online helvetica, story sans-serif;”>Chicago Bears disappointment on field last season may be put behind them after announcing a number of new corporate sponsorships and renewals off the field.

Most significantly, generic the Chicago Bears welcomed Verizon as a new Hall of Fame Partner in 2011. Hall of Fame partners represent the highest commitment level to the Chicago Bears and are true pillars to the Chicago Bears business. Verizon and the Bears agreed to an exclusive, multi-year Hall of Fame Partnership that designates them as the “Official Wireless Provider of the Chicago Bears.” T

The Hall of Fame partnership encompasses many marquee promotional assets, including the entitlement of the Verizon Mezzanine concourse at Soldier Field and sponsorship of the media backdrop.  Verizon and the Bears are also developing the first-ever Chicago Bears smartphone application launching later this fall.  Additional elements also include various media assets, in-stadium branding, premium hospitality, and events. Verizon is the team’s eighth Hall of Fame partner joining: Chase (Presenting partner), Coca-Cola, Comcast, MillerCoors, Motorola, United Airlines, and University of Phoenix.

The Bears also added three new official partners. Athletico expanded their long-standing “Proud Partner” relationship with the Bears by becoming exclusive with the team as the “Official Physical Therapy Partner of the Chicago Bears.” The relationship also includes AthletiCo as the exclusive provider of training services for the Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps as well as increased in-stadium presence including tri-vision signage, digital scoreboard signage, and a new videoboard feature.

BP became a new “Official Partner” of the Bears including in-stadium signage, hospitality assets, and the title sponsor of the “BP Bears High School Player of the Week.” Each week of the high school football season, a high school football player will be recognized on the videoboard at a Bears home game. The award winner will designate a youth football organization of his or her choice to receive a monetary donation.

Primesport became the Bears “Official Travel Partner of the Chicago Bears. PrimeSport will offer Bears fan an opportunity for exclusive travel packages to Bears away games including New Orleans, London, and Denver.

Bears also announced sponsor renewals with Constellation Energy, Jewel-Osco, Merrill Lynch / U.S. Trust, Mitel, Best Buy, Illinois National Guard, Magellan Corporation,PowerShares, Vicks and Vienna Beef.

The Buffalo Bills have announced a new partnership with the United States Air Force which continues the recent theme of the NFL partnering with the military.

As part of the agreement, the U.S. Air Force will receive Ralph Wilson Stadium signage, buffalobills.com website advertising and they will activate in the Shredd and Ragan Lot C Tailgate Party area on game days.  The U.S. Air Force will also have an on-field swear-in ceremony prior to the Bills September 25^th game vs. New England.

Founded in 1959, the Buffalo Bills are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). The Bills have won two American Football League (AFL) Championships (1964 – 1965) and won an NFL record four straight AFC Championships (1990 – 1993) that included four trips to the Super Bowl.

Bruce Popko, Buffalo Bills senior vice president of business development, said: “Our partnership with the United States Air Force provides excellent opportunities for our loyal and patriotic fans to become more engaged with the Air Force.The U.S. Air Force is a powerful branch of the armed services and we are proud to connect our brands as a part of the 2011 NFL season.”

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Roy, 313th Recruiting Squadron Commander, added: “The United States Air Force’s 313th Recruiting Squadron is truly excited about the partnership we have forged with the Buffalo Bills. Together, our organizations represent the highest levels of professionalism and teamwork in our respective fields.  In addition, we appreciate the patriotism and support of the greatest fans around!  We are proud of this venture and look forward to a great season.  Aim High…Fly, Fight, Win!”

This comes days after the NFL partnered with the USAA. For full details click here

Glasgow 2014 are officially gearing up for the Commonwealth Games after announcing Harper Macleod law firm as their first sponsor.

Harper Macleod will be a Tier Two sponsor, the first of three such announcements due to be made this month. 

They company have been unveiled as the Official Law Firm of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, providing a number of services, including legal support on commercial contracts, sponsorship, broadcasting, anti-doping, and licensing.

It is another sound investment for the Harper Macleod, which is the only Scottish law firm to be appointed to the London 2012 Pro Bono Legal Advice and Representation Service.

