsunternehmen beteiligen sich in diesem Jahr als Sponsoren des „Ball des Sports“. So präsentieren sich die vier Nationalen Förderer der Sporthilfe – Mercedes-Benz, viagra Deutsche Lufthansa, Deutsche Telekom und Deutsche Bank – bereits zum fünften Mal in Folge mit einem gemeinsamen Lounge-Auftritt. Mit ihrem finanziellen Engagement tragen diese Unternehmen erheblich zum erwartet hohen sechsstelligen Ertrag der Benefiz-Gala zu Gunsten der deutschen Spitzensportler bei.

Mercedes-Benz sorgt mit 25 S-Klassen, 25 E-Klassen, 20 Vianos und zwei Mercedes-Benz Tourismo Bussen traditionell für die standesgemäße Vor- und Abfahrt der Ball-Gäste. Die Restaurantkette NORDSEE ermöglicht eigens für den Abend die einzigartige Konstruktion eines 44 m3 großes Wasserbassins, das in die Rhein-Main-Hallen eingebaut wurde, um den Gästen vielfältigen Wassersport im Ballsaal hautnah erlebbar zu machen.

Nach dem Gala-Programm bieten sich den Gästen in den Außenbereichen auf 9.000 m2 weitläufige Erlebniswelten und Flanierzonen, die von individuellen Sponsoren-Auftritten geprägt sind. Mit eigenen Lounges präsentieren sich u.a. Bilfinger Berger mit ihrer Cigar-Lounge, der Deutsche Olympische Sportbund mit den Partnern der deutschen Olympiamannschaft oder die SGL GROUP mit ihrer Carbon-Lounge. Johann Lafer verköstigt die Gäste traditionell in seiner Genießer-Lounge mit kulinarischen Highlights und im bayerischen Biergarten der Erdinger Brauerei werden zünftige Schmankerl serviert. Weitere Klassiker, wie die Playboy-Lounge, das Casino Wiesbaden oder der “DTM Race Club” laden zu einer langen Ball-Nacht bis in die frühen Morgenstunden ein. Bei aufkommender Müdigkeit können sich die Gäste mit Kaffeespezialitäten an den Nestlé-Kaffee-Bars stärken.

The National Hockey League have announced that Scotiabank will continue to be the Official Bank of the NHL after renewing their partnership with the league which began in 2007.

“We have really enjoyed our work over the past five years with the NHL and have leveraged this partnership as Canada’s Hockey Bank to create some great fan experiences for our customers and the communities where we live, work and play,” said Anatol von Hahn, Scotiabank Group Head, Canadian Banking. “On behalf of Scotiabank hockey fans from coast to coast, I am very pleased to be continuing in our role as the Official Bank of the NHL. We look forward to bringing Canadians more new and unique hockey experiences.”

Examples of hockey programs that have been have been offered to Canadians over the past five years have included:

The “Celebration of Hockey” series that has taken the Stanley Cup to more than 75 communities.

In 2012 alone, the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program, part of the Scotiabank Bright Future philanthropic program that has subsidized hockey for 70,000 youth, ages 7 to 14.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada on CBC that happens once a year, based in one Canadian community with remote locations across the country and hockey played from coast to coast including Canadian NHL teams.

“The NHL is pleased to renew its partnership with Scotiabank,” said John Collins, Chief Operating Officer, NHL. “Scotiabank has a long history of supporting hockey on all levels in communities across Canada, and we have been proud to be their partner on very innovative and exciting grassroots hockey experiences over the past five years. These community based hockey programs enrich the lives of NHL fans and hockey enthusiasts from coast to coast.”

Duncan Hannay, Senior Vice President Marketing, Scotiabank, added: “In big arenas or on small ponds, hockey is part of the richness of life for so many Canadians, and Scotiabank employees across Canada have really rallied behind our hockey program. We are proud to renew our partnership with the NHL and look forward to providing many more years of exciting hockey experiences.”

In addition to being the Official Bank of NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and the CWHL, Scotiabank has partnerships with four Canadian NHL teams (Official Bank of the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators,Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs, partner on select initiatives with the Montreal Canadiens) two professional arenas (Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary and Scotiabank Place in Ottawa) and two American Hockey League teams (St. John’s Ice Caps and the Toronto Marlies).

