Real Madrid announce global sponsorship agreement with Nivea

LaLiga champions Real Madrid have extended their partnership with Nivea Men for a further five years.

The cosmetic brand will serve as a global sponsor until 2022, incorporating more than 70 countries around the world.

As part of the agreement, Nivea will benefit from a strong brand presence through pitchside LED hoardings at the Bernabéu Stadium, plus exposure on the club’s various social media and digital platforms.

Real Madrid President, Florentino Pérez, said: “We work every day to continue being the greatest sporting reference in the world. Something that forces us to choose our companions very well.

“Nivea Men has become one of those great allies, who have helped us extend the passion and love for Real Madrid. Nivea Men is a historical brand, leader, of prestige and quality, with which we established a strategic agreement in 2013.”

Worcester Warriors announce iPro Sport as official hydration partner

Worcester Warriors have today announce a new partnership with iPro Sport, who will become the club’s official hydration partner until May 2019.

The isotonic drinks supplier will supply the Worcester Warriors first-team and Academy players to deliver great hydration and aid recovery to the playing squad.

Warriors Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, said: “Warriors are delighted to have iPro Sport on board and we’re excited to work with them to help deliver results for us and our fans.”

Warriors Performance Nutritionist, Jordan Higgins, added: “The physical and mental demands of Rugby Union are extremely high, with games and training programmes asking so much of our players. It is so important for our players to be optimally fuelled and hydrated in order to perform at the elite level.

“iPro is an ideal product for us as it provides fluids, carbohydrates and electrolytes. This product is great as it can be consumed before, during and after games, assisting in performance and recovery. Having a product like iPro Sport in partnership with us is awesome.”

Commercial Director for iPro Sport, Sophie Christy, added: “We are absolutely delighted to be chosen by Warriors as Official Hydration Partner. We strive to provide elite athletes with a hydration product range, which provides the nutritional and performance benefits they require.

“When it comes to hydration, professional rugby players understand how important it is to keep hydrated and what measures they need to take so they perform at their very best which is why iPro Sport has been chosen by the players for the players.”

World Rugby and Tudor announce long-term partnership

World Rugby and Tudor have announced details of a new partnership that will see the luxury watch brand sponsor some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious rugby competitions and events.

Under a wide-ranging seven-year deal, Tudor will be the official timekeeper of Rugby World Cup 2019 and 2023, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 and the annual World Rugby U20 Championship.

With a shared mission of development and growth by pushing the boundaries, World Rugby joins an exclusive stable of Tudor ambassadors and sponsorships featuring David Beckham, the New Zealand All Blacks, and 2016 men’s fifteens World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “We are excited about our long-term partnership with Tudor. In line with Tudor’s ‘Born to Dare’ mantra, World Rugby is on a mission to grow our sport beyond its traditional markets and communities and we are looking forward to working with Tudor to further the projection of rugby in a global context.”

A spokesperson at Tudor added: “World Rugby embody the values that have made TUDOR what it is today, and because of that, we are proud to welcome them to our family. Much like ‘Born To Dare’, Tudor’s manifesto, World Rugby has a rich and famous history that has shaped the sport to what it has become today.

“Under World Rugby’s governance, Rugby World Cup is the third biggest quadrennial global sporting event, and we’re excited to be partnering with them as the event is hosted in Asia for the first time in 2019.”

New conference programme ‘HealthAccord’ revealed for SportAccord Convention 2018

SportAccord Convention is delighted to reveal details for the inaugural conference programme: HealthAccord: The Power of Sport – The Power to Change, set to take place on the afternoon of Thursday 19 April 2018 at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre in Thailand. This builds on the success of the International Federation (IF) Forum 2016 where international sports federations gathered to discuss the power of sport to drive world health.

Recognised as two of the leading experts in sports medicine and health, Co-Chairs for the new HealthAccord conference programme: Dr. Margo Mountjoy, Chair, ASOIF Medical + Scientific Consultative Group, IOC Medical + Scientific Commission-Games Group FINA Bureau; and Prof. Fabio Pigozzi, President, FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine) & Member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission – Medical and Scientific Group commented:

“HealthAccord is testament to Sport’s commitment to continued innovation for our athletes, as well as the significant role sport can play in cultures and communities around the world. They went on to say:

“This is a defining time for sport and SportAccord Convention continues to be a strong platform for addressing global issues amongst sport and industry leaders. HealthAccord gives us an opportunity to reflect on how our policies, partnerships and resources can best be put into use to support athletes at every level, as well as to share and identify practical ways to influence citizens to lead healthier lives – particularly in urban areas.”