Glasgow 2014’s branding is based upon time, data, and measurement – who can swim the fastest, jump the highest, and lift the heaviest – so Harper Macleod’s sponsorship will be focused on embracing these defining moments for individuals, from athletes they represent, to their members of staff, to the people of Glasgow and Scotland.

“Harper Macleod is a highly respected Scottish law firm with great pedigree in the sporting world,” said Lord Smith, Glasgow 2014 Chairman.

“We are really pleased to be in the position of appointing Tier Two sponsors just under three years out from the Games. When you look at previous Games, we are ahead of the curve and hope to continue in a similar vein. Getting sponsors on board in this economic climate does have its challenges, but Glasgow 2014 has such a good story to tell that businesses like Harper Macleod couldn’t wait to be formally associated with us in this way,” he added.

Harper Macleod LLP, founded in 1988, is one of Scotland’s leading commercial law firms and already has strong sporting links.

Professor Lorne Crerar, the chairman of Harper Macleod, said: “This is one of the most exciting events to befall Scotland in recent years so we’re delighted to be on board as the Official Law Firm of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The Games are a defining moment for Glasgow, and Scotland as a whole, as the opportunities for local businesses will be profound and should provide a real boost at a time when our economy needs it most. 

“The Games will provide a unique opportunity for our firm to use its diverse range of commercial legal skills at Scotland’s largest multi-sporting event.”

The Indian International Regatta received a boost after Volvo agreed to continue its title sponsorship of the event held on the 2-9 October in Chennai.

Volvo Group is a major supporter of this sport internationally and the title sponsors of the toughest and most prestigious of around-the-world yacht races, The Volvo Ocean Race.

Akash Passey, managing director of Volvo Buses, said: “We are very proud of our sponsorship of the India International Regatta. Volvo is associated with the sponsorship of major sailing championships worldwide and connected with loyal and dedicated sailing fans around the world. As the title sponsor of the ‘India International Regatta,’ we have the honour of extending our relationship with sailors in India too.”

The organisers also have a roster of sponsors which includes Gamesa, Tata Teleservices, Tissot Watches and Coca Cola India, who have come back to support the event once more, besides Raymond Ltd. which has come on board for the first time. The participants and officials will be hosted by the Taj Group of Hotels.

The India International Regatta, which is partly funded by the government of India and state government of Tamil Nadu, aims to promote sailing as a healthy sporting activity, besides raising awareness about the environment.

It also aims to highlight and promote Chennai as the world class sailing destination by bringing international and interstate sailors and support the development and growth of sailing classes, Yacht Clubs and sailors.

Admiral Nirmal Verma, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of Naval Staff and president, YAI, while pledging to broad base the sport in the country, said, “India International Regatta will provide the greater Indian sailing community, in particular youth sailors, with a terrific opportunity to learn and develop into future World Champions.”

The Tamil Nadu Sailing Association is hosting the Regatta out of the Port of Chennai and races will be organized in the Bay of Bengal. The event is supported by the government of India, Chennai Port Trust, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and Indian Navy.

The organisors have also contracted Icarus Sailing Media to produce the television and online content for the India International Regatta 2011. Under the agreement, a 5 part 4-minutes program, which will be distributed internationally, along with the production of a 26 minutes full highlight episode, will be produced by Icarus.

Additionally, the officials from ISAF will also be conducting International Measurer seminar which will offer the visiting and host team members the opportunity to qualify as International Measurer from the 1 to 3 October. The seminar will be conducted by Barry Johnson, Australia.

The Toro Rosso Formula One team reinforced their ties with Abu Dhabi by signing a sponsorship deal with Spanish oil company Cepsa, owned by Abu Dhabi. 

Cepsa are owned by Abu Dhabi government fund International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), who also have a stake in carmaker Daimler through state-owned subsidiary Aabar Investments. 

Aabar and IPIC own two other Toro Rosso sponsors – Swiss-based Falcon Private Bank and Canada’s Nova Chemicals. 

