Infront Sports & Media and World Curling Federation have announced the extension to their media and marketing partnership up and until 2014.

The new agreement follows the initial period of three years which has led to strong achievements for the federation and the sport of curling. A streamlined marketing concept was introduced for major WCF events, ampoule  resulting in 12 new sponsorship commitments. In addition, Infront contributed to an extensive increase in general awareness and exposure for curling and paved the way for the sport’s entry into new markets. Building on this foundation, Infront plans together with the WCF to further expand the sport in Asia and increase the media exposure through new channels.

Kate Caithness, President of the WCF, said “With its unique experience and network in winter sports, Infront was and is the best choice in partner for curling as an emerging sport. The passion and dedication behind this integral media and marketing approach has been substantial and has helped to spread interest in curling around the world. Infront’s achievements are underlined by hard figures and results in terms of exposure for our sport and our partners. The foundations are now in place for the future growth and development of our sport.”

The WCF is one of seven International Sports Federations currently part of the Winter Olympic programme. It represents 48 Member Associations and is generally acknowledged to be one of the fastest-growing international winter sports.

Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, said: “It is rewarding to see what effect professional marketing structures can have on the success of a sports event, whilst also generating stronger financial support for the federation. The four-year prolongation helps us to take a long-term view, build upon the past achievements and deliver much added value to the WCF and its
major events.

The success of curling in Asia demonstrates the strong potential for the sport in new markets, whilst its popularity in core winter sports markets is also still growing. This ongoing upswing will further expand the WCF events’ value as a sponsorship property and consequently prove highly beneficial for the associated brands.”

Great Britain’s women field hockey team has signed a  five-year sponsorship contract with Investec Plc (INVP), a private bank and wealth manager.

Raymond van Niekerk, Investec’s global head of marketing, said in an e-mailed statement: “We began sponsoring the South African women’s team last year and have expanded our backing of the sport as it symbolizes commitment, enthusiasm, skill and personal development,”

The spnsorship agreement, which ranges from grassroots children’s hockey to national team level, starts at the European Championships, which will held be Aug. 20-28 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. No financial details were disclosed.

Investec, has operations in South Africa, the U.K. and Australia and has delved into numerous sports in sponsorship deals, ranging from horse racing, rugby and motor racing to cultural events such as concerts.

Hockey is one of original and most historical Olympic sports, having made its first appearance at the 1908 London Games. Although it’s been part of the Olympic program since the 1920 Antwerp Games, women didn’t play on an Olympic level until Moscow in 1980,

The British women’s hockey team finished sixth at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Last year, the team took bronze in three major events: the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and the Champions Trophy. Next year London hosts the summer Olympic Games.

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Renowned motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has extended its sponsorship in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The multi-year sponsorship includes a marketing strategy in allowing fans the opportunity to bring a UFC event to their city in 2012.

Harley Davidson has been the leading sponsor of the martial arts series since 2008.

Dana White, UFC President, said: “We’re excited to continue working with them for years to come. We love keeping the fans involved and so does Harley-Davidson, so we’re also excited to partner with them for the Hometown Throwdown. This is a great promotion. Fans are always asking for us to bring a UFC event to their city and now they’re in control. If they want the UFC in their city, they just have to rock the vote.”

Harley-Davidson chief marketing officer Mark-Hans Richer added: “We were excited to have the UFC visit Harley-Davidson’s hometown of Milwaukee this weekend for the first time ever. Now we look forward to the Hometown Throwdown promotion and giving UFC and Harley-Davidson fans the opportunity to bring a major UFC card to their city next year.”

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd has teamed up with 31 Universities to launch its London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay University programme.

Samsung a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment category has created a Torchbearer nomination programme that will reflect the core values of the Olympics combined with the universities heritage.

The nomination programme will be open to students, generic staff members and the community surrounding the universities who will then have three Torchbearers that will represent each institution in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. 

“It is a great privilege that Samsung has approached us with such a fantastic opportunity, generic we are delighted that we can offer our students and staff a once-in-a-lifetime experience in recognition of their hard work and contribution to the community,” said Professor Neil Gorman, vice-chancellor at Nottingham Trent University.

“In the coming weeks, we will be putting this programme to good use and attributing places to students and staff who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, academic and sporting performance.”

Mr. David Song, managing director, UK&I, Samsung Electronics Ltd added: ‘Building upon our long term partnership with the higher education sector in UK, and as a Global Partner to the Olympic Games, it is only natural for Samsung to work with universities to find London 2012 Torchbearers’. 

“We are keen to share Samsung’s passion for the Olympics Games with students and are looking forward to working with the universities to reward individuals that always go the extra mile, to make London 2012 an Olympic Games for everyone.”

The representatives from the universities will be part of 8,000 Torchbearers who will pass on the Olympic Flame across the UK – starting in Land’s End on 18th May 2012 on its 70 day journey; it will reach 66 communities of which 95% of the UK population will be within one hour’s distance of this historic moment.

A total of 31 educational establishments in the UK are taking part – with all the applications being co-judged by Samsung and panels from each university, and put forward to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) by the end of October.??

Samsung aim is to strengthen the relationship with the higher education sector to further support educational institutions future investment programmes, facilitate the development of student skills and capabilities over the long term as a permanent legacy of London 2012 Olympic Games.??

Heathrow Airport have become the latest addition to the London 2012 Olympic’s sponsorship portfolio after agreeing a tier-three deal.

The airport becomes the 42nd domestic sponsor of the Games and is considering building a temporary terminal to handle additional demand during the event as 80% of visitors to the Games are expected to use the airport to enter the country.

