2XU, online Australia’s leading technical sports and Compression apparel brand has become the exclusive Official Compression Partner of Australia’s first ever WorldTour road cycling team, price sale GreenEDGE.

The comprehensive agreement will see 2XU’s highly acclaimed compression apparel worn by all GreenEDGE members for training and recovery to enjoy an array of critical physiological benefits including improved circulation and heightened agility through to reduced muscle fatigue and damage.

Shayne Bannan, GreenEDGE Cycling General Manager, said the team has been very specific in which equipment suppliers it has aimed to work with, and as the brand that has set the benchmark in compression apparel, 2XU is the ideal partner.

“Because of the quality of their garments, 2XU has played a major role in creating the compression market and we’re delighted to be working with them,” Bannan said.

“The key to our riders maximising the benefits of their training is how quickly they recover and 2XU Compression will play an important role in that.

“When we’re putting our riders like Matt Goss, Stuart O’Grady and Cameron Meyer on the road to go head-to-head with the world’s best, we have to send them out there knowing we’ve given them the world’s best equipment on and off the bike. With 2XU Compression we know we’re doing that.”

2XU Director of Sales and Marketing, Aidan Clarke, added: “Working with the world’s finest athletes and sporting institutes is integral to 2XU’s high performance formula.

“We’re delighted to add GreenEDGE to our enviable list of respected sporting partners. With its underlying passion for elite performance and clear goal of seeing Australia perform on the world-class WorldTour platform, GreenEDGE shares much common ground with 2XU. As the existing official supplier of Compression to the Australian Institute of Sport, Rowing Australia, Triathlon New Zealand, international triathlon powerhouse teamTBB and UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team amongst many others, formal alliance with Australia’s highly anticipated GreenEDGE marks a logical next step for 2XU.”

With a relentless commitment to engineering world-class garments from fabrics delivering tangible benefits to the wearer, 2XU sets the benchmark in high performance compression. Ongoing testing, research and consultation with professional sporting bodies of such caliber as GreenEDGE are integral to the brand’s winning formula.

Sports drink Powerade will sponsor family and children’s races during The Herald VW Cycle Tour on 4th and 5th February.

Having been involved with the Eastern Cape’s largest family cycle race since the inception of the children’s events, Powerade will now also take on the title sponsorship of the family races in a deal worth some R200,000 ($24,722).

Powerade promotions manager Cheryl Price said it was important for Coca-Cola’s sports drink to be involved with the tour because it was one of the first high-profile family events of the year countrywide.

Price said the brand’s involvement in the country’s second oldest national classic also meant good exposure to a large contingent of cyclists from all over South Africa.

‘We’ve chosen to sponsor these events because, with the parents cheering on and assisting the kids, the whole family is involved. The family unit is very important to us,’ she said.

Powerade’s support will include cash, products, equipment and novelties. The company will also sponsor the Gig Rig, a mobile music truck providing the soundtrack to the weekend’s festivities.

The entry fees for the Powerade-sponsored road races will be donated to longstanding beneficiary Reach for a Dream, which fulfils the dreams of children between the ages of three and 18 who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. In return for funding, Reach for a Dream and its volunteers will handle the registration and route marshalling.

Fila have announced that it has signed an endorsement agreement with Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva.

The agreement with Zvonareva continues the legacy of Fila’s sponsorship of elite tennis champions. Zvonareva joins an impressive roster of WTA Tour players that have worn the Fila brand on-court since the 1970s.

Gene Yoon, Chairman of Fila, said: “Vera is a proven champion and we are elated that she has become an ambassador for the Fila brand. The Fila brand has been worn by champions in tennis for almost 40 years, and Vera’s style and grace are synonymous with Fila’s core design philosophy of visualizing the beauty in sport.”

Zvonareva, 27, has been ranked in the Top 10 on the WTA Tour for the past four years. In 2010, she achieved a career high world ranking of number 2, and was a two-time Grand Slam singles finalist in 2010 at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Vera has won 12 Singles titles and 5 Doubles titles including the 2006 US Open. She was a member of the Russian Fed Cup Team in 2003 – 2004, 2008 and 2011 and was a member of the 2008 Russian Olympic team.

“I have admired the Fila brand since I was a young girl and I am thrilled to join the elite group of athletes that have worn Fila throughout the years,” said Zvonareva. “The Fila brand aligns so well with my personal style, and I look forward to wearing Fila’s tennis line in Australia.”

This follows Fila’s announcement a few days ago of an endorsement deal with Jelena Jankovic.

Related discussions: with Jankovic, Azarenka, Zvonereva and Feli Lopez signing endorsement deals, which player is the most marketable?

