Formula One racing team Sauber F1 has extended a deal with Mitsubishi Electric to continue their association, buy which sees the Japanese company become a technical partner of the Swiss team.

Mitsubishi Electric will continue to equip the team with die-sinking and wire-cutting machines, hospital which they have done since the inception of their partnership in 2005. Additionally, pharmacy the company will now also produce robots for laminating carbon components.

Through the terms of the agreement, the Mitsubishi logo will appear on press releases, pit screens and transporters.  

The Sauber F1 Team has already secured some major sponsorship deals in the close-season, including agreements with telecoms firm Telmex, Hong Kong aviation company Asia Jet and tequila brand Jose Cuervo.

Hans-Jürgen Pelzer, sales manager of Mechatronics EDM, expressed his delighted at expanding the current agreement: “We are very pleased that after six years as a partner of the Sauber F1 Team, our co-operation for the future will be even more intensive. Mitsubishi Electric is a world-class company in all technical areas and this is an extremely good fit with our Formula One commitment. The fact that Kamui Kobayashi is on board as a Japanese driver is an additional incentive.”

Peter Sauber, team principal of the Sauber F1 Team, added: “Mitsubishi Electric has been a key partner for the past six years. Mitsubishi Electric has already made an important technological contribution by supplying the team with eroding machines, and this co-operation will now be extended to laminating robots. As far as I’m concerned, it is particularly valuable that this long standing partnership has stood the test of time even during this period, which has been difficult for us.”

Portuguese Primeira Liga soccer club FC Porto has announced a renewed agreement with Portugal Telecom that will see the company remain as official shirt sponsors for a further four years.

A figure believed to be around US$5m a year could potentially rise depending on the club’s performances, medicine both in the league and in European competitions as the club look certain to qualify for the Champions League next year, sitting 13 points clear of rivals Benfica at the top of the league.

Portugal Telecom’s previous six-year contract with the club, worth around US$30 m, was due to expire on 30th June, but the company will remain in partnership until at least 2015 with the club having won the league title four times in a row during its sponsorship.

Portugal Telecom is the largest telecommunications service provider in Portugal and also has sponsorship agreements in place with FC Porto’s Primeira Liga rivals Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. In 2010, Portugal Telecom signed a contract extension with the Portuguese national team, which will see it continue to sponsor the team until 2014 – a partnership that has been ongoing since 1998.

In an official statement, FC Porto announced the deal, stating: “Futebol Clube do Porto, under Article 248 of the Securities Code, hereby informs the market that it has agreed a sponsorship contract with Portugal Telecom, effective until June 30, 2015.”

Portugal Telecom is likely to continue its policy of promoting different companies on Porto’s home and away shirts, mobile network ‘tmn’ on the home shirts, and IPTV service ‘meo’ on the away shirts.

A sponsorship renewal has been agreed between the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with Veuve Clicquot which will see the premium French brand remain English cricket’s official champagne until December 2013.

Veuve Clicquot first become a partner of the ECB in 2005 and will provide magnums of Brut Yellow Label for end-of-match presentations at all international and domestic fixtures, anabolics whilst receiving, in return, brand exposure during post-match celebrations and ticketing and match-day hospitality opportunities.

No financial details of the deal have been released by either the ECB or the Reims-based company. I an addition to the agreement, Veuve Clicquot will continue to sponsor the England Cricket Photography Awards, which were introduced by the ECB in 2009.

Nick Moore, ECB head of sales, stated: “We’re delighted to continue our relationship with such a high profile and well-respected brand as Veuve Clicquot. We feel there is an excellent fit with English cricket and look forward to working with them over the next three years. On the back of a winning Ashes series, the profile of cricket has continued to rise. The England team is now third in the ICC Test Rankings and, with the arrival of Sri Lanka and India this summer, will have the chance to climb further up the league table as they bid to become the number one Test team in the world.”

Veuve Clicquot marketing director, Sally Warmington added: “Veuve Clicquot, champagne of the season, is thrilled to remain the official champagne of the ECB. Cricket is a key highlight of the season and we wish the team and the ECB continued success”

The Formula One Belgian Grand Prix has secured Shell as its official title sponsor after the company concluded a multi-year deal with the Spa race.

