Tennis Needs Titles.. STAT

As the hardcourts heat up, so too are the discussions for title sponsorship of tennis' elite events. At least that's what USTA officials are hoping. Mark Ambrogi of the Indianapolis Star today reports that the officials of the former RCA Tennis Championships (now dubbed Indianapolis Tennis Championships) have been in discussions for months with a title sponsor for next year's tournament. W...

What's Your 'Clicks-to-Sponsor?'

Having put together more than a few competitive analyses, I can typically find my way around a property website. Nevertheless, recently I was left wondering why more properties don't showcase sponsors front and center - or at the very least make it dead simple for visitors and fans to learn about what they're doing. Pretty much any proposal you get will have the obligatory "prominent exposu...

Babies need sponsorship, too.

How do you expand your event to appeal to a wider range of audiences (and sponsors) than those of a niche, specifically in this case endurance athletes in the Tri-state area? John Korff, organizer of the Nautica Triathlon, has found the right formula. His company, Korff Enterprises, has expanded this weekend's NYC Nautica Triathlon from a one race event to include a weekend of race-themed act...

GM Rolls Out of Buick Open after 51 Years

Golfweek is reporting that GM has pulled their sponsorship of the Buick Open, ending their 51 year relationship with the PGA Tour. According to sources, the PGA Tour will unveil a new title sponsor and venue for next year's event, after the 2009 Buick Open next week. “Golf’s been a huge part of our DNA, but we’re having to make some hard decisions,” Larry Peck, Buick-GMC"s national promot...

Affliction Taps Out; Back as Sponsor of UFC

Last night Affliction, the edgy clothing brand with deep ties to the MMA world, announced they were canceling their heavily promoted, GoDaddy titled-sponsored August 1 card (Trilogy), and would become an official sponsor of rival MMA powerhouse, UFC. Apparently short memories make for good sponsors. Check out what UFC's president Dana White had to say a few months back on Affliction, and on...

Deal Flow 7-24-2009

Affliction Clothing has agreed to renew its sponsorship of UFC, after previously being banned from the UFC for starting a rival MMA promotions business. As part of the deal, Affliction has agreed to exit the MMA promotions business. Adidas has renewed its designation as UEFA's official ball supplier for the next three years at a value of $7 million per year. Univision has signed State Farm...

Cause Marketing Lessons from the Tour de France

The Tour de France, the world’s most famous bike race wrapped up last weekend–sadly, without our hero Lance in yellow. It’s been a tough struggle for the Tour the past couple of years. First, it didn’t have a big name rider like Lance involved anymore. But an even bigger problem has been the drug scandals that have knocked out some of cycling’s best riders and left a blemish on the sport. And ...

The Most Valuable Piece of Your Business

Wanna Know What the MOST VALUABLE Piece of your Business Is...?? (and here's a surprise ... it's not what you THINK it is...!) You know, if I walked up to most business owners out there at their shop or in a meeting and asked them this very question, they'd stop ... stroke their chin a few times ... and respond that it's undoubtedly something about their product, service, special formula or aw...

Deal Flow 7-23-2009

Lance Armstrong announced Thursday that he would race in next year’s Tour de France as a member of Team RadioShack. Premier League football club Portsmouth has secured Jobsite.co.uk as its shirt sponsor. Target Corp. is sponsoring local art events across the country, offering 2,200 free days at more than 100 museums, theaters and cultural institutions throughout the summer. The LA Galaxy ann...

Can the UFC Gain Sponsors That Have a Broader Appeal?

Sports Business Journal has an article up talking about the issue of the UFC continually fighting for gains in the advertising market. Most notably, there are a few choice quotes (via MMAPayout) from marketing firms that still point at the problem that Dana White and the UFC have in attracting different sponsors:"I don’t think anyone wants to be there when something bad happens, and something b...