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 a...

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 Par...

Links 10/23/2009

Indianapolis Spelling Bee Lacks Sponsorship, In JeopardyJordan Sneaker Dispute Spotlights College Sponsorship BusinessBarclays Renews Premier League Deal at £82.25MBoston Celtics Partner with Chipotle Mexican Grill New LG Line Hits Toronto's Fashion Week RunwayDespite recession, big 2010 Washington golf events see robust salesAre College Sports Headed The Way of the Online Ad Network?In ...

Property of the Week: Tour of Virginia

Looking for a unique way to the more than 420,000 residents living in Roanoke and Harrisonburg areas and the more than 7.6 million people in Virginia through sports and entertainment? If so, now's the time to start thinking about 2010 opportunities like the Tour of Virginia. What is the Tour of Virginia... The Tour of Virginia is a five-day professional road cycling race and rolling street...

Are College Sports Headed The Way of the Online Ad Network?

I wanted to throw something out for discussion and I hope some of you will weigh in with your $.02. Recently, we've heard a considerable amount of chatter (both good and bad) about major sports marketing agencies making an entrance into the college sports space. First, the good... it's widely assumed that colleges will derive more revenue from the marketing muscle that these agencies bring to ...

New LG Line Hits Fashion Week Runway

Fashion show attendees are becoming accustomed to snagging some serious sponsor swag at Fashion Weeks around the world, but when the lights dim it's usually all about the designer. At LG Fashion Week's Evan Biddell show last night however, models shared the spotlight with a special guest: the LG Chocolate. Strutting the runway in the latest designs, models were accompanied by the new phone ad...

'Til Death Do Us Part

News of the week is that Staples has signed a “lifetime” extension to be the title sponsor of the Staples Center. Let’s leave aside the semantic issue of whose lifetime precisely – that of the Center which will inevitably be knocked down and replaced by some future uber-center in a few years, or that of Staples until it gets taken over or becomes Office Staples in a merger. Either way we’re a...

Activation Tactic of the Week

Are you looking to provide incremental inventory for corporate partners? Are you looking for new ways to leverage sonic branding at your venue? Sports organizations looking for new ways to enhance the gameday experience via branding should take note of the piano stairs craze circulating around the world. If you have not seen the clip yet (shown below), Volkswagen decided that it would change c...

Barclays Renews Premier Deal at £82.25M

Barclays has officially signed a three year deal with the Premier League worth £82.25 million ($134.5 million) over the next three years. “The clubs unanimously accepted Barclays' proposal and are looking forward to further developing a successful relationship for what must be considered one of sport's top sponsorship properties," Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said. The ti...

Links 10/22/2009

Harman International Announces Extended Role as an Official Sound Partner to the GRAMMY AwardsOttawa Senators partner with Helix Hearing Care CentresManchester United Cool on IMG's Pitchside Proposal SpongeTech Partners with Chicago BlackhawksCorner the Market - Giants and Jets Sign PepsiCo for Corner SponsorshipMaking Sponsorship Pay - Even In A RecessionGive Away the Tix, Sell the Sponso...