|
28th May, 2012
eBay Fashion sponsors new Marie Claire app.
Marie Claire, IPC Southbank’s premium fashion brand, has secured eBay Fashion as sponsor of its newly launched Marieclaire.co.uk app for iPhone, Blackberry and Android.
The free app provides the latest news and reviews from the world of fashion, celebrity and beauty in an easy-to-navigate premium environment. As part of eBay Fashion's three-month sponsorship, the e-tailer has bespoke in-app branding and video, along with ownership of all advertising, which clicks through to the eBay Fashion store.
Mike Newcombe, IPC's director of mobile advertising, said: "The Marie Claire mobile app will keep fashion fans up to date and in the know; all within a premium, made for mobile environment. For eBay Fashion, the app delivers the ideal audience, who within a matter of clicks can move seamlessly from inspiration through to eBay's checkout".
Sham Islam, Strategic Lead at Essence for eBay, said: "We feel that this is the perfect environment to showcase the steps forward that have been made in terms of eBay's fashion offering. The brand presence is strong without being intrusive and we are pleased to be the launch partner of an app that we know the eBay fashion audience will love".
The launch of Marie Claire's smartphone app adds to the brand's existing digital offering, which includes a mobile optimised website, Beauty Genius iPhone app, and Marie Claire Runway iPad app.
The Marie Claire app was developed by Swanify.
25th May, 2012
Maxxis and Liverpool FC announce partnership extension
Following a successful three-year partnership between Maxxis Tyres and Liverpool FC, the agreement has been extended until 2015.
Maxxis Tyres first joined Liverpool FC in 2009 and, they say, has enjoyed many successful and engaging campaigns with LFC fans, with money can't buy prizes in partner hospitality and increased brand awareness through online inventory and LED advertising on match days which is shown to millions of fans around the world.
Maxxis Tyres is one of the largest tyre companies in the world, distributing to over 150 countries and with operations in Europe, Asia, and North America. The new deal will see the brand reach supporters in new territories as Liverpool FC grows its presence across global markets and builds on its heritage as one of the world's biggest football brands.
Ian Ayre, Managing Director, Liverpool FC, said: "As with all our partnerships, we have taken time to form a relationship with Maxxis so we can support mutual goals more effectively and provide significant brand visibility.
"I am delighted to announce the extension today and we look forward to working with Maxxis over the next three seasons."
Derek McMartin, Maxxis Tyres, said: "It's fantastic news that we've extended our partnership with Liverpool Football Club until 2015. We've built a strong relationship with the club and fans over the last three years, and we look forward to expanding our successful partnership over the coming seasons".
23rd May, 2012
Laithewaite's Wine links up with ECB
The ECB has announced a new two-year deal with Laithwaite's Wine who become 'The Official Wine Partner of England Cricket'.
The agreement will enable Laithwaite’s Wine to promote its range of wines at all England’s home international matches as well as undertake a range of wide commercial activities to maximise the sponsorship.
The arrangement is scheduled to run until the end of the home and away Ashes Series that will be played in 2013.
ECB commercial director John Perera said: "Laithwaite's Wine is an excellent addition to our family of official ECB sponsors and suppliers. We will be working closely with its commercial team over the next two years to help achieve increased exposure for its superb range of wines through its association with the world's number one ranked Test side".
Commenting on the announcement, Laithwaite's Wine managing director Glenn Caton said: "The ECB sponsorship agreement gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase our diverse range of wines and our new branding to an audience that's the ideal demographic fit for our business".
21st May, 2012
Westfield to extend its sponsorship deal with both Sheffield football clubs
Not-for-profit health insurer Westfield is to extend its sponsorship deal with both Sheffield football clubs.
The news comes on the eve of Sheffield United's League One play-off final at Wembley and Sheffield Wednesday's promotion to the Championship in the last week of the season.
The deal will mean Westfield appearing on the front of Sheffield United's shirt when they wear their home strip and on the Owls' shirt when they play in their away strip.
Westfield Chief Executive Jill Davies said: "We are delighted to continue with our support for both Sheffield clubs. It is a winning association for Westfield and the city. Our success owes a huge amount to our Sheffield roots. A large number of our policyholders are from Sheffield and the surrounding region, so working with the clubs provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase to a significant proportion of our policyholders that we understand what's important to them, while also giving us the opportunity to inform about Westfield.