Italian-based Toro Rosso, formerly Minardi, are owned by Red Bull but the Austrian energy drinks company has been looking to sell and there has been media speculation for some time about an Abu Dhabi takeover of the team. 

Toro Rosso said the sponsorship agreement with Cepsa would result in the company’s logo being put on the drivers’ race suits and on the nose, rear wing and rear wing endplates of the cars from Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. 

Toro Rosso won at Monza in 2008 with Germany’s current champion Sebastian Vettel. That victory remains their sole triumph in Formula One to date. 

Etihad Airways, medstore the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, doctor and the Formula One Group have signed an agreement extending the airline’s title sponsorship of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for four years, ending after the 2015 event.

Etihad has been title sponsor for the event since the inaugural Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. James Hogan, Etihad Airways CEO, and Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Group CEO, were on hand to pen the multi-million dollar deal.

Hogan said: “This sponsorship extension goes against the current commercial trend of shorter sponsorship terms and demonstrates our long-term commitment to Formula One. We have seen that F1 is a highly effective vehicle, no pun intended, for promoting the values of the Etihad brand and showcasing our home city of Abu Dhabi to a massive global audience.

“The additional four year term also allows us to strengthen our footprint with F1 and leverage our investment in their global platform more strategically. I am thrilled to build on the already excellent relationship with Formula One.”

Ecclestone added: “The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been an immense success for Etihad, Abu Dhabi and for Formula One, bringing the airline and destination to an estimate worldwide audience of more than 500 million F1 fans. The influx of visitors travelling to Abu Dhabi also brings a direct economic benefit, with over 20,000 people pouring into the UAE for the event, representing tens of millions of dollars for the local tourism industry.”

As part of the partnership, Etihad will continue to promote the event globally through its various communication channels and marketing programs. The airline also continues to fly its two F1-branded aircraft to destinations across its network. One of these specially-painted aircraft will again do a flyover of the Yas Marina Circuit to open the 2011 event.

Etihad continues to receive a major trackside advertising package and podium branding for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

London 2012 organizers have hit their £700 million ($1.1bn) sponsorship mark after today announcing Westfield as the official shopping center developer of the Games.

This makes Westfield, LOCOG’s 44th domestic sponsor. The tier three deal is worth between $16m and $32m.

The announcement comes six days before Westfield’s 1.9 million sq ft Stratford City development opens its doors on a site next to the Olympic Park in east London. The $2.3 billion retail and leisure destination is the largest urban shopping center in Europe.

LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton has revised up the 2012 sponsorship target several times in the past two years. The initial target was set between £650m ($1.05bn) and £700m ($1.1bn). But London 2012 signed up most of its premium partners early in its fundraising campaign before the onset of the global recession. 

Deighton said: “It is with great pride that this deal takes us to our target of raising £700m in domestic sponsorship. We have a fantastic group of world class sponsors on board, now joined by Westfield, working with us to stage spectacular Games next summer.”

The fundraising effort, which began in 2007, now includes seven top tier domestic partners and seven tier two supporters and puts LOCOG on course to deliver its £2 billion ($3.2bn) budget to stage the Olympics and Paralympics.

Deighton added: “With Westfield Stratford City on the doorstep of the Olympic Park and set to be a major destination for athletes and spectators alike at Games-time, it is an obvious and perfect fit. Alongside the Olympic Park, Westfield Stratford City is a tangible example of how east London is at the start of an exciting new journey.”

Olympic organizers estimate that 75 percent of visitors to the Games will pass through the shopping complex on their way into the Olympic Park at Games-time. 

Under the deal, Westfield will be home to the first ever Team GB and Paralympics GB merchandise shop which will open later this month. As part of the London 2012 merchandise program, it is expected to raise more than £80m towards the costs of staging the Games. 

The John Lewis store at Westfield Stratford City will also house a 4,000 sq ft space dedicated to London 2012 merchandise. 

Michael Gutman, managing director for Westfield UK/Europe, said: “We expect that Westfield Stratford City will enhance the whole Olympic experience in the period leading up to and during the Games as well as providing a unique boost to the legacy for many years beyond as well.”

Lotus Renault GP has announced four new sponsorship for the remainder of the season with four seperate global companies.