Australian Rugby Union’s long-time partner and supporter airline Qantas will become the new naming rights partner of the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams.

For the next four years both the Men’s and Women’s Sevens sides will compete around the world with the iconic Qantas logo on the front of their jerseys and be known as the Qantas Men’s Sevens and Qantas Women’s Sevens teams.

ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill AO, welcomed the decision by Qantas to extend their support of Australian Rugby to include the rapidly growing Sevens brand.

“For the past eight years Qantas have been the proud naming rights partner of the Qantas Wallabies and I am very pleased that this association has grown to include our two Sevens sides,” Mr O’Neill said.

“Sevens Rugby is a fast, fun and exciting game that is growing in popularity and participation every day and with its inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio that growth is only set to explode in the coming years.

“Over the past few seasons our Sevens teams have received great support from the Australian Government through the AIS and the Australian Sports Commission, which has allowed us to strengthen our Sevens programs both on and off the field.

“Qantas’ decision to become the new naming rights partner will further assist our Men’s and Women’s Sevens sides to become more competitive on the world stage over the coming years.”

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said: “Qantas is pleased to support to the Australian Sevens teams. It is a natural extension of our partnership of the Qantas Wallabies and we look forward to supporting the teams both in Australia and during their international competitions.”

The announcement of the new partnership comes a week before the Qantas Men’s Sevens side takes off for Wellington for the fourth leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

The side will depart Sydney on Monday morning, flying Qantas, and will take on France, Canada and Kenya in the Pool stages of the tournament on Saturday 3 February.

Qantas Men’s Sevens captain, Ed Jenkins, said the partnership was great news for Sevens Rugby in Australia.

“To have the same naming rights partner as the Qantas Wallabies is great news for both the Australian Sevens sides and will no doubt go a long way to helping us build our profile over the next few years,” Jenkins said.

“Everyone who plays in both the Men’s and Women’s teams loves what they do and to have the backing and support of Qantas who are such an iconic and respected company in Australia is huge.

“It is a great vote of confidence for us as players and for the game in Australia to have the Qantas logo on the front of our jerseys and I know we’ll be doing everything we can in Wellington to give them the best possible start to their new partnership.”

The Australian Men’s Sevens side are currently sixth on the World Series standings after three rounds and are just 13-points adrift of Fiji and New Zealand who currently sit equal first.

Golfing starlet, Rickie Fowler, has agreed a deal with Cobra Golf’s joining their worldwide roster of professional golfers.

Cobra Golf will supply Fowler with the latest golf clubs as well as Tour Staff Bags and a selection of accessories.

Fowler, who signed with Puma Golf in 2009, will now represent the full Cobra Puma Golf brand both on and off the course. Fowler will also be featured in upcoming marketing campaigns for both Cobra and Puma Golf.  

Bob Philion, president of Cobra Puma Golf, said: “Rickie’s focus, determination and performance combined with his stand-out style and joy for the game make him a perfect match for Cobra Golf.”

“He has had a tremendous effect in the golf industry over the past few years and his influence continues to grow. As we continue the revitalisation of Cobra globally, Rickie Fowler will be instrumental in bringing our core DNA to life by being grounded in performance while bringing an edgy, unique personality and style to life. He will help us introduce the new Cobra Golf to a new group of consumers.”

To celebrate Rickie’s full Cobra Puma Golf partnership, ‘orange-outs’ will happen at various Tour events, Cobra Puma Golf Experiences, retailers and this week at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show. ‘Orange-outs’ will celebrate Fowler, his favourite colour and the new Cobra AMPTM line of drivers, irons, hybrids and fairway woods. In some instances, fans will be able to participate and support Fowler, like this week at the Farmer’s Insurance Open. 

Fowler will start out the year with Cobra’s brand new AMPTM Driver featuring E9 Face TechnologyTM with dual roll, Advanced Material Placement TM, Adjustable Flight Technology TM with details in Fowler’s favorite colour, vibrant orange, the AMP 3-wood and AMP Pro Prototype Irons. Throughout the year, he will continue to test new Cobra Golf product and add it to his bag. 

