Reuters - Anheuser-Busch InBev SA , the world's largest brewer, has extended its sponsorship of the soccer World Cup to 2018 and 2022.

"The extension means that the beer maker will have sponsorship rights for the World Cups and Confederations Cups held in Brazil, Russia and Qatar and should aid its plans to expand Budweiser into a global brand.

"AB InBev, which also makes Stella Artois, Beck's and Brahma, declined to say how much the company had paid World Cup organisers FIFA, but the company's chief marketing officer Chris Burggraeve said it was a "significant amount"

"World Cup top-tier 'partners' paid an estimated $100 million each for rights to the 2010 World Cup. Sponsors, of which Budweiser is one, are estimated to pay 10s of millions of dollars for their rights.

"Budweiser entered Russia, World Cup host in 2018, last year and launched in recent months in Brazil, host in 2014.

"Qatar will host in 2022, when Budweiser will be the tournament's official beer for a 10th time. Budweiser can be found in beer cafes in some hotels in the Middle East.

""The host country is an important part of the decision," Burggraeve said in a telephone interview. "But the key is the impact on a global audience."

"We had a great year in South Africa (World Cup 2010) even though it's not a significant market for us."

REUTERS, Gennady Fyodorov - MOSCOW - The Russian government plans to spend nearly $200 million building a motor racing circuit in Sochi to host the country's first Formula One grand prix in 2014, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

"The federal government has allocated 5.846 billion roubles ($195.4 million) for this project," Alaxander Ivanov, deputy governor of the Krasnodar region, told reporters. He said the construction of the track itself will cost about $200 million.

The rest of the money will come from sponsorship and private investors, officials said.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone signed a seven-year deal with the regional governor last year to stage a Russian Grand Prix in the Black Sea resort from 2014 until 2020.

Sochi is also hosting the 2014 Winter Games and the opening race could be put back a year if it hinders preparations for the Olympics.

However, with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin backing the Formula One project, Russian officials have been optimistic that all the infrastructure would be built on time.

HEINEKEN today announced that it has extended its contract with Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) to maintain the Heineken® brand’s status as Official Beer Supplier and a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

The agreement extends the Heineken brand's long-standing association with international Rugby, having first sponsored the Rugby World Cup in 1995. The ongoing sponsorship of the Tournament, coupled with its 16-year title sponsorship of The Heineken Cup, Europe’s premier club rugby competition has made the Heineken brand one of the sport’s largest and most important partners.

The extended partnership with Rugby World Cup 2015 sees Heineken maintain access to a package of worldwide rights, including use of Rugby World Cup 2015 event marks and designations in promotional tie-ins, pouring rights around stadia at all official Rugby World Cup outlets and, most notably, digital content rights to use across social media platforms.

Alexis Nasard, Chief Commercial Officer, HEINEKEN, commented: “As the world’s most international premium beer brand, we are delighted again to be an integral part of the world’s premier rugby tournament for 2015. Rugby World Cup is the world’s third largest sporting event, with a truly global reach. It is a perfect match for Heineken, and allows us to be a genuine part of our consumers’ conversation in a consistent but surprising way. It also gives us the continued opportunity to extend our messaging and execution around "Enjoy Heineken Responsibly", the brand's global responsible drinking programme."

Mike Miller, International Rugby Board Chief Executive Officer, said: "The International Rugby Board is delighted that HEINEKEN is renewing its Rugby World Cup sponsorship agreement as this furthers an already long-standing relationship with a partner that understands and shares our values and vision’’

“Rugby World Cup is now firmly established as one of the world’s premier sporting tournaments and having a globally recognisable brand such as Heineken, who have shown a continued commitment to supporting global rugby, as a Worldwide Partner is particularly important to helping the IRB promote the international growth of the Game", Mike Miller added.

Hans Erik Tuijt, Global Brand Activation Manager, HEINEKEN, said: “We are proud to be continuing our partnership with the Rugby World Cup. The event provides us with a unique opportunity to continue to share stories and further develop our relationship with the growing international rugby audience. The success of our activation be it on TV, Digital and in store during the 2011 New Zealand Tournament reinforces HEINEKEN’s decision to continue to partner with the Rugby World Cup. We look forward to making the RWC 2015 in England an even bigger success.”

While the cumulative global television audience of Rugby World Cup is over four billion, digital media has been an integral part of this year’s Tournament and Heineken has been at the forefront of this initiative. Heineken’s Rugby World Cup 2011 sponsorship campaign, entitled ‘This Is The Game’, included digital content featuring rugby legends Will Carling, Zinzan Brooke, Matt Burke, Scott Quinnell and Rob Henderson, as well as entertainment and sporting celebrities like Stephen Fry and Rio Ferdinand. Fans have been able to engage with the content across its online platforms, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

RWC 2015 in England will bring Heineken further exciting and innovative opportunities especially in the on-line environment. RWC 2011 has generated a considerable buzz across the social media network, with Heineken doubling its followers on Twitter and exceeding one million views on YouTube by the end of the Tournament. The total number of ‘tweets’ mentioning the official RWC hashtag, #RWC2011, has reached over 1 million. Building on the successful digital foundations from RWC 2011, will enable Heineken to further engage the growing global rugby audience during RWC 2015 when the Tournament kicks off in Twickenham.

Announces New Partnership With Rewards Network to Continue Fundraising Efforts

MasterCard Worldwide announced today that the company has reached its goal of raising $4 million for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) through the Eat, Drink and Be Generous campaign. Through the program, which launched during the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game in July, MasterCard made a donation to SU2C every time cardholders used their MasterCards when dining out. Qualifying purchases included everything from a single cup of coffee or quick meal, to take out and fine dining.

