Court: Team Lotus Can Keep Name

After a lengthy legal battle, London's High Court has announced a verdict in the F1 naming rights battle between Team Lotus and Group Lotus. The court ruled that Team Lotus will be able to continue using its name in Formula 1. Tony Fernandes, Team Lotus owner and Air Asia CEO immediately took to twitter announcing "We won. I'm over the moon. Team lotus belongs to us. Our chasis name stays lot...

Heineken Extends Champions League Deal Through 2015

On the eve of the UEFA Champions League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United, officials today announced the extension of one of its most important sponsorship agreements. Heineken will remain a partner for the UEFA Champions League seasons 2012-2015 and for the UEFA Super Cup 2012, 2013 and 2014. And why not, with fan loyalty like this? "We are very pleased that our long-term partne...

If You’re An Opener ~ The Close Comes Easy

This post is inspired by my pal, Anthony Iannarino (@iannarino), and a tweet that he sent me this week. Anthony wrote, “Who is ringing the bell today? I am!” Which in sales lingo means that he did a deal. I wrote back, “Nice, you’re a closer.” Here’s the next line that inspired this blog post: “I am an opener! The closing takes care of itself!” In one short statement, Anthony captured the found...

London 2012 Adds Tier 3 Sponsor

LOCOG has secured Thames Water as a tier three sponsor of London 2012, becoming Official Water Utility Services Provider of the Games. Thames Water will provide all water utility and waste water services at London 2012 venues, ensuring clean, reliable tap water and sanitation to the Games. "We are thrilled to welcome Thames Water to the London 2012 sponsorship family, their expertise and atte...

FIFA's Blatter: Football is not in a crisis

As sponsor pressure mounts, Fifa president Sepp Blatter insisted in a news conference (below) that there's no crisis, but rather some difficulties that will be solved. The press conference came as pressure grows over ethics concerns within the organization, amid a new allegation that the bidding process that rewarded Qatar with the 2022 World Cup was corrupt. The allegation is the latest in a y...

Pantech Sponsors Dew Tour In Support Of New Product Launch

Pantech Wireless, the North American subsidiary of one of Korea’s three largest mobile phone manufacturers, has signed a deal to become the official handset partner of both the Dew Tour and Winter Dew Tour, and will title sponsoring the opening event of the 2011 season. The sponsorship will compliment the launch of several new Pantech products found at AT&T stores and retailers nationwide....

Cleveland Indians Land Official Fuel

BP has unveiled a partnership with the Cleveland Indians, which will make it the official fuel provider of the MLB team. The deal includes a market-wide retail promotion at BP sites throughout the remainder of the 2011 Major League Baseball season, brand integration at Progressive Field and VIP experiences around pre-game batting practice. "BP is building on its commitment to local drivers an...

Top 5 Reasons Your Proposal Isn't Converting To Sales

We’ve been asked many times to give advice to brands concerned about their inability to source for sponsors. No matter which sector the opportunity represents, it’s often the sponsorship proposal which is not translating how sponsorship benefits can add value and ROI. There can be a number of reasons why the sponsorship proposal doesn’t work, but we’d like to highlight the most important: 1...

J.P. Morgan Secures "Biggest Sponsorship" in Cricket Grounds' 224 Year History

London's Lord's Cricket Ground, and its owner Marylebone Cricket Club, have come to a sponsorship agreement with J.P. Morgan which is being called the “biggest and most comprehensive” corporate partnership in MCC’s 224-year history. The sponsorship will provide the multi-national banking institution with naming rights to the Media Centre, hospitality facilities on-site and branding at the Londo...

Bank Signs $7.9 Million Marathon Renewal

Standard Chartered Bank has renewed title sponsorship of the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore for $7.9 million over a three-year partnership that will run through 2013. 2011 will be the second running of the the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore, which attracted 60,000 participants in its first year. “After a very successful inaugural SCMS in 2010, we are delighted to announce our co...