IndyCar’s Chip Ganassi Racing teams announced they have extended their sponsorship with Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care.

Novo Nordisk will remain the primary sponsor of the No. 83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing entry, driven by Charlie Kimball in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Kimball, 26, from Camarillo, Calif., is the first licensed driver with type 1 diabetes in the history of IndYCar to race at the highest level of the series. Diagnosed in 2007, he monitors his blood sugar before, during and after each race. Charlie also uses the Novo Nordisk insulin Levemir (insulin) and NovoLog (insulin aspart injection) to help manage his diabetes, administering it with a pre-filled insulin pen device called FlexPen. 

Camille Lee, Corporate Vice President, Diabetes Marketing at Novo Nordisk, said: “After an exciting first year, we are extremely proud to continue our partnership with Charlie Kimball and Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing. This team represents a unique opportunity for us, as a pharmaceutical company, to raise disease awareness on a broader scale and show everyone that diabetes doesn’t need to slow you down.”

The new agreement begins with the 2012 IZOD IndyCar season and the launch of a new IZOD IndyCar Series car that replaces the race car introduced in 2003. Next year also marks the fourth consecutive year of partnership between Novo Nordisk and Kimball. Following two years of sponsorship of Kimball in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, Novo Nordisk partnered with Chip Ganassi Racing to form Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing and in December 2010, became the title sponsor of Charlie in his IndyCar rookie season.

Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, said: “It speaks volumes that a company like Novo Nordisk is making this type of long-term commitment to our team, to Charlie, and the IndyCar Series. Charlie has done everything that we have asked of him on the track and we certainly feel his future is bright. As for Novo, they have been a tremendous partner both on- and off- the track. The IndyCar Series could use more partners like them.”

Novo Nordisk has also been actively involved in providing information about diabetes awareness at IndyCar events through the Drive the Switch device awareness program and the award-winning Race with Insulin campaign. The team extension also retains the company’s primary sponsorship of Kimball’s race car, race suit and other branding opportunities. Kimball will continue to make appearances on behalf of Novo Nordisk throughout the term of the agreement.

Kimball has posted two top-10 finishes in 2011 at Birmingham and New Hampshire and finished 13th in his debut at the Indianapolis 500. He launched his single-seater racing career in 2002 and has raced in several international series since then, highlighted by a five-win effort in the 2005 British Formula 3 Championship. At that time, Kimball established himself as the first American to win a British Formula 3 race in 11 years.

“My partnership with Novo Nordisk is very unique because they make the insulins I take every day and they produce the delivery device I use to manage my diabetes,” Kimball said. “I am fortunate to have Novo Nordisk and Chip Ganassi Racing support me in my career and I am proud and honored to be associated with these two outstanding organizations.”

V8 Supercar Championship team Walkinshaw Racing, ailment the parent company of the Toll Holden Racing Team has signed a multi-year major sponsorship agreement with leading Australian retailer, doctor Supercheap Auto.

V8 Supercar Champion and two-time Bathurst winner, anabolics Russell Ingall will drive the #74 Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore in next year’s 16-event season. The deal sees Ingall and Supercheap Auto’s V8 Supercar sponsorship move from Paul Morris Motorsports to Walkinshaw Racing’s Melbourne operation after four seasons with the Gold Coast-based PMM.

Supercheap Auto Managing Director, David Ajala said the new arrangements are a progression of the company’s long and successful association with V8 Supercars and Ingall, who has been the face of Supercheap Auto’s retail and road safety campaigns for four years.

“With over 200 race wins, eight championships and nine Bathurst victories, Walkinshaw Racing is the most successful organisation in V8 Supercars and the envy of every one in pit lane,” Ajala said.

“Today we are excited to be able to confirm a multi-year partnership between Supercheap Auto and Walkinshaw Racing, which sees Russell Ingall move to a Championship and Bathurst-winning team.

“It also adds another exciting chapter to our already proud V8 history, which includes long-term naming rights to Australia’s Great Race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.”

Supercheap Auto will continue its association with PMM through its driver safety programs at the Holden Driving Centre at Norwell and major sponsorship of team owner Paul Morris’ Sprintcar program.

“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Paul Morris and his team for their commitment over the past four years, as we have developed a strong working relationship during this time,” Ajala said.

“PMM has represented Supercheap Auto in the most professional manner and while our V8 sponsorship has changed we are happy to continue our association through our other longstanding programs.”