To keep the momentum moving forward with additional support for SU2C, MasterCard has partnered with Rewards Network, who powers the leading dining rewards programs in North America, including iDine(R). Beginning now through Oct. 31, 2011, Rewards Network will donate 50 cents to SU2C when diners use a registered MasterCard in qualifying transactions over $15 made at participating iDine restaurants. Enrollment in iDine is free and a complete list of participating restaurants can be found on the website. Diners simply enroll and register the MasterCard they use when dining out at over 10,000 participating restaurants.

“We are thankful to everyone who participated in Eat, Drink and Be Generous; from our cardholders to our restaurant partners, we could not have hit our $4 million goal without their generosity,” said MasterCard Group Executive of US Market Development Craig Vosburg. “Because of the great response we have received, we are excited to keep the momentum going by partnering with iDine for the next phase of our fundraising efforts. Each and every one of us can make a difference by helping SU2C’s Dream Teams of scientists who are working tirelessly to find a cure. No donation is too small and every penny counts.”

“This program could not be possible without the dedication and passion of corporations, ambassadors and partners like MasterCard,” said SU2C co-founder Sue Schwartz. “With one in two men and one in three women diagnosed in their lifetimes, this disease affects each and every one of us in some way. MasterCard and its cardholders have pledged and surpassed their goal to help the scientists who are working to end cancer. We are looking forward to their continued support.”

“We are excited to contribute to a campaign that is making such great strides in the fight against cancer,” said Rewards Network CEO Ron Blake. “Restaurant owners who become involved with their community are better positioned to thrive and succeed. And for our clients, this campaign can provide an opportunity to engage customers, attract new diners, and increase frequency of visits – all while contributing to the greater good.”

Celebrating Priceless Everyday Moments

To further support SU2C, MasterCard encouraged consumers to share their “priceless everyday moments” on its Facebook page via the MasterCard Everyday Moments Facebook App. Under this campaign MasterCard has already donated $100,000 to SUTC for cancer research to help ensure more priceless moments for people affected with cancer. And now MasterCard has committed to donate up to another $25,000, so that for every eligible priceless everyday moment uploaded or liked, MasterCard will continue to donate $1 to help fund even more groundbreaking cancer research.

“It is wonderful to see our cardholders and Facebook community come together to share their everyday priceless moments in support of SU2C,” Vosburg added. “From a special moment with a son or daughter to a family vacation they didn’t think would be possible, MasterCard is dedicated to this important cause that is giving everyone the chance to celebrate their everyday priceless moments.”

For more information about how you can get involved, visit www.standup2cancer.org/mastercard.

*Total donation up to $25,000 in addition to the $100,000 already donated for a total of $125,000. Promotion ends on October 31, 2011 or whenever we reach our goal, whichever is sooner. Certain terms and conditions apply.

Unveils New Global Campaign for London 2012 Olympic Games

Inspired by the sounds, spirit and culture of the host city of London, Coca-Cola today unveiled its global integrated campaign for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Move to the Beat -- aligned with the vision to make London 2012 a Games to inspire the youth of the world.

The ambition of Move to the Beat is to bring teens closer to the Olympic Games and to sport in general. Harnessing teens' passion for music, and drawing inspiration from London 's musical heritage, the campaign fuses London music with Olympic sport to connect young people to London 2012.

"The number one passion point for teens is music," said Shay Drohan, Senior Vice President of Sparkling Beverages at The Coca-Cola Company. "Through Move to the Beat, Coca-Cola is inspiring teens around the world to move to the beat of London and come together in the biggest Olympic Games activation in our 84-year partnership."

Move to the Beat will include the following elements:

Music Anthem

An uplifting anthem created by GRAMMY award-winning producer Mark Ronson and chart-topping vocalist Katy B fuses the sounds of Olympic sports with the beat of London music. Ronson travelled the world gaining inspiration for the track and meeting young athletes to record their sounds, which provide the beat of the song.

The creation of the song will be captured in a feature-length documentary, before being released as a single worldwide. It will provide the soundtrack for TV commercials, mobile and digital platforms and Coca-Cola events during the Olympic Games.

"I've been able to do something really unique, meeting these remarkable athletes and recording their sounds to use in this song. It's exciting to be working with Coca-Cola on the Move to the Beat campaign for London 2012," said Ronson.

Athlete Ambassadors

Five young Olympic hopefuls will act as ambassadors for the Move to the Beat campaign. Each inspirational athlete was chosen because they embody the values of positivity and optimism that are at the heart of Coca-Cola and the Olympic movement. The athletes supporting the campaign are:

Darius Knight, 21, table tennis player from Great Britain

David Oliver, 29, 110m hurdler from the United States

Kseniya Vdovina, 24, 400m sprinter from Russia

Dayyan Jaffar, 17, archer from Singapore

Maria Espinoza, 23, taekwondo athlete from Mexico

Each athlete worked closely with Mark Ronson to provide the unique sounds of their sport for inclusion in the music anthem. The athletes will be featured in advertising, interactive digital and mobile apps with Coca-Cola following their journey up to, during and after the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Coca-Cola Presents: The London Beat Documentary

How do you capture the sound of sport? This behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Coca-Cola anthem takes viewers around the world to answer that question. The 60-minute film follows Ronson's journey across 5 countries and 4 continents to meet with each of the athletes and record the sounds of their sports in their hometown.