Drawing on the knowledge and work of experts from global health programmes, HealthAccord will be of interest to international sports federations, cities, governing bodies, sports scientists, the medical fraternity, and industries who have a vested interest in sport – all of whom can register for SportAccord Convention. HealthAccord will include presentations, panel sessions and case studies with two overarching sessions focused on athletes and global citizens, respectively.

The first session: The Power of Sport will examine how to increase sports sponsorship and engage audiences through the application of ‘state of the art’ sport science and sport medicine, not only enabling an athlete to perform more spectacular feats that are ‘higher, stronger, faster’ to thrill global audiences, but will also enable athletes to remain active in sport for a longer duration. The session will identify the health principles underpinning the improvements in athlete performance and longevity in sport.

The second session: The Power to Change will look at the Olympic health legacy and lessons learnt, as well as implications for the future towards healthy, active sporting cities. Emerging evidence shows there is a general demise in the cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness of young individuals in western countries that seems to track the decrease in levels of physical activity. This decline in physical fitness also appears to be having a negative effect on sporting performance. There is the belief amongst some experts that the decline in physical fitness may impact negatively on sporting performance.

As half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas and this trend is destined to continue, this makes it likely that more of the world’s population will be affected by sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity. There is an urgent need, therefore, for the Olympic movement and stakeholders in sport, to become social drivers and help to correct this mismatch. This session will examine what it takes to influence urban citizens worldwide, as well as the practical approaches that can be taken, so physical activity becomes part and parcel of their daily lives.

Further details can be found on the HealthAccord conference webpage. Registration and exhibition uptake for SAC2018 confirms strong interest for the next Convention taking place in Bangkok, Thailand from 15-20 April 2018, where delegates have numerous networking opportunities to connect with sporting leaders and decision-makers involved in the business of sport.

Formula One launches new logo for digital future

Formula One has launched a new logo following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The redesign by Liberty Media – the sport’s American owners – replaces the logo which was originally introduced by Bernie Ecclestone and has been in use for 23 years.

Liberty hope the new, modern design will help with their ambitions to expand F1’s appeal and attract new fans, having acquired the motorsport for a reported £6.4 billion earlier this year.

F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches said: “You cannot stitch the old logo chevron to the right. A number of brands, particularly in this day and age, are trying to simplify their marks to enter the digital space.

“Look at Starbucks, or Coca Cola which has taken the condensation off their logo to enter digital. We felt we had to go a little bit further and really retool to position us on a going forward basis.”

The logo has received mixed reviews on social media while Lewis Hamilton questioned the decision to replace the “iconic” logo.

Aggreko to power the Glasgow 2018 European Championships

Aggreko has today been announced as the official temporary power supporter for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

The global leader in mobile, modular power, heating and cooling will provide both temporary and continuous reliable power across the Championships’ competition and non-competition venues in August.

Aggreko will provide around 60 generators supplying more than 10 Mega Volt Amp (MVA) of energy, distributed through more than 240 panels and 26km of cable. This will power the successful delivery of 84 sessions of sport, including Open Water Swimming at Loch Lomond and Mountain Biking at Cathkin Braes.

Robert Wells, Managing Director, Aggreko Major Events Services, said: “We’re proud to support the first staging of the prestigious Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

“We look forward to working with the team and Glasgow city to ensure the faultless delivery of power to the Championships. There is no better place to do this than in Scotland.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, added: “The latest addition to the Glasgow 2018 sponsor family, Aggreko has helped deliver excellent multi-sport events around the world.

“Working with a well-known brand with its roots in Scotland will help guarantee the success of the inaugural European Championships.”

Renault Sport announces Le Coq Sportif as new F1 kit supplier

Formula One team Renault have announced a new partnership with Le Coq Sportif.

Le Coq Sportif will supply all the clothing worn by team members from next year, with the new agreement set to last for three years.

Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport Racing Managing Director, said: “I am very happy Le Coq Sportif is joining Formula 1 with Renault Sport Formula One Team.