Walkinshaw Racing Racing Operations Manager, Mike Henry said today’s announcement built on recent changes within the organisation, while he was also excited with securing the experience of Ingall and working with Supercheap Auto.

“We recently took a review of our business and made a number of changes which have already produced positive results, including a win in last month’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000,” Henry said.

“Our new agreement with Supercheap Auto is part of our commitment to build stronger commercial partnerships and I believe this will set a benchmark within our company. “Russell Ingall is one of the superstars of V8 Supercars, a hard-working, unique, tough-as-nails character and a true fan favourite,” he said.

“He has experience that just cannot be bought and will be a valuable addition to our team. We are delighted to have him on board.” Ingall said it was an honour to join Walkinshaw Racing, which had denied him of even greater glory in his standout career, while Supercheap Auto’s signing with Walkinshaw Racing mirrored its business growth and success.

“Supercheap Auto has progressed from small beginnings to become the seventh largest retailer in Australia. Its association with V8 Supercars has been the same, starting out small and climbing the ladder to now be with a professional racing operation which can take it to the top,” Ingall said.

“For me, I have raced against the Walkinshaw teams for many years and, to be honest, I hated them – if it wasn’t for them I would have won three more championships. At the same time, I’ve always had the utmost respect for the organisation and how it goes about its business of winning races – I am truly honoured to be joining such a professional racing team,” he said.

“I’ve always said I am not in the sport to make up numbers. I enjoy racing hard and winning. The winning has eluded me for the last few years and I want to get back into the habit. With today’s announcement, Supercheap Auto and Walkinshaw Racing are giving me a fantastic opportunity and I know I have the drive to make 2012 a great success.”

The 2012 V8 Supercar Championship begins on 1-4 March with the award-winning Clipsal 500 on the streets of Adelaide.

English Southern League Premier Division team Cambridge City have agreed a new shirt sponsorship deal with Cambridge Laptop Repair.

The Milton Road-based firm will sponsor the back of the Lilywhites’ shirts for the rest of the current season. The deal will also see a wifi internet cafe installed at the club’s City Stop Restaurant, capsule where supporters, customers and members of the community can surf the web free of charge.

Brett Matthews, director of Cambridge Laptop Repair said it was an “honour” to be entering a partnership with the Lilywhites.

He said: “While sponsoring the first team, we have also implemented a wifi internet café with laptops, and updated all the IT systems within the administration sector of the club. We offer a full range of IT services to businesses and home PC/Mac users, and we will also be offering 10% discount for all Cambridge City fans that use our services.”

City Chairman Kevin Satchell said: “We are delighted with the sponsorship deal with Cambridge Laptop Repair. With the company being locally based it has enhanced our strong links within the local community, and with the internet being available in the restaurant, we are also hopeful that it will increase its already strong customer base.”

Automotive lubricant company Castrol Edge have extended its contract with Cristiano Ronaldo for a further two years. 

Ronaldo has been a global ambassador for Castrol since 2009. The partnership with the UEFA Euro 2012 and FIFA World Cup 2014 sponsor has seen the star demonstrate his breath-taking talents and tricks in a series of global initiatives, try ranging from putting journalists through their paces in an exclusive training session at Real Madrid’s training ground, cialis to inviting consumers to race against a giant projection of Ronaldo in the ‘Challenge Ronaldo’ event.

Most recently, in the unique hour-long TV documentary ‘Castrol EDGE Presents Ronaldo Tested to the Limit’, the world’s leading sports scientists undertook the most rigorous examination of Ronaldo’s skills, strength and agility in a high-performance lab.  The show first aired on Sky Sports 2 in the UK in September 2011, and is currently broadcasting around the world.

Over the next two years, Castrol Edge will continue to give consumers unique insights into Ronaldo’s outstanding ability on the pitch, exploring new and innovative concepts that will continue to test the player to the limit.

Commenting on the partnership, Cristiano Ronaldo said: “There are still things that I can learn that will give me an advantage on the pitch, which is why I’m looking forward to continuing my relationship with Castrol Edge. Together we will find new and exciting ways to test and develop my skills and help me strengthen my game.”

Ronaldo will be leading brand communications for Castrol Edge, which is the company’s strongest and most technically advanced oil yet. The result of over a hundred years of expertise in the lubricants industry, Castrol Edge with [Titanium] Fluid Strength Technology has been developed and tested to its limits in labs across the world, to ensure that it performs in all conditions and increases your engine’s performance wherever, whenever and however you’re driving.