As well as title sponsorship of the Belgian event, Shell will continue to have trackside advertising at selected F1 races during the year ahead and will once again be involved in a technical partnership with Ferrari through 2011.

Richard Bracewell, Shell’s global sponsorship manager said: “The 2011 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix is a great way to augment our technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari. The extreme and controlled testing ground provided by Scuderia Ferrari allows us to constantly develop our fuels and lubricants. Spa is one of the most demanding races on the calendar for teams and drivers alike, making it the perfect place to demonstrate Shell’s premium products.”

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone welcomed the news that Shell is to expand its involvement in the sport, stating: “Shell was amongst the first to recognise Formula 1 as a powerful platform which has been successful for Shell for 60 years. By becoming the title sponsor of the 2011 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix, Shell continues to prove its commitment to the sport and play a key role in its enduring success.

“We recognise the valuable contribution made by Shell over many years and are delighted to provide an environment for this global brand to develop its commercial products.”

An extension of a shirt sponsorship deal between Russian oil refining company Bashneft and Champions League-bound CSKA Moscow has been agreed as the team heads into the 2011/12 Russian Premier League season.

Having first agreed terms with CSKA Moscow in February 2010, pills the club finished second in the top flight of Russian soccer last year, sale | a result which guaranteed the team a place in the group stage of the Champions League come September. Bashneft has since opted to renew its deal with CSKA for a further season on improved terms.

CSKA Moscow’s president Yevgeny Giner has said that the club’s deal with Bashneft is now worth 15 per cent more than it was in 2010.

Although the value of the contract was not disclosed, viagra 100mg the Moscow News has reported that CSKA’s budget this year will be between US$62m and US$72m.

Giner added: “I think that Bashneft and CSKA were satisfied with their cooperation last year and therefore we are extending our contract. We are very pleased to extend the sponsorship agreement. Our continued cooperation with one of the leading Russian oil companies is an important step towards achieving the long-term goals of the club.”

The deal commits CSKA to participating in a number of social activities in the Republic of Bashkortostan, home of Bashneft’s three oil refineries. This year, Bashneft hopes the renewal of its sponsorship will see the continuation of projects established in 2010 after several CSKA players met with fans and young players in Ufa, capital of the republic, to conduct workshops and training sessions.

Victor Khoroshavtsev, president of Bashneft, stated: “The decision to become the sponsor of one of the strongest teams in Russia was made in accordance with the strategy of the company.

“Bashneft, like CSKA Moscow, has set itself ambitious goals. The company in a short period of time has made bold steps towards building a vertically integrated oil company and the last two years has demonstrated better results in the Russian oil industry for a variety of industrial and economic performance reasons.”

A renewal has been agreed which will see Emirates Airline continue its support of Team New Zealand as they challenge for a place in the next America’s Cup, allergist sailing’s most prestigious event.

The Dubai-based airline, already the main sponsor of the team, has announced it will be extending its deal through until the next regatta in 2013, with Team New Zealand hoping to compete as challengers in the 34th edition of the series.

Having first agreed terms in 2004, the new agreement will see Emirates take up its tenth year as a sponsor of the Antipodean team.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of the Emirates Group, said: “The decision underlines our commitment to New Zealand at a time when the country is demonstrating its own strengths and resilience in the face of adversity.

“Whether it be the America’s Cup, the MedCup or the Louis Vuitton Trophy series, Emirates Team New Zealand has shown the fighting spirit and inspiration for which the country is renowned. We are very pleased to continue our support of Emirates Team New Zealand.”

Emirates’ renewed support of Team New Zealand sees the company join fellow long-standing sponsors Toyota and Omega, who have backed the team for 20 and 18 years respectively.

Grant Dalton, managing director of Team New Zealand, added: “We have made considerable progress because the Emirates Team New Zealand brand is an international leader that is well recognised in the sport. Emirates Airline has been with the team since 2004 and their decision to stay with us is important. We are fortunate to have such loyal and committed sponsors.”

GE has been announced by IMG Challenger World as the new title sponsor of the UK’s second largest triathlon, arthritis the Blenheim Triathlon.