“The arrival of a new team kit supplier not only demonstrates the interest created today by Renault in Formula 1, but also the appeal that this sport represents for a brand already partnered with prestigious athletes in football, cycling, tennis and rugby.

“The drivers and the members of Renault Sport Formula One Team will benefit from the technical clothing expertise of this historic and emblematic sports brand. We are already working on a complete merchandising range in the team colours and collaborative projects that will allow our programs to crossover.”

Marc-Henri Beausire, Le Coq Sportif CEO, added: “We are proud of this relationship with Renault Sport Formula One Team. We are joining a team and a high-performance project that we are certain will allow us to continue to grow.

“Our two brands are recognised for their expertise and the quality of their products. They have also distinguished themselves by their innovations and their commitment to both French and international sports.

“Our two brands unite around a common project. It is with great pride that we will accompany the team by providing our high-quality equipment. We wish Renault Sport Formula One Team great success and we will experience each race with passion and emotion.”

Eurosport launches new campaign for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018

Offering a further hint at how Eurosport will redefine the Olympic Games viewing experience, the broadcaster today launched a new campaign, ‘Make It Yours’, for its coverage of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

The new films, released today across Europe, showcase how Eurosport will make every minute available as part of the first fully digital Games for Europe, through live and on-demand coverage across all screens and devices.

The ‘Make It Yours’ campaign celebrates how fans across Europe will be able to personalise their Olympic Winter Games viewing experience, empowering them to take control and choose what they watch, when they watch and how they watch their favourite sports and local heroes.

The campaign also sees the debut of Eurosport’s anthem for its coverage of PyeongChang 2018, a modern remake of the classic Queen song, ‘I Want It All’.

Peter Hutton, CEO Eurosport, said: “We made a promise to redefine the fan viewing experience for PyeongChang 2018.

“Queen’s ‘I Want It All’ is a classic song from an iconic band, who have a history of writing songs that become synonymous with sporting success. The lyrics really speak to our ambition of delivering anytime, anywhere content for fans during the Olympic Winter Games.”

Antonio Ruiz, Vice President of Marketing Eurosport, added: “We wanted to develop a campaign that would underline to fans that when it comes to the Olympic Games on Eurosport, they can have it all: every minute, every sport and every athlete.

“It aligns perfectly with our ambition to deliver the first fully digital Games for Europe as part of our commitment to reach more people across more screens in Europe. Together with our new Eurosport anthem, working with some of the best names in the creative business, we’ve created a new, fresh Olympic Games identity for Eurosport.”

Sheikh Nahyan and Princess Rima win the top honours at ninth edition MBR Creative Sports Awards

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan has been named the UAE Sports Personality of the Year at the 9th Edition 2017 of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, while Her Royal Highness Princess Rima bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has picked up the corresponding award for Arab Sports Personality.

The winners were announced at a press conference on Monday afternoon at the Palazzo Versace Hotel by His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, which is one of the entities under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

Moaza Al Marri, Secretary General of the Award, Mustapha Larfaoui, Member of the Award’s Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Jury Committee, were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Nahyan was bestowed the honour for his contributions as Chairman of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, while Princess Rima – Deputy President of the Sports Authority for Planning & Development and the first female to head a Saudi Sports Federation, has picked up the award for her contributions in founding and regulating women’s sport in Saudi Arabia by introducing sports among girls at public schools.

Omar Abdul Rahman, the UAE and Al Ain Football Superstar who was named AFC Player of the Year for 2016, has picked up the UAE Outstanding Athlete Award, while Egytian squash player Nour Atef El Sherbini, the Women’s World No1 who has won back-to-back World Open titles in 2015 and 2016, has been named the Arab Outstanding Athlete.

The 9th Edition of the Awards considered the sporting achievements of individuals, teams and organisations during the period September 20, 2016 to August 31, 2017 and all the winners will be honoured at a glittering Awarding Ceremony on January 10, 2018.

Speaking on the occasion, Al Tayer, who is also Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees for Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award and the sports sector, I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai Government and Dubai Sports Council, and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Award, for their guidance and unlimited support, which has strengthened the status of this prestigious award and put it at the forefront of international awards, honouring innovation and creativity in the world of sports.

“Thanks to the generous care and efforts of the Board of Trustees and employees of the award, and the efforts of local and Arab media organisations in supporting the work of the Award and the distribution of its message, the 9th Edition 2017 of the Award has grown significantly in terms of numbers and the quality of entries.