Mike Johnson, Castrol Executive Vice President, said: “We’re thrilled that Cristiano has signed with us for a further two years. Just as Ronaldo’s performances inspire confidence in his fans and teammates whenever he steps onto the pitch, Castrol Edgegives customers the confidence to drive how they want, whenever they want, whatever the conditions.

“As we have demonstrated throughout our partnership with Ronaldo, he possesses immense physical and mental strength which gives him the edge over his opponents, and makes him the obvious choice for the Castrol Edge brand.”

Scotiabank has become the title sponsor of the 2012 NHL Fan Fair, case a key component of the league’s All-Star weekend festivities in January.

The 2012 Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair will take place at the Ottawa Convention Centre and will feature interactive games, drugs | displays of memorabilia and appearances by prominent hockey figures, among other attractions.

The Fan Fair sponsorship adds to a weekend in which Scotiabank stands to receive heavy exposure. Scotiabank is the league’s official bank and owns naming rights for Scotiabank Place, the home rink for the Ottawa Senators and site of the All-Star game.

Kyle McMann, the NHL’s vice-president of partnership marketing in Canada, said Scotiabank was looking to build on its already strong relationship with the league and hockey in general.

“With (Scotiabank’s) massive hockey involvement strategy at the minor level and through our teams and the league, the Fan Fair really serves as a core point to connect all those dots,” said McMann. “It’s one of the areas where we really have an ability to reach out and connect with thousands.

“I think it really became a no-brainer for them to connect with probably our single largest community initiative of All-Star weekend.”

McMann said specific details about the Fan Fair and All-Star weekend activation are still being finalized.

The announcement about Scotiabank’s involvement comes a couple of week after Tim Hortons was named as title sponsor for the All-Star game itself.

Northern Rock has concluded its sponsorship deal with Newcastle United, with over three years still remaining in its contract.

The £10m deal was renewed in January last year and was due to last four years.

It included a clause allowing the bank to get out after two years, which it has now taken up. It is understood the decision was made for financial reasons.

Last week, St James’ Park, had its name changed to Sports Direct Arena after club owner Mike Ashley’s company, in a bid to showcase the sponsorship opportunities of the stadium to interested parties.

The Newcastle-based state-run bank said that the end of the sponsorship was nothing to do with the recent name change of St James’ Park, but followed a change in the way it spends money on marketing.

Newcastle United are also looking for a new shirt sponsor with managing director Derek Llambias saying: “I need to find a new shirt sponsor by the end of December – and that’s the latest. Puma need to put the shirt sponsor on, they’re manufacturing, and they would like it last month.

“I’ve got a very small window to sell the shirt and naming rights and, if I have to sell them separately, then I have to sell them separately.

In the last few years, Northern Rock has ended its sponsorship deals with Durham County Cricket Club, basketball outfit Newcastle Eagles and rugby union side Newcastle Falcons.

musicMagpie has become League Two side Shrewsbury Town FC’s first official shorts sponsor in a deal which began in their 1-0 weekend FA Cup win against Newport County.

The deal will stretch till the end of the current 2011/12 season.

Walter Gleeson, thumb COO and co-founder of musicMagpie, said: “We are really excited to become a Shrewsbury Town Football Club corporate partner.

“We believe this partnership will see us reaching even more new customers and is also in line with our on-going investment in UK sport; we already offer grass-roots football teams across the country the opportunity to get brand new numbered and badged kit for an entire squad by collecting just 400 CDs or DVDs at musicMagpie.co.uk/freekits. Everyone at musicMagpie wishes Shrewsbury Town the best of luck in League Two this season.”

Anton Gunter, commercial manager for Shrewsbury Town FC, said: “We are very pleased to have a national brand now sponsoring the shorts. It once again shows just how Shrewsbury Town can be used as a platform for not only advertising services or products but also to showcase different.

“For us the FA Cup is a vital competition, and this season’s first round gives us our first televised game of the season. It was the perfect time to launch our partnership with musicMagpie and we look forward developing our relationship with the brand. The football club would like to thank Walter Gleeson and the team at musicMagpie for the sponsorship.”

Spanish brewery Estrella Damm have extended their sponsorship of Spanish Primera giants FC Barcelona for the next five years.

The agreement was signed at Estrella Damm’s Antigua Fábrica. The signing was attended by Club President Sandro Rosell, Economic Vice-President, Javier Faus and Damm Director General, Enric Crous. The new deal, set to last through the 2015/16 season, will strengthen even further the historic ties between the two institutions.

