Deal Flow 8-26-2009

JetBlue announced a one year sponsorship with University of Texas athletics runs through 2010, with options through 2012. The airline is not an official airline sponsor of any other collegiate sports departments and under the deal Continental Airlines will remain the charter carrier for UT's football team. SpongeTech today announced a sponsorship with the U.S. Open/USTA that will provide the c...

SpongeTech 'Signs' Up for U.S. Open Tennis

SpongeTech continued its major push into sports sponsorship today with an announcement that the "the smarter sponge" will be featured prominently courtside at next week's U.S. Open. Building upon existing Major League Baseball and National Football League partnerships, the US Open will provide SpongeTech new international sports appeal. The Company will receive premium courtside signage at th...

DIRECTV & ESPN Roll Out The Hard Court

DIRECTV and ESPN rolled out the red carpet, and two full hard courts, in Manhattan's Bryant Park earlier today for the DIRECTV U.S. Open Experience, which included a free tennis exhibition, USTA clinic featuring some of the biggest names in the sport and the chance to compete against star James Blake. Other stars attending included Venus and Serena Williams; tennis legend John McEnroe; former ...

Luke Jensen Talks Tennis Sponsorship

SponsorPitch caught up with former tennis star, TV commentator and college coach, Luke Jensen, earlier today. Jensen tells SponsorPitch how players and tournaments can build their brand to make it more attractive to sponsorship marketers. Some great advice towards the end on how to "pitch" your opportunity and yourself as a brand. NOTE: for best viewing, wait for the entire video to load an...

Presented by Subsidiary to Title

With the 2009 LPGA Navistar Classic right around the corner, the tournament this morning announced that Monaco RV will be the presenting sponsor at this year's tournament held in late September in Prattville, Alabama. Okay, not a big deal right? Except for the fact that Navistar owns Monaco RV, a manufacturer of motorized and towable recreational vehicles. So what would make a title sponso...

Deal Flow 8-25-2009

Del Taco has extended its sponsorship with the Arizona Cardinals Football Club for a second year in a row, making Del Taco the team's official QSR. BSkyB has signed on to be a founding partner at London's O2 arena for £3m per year. Payless Shoe Source will be the exclusive sponsor of the Official Ride of Fashion's Night Out. The Buffalo Bills have signed a sponsorship deal with Power Trip Be...

SpongeTech Soaks Up Sports Sponsorships

Who says signage can't sell? Not SpongeTech, the smarter sponge. In fact, you can't go to an MLB ballpark without seeing SpongeTech somewhere these days. In case you haven't seen our daily Deal Flow section, SpongeTech is making sports sponsorship a centerpiece to the firm's new marketing strategy. And people, a lot of people, like Keith Hernandez are taking notice. At current tally, Spo...

Sponsorship for Speakers

To this point I've been primarily speaking of sponsorship in "general terms" – talking about some of the major ways to prospect for sponsors … why sponsors would want to sponsor your event (or property) … and some inside tips on getting "in" with them. And I'll certainly get back to sharing more of these tips; however, I wanted to devote the next few blogs to discussing sponsorship in specific...

Payless Partners with NYC's Fashion Night Out

This year's NYC Fashion Week may be subdued, but it plans to kick off with the "single largest shopping event in New York City history." Fashion's Night Out was created by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the City of New York and NYC & Company to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion in NYC. Over 700 NYC retailers plan to participate in the e...

Deal Flow 8-24-2009

Stonyfield Farm entered a one-year sponsorship agreement with the U.S. Open to promote its Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt. Memorial Hermann Healthcare System became the official health care provider of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Panasonic Inked a sponsorship deal for 'Avatar' to promote new 3-D plasma and Blu-ray products Kimberly Clark and Marcos Ambrose's No. 47 Toyota a...