“Although the qualifying period for the 9th Edition 2017 of the Awards – which was from September 20, 2016 to August 31, 2017 – did not witness any Olympic Games and there were few major international events during this period, there was a significant increase in the number of entries – we received 297 entries for this edition, which is 99 more than what we received for the 8th Edition of the Awards (198), a jump of 50 per cent.

“We saw an increase in the number of entries for the Awards in the different UAE categories as well. Last time, we received 72 files; this time, that number has gone up to 87. The number of entries we received from International Sports Federations also went up from 15 to 26, an increase of about 73 per cent.”

Empowerment of Women, as decreed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was one of the principal focus of the 9th Edition 2017 of the MBR Creative Sports Award and Al Tayer was pleased to see the presence of a number of women, like Princess Rima and El Sherbini, in the winners’ list.

“I am also very pleased to see a strong presence of women on the list of competitors for the 9th Edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award,” Al Tayer said. “This year, Empowerment of Women was the criteria for judging the best local and international organisations, and that confirms the status of women’s sport in the awards and our positive interaction with them.”

THE AWARD WINNERS

UAE Sports Personality Award: HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (UAE)

Arab Sports Personality Award: HRH Princess Rima bint Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (KSA)

UAE Outstanding Athlete Award: Omar Abdul Rahman Al AMoodi (Football)

UAE Referee Award: Ebrahim Yousef Al Mansoori (Beach Soccer)

UAE Coach Award: Saeed Bin Suroor Al Khaldi (Horse Racing)

UAE Organisation Award: UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation

Arab Outstanding Athlete Award: Nour Atef El Sherbini (Egypt – Squash)

Arab Administrator Award: Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Gannas (KSA)

Arab Referee Award: Tarek Bin Mohamed Souei (Tunisia)

Arab Coach Award: Faris Ibrahim Al Assaf (Jordan)

Arab Team Award: Iraqi Youth Football Team U16

International Organisation Award (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations): Union Cycliste International (UCI)

International Organisation Award (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations): International Cricket Council (ICC)

UAE Emerging Athlete Award (Nominees – voting to continue until Dec 31)

  1. Hussain Yousuf Anwar (Football)
  2. Ammar Mohammed Al Sedrani (Chess)
  3. Maitha Abdulla Hasan   (Judo)
  4. Wadima Saeed Abdulla  (Jiu Jitsu)
  5. Omar Mohammed Alwan (Jiu Jitsu)
  6. Abdalla Guhloom Al Maazimi (Taekwondo)

Arab Emerging Athlete Award: Mohammed Mustafa Al Sowaiq (KSA – Taekwondo)

Distinguished Athletes Achievement Sports Award: Farida Hisham Osman (Egypt – Swimming)

Difficult Challenges Award (People of Determination Category)

  1. Abdellatif Baka (Algeria – Athletics)
  2. Fouad Baka (Algeria – Athletics)

Olympic Creative Sports Award

  1. Mohammed Gammoudi (Tunisia – Athletics)
  2. Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco – Athletics)

TV3 Ireland to broadcast every round of Formula E Season Four

TV3 Ireland has announced it will broadcast every round of the FIA Formula E Championship for Season Four.

The broadcaster will also be showing every episode of Formula E’s official magazine show Street Racers, which delves behind-the-scenes of the series to deliver the latest news and features against the backdrop of some of the world’s most iconic cities.

TV3’s Head of Sport Kieran Holden, said: “We are thrilled to continue to our partnership with Formula E to bring more live Electric Street Racing to audiences in Ireland, and we are looking forward to the new challenging circuits in iconic cities such as Rome, Paris and New York.

“But first up we’ll all have an early start on 3eHD in Ireland for live coverage of the opening rounds in Hong Kong on the first weekend in December.”

Ali Russell, Media & Business Development Director at Formula E, added: “It’s excellent news that TV3 is airing all the races of the upcoming season of Formula E.

“With the anticipation of the new season fast approaching and the first two rounds of the season taking place next week, fans across Ireland will have the best seat in the house to view the electric street racing series.”

Television and video content is everywhere, with multiple platforms and devices available at billions of fingertips around the globe – but staying ahead of the curve has never been more difficult.

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