Advertising

The global television commercial featuring Mark Ronson, Katy B and all five Olympic hopefuls will demonstrate the fusion of music and sport against a London backdrop. The spots will air from early 2012.

Global Activation

The campaign elements will be activated globally across multiple platforms including mobile, digital and in-store communications. Through text messaging, mobile Web and revolutionary apps, Coca-Cola will empower a new generation of Olympic Games fans to create, interact and share the musical beat of the Olympic Games anytime, anywhere. Limited edition Coca-Cola packaging will bring the movement and the energy of the Olympic Games to life in stores around the world.

Sustainability

A key element of the activation is Coca-Cola's Live Positively commitment to make a difference in the world. Coca-Cola is committed to leaving a lasting legacy of sustainability for the London 2012 Olympic Games. At all London 2012 venues, Coca-Cola products will be served in 100% recyclable packaging and every empty bottle recycled at the venues will be turned back into a new bottle.

Another element of Live Positively is the brand's commitment to providing support to grassroots sporting initiatives. Coca-Cola encourages active participation in sport and charitable activities in association with organizations like StreetGames and Rockcorps, to provide a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities all over the world.

"As the longest continuous supporter of the Olympic Games, Coca-Cola is committed to using our Olympic Games sponsorship to encourage consumers to be part of the Olympic Games experience and become more active," said Drohan.

NEW YORK - September 22, 2011 - The Coca-Cola Company and UN Women today announced a partnership to promote women's economic empowerment. Responding to both UN Women's Strategic Plan and The Coca-Cola Company's global 5 BY 20 initiative, this partnership aims to enable the empowerment of women entrepreneurs by building upon the strengths of both organizations.

The Coca-Cola Company's 5 BY 20 initiative seeks to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs across the Coca-Cola value chain by 2020. Specifically, the Company is developing and implementing programs to help break down barriers for women entrepreneurs in the small businesses that the Coca-Cola system touches. Examples of businesses include fruit farmers, shopkeepers, recycling collectors and artisans.

UN Women's Strategic Plan lays out a range of initiatives that it will support, from promoting laws and policies that provide women protection and equal rights, to employment, income-generating opportunities and access to economic resources. UN Women is also encouraging companies to sign the Women's Empowerment Principles - Equality Means Business, a set of measures geared to promote women's empowerment in the workplace and marketplace.

Through this collaboration, The Coca-Cola Company and UN Women plans to address the barriers women entrepreneurs commonly face by providing increased access to business skills training, financial services and support networks of peers and mentors.

"We believe there is no better time to invest in women as engines of economic growth and sustainable development. Women are the fastest-growing economic force, and no business or economy will be able to grow without them," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. "This partnership with UN Women, which leverages their extensive expertise, will greatly impact our efforts to enable the empowerment of women around the world."

"Now more than ever, the world needs to unleash women's talent and energy if we are to make our economies and societies stronger. Companies like The Coca-Cola Company are realizing that investing in women is an essential ingredient in the formula for success", said Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. "We can no longer afford to waste the potential of half the world's population. It is both a matter of justice as well as good business and economic sense."

Work is already underway at the country level to identify potential programs in areas such as business skills training programs for women-owned recycling cooperatives and women-run shops. Each organization will bring their expertise and capacity to the table through concrete on-the-ground programs. This approach capitalizes on the comparative advantages of each, creating a public-private partnership to leverage and offer transformational opportunities for investment in women's economic opportunity.

In addition to announcing this collaboration, Mr. Kent also signed a CEO Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principles, developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, to bolster corporate leadership for gender equality in the workplace , marketplace and community. By signing the Statement, CEOs such as Mr. Kent demonstrate their commitment to leadership on gender equality and women's empowerment as a business imperative.

Honda has adopted a global environmental slogan -- Blue Skies for Our Children -- to inspire our company to achieve new targets we have established to reduce CO2 emissions from our products and the operations that produce them. These words arouse strong emotions in Honda engineers, and take me back to a time four decades ago when the same phrase served as the rallying cry for Honda's first effort to tackle a challenging environmental issue.

I joined Honda as a young engineer in 1976. What attracted me, as with so many Honda customers and fans, was a brand that showed a can-do spirit in creating something the rest of the auto industry argued couldn't be done – a vehicle with cleaner emissions and high fuel economy that was also fun to drive.

This vehicle was the Honda Civic – and it had something else that was truly revolutionary -- CVCC engine technology, for Compound Vortex Combustion Controlled. That's a mouthful of complex engineering, but what CVCC helped create is simpler -- a lean burn engine that made Civic the first car to meet the stringent tailpipe emissions standards of the U.S. Clean Air Act without the need for after treatment of the exhaust. The Civic CVCC was also #1 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) very first list of the most fuel efficient vehicles in America.

Based on his own belief in the importance of advancing mobility to address the issue of environmental sustainability, Honda founder Soichiro Honda pulled our company out of Formula One racing in 1969 in order to devote Honda's full engineering resources to developing advanced environmental technologies. He then challenged Honda engineers to create a cleaner-burning engine to address air pollution – which was then the most serious environmental sustainability issue facing the automobile industry.

Honda engineers were reading reports about the serious impact pollution would have on the health of children. A group of doctors in Japan published a report about high levels of lead in the blood streams of children. The Club of Rome, founded in Italy in April 1968 by a small international group of academics, scientists, government and industry leaders, focused global attention on negative environmental consequences, forecasting limits to human expansion within less than 100 years if no major change in society occurred. In 1970, Congress passed the 1970 Clean Air Act, creating stringent new emissions standards and the U.S. government created the EPA.

