Banff, the Latest Municipality to Hire Sponsorship Expert

Canadian resort town, Banff, is the latest municipality to consider outsourcing sponsorship sales. According to local paper, the Banff Crag and Canyon, town council officials are putting $30,000 towards a plan the town hopes will bring big returns in corporate sponsorship. The cash has been earmarked in the 2011 budget so that it can hire an expert to develop sponsorship packages and secur...

Gator Bowl Goes With Progressive Insurance in 1-Year Title Deal

Progressive Insurance is the new title sponsor of the 2011 Gator Bowl, to be played on January 1, 2011 at Jacksonville's Everbank Field. Financial terms were not released, but the Florida Times-Union reports that the deal is for only the 2011 game, with the option to renew for three more years. "Progressive is one of the best-known brands in the country," said Steve Tremel, chairman of The G...

LA Unified School District Unanimously Approves Sponsorship Plan

Los Angeles Unified School District's board has approved http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

Lexus Courts Gamers with Xbox "All-Nighter"

In support of its new CT 200h hybrid, Lexus has forged a partnership with Microsoft to sponsor the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network "All-Nighter." This Saturday, Lexus will sponsor the all-night gaming marathon for "Halo: Reach," giving gamers the opportunity to download Lexus content and enter to win prizes. The "All-Nighter" custom sponsorship includes a branded destination experienc...

An Energy Company (Not Named Enron) Has Sponsored Houston's New Baseball Stadium

You might recall the last time an energy company stamped its name on a new baseball stadium in Houston. Houston-based retail electricity provider, StarTex, is hoping for a much better track record this time around with the 10-year naming rights deal it announced today for the new $30 million minor league baseball stadium in nearby Sugar Land. The stadium, set to open in 2012, will be named “Sta...

Long Island Ducks Land $2.1 M/10 Year Stadium Sponsor

After a year with no naming-rights sponsor for its minor league baseball stadium, Suffolk County has agreed to a deal with Bethpage Federal Credit Union to pay $2.1 million to dub the Long Island Ducks' home field Bethpage Ballpark until 2020. Read More >>

U.S. Bobsled Adopts NASCAR Model, Plans to Brand Bobsleds with Sponsor Logos

After capturing a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympic Games -- the USA's first four-man bobsled gold in the past 62 years -- the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) is getting more aggressive with its sponsor branding. The USBSF says it plans to start emulating NASCAR and other motor sports by covering sleds with the logos of its top sponsors. In the past, simple "USA" designs were...

New Year's Eve Times Square Snags Confetti Sponsor

As more than one million visitors brave the frigid elements to watch the Times Square ball drop, Carnival Cruise Lines is making a play to get their warm weather destinations top of mind. Carnival today announced it is the official confetti sponsor of the Times Square New Year's Eve 2011 celebration. The deal includes on-site media that will associate the "Fun Ship" brand with Times Square New...

The Thrashers Look to Sell Tickets By Putting Their Mascot In Jail

Activation Tactic of the Week is supported by social media solutions provider, KickApps. Create Custom Widgets, Grow & Engage Your Audience. Free Sign Up! Sports organizations are certainly going the extra distance to sell tickets these days. On Wednesday, the Atlanta Thrashers launched a "Free Thrash!" viral campaign on their team website encouraging fans to purchase ticket pack...

BMW Uses Flash to Imprint Logo in Viewer Eyes

Looking for new ways to keep your brand top of mind? BMW took this goal to the next level, quite literally, when they found a way to burn the BMW logo directly into viewers eyes at a German movie theatre. This is part scary, but innovative guerilla marketing nonetheless. Check it out. h/t Wired