"The Owls and the Blades have enjoyed terrific seasons. Under Milan Mandaric guidance, Wednesday have fulfilled their aim of returning to the Championship and United are hoping to follow suit at Wembley at the weekend. Westfield has long and historic partnerships with both clubs and we look forward to continued success on and off the pitch over the coming season", she added.
Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe said: "We've just celebrated the fact that Westfield has been sponsoring the Blades in different ways for more than fifty years, so we are delighted to move into a new era with the support, once again, of one of the biggest names in health insurance. We are proud to carry the Westfield name on our shirts and we hope we can get the new era of sponsorship off to a winning start at Wembley", he added.
Sheffield Wednesday Chairman Milan Mandaric was equally upbeat: "Sheffield Wednesday and Westfield Health were proud partners in League One and both organisations are now looking forward to more of the same in the Championship. We have achieved our aim of promotion and I am delighted that the Owls will enhance the brand and support of Westfield Health as key club sponsors in the Championship".
Both clubs are shortly expected to announce further developments on commercial partnerships.
18th May, 2012
Audi confirmed as sponsor of Chelsea Football Club in three year deal
Audi UK has today confirmed that it is to become the official car partner of Chelsea Football club for the next three years. The premium German car maker has added the successful London club to its impressive and long-standing sponsorship portfolio that also includes the clubs FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Bayern Munich.
FA Cup winners Chelsea, who play Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final on Saturday, are ranked as the fifth largest team in the world in terms of fan base. Their stadium at Stamford Bridge will feature Audi branding for home matches, including the distinctive team seats in the dugout.
Commenting on the development, Audi UK Director Martin Sander said: "Chelsea offers us the broadest scope for future opportunities, and our brands are very closely aligned in terms of innovation and progressiveness or 'Vorsprung durch Technik' as we call it."
"Their focus on high performance and sports science, where we are looking to share knowledge and best practice between their top performers and Audi elite racing drivers, demonstrates how perfectly Chelsea's forward-looking philosophy matches ours".
Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said: "It is exciting for Chelsea Football Club to sign this deal with a premium company, renowned for its excellent track record in elite performance and manufacturing. Audi is a phenomenal global partner for us as one of the world's most successful car brands, and we look forward to working closely with them."
Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales of AUDI AG, added: "We cordially welcome Chelsea to the Audi football family. With its more than 100-year tradition, millions of supporters worldwide and numerous trophies, the club is one of the top teams in international football and we are looking forward to working together in the future. But for the moment, we're anticipating a thrilling finale in Munich together with all football fans".
As one of the world's most successful car brands, AUDI AG delivered a record 1.3 million premium vehicles worldwide in 2011 and generated a record 5.3 billion euros of pre-tax profit last year alone. The company has a strong and rising brand image as a mature global premium manufacturer.
In the UK, Audi delivered more than 113,000 new cars to its customers, an increase of 14 per cent over 2010 and an all time record for the company which now offers an impressive forty-one different model types here.
17th May, 2012
Traditional fireworks saved for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2012
Following the news that Aberdeen Asset Management has extended its sponsorship of the world-famous regatta, Cowes Week, until 2015, the financial services company has also extended its support to include a significant proportion of the necessary funding to safeguard the traditional event fireworks display.
Commenting on the announcement, Martin Gilbert, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: "The fireworks display on the final Friday of Cowes Week is one of the regatta's great traditions. Aberdeen Asset Management, in partnership with a range of financial groups and other organisations, is proud to be playing a key role".
The other organisations to have come forward with financial support for the fireworks so far include: Cowes Week Limited, Cowes Town Waterfront Trust, City AM newspaper, Artemis Investment Management, JLT Specialty Limited, the Island Sailing Club, the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, the Royal London Yacht Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Royal  Ocean Racing Club, GKN, Red Funnel Ferries, Blue Funnel Ferries, and Solent and Wightline Cruises. Other donations are anticipated following pledges of support.
Stuart Quarrie, CEO of Cowes Week Limited said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Aberdeen Asset Management and the other organisations involved in creating a solution for the fireworks.
"We are pleased to confirm that Cowes Week Limited is pledging to match any donations received from members of the public over the coming months". Donations can be made here.
The fireworks display will be held on the final Friday of this year's Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, Friday, 17th August.
