Deal Flow 9-16-2009

Discount Tire Co. is moving its NASCAR sponsorship next year to Penske Racing, agreeing to sponsor Brad Keselowski in the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series and become an associate sponsor of Penske’s NASCAR Nextel Cup and IndyCar series teams. Kia Motors, which is already the official automobile of the WNBA, has decided to sponsor four of the league's season-ending awards. Rolex will serve as pre...

What am I MISSING here?

Just finished reading the inaugural issue of a new magazine called "Best Events- California" – a magazine targeted to California-focused meeting planners and special events promoters on evolving their business with the changing times. As magazines go, not a bad initial effort at all. Best Events publisher, Sharon Kress, writes in a special box in the front of the magazine that: "Budgets are in ...

Rewards of Cause Marketing are Absolut

Renata von Tscharner, President of The Charles River Conservancy (CRC), isn’t sure why Absolut chose her organization to receive the charitable windfall from its new Absolut Boston Vodka. But she’s thrilled they did. Under the agreement, CRC will receive a $50,000 gift from Absolut that the Boston-based environmental group will use for programs that are generally difficult to fund. “Advocacy w...

Lessons in Localization: Partner with Passions

Since I read Stacy Mitchell's piece entitled 'How the World's Biggest Corporations, From Starbucks to Wal-Mart to Barnes & Noble, Claim to Be 'Local' I've seen at least three good examples of major consumer brands looking to brand their products local in the way she describes. ESPN & City Exclusives ESPN has launched websites that tie together the local sports news for Boston and Chi...

VZ Test Man Gets Down With Gators

Verizon Wireless announced today that it has become the official wireless carrier for the University of Florida Athletic Association, extending a long-term partnership inherited in its acquisition of Alltell late last year. Verizon Wireless will officially kick off the exclusive sponsorship with a visit from its iconic Test Man TV character to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp) in Gainesvill...

Visa Promotion Puts Off TIFF Fans

Steve Kuperfman of the Torontoist today provides a detailed account of sponsor backlash from the Toronto International Film Festival, dubbed "the friendly festival." According to his report, guests of Tuesday night's Baarìa premiere, were less than pleased at Visa's cardholder promotion, which offers a priority line to get in the theatre first, only for holders of Visa gold or platinum cards. H...

Deal Flow 9-17-2009

Samsung Mobile and Texas Motor Speedway announced that they will extend the eight-year title sponsorship. The Samsung 500 will be called the Samsung Mobile 500 beginning next year. Verizon Wirelesswill assume sponsorship of the Florida Gators, extending the deal it inherited in its Alltell acquisition last year. The Dallas Mavericks will have HDNet as its practice jersey sponsor for the upcom...

Kleenex: 'Don't drop the ®'

Brands covet their nouns and verbs, especially when they've become a generally accepted category term in the public's lexicon. Spotted an interesting ad from Kleenex® Tissues on BrandWeek recently. Who's this ad aimed at? Other marketers and agencies one would assume? Unless you're BrandWeek. As we understand it, fair use doctrines allow journalists like BrandWeek to run stories like...

Sponsorship Sold to...?

The Plymouth Argyle sponsorship auction on eBay came to an end this morning with a last minute bid for £2,750.00. In total, there were 18 bids from seven bidders. So did the power of an efficient market work? Ashley Read from Sport Driven estimates that the package would normally be priced at about the reserve price of £1,500. Not taking into account, the windfall of free publicity Plymouth ...

Should sponsors think more like VC's?

Having talked to a number of well-known VC's lately, I can't help but think about some of the similarities between the way VC's and sponsors think, as it stands right now. When we were raising money, we would constantly hear things like "AWESOME.. LOVE THE CONCEPT, I can see how that could really take off... But come back and talk to me when you're bigger!" Lots of enthusiasm, no offer. If ...