Life-Insurance group Great Eastern have extend its co-title sponsorship of Singapore’s S-League for a further two years until 2013, valued at a total of $1 million.

With this renewal, the S- League will remain on the local football calendar, acting as a platform where both young and experienced football talents can showcase their skills.

With a new tournament format and 14 teams competing for top honours this season, the league aims to continue to provide Singaporeans with opportunities to enjoy the Beautiful Game.

Great Eastern’s general manager (Singapore), Dr Khoo Kah Siang: “We are happy to continue our partnership with the S-League, which we have been supporting since 2009.

“Football has always been one of the top sports in Singapore and our association with the league has helped to bring the Great Eastern brand closer to the community.”

One key initiative during Great Eastern’s new sponsorship term will be to work with the Football Association of Singapore on an outreach programme for schools.

The programme aims to use football to promote life skills – such as teamwork and perseverance – and character-building among the young, while at the same time championing a healthy lifestyle through sports.

This season will also see three Great Eastern ambassadors from the league – Lionel Lewis, Aleksandar Duric and Paul Cunningham.

The trio will help in promoting the importance of a healthy lifestyle to the community.

Great Eastern will also sponsor the Charity Shield friendly match on Feb 5, the traditional curtain-raiser to the S-League season.

Proceeds of and donations raised from the match will go towards the Great Eastern ChildrenCare programme, which will benefit the less-privileged children from MINDS Fernvale Gardens School.

Newly appointed S-League chief executive officer Lim Chin welcomed the sponsorship extension.

He said: “With the many initiatives intended to reach out to the community, I am sure this wonderful partnership between Great Eastern and the S-League will soar to greater heights.”

Dubai Duty Free has continued the recent explosion of tennis sponsorships by retaining its sponsorship of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in a multimillion-dollar deal spanning three years.

The airport retailer, which first partnered with the WTA in 2004, will continue as a sponsor of the women’s tennis until the end of 2014.

The three-year deal marked a “multi-million dollar agreement”, according to a joint statement issued today.

It will include a new initiative called the Dubai Duty Free Player Ambassador Program, which will be supported by key tennis players, according to the statement.

The sponsorship deal includes the naming rights for a series of short television episodes called the Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises Travel Show, which will also be shown online.

Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman at Dubai Duty Free, said: “Our new agreement provides Dubai Duty Free with an even wider global reach, through the TV and online aspects.”

The deal also extends to the sponsorship of the WTA’s year-end World No.1 singles and doubles awards, and its party held prior to the Wimbledon championship.

The airport retailer will remain title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is due to be held in Dubai next month.

Dubai Duty Free’s first sponsorship deal with the WTA commenced in 2004, and was renewed in 2007.

An executive at Dubai Duty Free confirmed that the agreement has now been renewed for a second time.

In the last few days Wilson have signed Feliciano Lopez and Victoria Azarenka while Fila have inked a deal with Jelena Jankovic.

Gillette, price buy a Procter & Gamble brand, impotent have revealed their team of 24 world-class athletes from 18 countries that will represent the world’s leading male grooming brand at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The athletes include Roger Federer of Switzerland, drugs Ryan Lochte of the United States, Lin Dan of China, Emmanuel Ginobili of Argentina and Sir Chris Hoy of Great Britain. Each of these athletes will participate in activities to help inspire and encourage future generations to achieve greatness through great starts in athletics – and in life.

The Gillette campaign will be the first program launched as part of P&G’s far-reaching 10 year partnership with the Olympic Movement. “We think Gillette’s program is the perfect start to P&G’s Olympic Games Program,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G Global Marketing & Brand Building Officer. “Between them, these athletes have earned 18 world records and 55 world championships and they embody the commitment to excellence that inspires us as a company.”

The selected athletes exemplify Gillette’s conviction that in athletics, and in life, a great start can make all the difference. The key to success in many sports can be linked to proper preparation and an athlete’s action in the first milliseconds, not necessarily the final moments of the contest. Gillette hopes to inspire future generations of Olympians by telling powerful, personal stories that illustrate the importance of a great start from the athletes’ perspective. The campaign will also reinforce Gillette’s role in helping more than 800 million men around the world begin their day with a close, comfortable shave, a key part of their grooming ritual that helps them give them a great start to their day so they can look, feel and be their best.

Research shows that early inspiration and support through coaches, local clubs and community centers can help fuel a child’s success in life.* Gillette and the athletes will recognize an organization that gave him a great start and make a contribution or participate in a series of activities ranging from coaching, training sessions and workshops at their local organizations leading up to and immediately after The Olympics to help give future generation of Olympic hopefuls a similar opportunity.

