Links 10/23/2009

Indianapolis Spelling Bee Lacks Sponsorship, In JeopardyJordan Sneaker Dispute Spotlights College Sponsorship BusinessDodge Arena Is Getting A New Name

Kia Employs Scare Tactic

This may be the best sign yet that auto dealers are regaining an appetite for sponsorship. Glendale Kia is the official presenting sponsor of "Chucky's Funhouse" Maze at Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights. "Halloween Horror Nights is an ideal setting to reach Kia Soul's target demographic," said Stephanie Testa, vice president of corporate alliances of Universal Studios ...

Mercedes-Benz Signs 4-year, $35M U.S. Open Sponsorship

Mercedes-Benz will replace Lexus as the official automobile of the U.S. Open tennis championship, starting in 2010 and running through 2013. "The partnership with the USTA aligns with our strategy to place Mercedes-Benz at the forefront of marquee events," said Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. "The Open takes place in one of our most important markets and is ...

Bacardi Serves Up Rock Hall Event Sponsorship

Bacardi will be the official spirit sponsor of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts at Madison Square Garden presented by American Express. Each night of the event (October 29th & 30th) will feature a different line-up, with artists including U2, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Simon & Garfunkel, Metallica, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Crosby, Stills Na...

U.K. Football Club Raffles Shirt Sponsorship

Europe has traditionally been ahead of the curve on new sponsorship models (just look at jersey ads!). It seems for mid-size football clubs, sponsorship raffles may actually be catching on. U.K.'s Darlington Football Club is raffling off shirt sponsorship for the upcoming season under the newly launched Business Backing Darlington Club initiative. Even if they don't walk away with the big p...

A Suggestion Box for Sponsorship

You can't say that the City of Indianapolis isn't up for some new ideas. First, city officials selected a five-month old firm to manage a recently announced municipal partnerships initiative and now, they are asking the public to send in some new sponsorship ideas. In line with Mayor Greg Ballard's emphasis on citizen engagement, Indianapolis has launched a rather unique action plan - part su...

Every Moustache Makes A Difference

Guys - your significant other might not approve of the moustache, but she'll surely forgive you for the next month. Such is the sacrifice that Rockstar Games is asking of men - and their spouses - in honor of their Movember sponsorship. Movember is a non-profit aimed at raising funds and awareness for men's health issues including the fight against prostate and testicular cancer. Rockst...

Links 10/26/2009

John Smith’s extends Grand National sponsorshipKia Uses Scare Tactic; Partners with Universal StudiosPokerstars sponsors English national rugby team Mercedes-Benz signs 4-year, $35M U.S. Open sponsorshipNew book: Let Someone Else Pay For Your Dream AdventureALDA Pharmaceuticals to be official hand sanitation & disinfectant products at Olympic OvalBacardi Serves Up Rock Hall 25th Anni...

Report: UK Sports Sponsorship Spending Rising, But Vunerable

A new report that examines the U.K. sports sponsorship market was released today and concludes that sports funding in Britain will increase over the next 4 years because of two major events: the Olympic Games (London 2012), targeting sponsorship worth 600m pounds, and the Commonwealth Games (Glasgow2014). However it says, these events could temporarily divert funds from the regularly sponsored ...

Practical Tips for Prospecting

A couple days back I received an introductory e-mail from a not to be named media company in the Chicagoland area outreaching, or in better terms, prospecting me for a potential media buy for my organization the Chicago Red Stars of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). In all its splendid glory the e-mail read… Hello, I understand you are the main contact at the Red Stars for marketing pro...