The deal sees telecom giant Embratel, leading razor and personal care brand Gillette, Brazilian oil and natural gas company OGX and pharmaceutical company Auden McKenzie join the outfit.

All four companies are based in or have a significant presence in Brazil and are likely the result of Bruno Senna joining the team in place of Nick Heidfeld.

Eric Boullier, Lotus Renault GP Team Principal & MD, said: “We are delighted to welcome no fewer than four new partners to our commercial portfolio, and to what is proving to be a very exciting season of Formula 1. Lotus Renault GP share a common ethos with all the brands, in that we want to achieve at the very highest level through world-class professional practices. We are looking forward to prosperous relationships with all four partners in the coming months.”

Embratel, a personal sponsor of Senna, will see its logos on the rear sidepods of the R31 and Senna’s overalls.

Embratel President, José Formoso: “We at Embratel are proud to be with Lotus Renault GP and Bruno Senna in the Formula 1 world. In addition to Embratel’s brand, the Brazilians are taking the Senna name back to a Formula 1 race and, clearly, it is a special emotion for all the Brazilians that are passionate about F1.”

Gillette will see its logos on the front-wing flaps. This deal was concluded just before the Belgian GP.

Gillette MD, José Cirilo: “We decided to establish a partnership with Lotus-Renault GP because it is a traditional, respectable and efficient team, just like Gillette. We seek to give men the best they can get with products that offer precision, so we build our reputation through association with high performance sports and teams, such as Lotus Renault GP.”

OGX will feature prominently on the chassis in front of the cockpit on both cars and Senna’s helment and overalls.

OGX CEO, Eike Batista: “We’re proud to be partnering with Lotus Renault GP, a team that will be heavily-supported in our home market of Brazil. Passion, the spirit of leadership and discipline are all part of the values of the EBX Group. It is these values, along with Lotus Renault GP’s knowledge of and drive for success that leads us to believe this partnership will be a prosperous one.”

The Auden McKenzie Group will also have its logos on the car, with specific locations yet to be confirmed.

Auden McKenzie CEO, Amit Patel: “At Auden McKenzie, we are fully aware of the power of promoting a brand by sports. For the first time we are partnering with a Formula 1 team, and we are very pleased to be offering our support to Lotus Renault GP’s ambition to return to the very top of the sport. For the brand, being associated with a high level team in such a global sport is of great importance to us, and we are confident that the collaboration will be a prosperous one. We are very pleased to be onboard, and look forward to successful times both on and off the track in the coming months”.

The 2011-2012 Jamaican National Premier League season will benefit from a $30 million co-sponsorship deal the Premier League Clubs Association announced.

The league could not secure a title sponsor this year. However, shop viagra three companies have committed 10 million dollars each towards shirt sponsorship. 

The companies that are on board are the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, medic Jamaica National and Supreme Ventures Limited, through its brand product Just Bet. 

The announcement came a few months after telecommunications company Digicel decided not to renew its three-year deal which expired at the end of last season. 

The company reported that it spent over 300 million dollars on the league over the duration of the contract. 

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life fundraiser has hired Generate Sponsorship to find it a new sponsor after it’s 10-year partnership with supermarket giant Tesco ended.

Jools Tait, director of partnerships at Cancer Research UK, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for corporates to establish a deeper association and integration with the Race for Life brand that has recruited over 5.4 million women to its events across the UK since its inception.”

Andy Muggleton, director of Generate Sponsorship, added: “The Race for Life platform provides a mass but targeted sponsorship for brands looking to reach women on a national scale, providing an opportunity to align with one of the most loved and trusted brands in the UK, engage with consumers in an inspirational, passionate and inclusive manner and all for an extremely worthwhile cause.  

“We’re excited to be a part of this new Race for Life chapter for Cancer Research UK and we are looking forward to discussing opportunities with prospective sponsors.”

The charity sees over 650,000 women participate in its Race for Life events every year. Since its launch in 1994 Race for Life has raised £362m for research into cancer.

Generate Sponsorship is iSportconnect’s sponsorship sub-community partner.

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