Mr. Honda saw this as a great way to compete against more established companies. But Honda engineers suggested that their real motivation and goal was to ensure "Blue Skies for Our Children," in other words, to ensure the future of mobility and the health of the planet for future generations. This phrase became the team's rallying cry in the effort to find and develop technology that could improve air quality.

Mr. Honda was proud that his engineers had looked at this challenge as more than a competitive challenge. With a great deal of passion and energy, the team of Honda engineers addressed the challenge of sustainable mobility. And this led to the breakthrough with the CVCC engine that powered the Honda Civic. When I learned of these events, it helped deepen my appreciation that the purpose of our technology was to help people and society. That certainly made Honda a company I wanted to contribute my best efforts to.

In the ensuing years, Honda continued to advance its engine technologies. Over the past four decades, we led the global auto industry in meeting a series of increasingly stringent tailpipe emissions requirements, starting with the first gasoline-powered Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) in the hands of consumers, sparking an era of fundamental improvements to air quality. Of course, we were proud to be first, but Honda's strategy for reducing emissions was something of our gift to the world. We provided the auto industry with a practical and economical pathway to reducing exhaust emissions on a broad scale that no one thought possible. At the same time, we have been a consistent leader in fuel-efficiency, topping fuel-economy rankings for 22 of the past 36 years

Today, the challenge of environmental sustainability is much broader than air pollution – encompassing numerous energy and environmental issues, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO2) that contribute to global climate change and the transition from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy, among other issues.

But I am excited that Honda's environmental vision to pursue the joy of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy life continues to be inspired by the original rallying cry of Honda engineers – something that Honda associates throughout our company embrace on a daily basis. Once again, our effort to achieve a challenging target to reduce CO2 emissions is guided by our mission to leave "Blue Skies for Our Children."

Ben Knight, Vice President, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation announced its participation in a pilot project on implementing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidance that sets out steps for companies to ensure they do not contribute to conflict or abuse of human rights through their mineral and metal procurement practices. Using the guidance, the company will build an internal management system to accelerate its initiatives towards eliminating conflict minerals from its supply chain.

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, approved in 2010, provides a practical framework for companies to identify and address risks in their supply chains in order to help avoid procuring certain minerals*1 from organizations in conflict areas*2 involved in human rights abuses, environmental destruction, bribery and other unlawful activities.

In the pilot project, participating companies and countries in conflict-affected areas test the practicality of the OECD guidance to help ensure that it will be effectively implemented by companies as well as promote legal mineral trade in conflict areas as intended. The pilot started in July 2011 and will run through June 2012.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 3, 2011… BMW of North America and the NFL’s Houston Texans announced today that BMW has been named the “Official Luxury Car of the Houston Texans,” as part of a four-year partnership, kicking-off this weekend with the Texans’ game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and continuing through July 2015.

“As one of the most valuable franchises in not just the NFL, but the world*, the Texans and Reliant Stadium are an ideal partner for BMW,” said Gene Donnelly, Vice President, Southern Region, BMW of North America. “The loyalty and devotion exhibited by the team’s die-hard fans is reminiscent of the affection we receive from BMW enthusiasts. That connection is what makes this partnership a perfect match and we look forward to sharing the BMW experience with the fans.”

As the Texans’ official luxury car, beginning immediately BMW vehicles will be on display in four prominent areas throughout Reliant Stadium’s Club Level during each home game. Additionally, BMW will sponsor a variety of consumer-driven experiences and events geared to the Texans’ loyal fans — offering them the opportunity to enjoy and interact with the Ultimate Driving Machine® like never before.

“We are excited to partner with the world’s premier luxury car maker, BMW,” said Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes. “Both the Houston Texans and BMW are committed to providing the ultimate experience for our large and deeply loyal bases of ‘fans,’ and we look forward to working with them to deliver even greater value for our customers and our community.”

In addition to BMW’s presence at Reliant Stadium and event sponsorships, the partnership incorporates the BMW brand with the Texans’ various online and broadcast channels, including online digital banners, integration with the team’s social media outlets and broadcast spots on the Texans Radio Network and KTRK-TV’s “Inside The Game.”

MONTVALE, NJ - Mercedes-Benz USA and its three pointed star are setting roots down at the Louisiana Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, through a 10-year agreement that provides official naming rights among other sponsorship benefits including being named the Official and Exclusive vehicle of the NFL's Saints. The newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome is playing host to several upcoming premier events including 2012 Men's Final Four and BCS Championship Game in addition to the 2013 Super Bowl.

"The joining of the Mercedes-Benz brand with the world-class Saints organization and the Superdome, an iconic destination which has undergone an incredible transformation over the past six years, is a significant moment for us, the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana," said Ernst Lieb, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. "Our commitment over the next decade is to the Saints fans, team, and this famous community as it flourishes beyond anyone's expectations."

This is the first naming rights deal in the U.S. for the luxury car maker and also for the legendary New Orleans sports and exhibition stadium, which recently completed a six-year $336 million renovation project that is positioning the stadium as a premier destination for major events for years to come.

"I am thrilled to be able to announce a winning and long-term partnership between the Saints, Mercedes-Benz and now the Mercedes-Benz Superdome" said New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson. "The Mercedes-Benz brand represents the very best in its industry and we believe that is a perfect fit for this stadium, which as a result of the unprecedented and innovative renovation project recently completed is one of the world's greatest sporting venues. We felt strongly it was essential that if we were to offer the name of our building to a company, it would be one that all of our fans and the State of Louisiana would be proud of. The investment being made by a premier international brand who believes in "the best or nothing", is a tremendous compliment to all of those who worked so hard to make the stadium what it is today."