“I am so excited to have the Cobra sticks in my bag and be a full part of the Cobra Puma Golf Team,” said Fowler. “I’ve been hitting the AMP Driver great; I’m getting a lot more distance and the orange details look really fresh. I can’t wait to get out at Torrey Pines and put my new Cobra clubs into play.” 

Rickie turned professional in 2009 and won his first professional event in 2011 at the Kolon Korea Open, where he beat top competitors Rory McIlroy and Y.E. Yang to take home the title. 

Honda Racing British Touring Car Championship Team have renewed their sponsorship for a third year with Yuasa, a world leader in battery design and manufacture.

The company has already played a key role in developing the Honda Civic BTCC success over the past two years and is now looking forward to working with the team on the new Civic making its BTCC debut at Brands Hatch on April 1.

Yuasa Batteries UK Managing Director Andrew Taylor commented, “It’s been a remarkably strong partnership which has given Yuasa the perfect springboard for its ambitious UK and European aftermarket plans over the next three years. With a brand new car and exciting rule changes for 2012, we expect a season of very close racing with Matt and Gordon taking on all-comers in the title fight.”

Behind the scenes, Team Dynamics is putting the final touches to the new 2012 Civic at its Pershore headquarters with plans well advanced thanks to close cooperation with Honda’s Swindon-based engineering team.

Honda (UK) Managing Director Dave Hodgetts said “We’ve developed a strong relationship with the Yuasa team and we’re looking forward to building on the championship success of 2011, with the continuity and experience of Yuasa, Team Dynamics, Matt and Gordon. I have every confidence we will have a great season with some extremely close racing ahead.”

WIX Filters, herbal | a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, cough has become the primary sponsor for Ryan Newman of Stewart-Haas Racing for four races during the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. 

WIX Filters will debut its primary sponsorship of Newman and his No. 39 Chevrolet at the season kick-off Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 18. WIX will be Newman’s primary sponsor for three additional NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events this year – at Phoenix International Raceway on March 4, arthritis Darlington Raceway on May 12 and Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 19.

“Ryan Newman, Stewart-Haas Racing and their fans bring tremendous enthusiasm and excitement to the racing season,” said Mike Harvey, brand manager for WIX Filters. “We can’t wait to be onboard with them again in 2012. Our partnerships with Stewart-Haas Racing and Ryan have been some of our most successful in racing thanks to the support offered by the team and the way Ryan’s fans have embraced our brand.”

WIX has been the Official Filter for Stewart-Haas Racing since the team’s creation in 2009. In three starts with WIX Filters on the hood of the No. 39, Newman has three top-10 finishes – a sixth-place effort at Bristol Motor Speedway in August 2010, a third-place finish in last season’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway and a fifth-place effort at Michigan International Speedway in August 2011.

“I’m excited to have WIX Filters back as a partner in 2012,” said Newman. “They have a great support program, find cool ways to get fans involved and most importantly provide us with superior filters to protect our engines.”

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has announced it has inked a two-year partnership agreement with Polaritas-Ltd.

The ICF and Polaritas-Ltd will work together in a joint initiative to promote and support the development of Canoeing.

ICF Secretary General Simon Toulson said, case “The ICF is thrilled to undertake this formal agreement with Polaritas.  They are now an ICF Official partner and this shows the commitment they have to our sport. Polaritas are a valuable partner for the sport of canoeing and their support to the ICF is much appreciated.”

Polaritias has been involved in canoeing for many years, providing ICF competitions with starting systems and field of play expertise for the Olympic Games, World Championships and many Continental Championships.

Polaritas CEO József Grand expressed his intention to support canoeing with his company’s achievement in sport technology. He said, “We are keen on developing technical solutions which make racing more enjoyable and give equal chances to all competitors, and furthermore makes the racing fascinating to the spectators. Our aim is to challenge the sport of Canoeing and to make it even more interesting.”

This partnership agreement is in line with the ICF Manufacturer Programme and it formalises many years of cooperation between the ICF and Polaritas-Ltd.