Du, the nationwide real mobile broadband network, has continued its official partnership of Formula One Constructors champions Red Bull Racing for the second year in a row.

As part of the partnership, the Red Bull Racing cars, the drivers’ race overalls, fireproof underwear and race tees as well as Christian Horner and Adrian Newey’s team shirts will feature Du’s logo at the 2011 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, Du, said: “As the provider of the fastest nationwide real broadband network, we are proud to once more be the official partner of the fastest team on the planet. It’s a very fitting relationship – our synergistic beliefs bring the fastest sport in the world to our customers, who already enjoy the UAE‘s fastest nationwide real mobile broadband network.

“We constantly strive to bring the best of the best to our customers, and so we are offering them even more reasons to be excited this month, with several competitions that will be held adjacently to the 2011 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. We wish Red Bull Racing the best of success for the upcoming race.”

Alberto Chahoud, Red Bull’s Regional Communications Manager, added: “We take pride in partnering with Du for the second consecutive year. Red Bull finds itself in perfect synergy with Du and this partnership brings the two leading brands closer to the heart of customers. We are very pleased with the support of the fastest-growing telecom in the country and it will be flattering to see Du’s colors adorn again our racing team’s uniforms and cars in Abu Dhabi.”

The worlds largest betting exchange, Betfair, have agreed a deal with the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) to sponsor the upcoming GB Amateur Boxing Championships which will be held at York Hall, London on 11th and 12th November 2011.

The partnership, brokered by Essentially Group, will see Betfair become the headline sponsor of the event, which it will use to promote its Casino product.

The finals will see British flyweights Andrew Selby and Khalid Yafai take to the ring in an Olympic qualifying bout, with the winner guaranteed a place at London 2012.

Betfair’s Joe Legge said: “Some of Britain’s top medal hopes at London 2012 will come from the world of boxing, so we’re delighted to get behind the sport by supporting its brightest talents. With this year’s Championship finals live on the BBC, the event also represents a great opportunity for us to engage a large boxing audience with our market-leading casino offering.”

Derek Mapp, executive chairman, BABA added: “It is excellent news for amateur boxing to have secured an agreement with such an excellent brand and we look forward to working with Betfair to ensure its sponsorship of our showpiece event is a big success.”

The finals of the GB Amateur Boxing Championships will be shown live on BBC1 on Saturday 12th November 2011 at 2:30pm.

BABA has also acquired other commercial deals for the Championships with Lucozade Sport becoming the Official Sports Nutrition partner of the GB Championships and the GB Boxing squad, while  adidas is GB Boxing’s Technical Partner.

Ehrmann, the dairy manufacturer from the German Allgäu region has renewed its shirt sponsorship of SC Freiburg.

The Bundesliga club announced the deal along with its marketing partner Infront Sports & Media and Ehrmann AG ahead of Freiburg’s 2-1 win over FC Nürnberg.

The Ehrmann brand will continue to be represented on the team’s shirts throughout the 2011/12 season. 

The contract extension between Ehrmann and SC Freiburg bolsters the successful partnership into the next round. The Allgäu-based family business has occupied the main sponsor role of the club since 2010.

Last season, this was specifically demonstrated through the company’s support for the club’s football school, best known for its sustained young player development and – this year again – certified by UEFA with the highest ranking of three stars.  As a partner, Ehrmann will also remain committed to Freiburg’s football apprentices and the ‘little foxes club’.

Based on the new contract, Ehrmann will receive prominent logo positioning on SC Freiburg shirts beyond the 2011/12 season. The new package has been enhanced for the future and also includes promotional opportunities in the badenova-stadium, PR events with players and additional high-reach advertising space in camera view. This includes static advertising boards, perspective carpets (get-ups) and state-of-the-art LED advertising boards provided by Infront.

Christian Ehrmann, Chairman of Ehrmann AG, said: “After the beneficial cooperation of the past year, the early extension with SC Freiburg was a logical step for Ehrmann. Together with Infront and the club we have been able to successfully implement and activate our sponsorship commitment. For us the popular image of SC Freiburg, as a down-to-earth, family-owned company, is an ideal communications environment.”

