Ohio Lawmakers Considers Ads On School Buses

Faced with cash strapped school districts, Ohio lawmakers have introduced a plan that will let school districts gain additional revenue by selling their own ads on school buses. If H.B. 353. passes, each school district will be able to solicit and award contracts for the sale of ad space on their own buses, with a few category exceptions: alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or anything of a sexual na...

Agencies Take Different Routes To Building Out Brazil Operations

With the World Cup and Olympics coming to Brazil in 2014 and '16 respectively, it seems a week doesn't pass without an agency announcing new or expanded operations there. Recently, IPG's Momentum Worldwide announced that it is setting up a dedicated sports division in Brazil, teaming up with motorsports icon, Emerson Fittipaldi. Omnicom's SportsMark also announced this week that it has opened ...

10 Seasons Ago, Ford Had "Gut Instinct" About American Idol Sponsorship

As Ford enters the finale of its 10th season of American Idol sponsorship, Crystal Worthem, Ford Brand Content and Alliances manager recently had the opportunity to reflect on partnering with one of the most powerful reality tv shows of all time. The partnership has paid big dividends for the automaker translating into increased vehicle sales, enhanced ad performance, and greater consumer aware...

FLW Reels In Igloo As New Partner

Igloo Products Corporation, the Texas-based maker of insulated coolers, has signed a sponsorship agreement with the FLW Outdoors, the world’s largest fishing tournament organization, which will bring Igloo coolers to 191 FLW competitions across the country. Deal terms were not released “By partnering with FLW Outdoors, the Igloo brand will be seen by millions of outdoor enthusiasts reached t...

20th Century Fox Uses Bus Shelters To Distribute X-Men Trailer

To promote the new movie X-Men First Class, 20th Century Fox is making out-of-home a lot more interactive - experimenting with a new NFC (near field communication) technology that lets consumers hold their enabled handsets over a movie poster and instantly access the latest film trailer on their mobile phone. Bus shelter poster sites throughout London are running the campaign, which is being m...

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 l...

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 par...

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 fou...

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 at...

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...