14th May, 2012
Emirates to sponsor Arsenal's summer tour of Asia and Africa
Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, will be helping to connect Arsenal fans in Asia and Africa with their heroes after it was announced that the carrier will be the Presenting Sponsor of the club's summer tour.
The Arsenal 2012 Tour, Presented by Emirates will provide an opportunity for many the club's huge following of international supporters to see the likes of Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott in action for the first time.
The tour kicks off in Malaysia on 24th July when the club plays a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur. Arsenal will then travel to mainland China, a country Emirates serves with thirty-five weekly flights to three cities, including Beijing where Arsenal face Manchester City at the Bird's Nest stadium on 27th July.
Arsenal's final match in Asia will take place in Hong Kong against the local champions Kitchee FC on 29th July.
The London club will then make their first visit to Africa when they travel to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, to play a game on 5th August, giving Arsenal's large Nigerian fan base the chance to watch their team play.
"Emirates and Arsenal started their journey together back in 2004 and our aim has always been to bring Arsenal closer to its millions of loyal fans across the six continents that we fly to. With this in mind, we are delighted to announce that Emirates will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Arsenal 2012 Tour", said Boutros Boutros, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications.
"The tour will make it possible for Arsenal's loyal supporters in Nigeria, Malaysia, mainland China and Hong Kong to see their heroes in action. Coincidently, in the same year that we began our relationship with Arsenal, we launched our first service to both Nigeria and China. And like Arsenal, we have enjoyed a strong and growing relationship with both of these countries ever since", continued Mr Boutros.
"Arsenal Football Club is delighted to be expanding our long-term partnership with Emirates through our 2012 Tour. We are fortunate to have such a strong global partner who is as committed to these key markets as we are. We are all excited to be visiting Malaysia, China including Hong Kong, and Nigeria, countries with many loyal Arsenal fans, who will now have the opportunity to see their team play live in the summer", said Arsenal's Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Fox.
Photo: (from left to right) Boutros Boutros (Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications), Arséne Wenger (Manager, Arsenal FC) and Tom Fox (Chief Commercial Officer, Arsenal FC) are flanked by two members of Emirates' cabin crew at Arsenal's London Colney Training Centre.
10th May, 2012
New sponsorship deals sealed by Stoke City
Stoke City FC have secured two lucrative sponsorship agreements which increase the backing of bet365 and extend upon one of the longest-running partnerships in football with Britannia.
The club will go into their fifth season of Premier League football with bet365 as new shirt sponsors, while Britannia, which is part of The Co-operative Bank, will become their official Banking and Community Partner and also retain naming rights for the Britannia Stadium.
The sponsorship agreements are geared to maximising the opportunities which are available locally, nationally and globally as a result of the club's progress since winning promotion to the top flight of English football in 2008.
As the world's largest online betting company, bet365 recognises the huge benefits of the Premier League's global exposure for their brand with international television coverage reaching more than 650 million homes worldwide. The name of Britannia on Stoke City's shirts has been a familiar one for fifteen years, making it the longest existing partnership in the Premier League.
Through the new partnership, Britannia will now work with the club on new initiatives in the local community to encourage, in particular, more children to get involved in sport and enjoy healthy lifestyles, a focus that fits well with the objectives of The Co-operative Group.
City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes hailed the two new sponsorship agreements which have put the club in a strong position to move forward in the future. "This is a very exciting development for the football club which gives us every chance to continue progressing forward", he commented. "We have the opportunity now to work closely with two very successful local companies on two different fronts.
"The club is already hugely indebted to the support from bet365 and its owners, the Coates family. Whilst Britannia and The Co-operative Group focus more on local and national markets, bet365, who are the largest private sector employers in the area, operate on a global basis".
He added: "This agreement with bet365 means that we have been able to maximise the international element of the club's exposure. "We received a number of offers from potential sponsors, but bet365 were the highest bidders, arguably further underlining their commitment to the club".
Denise Coates, Joint Chief Executive of bet365, commented: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement to become Stoke City's shirt sponsors. "It is a perfect fit for us as a Stoke-on-Trent-based company with a global reach and international markets to become shirt sponsor of our local Premier League club. This builds upon the extensive sponsorship, LED and advertising we are already committed to at many Premier League clubs and within the sports industry in general. It also further demonstrates our long term commitment to the club".
Britannia's focus on the community has been a notable feature of a long-running association with the club which has proved to be hugely beneficial in many ways.