Fritz Keller, First Chairman of SC Freiburg, added: “The reactions to the introduction of Ehrmann as a shirt sponsor last year were overwhelmingly positive. The common values make this partnership authentic and have contributed to its success. The fact that Ehrmann has decided to extend its commitment during a challenging sporting period shows the long-term perspective of the company and demonstrates strong trust in the potential of SC Freiburg.”

“Two brands, one philosophy – that is the foundation of the successful partnership between SC Freiburg and Ehrmann,” added Ralf Koslowski, Managing Director of Infront Germany. “The extension guarantees continuity for the club thanks to the ongoing support of a strong partner. Ehrmann will continue to benefit from a wide-reaching sponsorship platform, which as marketing partner, we work to constantly enhance – this season for example with new LED boards.”

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have signed a agreement with Willowton Group, sale manufacturers of Sunfoil Pure Sunflower Cooking Oil, impotent  which will see Sunfoil partner as a event sponsor of the two-match test series between South Africa and Australia.

The event will be named the Sunfoil Test Series, ask starting with the first match at Sahara Park Newlands on Wednesday November 9.

CSA acting president AK Khan, said: “We are delighted to have the Willowton Group on board as the official sponsors of the Sunfoil test series between the Proteas and Australia. I am sure that their partnership with the Proteas brand, one of the most respected and admired in world cricket, will be extremely beneficial to both parties.

“We have had some epic five-day contests against Australia in the past and I do not expect the Sunfoil Test Series to be any different. Our loyal fans can look forward to some tense and exciting contests of the highest calibre in the purest format of the game.”

Sunfoil have been involved in cricket development for the past five years, largely in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng regions, and more recently became sponsors of the Dolphins franchise.

This new partnership not only gives the group a bigger stake within the cricketing environment, but aligns them to one of the top brands in the country, the Proteas.

CEO of the Willowton Group Razak Moosa, said: “Willowton Group has decided to sponsor the test series to further support the game of cricket and help bring quality international cricket to the proud South African supporters of the Proteas.

“The company is passionate about the development of sport in South Africa and encourages corporate business to get involved in local and international cricket.”

Sunfoil will also donate R1 000 ($126) for every four and R2 000 ($252) for every six hit during the two test matches towards the Willowton Group Education Fund. This fund was established to provide bursaries to underprivileged children coming through the Sunfoil development cricket programmes who show promise for the future.

“Education is a vitally important part to helping build South Africa as a nation and we feel by forming this education fund we can encourage them to study and to help grow future stars in the game of cricket and also encourage children to play cricket which is a great team sport that teaches team work and good values,” said Moosa.

Interwetten’s Spanish-facing website Interapuestas.com has become the new sponsors of Spanish premier league team Sevilla FC.

Sevilla’s previous sponsor 12Bet.com decided not to renew its sponsorship earlier this year citing uncertainties regarding licensing and taxation in the Spanish online gambling market.

Interapuestas.com will enjoy advertising at all matches played at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium utilising billboards and the scoreboard as well as having a strong presence on the club’s website.

José María del Nido, generic president, Sevilla FC said: “Sevilla FC has grown in recent years surrounding itself with big companies that are also full of ambition and want to grow at all costs.  We are satisfied with the agreement reached with Interapuestas.com, because it is an international company like us, success has come from below and it is today the industry leader in online sports betting at European level and has a presence in over 70 countries … The fact that its website is translated into nine languages ??says it all.”

Birgit Bosch, managing director of Interapuestas.com, added: “For many years we have been industry leaders in the Spanish market and cooperation with Sevilla FC, a top international club, certainly strengthens our position.” 

Lexus has agreed a new sponsorship with UK-based National Schools Rugby Tournament.