The undisclosed cost of the 10-year agreement has many benefits and opportunities for Mercedes-Benz including branding and signage throughout and nearby the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In addition, the Saints print and online publications will feature Mercedes-Benz content and advertising and the Company will have access to Saints coaches and players for special events and promotions. Mercedes-Benz plans to leverage its access to many of the events to create unique programs such as customer and fan appreciation activities.

"This is a great, great partnership," said Governor Bobby Jindal. "I know for many years there have been attempts to sell this sponsorship, and I think the restructured deal and the new Superdome are two of the reasons this is actually happening. So I think this is great for the Saints and great for the state."

According to the Ultimate Standing poll by ESPN Magazine in 2010, the New Orleans Saints ranked number one among all major league sports team franchises, which is based on the team that gives back to the fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them. The Superdome is home to a record 6 Superbowls, including Super Bowl XII (1978), XV (1981), XX (1986), XXIV (1990), XXXI (1997), XXXVI (2002), plus another, XLVII, coming in 2013.

Tiger Woods has signed a partnership deal with Rolex, the world's biggest luxury watch brand, marking his first major endorsement since his unexpected and spectacular downfall at the end of 2009.

Woods was widely believed to be the world's wealthiest athlete before a string of marital infidelities led to the break-up of his marriage. He lost five major sponsors in the fallout.

"Rolex is convinced that Tiger Woods still has a long career ahead of him and that he has all the qualities required to continue to mark the history of golf," Rolex said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The brand is committed to accompanying him in his new challenges.

"This association pays tribute to the exceptional stature of Tiger Woods and the leading role he plays in forging the sport's global appeal. It also constitutes a joint commitment to the future."

The endorsement is a major win for Mark Steinberg and Excel Sports Management.

July 26, 2011 11:22 AM EDT

Deal Marks New Business Model in Brand/Music Partnerships and Provides Global Platform for Emerging Artists to Share their Music with the World

ATLANTA-- The Coca-Cola Company has formalized a partnership with full service licensing company Music Dealers in a deal that will narrow the gap between bands and brands, opening up a new route for emerging talent to break onto the global music stage.

It was taken at Music Dealer's Chicago office. In the picture are the three co-founders of Music Dealers with Emmanuel Seuge, Group director Worldwide Sports and Entertainment Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company, and Umut Ozaydinli, from Deviant Ventures, who made the introduction between Music Dealers and Coke. (L-R) seated John Williamson, Music Dealers, Emmanuel Seuge, Coke, Eric Sheinkop, Music Dealers, Jonathan Sheinkop Music Dealers, and Umut Ozaydinli Deviant Ventures (Photo credit: Geoffrey Adler, Music Dealers)

The agreement between Coca-Cola and Music Dealers includes a guaranteed commitment by Coca-Cola to use the services of Music Dealers to discover and license music from currently trending bands all over the world. The investment will earn Coca-Cola a minority share in the company. More broadly, the deal offers shared value for both partners and signals a brand new model for sourcing and licensing music for global branded programs.

“We are excited about the opportunities that come from partnering the world’s most valuable brand with an innovative and game-changing start up and the potential ripple effect that can come of it,” said Emmanuel Seuge, Group Director, Worldwide Sports and Entertainment Marketing, The Coca-Cola Company. “Especially for the thousands of emerging artists around the world who are looking for a global platform to launch their music.”

Coca-Cola will benefit from Music Dealers’ insider industry knowledge and access, while Music Dealers and their global network of emerging talent will benefit from the scale and marketing leverage of The Coca-Cola Company – a reach that spans to over 200 countries.

“Our values are perfectly aligned — we aim to promote independent artists and share their music with fans around the world,” added Eric Sheinkop, Music Dealers President. “The Coca-Cola Company is a great partner who offers solid support to our artists. When artists record a track for Coke, they put significant marketing leverage behind it. The song gets more exposure worldwide than even big artists get from a record label. This arrangement has literally helped artists launch their careers.”

Coca-Cola will work closely with Music Dealers to source music, artists and lyrics for a variety of brand campaigns, programs and events; including becoming the key music sourcing partner for “Coca-Cola Music” – the most ambitious and extensive global music program ever launched by the Company and that is now activated in 140 countries.

“Music Dealers offers numerous avenues to discover and secure music that is a perfect fit for a brand or project,” explained Eric Sheinkop. “Coke is an excellent partner. Their creativity for designing new promotions makes the work exciting for everyone.”

“The deal with Music Dealers is one example of how we are evolving our approach to partnerships, leveraging our scale to achieve shared value and bottom line efficiencies for both parties,” added Emmanuel Seuge. “Through our close collaboration we gain a strong partner in the music industry that has the knowledge, credibility and access to help us continue to build and activate global music programs in the most relevant and compelling ways.”

Coca-Cola and Music Dealers: Examples of the partnership in practice:

Case Study One: Global Anthem for “Coca-Cola Music”

Coca-Cola was looking for a song with strong teen appeal to become the global soundtrack for the “Coca-Cola Music” program. A brief for the song was submitted to Music Dealers.

Within 24 hours, Music Dealers had crowd-sourced 22 songs that fit the brief. Working together Coke and Music Dealers selected and perfected “Can You Feel It” as the song that would be performed by Brit band “One Night Only” for the “Walls” commercial - the global ad created for the “Coca-Cola Music” program.