The IMG Challenger World event, allergy which is a division of IMG Worldwide, medic will take place on the 4th and 5th June 2011 in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

Around 5,500 participants are expected to compete over the course of the two days of the event which offers distances to suit all levels.

James Morrison, sponsorship manager of IMG Challenger World said: “IMG is delighted to welcome GE on board as title sponsor of the GE Blenheim Triathlon”. 

“As the established Elite Partner of the British Triathlon Federation, their expertise and support continues to drive forward this fast growing and exciting sport and the opportunities to participate within it”.

GE has released a limited amount of race places to fans of the GE Triathlon Facebook page in celebration of the new sponsorship.

Mark Elborne, president & CEO of GE UK, added: “We believe British Triathlon is a great fit for GE and we are confident that our support could potentially make a real impact on Team GB’s gold medal prospects in 2012.  I am sure that the Blenheim Palace course will test every competitor taking part on the day, and we wish them all the best of luck”.

The Portland Timbers new Major League Soccer (MLS) team have announced an exclusive naming rights deal  with window and door manufacturer Jeld-Wen for their newly renovated stadium.

The multi-year agreement will see the stadium, unhealthy previously known as PGE-Park, ambulance now known as the Jeld-Wen Field, with Jeld-Wen entitled to naming exposure and signage both inside and outside of the venue.

The value and length of the contract was not disclosed but it is likely to be on similar terms to the club’s previous deal with Portland General Electronics (PGE), a ten year agreement with a reported value of US$10m.

In addition to the naming rights deal, Jeld-Wen has also become the official window and door provider of the Timbers and MLS.

Furthermore, Jeld-Wen will undertake a variety of community initiatives with the club, including becoming a founding partner of the Portland Timbers Community Fund.

Merritt Paulson, Portland Timbers president, said: “It would be an understatement to say that many factors enter into a decision as important as our naming rights partnership. The fact that Jeld-Wen is an Oregon-based company, has a deep-rooted history in our community and is so committed to giving back makes this marriage an ideal one for the Timbers.”

Jeld-Wen chief marketing officer, Steve Wynne, added: “We’re very pleased to be part of the re-making of Civic Stadium and the resurrection and the re-making of the Portland Timbers. Soccer is the number one sport in the world and Jeld-Wen is an international company that is building a brand across borders and cultures where soccer is the leading sport or a fast-growing sport.”

The PGA of America have announced an extension of a partnership with American Express until 2013, a relationship that offers a unique set of golf benefits to American Express Cardmembers, including access to premier championship experiences and exclusive year-round golf opportunities.

Under the terms of the Official Patron partnership, American Express will be able to provide its Cardmembers with enhanced golf experiences at PGA Championships and the 2012 Ryder Cup, including: Increased ticket access exclusively for Cardmembers, including early on-sale opportunities, access to play past or future championship courses, and unique on-site experiences, ranging from the Cardmember Club, a relaxing getaway with refreshments and TVs for watching event coverage, to practice range seating to watch pre-play practice sessions

The American Express/PGA Friend of a Cardmember program, allows those who purchase a private lesson from a participating PGA Professional with any American Express Card, to bring a guest along to participate in the lesson at no additional cost.

PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka stated: “The PGA of America is proud that American Express will continue its exceptional partnership with our Association and extend its exemplary service record that PGA Professionals and the golf traveler have long trusted. With American Express enhancing the spectator experience at our championships, our Official Patron program also is elevated to our membership and adds to the growth of our premier events.”

Rich Lehrfeld, Vice President of Global Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing, American Express, added: “American Express’ continued partnership with The PGA of America allows us to connect our Cardmembers to the best that golf has to offer, both for spectators and players, and create memorable experiences that our Cardmembers have come to expect.”

American Express, which became an Official Patron of The PGA of America in 2007, continues to serve as the Official Card of The PGA of America, PGA Professionals and the PGA Championship. It also is a Proud Supporter of the 2012 Ryder Cup, a Supporting Partner of Golf Retirement Plus, and title sponsor of American Express/PGA Friend of a Cardmember.