“I have seen firsthand how a program with early involvement positively impacts a young person’s life,” said Gillette athlete Roger Federer. “The athletes working with Gillette have a great opportunity to inspire young athletes to greatness.”

Patrice Louvet, P&G president of global grooming and shave care, said: “The Gillette ambassadors exemplify the importance of a great start in life and in their athletic events. We are pleased to welcome this outstanding team of athletes to the Gillette family. Together, we hope to make a real difference in the lives of young athletes around the world.”

Ambassadors include:

Emmanuel Ginobili – Argentina, (Basketball), Matteo Tagliariol – Italy, (Fencing), Thomaz Bellucci – Brazil, (Tennis), Shinji Kagawa – Japan, (Football), Murilo Endres – Brazil, (Volleyball), Yahel Castillo – Mexico, (Diving), Paulo Ganso – Brazil, (Football), Fernando Platas – Mexico, (Diving) Felipe Franca Silva – Brazil, (Swimming), Mario Bazan – Peru, Athletics (Middle Distance) Alexandre Despatie – Canada, (Diving), Nikita Lobintsev – Russia, (Swimming), Tomas Gonzalez – Chile, (Gymnastics), Rudy Fernandez -Spain, (Basketball), Lin Dan – China, (Badminton), Roger Federer – Switzerland, (Tennis), Alain Bernard – France, (Swimming), Andriy Govorov – Ukraine, (Swimming) Paul Biedermann – Germany, (Swimming), Ryan Lochte – United States, (Swimming), Sir Chris Hoy – Great Britain, (Cycling), Tyson Gay – United States, Athletics (100m), Liam Tancock – Great Britain, (Swimming) and Albert Subirats – Venezuela, (Swimming).

 

United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation have received a boost after Global Forwarding Enterprises, unhealthy a preeminent freight forwarding company regarded for the skill and care it brings to supply chain management services has come a new official sponsor.

As an acting sponsor, Global Forwarding will take on responsibilities that include the handling of the expense, management, and logistical tasks related to the international transportation of the USBSF’s athletes’ prized bobsledding equipment.

Global Forwarding’s commitments will span the duration of the teams’ training and competition periods. The new sponsor duties will call on Global Forwarding to employ, to full advantage, the experience it has gained as a respected firm in the realm of international freight and shipping.

Regarding the significant new capacity taken up by the company in his charge, Igor Kapelnikov, the CEO of Global Forwarding, commented: “It is very exciting for us to assist the US Bobsled and Skeleton Teams. We will provide transportation solutions so they can focus on being the phenomenal athletes they are. We feel very lucky to be a part of it.”

The USBSF is the governing body of the national bobsled and skeleton teams, and it has a shared history with Global Forwarding. Mr. Kapelnikov’s analogue in the USBSF, Darrin Steele, the Federation’s CEO, had the following to say about his organization’s ocean cargo shipping partners, “We are excited to welcome Global Forwarding to our family of sponsors. Lenny Kasten, USBSF national team general manager, fostered a relationship with Global Forwarding and helped to secure the sponsorship agreement. We’re looking forward to expanding the partnership Lenny built with a company that values efficiency and offers solutions to our logistical challenges.”

The Malta FA (MFA) have signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with FXDD which will see the international online foreign exchange trading provider sponsor the national teams for the next two years.

MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo was delighted by the news.

“Negotiations with FXDD were straightforward, sale ” the MFA chief said.

“Things started rolling a few months back when during a conversation we had with managing director James Green the issue of a major sponsor for the national team cropped up. He immediately sounded his interest and after a few meetings an agreement was already in place and we are pleased that this deal has now gone through.”

The FXDD deal will cover all national team selections and Darmanin Demajo also said that funds generated from the agreement will be dedicated to a series of initiatives being undertaken by the MFA, cheap also currently in the process of selecting a new coach for the senior team.

“Through this new package we will now be in a position to organise charter flights for away matches, pill ” Darmanin Demajo said.

“Before, we did not have the financial strength to have such commodity with the result that our teams had to travel for long hours to reach destinations.

“Also, part of the money generated from the FXDD agreement will also be used to boost our youth project where young players are training pro-fessionally under Italian coach Sergio Soldano.”

FXDD enjoys a high-profile in the world sports arena. Last year, they were the official partners of Formula 1 champions Red Bull Racing Team.

James Green told reporters yesterday that the agreement with the Malta FA formed part of the Forex company’s strategy to assist local sport.

“The Maltese have shown great hospitality since we’ve been here so this sponsorship is our way of giving something back to the people of this country,” Green said.

“We are delighted to have chosen Malta as our European base as this country and its people have been very helpful with us. I am hopeful that this agreement with the Malta FA will be the start of a long association between the two parties.”