The annual competition, allergist established in 1996, promotes skills and sportsmanship among young players through a friendly but hard-fought competition. The 2011/2012 tournament will bring together around 3,000 players aged between eight and 13 in 120 teams from 80 schools.

The Lexus National Schools Rugby Tournament will feature four regional festivals, in Warwick, Reigate, Richmond and Epsom, from which the top teams will progress to the competition finals at Epsom College on 4 March next year. The action begins on November 13 at Warwick School for teams from the North and Midlands.

Last year over 160 teams from 70 schools took part, a total of some 2500 boys and similar numbers expected to enter for 2011. The tournament consists of regional festivals and a national final at

Lexus will be a highly visible and active sponsor, including support for a competition with prizes that include the chance for one school to win a training day with former England and Saracens star Richard Hill.

Tim Button, Event Director, welcomed the new sponsorship: “Lexus has long been an advocate of such social enhancement through sporting opportunities and we are excited to be commencing the first rounds of the tournament with its generous support.

“Over 17 years the event has provided tens of thousands of children with the opportunity to play rugby in a friendly, competitive, exciting, yet safe environment. Many have since carved careers in the professional game, but equally many go on to play to other levels, continuing to enjoy the genuine camaraderie the game engenders.”

Richard Balshaw, Lexus Director, said: “The Lexus National Schools Rugby Tournament represents all that is best about the sport and is an excellent way of encouraging and developing the skills of young people. It gives us an excellent opportunity to support the endeavours of these young players and also a great arena in which we can promote our businesses and our vehicles.”

Rheem has completed a multi-year agreement with Richard Childress Racing (RCR) to be the primary sponsor of the No. 29 Chevrolet driven by Kevin Harvick for 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points races as well as being the co-primary sponsor with Budweiser for NASCAR’s annual mid-season All-Star race.

Rheem will also be a major associate sponsor of the No. 29 Chevrolet for the remaining 26 NASCAR Sprint Cup races in which Budweiser or Jimmy John’s are the primary sponsor. Rheem will continue its co-sponsorship with Menards of RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet driven by Paul Menard and others in the NASCAR Nationwide Series® for 12 races in the 2012 season.

Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing, said: “Rheem and RCR have created a strong partnership over the years and this new agreement allows us to continue building on that strong foundation. Rheem shows its commitment to the sport by its involvement on multiple levels at RCR, as well as its commitment to great causes like the ‘Chasing the Cure’ program for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, so we couldn’t be happier to be working with them for years to come.”

Rheem also announced an agreement with Eddie Sharp Racing® (ESR) to be the season-long, primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado that will compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2012. As a part of the agreement, RCR has formed a technical alliance with ESR to provide engineering, testing and technical assistance to the team while also receiving support from Chevrolet and ECR Engines. After successfully competing in several NASCAR races for Rheem in 2011, Cale Gale has been signed to drive the No. 33 Rheem truck full time for ESR in 2012.

ESR owner, Eddie Sharp, said: “I am looking forward to 2012 and being a part of the Rheem racing family. Rheem has become synonymous with winners for many years, and to have their support as we move forward with Cale is really special.

The 2012 season marks the sixth consecutive year that Rheem has participated with sponsorships in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.  Rheem experienced immediate success by winning its first race as a sponsor in February 2007-the Daytona 500.

Since then, the company has recognized and rewarded nearly 10,000 plumbing and HVAC contractors by hosting them at its Rheem VIP Racing Experience hospitality events. Rheem uses its motorsports program to develop strong business-to-business relationships, build consumer brand awareness, promote sales, and advocate for special causes such as breast cancer awareness and youth programs.

The Buffalo Bills announced an agreement with WindStream Technologies to install their innovative, sale micro-wind turbines to generate supplemental energy for Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The agreement represents an effort by the Bills to evaluate alternative sources for power, including Western New York’s natural abundance of wind.  The WindStream TurboMill units, installed on the west end of the stadium beneath the video scoreboard, are expected to begin producing power in time for the Bills’ home game against the Jets on November 6.  This represents the first deployment of micro-wind technology in an NFL stadium.