"We are delighted to be retaining our special link with Britannia and its parent The Co-operative Group", said Scholes.  "Their fantastic support over such a long period has played a big part in what has been achieved by the Club and has helped in developing such strong links with our supporters and the wider community".
Barry Tootell, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Bank, said: "Our relationship with Stoke City is very special. North Staffordshire is a key trading area for the whole of The Co-operative Group and is an area in which we have thousands of members, customers and colleagues. "Developing our involvement with the club's community programme is a natural fit for our Co-operative businesses because it is extremely important for us to support areas in which we trade. The Co-operative Bank Football Roadshow which we worked on with the club this season was a huge success for us and we received excellent feedback from schools, parents and children".
He added: "The community aspect of our relationship is very important to us and I am delighted that we are about to begin this new chapter in our relationship with the club. We look forward to working with the football club to develop a truly innovative programme for the local community".
7th May, 2012
Ukie announces sponsorship of Games Britannia Festival
Games and interactive entertainment trade body Ukie is to sponsor the UK's first-ever schools festival of video games.
Over 1,000 children, aged between 5 and 18, from across the UK have already signed up to attend Games Britannia.
Games Britannia is the first ever week-long festival of its kind. It is the UK's biggest videogames education and careers festival, involving seven days of workshops, activities and keynotes celebrating and inspiring the next generation of British videogame talent.
Ukie, through its Next Gen Skills Campaign, is leading on the delivery of recommendations from the Livingstone Hope Skills report. The report, also known as Next Gen, found that not only were children not aware that there is a video games industry in the UK but that they were also unaware of the skills needed to work in the industry. Ukie established the Next Gen Skills Campaign to change this and to ensure a flow of talent into the UK games industry. This includes working with children, teachers and parents to demonstrate the importance of learning maths, physics, art and computer science – a goal very much shared by Games Britannia.
Ukie CEO Jo Twist said: "We are delighted to be supporting Games Britannia. It's going to be a fantastic festival and an important one in driving forward our shared goal of using something everybody loves, games, to get them interested in studying maths, physics, art and computer science. Having over 1,000 children signed up already shows the appetite there is to understand more about how to make games, how the games industry works and gives us a wonderful opportunity to get children to have fun while they understand a bit more about the skills needed to create the next generation of video games".
Games Britannia Director, of Brinsworth Academy, Mark Hardisty, said: "Having the UK games industry support us through Ukie is vital for Games Britannia, and will provide inspiration and aspiration for the many children that will take part. Their work in helping get computer science onto the national curriculum has opened the door for thousands of children to learn how to code. Games Britannia is all about making sure that children know more about the skills required to make a video game and take advantage of the opportunities that are there".
Games Britannia is a grass-roots initiative conceived at Brinsworth Academy and supported by staff at Sheffield Hallam University. Senior Lecturer in Game Development at Sheffield Hallam, Dr. Jacob Habgood commented: "The motivation and commitment shown by Brinsworth's staff has been humbling and it's been fantastic to support them in such a forward-looking educational initiative".
4th May, 2012
Parcel delivery company Yodel sponsors The Tour of Britain
Hatfield, United Kingdom--(PR.com)-- Yodel, the UK's leading parcel delivery company, has announced that it will continue its sponsorship of The Tour of Britain, confirming that it will remain the official logistics partner and sprints sponsor of the country's biggest professional cycle race and largest free-to-watch sporting event in 2012.
The Tour, which starts on Sunday, 9th September, will see the world's top cyclists taking part in eight challenging stages throughout England, Scotland and Wales, before the thrilling final, this year hosted by Surrey on Sunday, 16th September.
This is the third year that Yodel has been involved with the world class event, and the second as a lead sponsor. The partnership deal between Yodel and The Tour of Britain will see The Tour's sprints competition branded as the Yodel Sprints Competition, with three "hot spot" Yodel Sprints taking place on each stage of the 2012 race.
As part of the sponsorship deal, Yodel will also become Official Logistics Partner to The Halfords Tour Series, an eleven round city centre cycling race series, which brings unique and exciting televised professional team racing to towns and cities across Britain during May and June.
Yodel will also remain Official Logistics Partner to The Tour Rides, The Tour of Britain's amateur cycle rides, which take place this summer and allow over 5,000 amateur cyclists to take on the challenge of routes inspired by The Tour.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Yodel's Chief Executive, Jonathan Smith, said: "We are very proud to once again be part of the UK's leading professional cycle race. Yodel has developed an association with cycling and is the logistics partner for a number of major bicycle retailers, including Halfords, and we are delighted to be joining them again for The Tour Series.
