Here's How The Official Cap of MLB Kicks Off The Season

New Era unveiled its 2011 Major League Baseball ad campaign today, which features 30 Rock's Alec Baldwin and The Office's John Krasinski in a series of commercials that highlight the passion behind the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. "We've created a campaign that celebrates the most talked about aspect of Major League Baseball - the rivalry," said Christopher H. Koch, CEO. "And we've taken one of ...

Kentucky Speedway Collaborates With Cause For Title Sponsorship

In what seems like a growing trend, a cause, not a corporation, has taken title sponsorship to another major event. Kentucky Speedway has announced that the non-profit relief organization, Feed The Children, will serve as title sponsor of the NASCAR Nationwide Series "Feed The Children 300" on July 8th. Terms of the deal were not released. "It's an honor to partner with the Kentucky Speedway ...

Telepresence Co. Looks To Make A Splash With Virtual Golf Clinics

While sponsorship spending in the telepresence category has been primarily dominated by tech bellwether, Cisco, there may be a new player in the category. Pittsburgh-based Vu Telepresence is looking to make a splash by today announcing its sponsorship of several PGA Tour tournaments. Vu TelePresence will be showcasing its videoconferencing technology on-site at stops throughout the 2011 PGA Tou...

Puma Spends Nearly 7.5% Of Total Sales In India On IPL Cricket

In an insightful interview with Business Standard, Puma Sports India managing director, Rajiv Mehta, shares that the German sportswear and apparel giant spends 10 to 15% of overall sales on building the brand, of which a full 50% goes into promotions with the Indian Premier League. And why not, Mehta goes on to tell Business Standard that the Indian market for sportswear is climbing at a 15-20%...

Activation: MLB Players Surprising Customers At B of A Branches

Straight from The LoHud Yankees Blog, Nick Swisher is apparently making unannounced and random appearances at Bank of America locations in the city today, giving away tickets and other Yankees paraphernalia. The promotion stems from the bank’s sponsorship of Major League Baseball, which makes it the Official Bank of Major League Baseball. Click here for more. (function (){var a=document.crea...

Nike Extends USOC Deal Through 2016

Nike and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) announced today that sports apparel brand will extend its sponsorship of the USOC as an official outfitter through Rio in 2016. This includes providing footwear and apparel for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes including the medal stand uniform that will be worn on the award podium and during medal ceremonies during the London 2012 Olympic and P...

Back to Basics

The plan for this week was to propose a new business model for sponsorship. I think it’s time for sponsorship to have a business model uniquely different from advertising and media buying that truly allows for accountability and rewards value creation for buyer and seller. However, the response to last week’s column and accompanying survey suggests the sponsorship market is not ready for very...

Cisco Kills The Flip Cam, Major Implications For NHL Activation?

Cisco has officially killed the Flip Cam, laying off over 500 employees, and announcing a plan to overhaul its consumer products division. Cisco bought Pure Digital Technologies (the maker of Flip) for $590 million two years ago. The move may be a bad sign for media outlets and sponsorship properties that have benefited from Cisco's aggressive consumer branding strategy since buying Flip in 2...

Hot Wheels Unveils Unreal Stunt Ramp For Indy 500 Infield

Mattel and the Indy 500 have teamed up to supersize the Hot Wheels V-Drop track you played with as a child. The unreal ramp will facilitate an attempt at the Indianapolis 500 to break the current world record distance jump for a four-wheeled vehicle. The stunt will take place about 80 minutes before the green flag drops on the 100th anniversary running at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Spee...

Bowl Brand Awareness Takes Another Hit: Meineke Moves To TX

Meineke Car Care Centers, which title sponsored a bowl game in Charlotte last year, will be the new title sponsor for the 2011 Texas Bowl in Houston. Meanwhile, Belk Department Stores is the new title sponsor of the former Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte. Confused yet? Meineke had its sponsorship of the Charlotte bowl game "cancelled" last April when an agreement between the brand and the...