Dan Bates, CEO of WindStream Technologies, said: “Our partnership with the Buffalo Bills allows us to demonstrate how a small investment in a clean energy solution like the TurboMill saves money over time, and demonstrates to fans the team’s commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability. As a nation, we need to innovate and lead the world in affordable and abundant clean energy, and with that comes quality American manufacturing jobs to help get our economy growing again.”

WindStream’s TurboMill delivers clean, silent, renewable electric energy alternatives for urban or suburban settings, and for applications not connected to power lines. The TurboMill device is expected to benefit municipalities, states, businesses, schools and residential customers in the U.S. who are seeking affordable ways to reduce energy costs and lower their consumption of energy generated through fossil fuels.

Bruce Popko, Bills senior vice president of business development, said: “The Bills are working with WindStream Technologies to target energy costs and promote the positive environmental impact that wind energy resources can provide. We’re excited to implement this clean, silent alternative energy at Ralph Wilson Stadium.”

WindStream has invested more than three years in design, engineering, testing, and optimization of its TurboMill wind energy device, working with a global network of innovation and technology providers.  As an Indiana-based company, the product is “Made in America.” Manufactured in North Vernon, Indiana, the TurboMill is being sold and distributed to a worldwide marketplace.

Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer superstar David Beckham has become the new ambassador for supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, following Jamie Oliver’s departure.

The former England football captain and husband of Spice Girl turned fashion designer Victoria will front its Active Kids campaign and promote its sponsorship of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The announcement comes four months after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver said he would step down as the face of the supermarket after Christmas following an 11-year partnership. Like Jamie, Becks will appear in adverts for the company. The first is due to show in cinemas from November 25.

However the partnership is designed to highlight Sainsbury’s work with children rather than its products.

The 36-year-old, will be an ambassador for the Active Kids campaign. He will join existing ambassador Ellie Simmonds, the Paralympic swimmer.

The supermarket said it has donated more than £115 million ($184m) worth of equipment to schools and sports clubs in an attempt to stem the growth of obesity and inactivity among children.

It also aims to get more than a million children to try a Paralympic sport in its 1 Million Kids Challenge. Adverts will feature David encouraging more children to take up one of the sports.

Beckham said: “I know the difference leading a healthier and more active life can make to kids and I have been really impressed with the long-term commitment that Sainsbury’s has made. I am looking forward to working with Sainsbury’s to help UK kids have fun, become even more active and introduce them to Paralympic sports through the 1 Million Kids Challenge.”

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Related discussion: Sainsbury’s latest sponsor to sign up David Beckham as ambassdor… are sponsors going to get cut-through? in iSport PR community group by Maryann Stevens

The Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup has welcomed a new title sponsor in the form of South Korean Electronics company Samsung.

The Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2011 will be held from November 22-26 at “The Walk” in Jumeirah Beach Residence, generic Dubai.

Eight national sides will compete in the event including UAE, canada buy Brazil, Russia, Oman, Tahiti, Nigeria, Mexico and Switzerland.

Samsung’s three year partnership with Beach Soccer Worldwide, the organisation responsible for the founding and growth of the sport, will aim to support the development of competitive beach soccer in Dubai and the wider Gulf region.

Marco Vocale, head of corporate marketing for Samsung Gulf Electronics, said: “Beach soccer is an extremely fast growing and dynamic sport in the UAE and this partnership demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the development of youth and sports in the region and our passion for the game of football.

“An event such as the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2011 is a great opportunity to connect with consumers and give back to communities in a fun and engaging way. Once again, Samsung is taking ownership of the sports platform a step further by creating new and engaging experiences that meet the passion and interests of youth today.”

Joan Cusco, CEO of Beach Soccer Worldwide, added: “This involvement and contribution from a company like Samsung Gulf Electronics will bring a new level of excitement and experience to beach football fans and an opportunity to connect with people across the region.”