Wilson has expanded its long-time racket partnership with Feliciano Lopez to now include apparel and footwear, making him one of Wilson’s highest ranked head to toe, exclusive tennis athletes.

The 30-year old Spaniard, who has now reached a career high ATP #20 world ranking has been playing Wilson rackets since he was a junior and will now also proudly debut Wilson’s new 2012 spring apparel collection and new footwear as well as making the change to Wilson’s entirely new Juice racket.

The new spring collection that Lopez will debut for the Australian Open includes the Wilson Laser Speed Crew with tri-color burn out technology for advanced cooling within a dynamic design, a Wilson Blow Away Crew with laser cut seams for abrasion resistance and total mobility, and the Wilson Tour Ikon shoe, featuring trademarked RG technology for ultimate support and durability.

Lopez is also excited to make the change to Wilson’s new Juice racket that was specifically developed to further enhance power and spin.

“I’ve played with Wilson rackets throughout my professional career, and they consistently are innovating for us players and also making some cool looking frames,” said Lopez. “Now as a head to toe Wilson athlete, I am especially excited about the style and uniqueness of the apparel and footwear collections. I have total trust in the brand and the Wilson team. With the awesome apparel and footwear, I feel well equipped to enter the 2012 season.”

Claire Ortiz, global business director for Wilson Apparel, said: “Feliciano is a greatly respected player on tour, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him now wearing our apparel and footwear. His strong work ethic and commitment to the game make him a great ambassador for Wilson. We’re committed to designing and developing apparel and footwear collections with the most cutting edge technology and fashion forward style. Our dedication to this sport parallel Feliciano’s relentless perseverance, and we look forward to furthering this new exclusive Wilson partnership on tour.”

A member of the Spanish Davis Cup Team this year, Lopez recently helped lift Spain to its fifth championship win. In 2011, he was a Wimbledon quarter finalist, he has two ATP Singles titles and one ATP Doubles title to his name, and he is now a three-time Davis Cup winner for his native country Spain. Lopez has been key player, representing Spain for seven years in Davis Cup play and now looks to take it one step further as he vies for a spot in the Olympic games in London.

This follows Wilsons deal with WTA player Victoria Azarenka announced yesterday.

Related discussions: with Jankovic, Azarenka, Zvonereva and Feli Lopez signing endorsement deals, which player is the most marketable?

Richard Childress Racing has reached a multi-year partnership agreement with AdvancePierre, buy a leading supplier of packaged foodservice products leading the Cincinnati-based company to be the primary sponsor for three races with two of RCR’s NASCAR Nationwide Series teams in 2012.

The Drive Thru Sandwich brand will be the primary sponsor of Elliott Sadler and the No. 2 Chevrolet team at Auto Club Speedway in California (March 24). Fast Fixin’ brand will adorn the No. 33 Chevrolet team with Kevin Harvick at Richmond International Raceway (April 27) and the Barber Foods brand will be the primary sponsor at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 14). The Fast Fixin’ brand was a primary sponsor of Kevin Harvick Incorporated’s NASCAR Nationwide Series program in 2011. Sadler is scheduled to compete in the full 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for RCR. Harvick will run a limited NNS schedule in the No. 33 Chevrolet.

“AdvancePierre Foods is excited to continue a high quality partnership with America’s favorite spectator sport, generic said Chris Kiser, capsule President, Brands. “We are thrilled to team with RCR through a multi-year marketing agreement. RCR represents leadership in all aspects of motorsports and having known Richard for a number of years, we are looking forward to re-join efforts to our mutual benefit. We are excited to continue teaming with Elliott Sadler and thrilled to add Kevin Harvick to our marketing efforts for our leading food brands.”

AdvancePierre Foods is a leading supplier of value-added protein and handheld convenience products to the foodservice, school, retail, club, vending and convenience store channels. The company makes and distributes a full line of packaged sandwiches, fully cooked chicken and beef products, Philly-style steak, breaded beef, pork and poultry, and bakery products. Its wide variety of products is produced from high quality ingredients and provides unparalleled taste, convenience and value to both operators and their patrons. AdvancePierre employs more than 4,000 people at 11 facilities, including manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma, Ohio and Iowa and sandwich assembly facilities in North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina. The company also operates bakeries in North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Ben Schlosser, chief marketing officer for Richard Childress RacingXX“RCR is proud to continue the relationship with AdvancePierre Food’s brands Fast Fixin’, Barber Foods and Drive Thru Sandwiches that began with KHI this past season,” said . “They have some key markets where they’ll execute retail programs and promote their great prepared chicken products from west to east. We thank them for their confidence in RCR and look forward to a growing relationship with them.”