The ad has since aired in 60 countries, including a high profile airing during American Idol in the US. “You Say France & I Whistle”, the Swedish band that wrote the song used the opportunity to start a new record label, book a 10-date tour in Europe, and hire a PR firm. They’ve earned tons of media in Sweden and internationally and have increased their bookings and revenue. They continue to receive writer royalties whenever the commercial runs.

Case Study 2: Taio Cruz – Collaboration Session

Taio Cruz is partnering with Coca-Cola as part of “Coca-Cola Music” to create a brand new mix of the hit track “Higher”. Giving an emerging artist the chance to collaborate with Taio in the creation of their own version of the remixed track, Coca-Cola came to Music Dealers to help source and select artists.

Music Dealers identified a shortlist of artists based on Coke’s brief, ultimately leaving the final decision to Taio who selected three indie artists for the program. Fans will use Facebook ‘likes’ through the “Coca-Cola Music” digital hub to choose which artist will have the chance of a lifetime to collaborate with Taio.

The International Sponsor Council is in discussions with several sponsors regarding the NFL and NBA labor issues.

“As the trade association for corporate sponsors, the ISC has a commitment to protect the collective interests of sponsors as well as promoting their value,” stated ISC President & CEO, Terry Cecil. “The frequent pattern of league labor issues and subsequent threats of cancelled events is a huge problem for sponsors.

Cecil added, “Sponsors commit to properties to engage fans and support their passion. There are three sides to the labor disputes, the owners, the players and now the sponsors and fans. We don’t care how you rectify the situation, it is imperative to break the pattern and avoid cancelling games. This issue obviously affects official sponsors, but also all other corporations considering becoming a sponsor. We can’t be a party to any action that is detrimental to the best interests of fans and therefore sponsors.”

South African soccer giant, Kaizer Chiefs, has signed on insurance leader, Hollard, for a four year term.

The team is making up for losing Standard Bank as a sponsor in the financial industry category.

The Absa Premiership side lost one of its main investors last year when Standard Bank announced it would not renew its contract in 2011.

Hollard now joins mobile telecommunications company Vodacom as Chiefs’ two major sponsors.

Aston Villa have announced a new partnership with Genting, the leading international leisure and hospitality group and the UK's largest operator of casinos.

The partnership will be for an initial two-year period, beginning from July 1 2011 and covering the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.

Peter Brooks, executive deputy chairman of Genting, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with a football club with such an esteemed heritage as Aston Villa.

"The English Premier League is the pre-eminent football league with a vast international following - while Genting is a leading leisure and hospitality group also with a huge international presence.

"Importantly, we have been associated with Birmingham since the 1970s and look forward to strengthening our relationship with this great city.

"So this sponsorship is a natural fit and marks an important milestone in Genting's development as we continue to expand our presence both within the UK and internationally."

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Villa, added: "We are pleased and excited to be partnering with Genting and we are looking forward to benefiting from their position as a leading international corporation in the leisure and hospitality industry.

"We believe this will be a good and positive partnership for the club and it reflects our continued growth.

"The fact that Genting has strong local connections in addition to its international dimension makes this a good relationship for the club and we anticipate that it will work well as we embark on a new chapter for Aston Villa."

HOUSTON--The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named Reliant Energy executive and leukemia survivor Manny Rodriguez as the corporate chair of its 2011 Light The Night® Walk. The Walk is LLS’s annual fall fundraising event that raises money for blood cancer research and patient services.

“I know for a fact that research and treatment saves lives because they saved mine,” said Manny Rodriguez, Reliant Energy Vice President of Sponsorship Marketing and Charitable Giving. “Funds raised through events like Light The Night have allowed me a second chance at a healthy and cancer-free life with my family and our newest addition – my 16-month-old son. As a leukemia survivor in my 10th year of remission, I am honored to serve as the Houston chair and look forward to inspiring commitment from the local business community.”

Reliant Energy is the title sponsor for The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter’s Light The Night walks, which include walks in both Houston and Montgomery County. Supporting the walk program is part of the company’s commitment to being community conscious as well as educating employees on blood cancer signs and symptoms. The funds raised through corporate and individual contributions help find cures and better therapies for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and myeloma, and provide information, education and support for patients and their families.

LLS holds Walks each fall in more than 200 communities across the United States and Canada. Participants at the walks carry illuminated balloons – white for survivors, red for supporters, and gold to remember those who have died – to honor and commemorate lives touched by blood cancer. The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter’s walks will take place on Oct.1 at Discovery Green Park in Downtown Houston and Oct. 23 at Market Street in The Woodlands.

“The Light The Night Walks give hope to patients and their families and let them know they are not alone in their battle against cancer,” said Walk Director Jennifer Tucker.

To find out more about sponsoring the Walk, forming a team or participating in a Light The Night Walk, contact the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter at 713-680-8088 or www.lightthenight.org/txg.

Beating the Odds: Manny Rodriguez’s story

Manny was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in May of 2000 after a routine physical check-up. Upon his diagnosis, Manny was fortunate enough to be accepted into a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in New York City for the ground-breaking medical drug STI571 or as it is known today, Gleevac. Manny took his first pill on December 7, 2000 and was in complete remission in May of 2001.

Now living in Houston, Manny is still on the clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center. After moving to Houston Manny joined Reliant Energy in March of 2008 and as Vice President of Sponsorships, Events & Charitable Giving, Rodriguez is responsible for leading corporate sponsorship and event efforts across Reliant and NRG Energy – Reliant’s parent company – as well as the Reliant Charitable Giving and Foundation team.