The deal means that Damm keep their status as “Premium Partner and Official FC Barcelona Beer,” as the exclusive beer sponsor to the Club, whilst deepening its relationship with the European and Spanish Champions.

One of the new aspects of the sponsorship is that Damm will exclusively feature in the presentation of the line ups before games on the Camp Nou video scoreboard.

The contract signed on Wednesday also includes the exclusive sponsorship of the Joan Gamper Trophy for 5 years, with naming rights so that it becomes known as the Fiesta del Gamper Estrella Damm and the Damm logo will figure on all the hoardings used during the Trophy. Damm will also retain the right to award the Player of the Trophy Award.

President Sandro Rosell said: “Damm are a Catalan company, who wholly identify with Barça and our values. The ties that bind us are strong – we have worked together for more than 20 years. This deal will hopefully help us promote this Catalan company throughout the world. With Damm we share the desire to become more global, whilst maintaining our Catalan and family roots. Damm is a company with a lot of history, which is the result of the hard work and effort of many generations –just like Barça.”

Damm Director General Enric Crous added: “We are proud to renew our agreement with FC Barcelona, a club which forms a part of our history and has given us all so much pleasure. In addition, at this time of international expansion which our company is enjoying, it is an honour to deepen this relationship with such a globally well known and loved club.

“We have been together with Barça for many years and we hope it continues for ever. We make a good team – two Catalan institutions with more than 100 years of history, who love a job well done and look to the future, whilst always retaining our identity.”

Brazilian team Santos have renewed its deal with sponsor Banco BMG, drugs with the agreement stemming from Neymar’s decision to commit his future to the club.

Financial details had not been released but, Banco BMG President Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has stated that it exceeds the sum of US$10.3 million paid this year. Reports have indicated that the financial institution could pay as much as $13.8 million to remain as Santos’ lead shirt sponsor in 2012.

“BMG has renewed with us for a much higher value compared to what was paid this year,” said Alvaro Ribeiro. “Santos have managed to finance an increase in absolute terms. I think it’s a good compromise for both parties.”

The agreement comes as Santos prepares to celebrate its centenary in 2012. The Sao Paulo outfit enjoyed a successful 2011, capturing the Copa Libertadores and Campeonato Paulista titles, and was last week lifted by the news that wonderkid Neymar had agreed a new contract. The 19-year-old is the new superstar of the Brazilian game and has been heavily linked with a move to European heavyweights such as FC Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Alvaro Ribeiro added: “Santos gain money with Neymar on three issues: titles, sponsors and fans. It is clear that the value of our shirt with Neymar is different to that without it. But I’m glad we made ??the agreement (with Banco BMG). I believe 2012 be a year of transition for companies that are going to spend more in 2013 to obtain a higher return during World Cup 2014 here in Brazil.”

To further discuss this topic go to our discussion A good time for Brazilian football?

The Canadian Football League (CFL) have signed a deal with internationally recognized Bodog.net in a three-year agreement with the sports gaming brand becoming CFL’s exclusive free-to-play sports gaming and poker partner.

Adrian Sciarra, Senior Director of Partnerships for the CFL, said: “Fantasy leagues are a huge part of how fans interact with their favourite sports teams and leagues. So signing with Bodog.net – a recognized leader in fantasy gaming – is good news for our league and for our fans.”

The CFL’s unique brand of three-down football — played on a field that’s longer, broader, and features larger end zones than U.S. football — offers plenty of excitement.

This year, half of the league’s regular season games were decided in the final three minutes, and five of its eight teams were tied for first place in their respective divisions going into the playoffs, which begin Sunday.

The post-season culminates in Vancouver, British Columbia on November 27th with the 99th Grey Cup – the league’s championship game and a Canadian tradition that often attracts the country’s biggest annual television audience.

Bodog.net’s season-long ‘CFL Parlay Pick’Em Contest’ gives fans a chance to win an all expense paid trip for four to the Grey Cup as a Grand Prize. It’s free to play and players simply pick winners against the spread or the over/under every week for a chance to win.

Bodog.net also offers poker players a place to safely, securely, and at no cost to the player, learn the in’s and out’s of how to play the game.

The new three-year deal between the CFL and free sports gaming and poker brand includes category exclusivity, digital advertising, in-stadium promotion, field logo and stadium signage placement for all CFL play-offs games and Grey Cup.