Chris Townsend, commercial director of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, said: “For many athletes, officials and spectators, their first experience of London and the UK will be Heathrow. I’m delighted that BAA and the airport are committed to ensuring that first impression will reflect London 2012 in terms of branding, but crucially also by providing the warmest of welcomes to the city.”

Colin Matthews, chief executive of the British Aviation Authority, the owner of the airport, added: “Heathrow will be the first and last impression of the London 2012 Games for thousands of people. We are tremendously proud to be the host airport of the London 2012 Games. Every part of the airport is working together so we can give the world’s greatest athletes the world’s greatest welcome.”

Top English Premier League soccer club Arsenal FC have signed up Carlsberg as the club’s official beer partner in a three-year deal.

The partnership enables Carlsberg to have exclusive marketing rights on a global basis, providing the opportunity to promote its association to millions of Arsenal fans across the world, particularly in Asia. A key area of Carlsberg’s focus will be on engaging with Arsenal’s large and rapidly growing fan base in that region, following on from the club’s successful pre-season tour to Malaysia and China.

The Danish brewer has signed the deal as part of its attempts to be the fastest growing global beer company.

Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s head of global partnerships said: “We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Carlsberg, a truly global brand with real history and heritage within football. Following our Asia Tour, as we focus on further engaging with our international fan base, Carlsberg are a perfect brand to be partnering with given their strength and reach in over 140 different markets worldwide.”

Keld Strudahl, Carlsberg’s international marketing director, added: “Arsenal and Carlsberg have much in common. Both are well known, established brands, recognised around the globe. In the run-up to next year’s European Championships, at which Carlsberg has been an official sponsor since 1988, it is great that we have partnered with another international football club which has a strong following, not only in Europe, but also in Asia – Carlsberg’s target markets.”

CBZ Bank have extended their sponsorship of the Zimbabwe One-Day International team for another year after unveiling a US$250,000 package for the side.

Paul Chimudzi, the CBZ Bank Executive for Corporate Banking, said the deal consolidated their partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket and demonstrated their commitment to developing the game in this country.

CBZ Bank were the officials sponsors of the Zimbabwe team at the ICC World Cup in the Indian sub-continent this year where their brand was taken onto a global scale.

Chimudzi said: “In line with our vision of growth, through continuous improvement and successful partnerships, the continued sponsorship of the Zimbabwe National Cricket team is born out of the desire to enhance the sport to high levels of professionalism.

“Our involvement with development of cricket in Zimbabwe started in 2010 where CBZ Bank was the official sponsor of the Zimbabwe national cricket team. The bank entered into a 14-month partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket leading to the 2011 World Cup. Today’s event, therefore marks our continued commitment to developing talent, competition and providing entertainment to all Zimbabweans through cricket.

“Through the ODI national team sponsorship, we as the people’s Bank have been offered an opportunity to uphold a positive presence and impact in the communities that we serve. As such it is my privilege and honour to unveil the CBZ bank sponsorship package for the ODI national team July 2011 to July 2012 edition to the tune of US$250 000.

“The ODI matches under this period include the following potentially exciting tours Bangladesh tour, Pakistan tour and New Zealand tour.”

Zimbabwe Cricket Deputy Managing Director, Wilfred Mukondiwa, said: “We are excited to note that CBZ has considered renewing its commitment to the national team and cricket in Zimbabwe as this will not only benefit the current generation but inspire more legions of young future stars to come. We are proud of our players and technical staff for what they have done for cricket in Zimbabwe.

“It’s their continuing long laborious hours and work ethic that inspire all of us the most, not many people realise the amount of devotion that inspire all of us the most, not many people realise the amount of devotion that these men and women give on a daily basis, let alone the immeasurable sacrifices for the nation.”

English Premier League soccer club Blackburn Rovers have announced that they will wear the charity Prince’s Trust logo on their new home shirts next season.

Blackburn’s head of marketing, Simon Williams told the club’s official website: “The club has enjoyed a strong and productive relationship with The Prince’s Trust since 2005 and this agreement takes that relationship onto another level.

“The exposure the Prince’s Trust will obtain as our shirt partner will greatly increase the level of awareness for the charity and hopefully encourage fundraising for the fantastic work they do to with young people.”

Balaji Rao, MD of Venky’s added: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to support the Prince’s Trust in such a visible way, particularly at this challenging time for young people in terms of unemployment and limited opportunities.

“Helping young people is very much at the forefront of our community work in India and this partnership is a perfect way for us to support charities and worthy causes through football over here.”

The Prince’s Trust Marketing Director, Paul Brown concluded: “The Prince’s Trust is really pleased to have been selected as Blackburn Rovers Charity of the Year in a move which will build on our considerable experience of working with young people through football.

“We see this as a brilliant opportunity to reach out, engage and motivate the most disadvantaged young people in the community and help us change even more young lives.”

Mobile phone company Nokia have agreed a deal to become the new title sponsor of cricket’s Champions League Twenty20 tournament, which begins on September 19 later this year.

Sundar Raman, CEO of Indian Premier League and Champions League T20 announced the news on Twitter, saying: “Nokia signs up as title sponsor of Champions League Twenty20.”

The news comes as a welcome boost for the Champions League, which suffered a major blow last month when previous sponsor ended its three-year deal worth $40 million after just two years, citing low viewership of the tournament as their reasoning for opting out of an extension.

Tournament broadcaster ESPN-Star, which reportedly paid a billion dollars for 10-year media rights for the tournament, confirmed AirTel had pulled out.

“Airtel had other brand investments to make and it was not possible for them to pump money into the Champions League,” Sanjay Kailash, the executive vice-president for sales and new media at ESPN-Star said.