Manny credits Gleevac and the amazing folks at MSK and MD Anderson for helping make his fight against the disease a miraculous one – never missing a day of work, never feeling sick and never experiencing any side effects. Ten years after joining the Gleevac trial, Manny is still in complete remission and enjoying time with his wife Carolina and 16-month-old son Tomas. Manny is one of the newest members of the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter’s Board of Director and actively gives back, helping organizations like LLS and patients fighting the same battle he fought a decade ago.

The Coca-Cola Company has named Bea Perez as its first official chief sustainability officer and will serve in a new global Office of Sustainability. Perez, who is currently serving as chief marketing officer for Coca-Cola North America, will start in the new position on July 1st. and report to Alex Cummings, Coca-Cola’s EVP and Chief Administrative Officer. In her new role, Perez will focus on Coca-Cola's sustainability initiatives which include packaging and recycling, water, climate protection and community.

"We have made significant progress with our sustainability initiatives, but our current approach needs focus and better integration," said Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola's chief executive. "We are realigning this important work to create a unified team, strategy and business plan that connects our sustainability work and actions."

”Bea is one of the most respected marketing executives in the world and has made an enormous impact on the sponsorship industry,” stated Terry Cecil, President & CEO of the International Sponsor Council. “In her new position, Bea will bring full value to Coca-Cola’s sustainability initiatives and will raise the bar for the world’s focus on sustainability as well. As the ISC continues its commitment to sustainability, we look forward to working with Bea and Coca-Cola in any way we can to raise the efficiencies and effectiveness of the sponsorship industry and in particular, sports and entertainment. This is an historic move by Coca-Cola and is another example of its global leadership in sustainability.”

By Danielle Rossingh - Mar 11, 2011 4:44 AM ET Bloomberg

Stacey Allaster faced a three- headed financial monster in 2009 when she became chief executive officer of the WTA, the women’s pro tennis tour.

The recession had squeezed sports that depend heavily on corporate sponsors. The tennis circuit, then called the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, hadn’t signed a new sponsor in four years. And its contract with its main backer, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, was about to expire.

“When I first started, a lot of people were saying ‘Do you know what you are getting yourself into?’” Allaster said in a telephone interview from the WTA’s offices in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Less than two years later, Allaster, 47, has rebranded the tour, retained its biggest corporate supporter, and closed on a record $75 million in sponsorship deals, Bloomberg Businessweek reports in its March 14 issue. Allaster, once a junior tennis player in Canada, has signed three new sponsors in the past year. The WTA said it’s close to signing two more for its season-ending championships, to be held in Istanbul for the next three years.

“It wasn’t always that easy, but she’s done well in using the best things that the tour has to offer,” said four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium.

The WTA was founded by 63 women, including Billie Jean King of the U.S., in a London hotel in 1973. Today it hosts 52 events in 33 countries and features stars like Serena Williams of the U.S. and Maria Sharapova of Russia. Each of the 10 top female tennis players now hails from a different nation.

Tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in China, where the women’s tour opened an office in 2008 and now holds two tournaments annually. Clijsters, now ranked No. 2 in the world, won the Australian Open in January by beating Li Na, the first player from China in a major final.

Record Audience

The championship was viewed by 60 million Chinese viewers, the biggest tennis audience in the nation’s history, according to Beijing-based CSM Media Research. It will likely be that nation’s most-watched sports event of any kind this year, CSM predicted. The WTA has a four-year deal with state-owned broadcaster China Central Television to show women’s tennis in 335 million households.

Allaster also has tried to make matches more fan-friendly. She introduced on-court coaching -- allowing spectators to hear conversations between players and their microphone-equipped advisers -- and video replays to confirm line calls at all tour matches. She has increased the tour’s presence on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter. The women’s tour has more than twice as many Facebook fans as the men’s ATP World Tour. The WTA and its players combined now have more than 11.4 million fans across Facebook and Chinese social media.

Name Drop

As part of its current two-year deal with Lund, Sweden- based Sony Ericsson, reached in March 2010, the tour dropped the mobile-phone maker’s name and now calls itself the WTA. Sony Ericsson remains the lead global sponsor, retaining prime sign space at all tour matches.

The name change was crucial in attracting new sponsors, Allaster said.

“We’ve got that brand back,” she said. “It created ownership and clarity.”

Nigel Currie, director of the London-based sports marketing agency brandRapport, said women’s tennis “has become so big and so global that the wider branding opportunities probably outweigh the safer option of just going with the one sponsor and restricting yourself accordingly.”

Sony Ericsson said the tour’s geographic spread and social networking presence were reasons the company decided to remain a WTA sponsor. The company’s six-year relationship with the tour has given it “a very recognizable brand name across the world,” said Stephan Croix, Sony Ericsson’s head of global marketing partnerships.

Deal Signer

The WTA has since signed new agreements with Swedish cosmetics maker Oriflame Cosmetics SA (ORI), Chinese sports apparel maker Peak, and Jetstar, the budget unit of Australia’s Qantas Airways. The tour also renewed deals with London-based Travelex and Salt Lake City-based vitamin and health supplement maker Usana Health Sciences Inc. (USNA)

“It’s now the WTA, rather than the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, which makes it marketable for us,” Michael Cervell, senior vice-president for global direct sales at Oriflame, said by telephone from his Stockholm office. “It’s something positive for the other sponsors who want to join the tour.”

