The Art Of The 'Thank You'

SP's Activation Tactic of the Week Series is supported by Getty Images. As part of our partnership, you can get 5% off when you purchase images at GettyImages.com by using the coupon code XTTPC46N during checkout. As brands and sports organizations have begun to fully understand the value of their social media channels, many have began to thank their fans and followers in some unique ways. ...

State Farm Drops LPGA Sponsorship

After 19 years as presenting sponsor, State Farm has opted not to renew its sponsorship of the LPGA State Farm Classic, starting with the 2012 event. “The local host committee has been tremendous to work with, but we continuously evaluate our sponsorships and have made a strategic business decision not to renew,” said Mark Gibson, State Farm assistant vice president, marketing. "Our attention...

Munich 2018 Unveils Countdown Clock At BMW HQ, New Sponsor

European retail giant, Metro Group, has become the latest addition to Munich 2018's extensive list of corporate backers. In addition to the announcement, Munich 2018 unveiled an enormous countdown clock at BMW headquarters. The clock was unveiled over the on Saturday to count down the final days, hours and minutes until the moment when the IOC chooses the 2018 host city between Annecy, PyeongCh...

Vodafone Crowdsources Sponsorship Ideas

Vodafone is using a website called Idea Bounty to crowdsource F1 activation ideas. The mobile network operator has placed a brief calling for Ideas that will help it leverage its sponsorship of the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 Racing team. The aim is to come up with an idea that allows everyone to realize that - “everyone can enjoy F1," and the winning activation idea will receive $10,000. “All...

Maroon 5 Run Into Tobacco Sponsorship Controversy in Indonesia

In yet another cigarette sponsorship controversy to hit Indonesia, American rock band Maroon 5 have requested that tobacco affiliations associated with its concert in Jakarta on April 27 be removed. Read More > photo credit

Cardinals Sign 1-Year Deal With Delta

The St. Louis Cardinals will fly Delta Air Lines this season in a one-year deal that makes Delta the team's official airline. Terms of the deal, which also makes Delta the Cardinals' exclusive charter airline, were not released. "As an airline whose service in St. Louis dates to 1934, we're honored to be partnering with the St. Louis Cardinals, a team with one of the richest histories in base...

K-Mart To Be Presenting Sponsor Of All WWE Events

Variety reports that World Wrestling Entertainment has landed its largest sponsorship ever, signing Kmart as the exclusive presenting sponsor of all of its live events in a deal it reports is "less than $10 million." According to the report, WWE has already created a "Live Tour" logo that incorporates Kmart into the design. Aside from receiving considerable media and signage at all live events...

Vita Coco Teams Up With Stern's Branded Entertainment Initiative

ProMotion Pictures, the NYU Stern affiliated branded entertainment initiative, has a new sponsor: coconut water brand, Vita Coco. The sponsorship will allow teams of NYU Stern MBAs and NYU Tisch Grad Film students to create between three and six comedic shorts. Since it started in 2006, ProMotion Pictures has made dozens of films for a range of global brands that include Volvo, Axe, Cisco, Veri...

Major League Gaming Dials Up An Official Mobile Phone

Sony Ericsson and Major League Gaming (MLG) have agreed to a partnership that will make Xperia PLAY the official mobile handset of Major League Gaming. The announcement was made last night at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco. Earlier this month, Sony Ericsson unveiled its new Xperia PLAY, which it hopes will entice gamers with its combination of smartphone and gaming functi...

Jockeys Trade Career Ending Insurance For 'Posterior' Sponsorship

A sponsorship deal with logistics company Stobart Group is enabling the UK's Professional Jockeys Association to re-introduce career ending insurance (CEI) for its members. The insurance deal comes at a price though, in the form of 'posterior branding.' PJA’s Joint Presidents Steve Drowne and AP McCoy said: “Jockeys have one of the most dangerous jobs in sport, so insurance is important for m...