"Like The Tour, speed and teamwork is crucial to ensure an efficient delivery service, making this partnership with Yodel and The Tour of Britain a winning combination".
Commenting on the partnership, Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive for SweetSpot Group, organisers and promoters of The Tour of Britain, said: "We are very excited that Yodel is once again supporting Britain's biggest cycle race. Yodel has become synonymous with the Sprints Jersey and I'm sure that fans will continue to flock to the Yodel Sprints, where some of the most exciting action in The Tour of Britain will unfold".
Yodel joins ŠKODA UK and IG Markets in taking ownership of one of the race's four leaders' jerseys.
2nd May, 2012
Hankook Tyre UK renews Elite sponsorship commitment to rugby's Saints
Hankook Tyre UK has announced that it has renewed its long-standing partnership with the Northampton Saints Rugby Club, as the sponsorship agreement is extended for a further four years.
The new agreement sees the company continuing its commitment to the club as they remain Elite sponsor until 2016, with the Hankook logo positioned on the team's shirts.
Hankook, one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers, has been the Elite sponsor of Northampton Saints since 2009. The company's headquarters is based in Northamptonshire in the nearby town of Daventry. Hankook has rapidly built an impressive reputation for its innovative and high-quality tyres.
Tony Lee, Managing Director of Hankook Tyre UK commented: "The partnership between Hankook and the Saints has been a great success to date and we are understandably thrilled to continue our commitment to the club as an Elite Sponsor. It has allowed us to increase brand awareness by reaching a wider audience through the support of an accomplished and talented squad".
Chief Executive of the Saints, Allan Robson, was equally upbeat: "Hankook is investing into sports advertising in a variety of markets across the globe and our new deal reflects their view of the club as one of the major brands in world rugby", he said.
"It shows that they believe we are a club to be associated with in the next four years and that we will give them the exposure they demand from their investment".
Robson added: "Our Elite sponsors want to be associated with success, and Hankook is no different. With five cup finals in as many years, and with the team in touching distance of a third consecutive Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final, we have shown clearly that we have re-established ourselves as a force to be reckoned with in English rugby.
The vast majority of our top international stars have signed new long-term contracts in the past twelve months, and everyone at Franklin's Gardens is excited about our future prospects. Of course a good rapport with our Elite sponsors is crucial to enable us to invest in the continued playing success. Over the past three years we have worked hard to develop and enhance our relationship with Hankook in a variety of ways, and we are delighted that this will be continuing until at least 2016".
1st May, 2012
Sussex Innovation Centre to sponsor Sussex Business Awards 2012
The organisers of the 2012 Sussex Business Awards have announced a new sponsor for this year's Award scheme – the twenty fourth.
Sussex Innovation Centre, one of the premier business incubators in the UK, will sponsor the Award for Innovation in Business.
 Executive Director, Mike Herd commented: "We are proud to be sponsors of the Sussex Business Awards. We look forward to discovering and rewarding successful innovations and encouraging more entrepreneurs to develop new opportunities".
Providing support for high growth potential innovative companies and for the commercialisation of research from the University of Sussex, the Sussex Innovation Centre provides specialist facilities for over eighty new technology and knowledge based businesses.
The Centre is positioned as a stimulating location for entrepreneurs, start-ups, growing companies and corporate innovators alike - offering flexible, professional office space and a comprehensive range of in-house support services designed to assist during the vital early years of operation. The Centre is no stranger to the Awards. Mike Herd was named Sussex Businessperson of the Year in the 2000 Awards.
Organiser Caraline Brown from Midnight Communications said: "The level and variety of sponsorship for this year's Awards is outstanding.
"The Awards are a celebration of the exceptional people, companies, events and attractions that are all helping showcase business excellence in Sussex. Without the sponsors' commitment, the awards simply couldn't happen".
Celebrating business excellence across Sussex, the awards represent the longest established scheme of its kind in the county. This year will mark the twenty-fourth anniversary of the competition and, say the organisers, "it's the one that everyone wants to win!"
With the awards scheduled to launch across three locations in Sussex in next month, companies will be invited to submit their nominations online.
|
The UK Sponsorship Database