Colorado Springs and New York – Citi, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and NBC Olympics today announced Citi has become an official sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Citi is the official bank sponsor of the USOC through 2012.

"Supporting the Olympic and Paralympic dreams of America's athletes is one way we can show appreciation for the support of the American people," said Citi CEO Vikram Pandit. "The Olympic Games are more than just sporting events. They are one of the world's premier venues for showcasing excellence and dedication, two of the values that guide us every day. We look forward to sharing the excitement and competitive spirit of the London Games with our clients, colleagues and community partners across the country."

"On behalf of the U.S. Olympic Committee, we are proud to welcome Citi into our dedicated family of corporate partners," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "It is the support of sponsors like Citi that enables America's athletes to pursue their Olympic and Paralympic dreams, and to inspire our country through their journeys of hard work and perseverance. We thank Citi for helping our athletes compete on the global stage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

As America's global bank for nearly 200 years, Citi's mission of helping individuals, businesses, institutions and nations succeed in the global marketplace complements the USOC's mission of supporting U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence and thereby inspiring all Americans.

Citi's sponsorship agreement with the USOC and NBC, the official U.S. broadcaster of the Olympic Games, is part of an innovative, new collaboration between NBC Olympics and the USOC, through which the organizations have brought forth an integrated marketing and media package to the Olympic Games. Citi's agreement includes television and digital advertising, events and promotional opportunities.

ANN ARBOR, MI, March 18, 2011 -- Jeff Gordon, who earlier this season snapped a 66-race winless streak, has generated more on-screen time for his sponsors during television coverage of the first three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events than any other driver, while overall team sponsor exposure fell 25% compared to the same point in the season a year ago.

According to research conducted by Joyce Julius & Associates, Inc. -- which has monitored every NASCAR race telecast over the last 27 seasons -- Gordon's sponsors have appeared for one hour, 50 minutes, 16 seconds (1:50:16) during live and replayed telecasts of the Daytona, Phoenix and Las Vegas events. When also factoring in verbal mentions of Gordon?s sponsors, the veteran driver has helped amass nearly $7.6 million of in-broadcast exposure value. Las Vegas winner Carl Edwards ranks second in brand on-camera time with 1:47:28, along with a driver-high 34 sponsor mentions, for a three-race total of $7.1 million.

Joyce Julius calculates television exposure value by comparing the in-broadcast visual and verbal exposure to the estimated cost of a national commercial during the telecast and applying Joyce Julius Recognition Grading -- which takes into account such factors as size and placement of the image on screen, as well as brand clutter and integration of the brand into the activity.

While Gordon and Edwards have enjoyed early season success, overall in-broadcast exposure statistics for primary team sponsors in the series are down from a year ago. On average, per hour cumulative exposure time accumulated by team sponsors fell from 1:05:43 at the same point a year ago to 49:06 this season.

"This is a very small sample set, and the second race was held at a different track this year, so these results could swing over the next few races," said Eric Wright, vice president of research and product development for Joyce Julius & Associates. "But we are also seeing a 47% decline in average verbal mentions for the team sponsors and a 22% decrease in hood exposure. These are two leading indicators and they are down right now."

New York – Citigroup announced today that Dermot Boden has been named Chief Brand Officer. In this position, Boden will be the steward of Citi's brand, leading brand strategy and ensuring that branding and marketing are effective and consistent across the range of Citi's businesses. Boden will chair Citi's Brand Council and oversee the Global Branding and Sponsorship groups. He will report to Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Edward Skyler.

Vikram Pandit, Citi's Chief Executive Officer, said, "Dermot Boden has shown creativity, thoughtfulness and the ability to execute a strategy over the course of a career during which he has contributed to the building of many different and successful brands. As Citi approaches its 200th anniversary next year, effectively communicating who we are and what we stand for takes on renewed importance and will help determine our success going forward."

For more than 25 years, Boden has led businesses, built brands and driven creative marketing initiatives. He joins Citi from LG Electronics, where he served as Global Chief Marketing Officer since 2007. Previously, he held business and marketing positions at both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson in Europe, Asia and the US. Dermot Boden said, "Citi is an iconic brand, with a tradition of innovation and an unparalleled global network. Citi's 200th anniversary is a great opportunity to build an even stronger brand so we can better identify and connect with the aspirations of our clients and customers as we help them achieve their financial goals."

Muhtar Kent and other Coca-Cola leaders discussed key global issues and stressed partnership this week during the 41st annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

The Coca-Cola Company again played an active role in the collaborative sessions, joining more than 2,000 business, government and civil society leaders in exploring the theme of "Shared Norms for the New Reality."

Together, they discussed strategies and solutions for navigating today's complex and interconnected world, where public trust in business leadership, future economic growth and political stability continues to wane.

In addition to bilateral meetings with heads of state and NGO leaders, Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent participated in panel discussions on water security, women's economic empowerment, childhood health/nutrition and other timely global issues. Dominique Reiniche, Wendy Clark, Clyde Tuggle and Afzaal Malik also shared lessons we have learned over the last 125 years from building strategic partnerships that support both the needs of our business and the communities we serve.

"The most essential 'shared norm for the new reality' is the critical need for business, government and civil society -- the 'golden triangle' -- to come together to solve the world's most pressing challenges," Kent said. "We believe corporate citizenship starts with unpacking our bags, becoming part of the fabric of the community, and partnering where our resources and business expertise will do the most good."

Muhtar Kent spoke to key international media outlets about the company’s growth prospects in markets like China, Africa and the U.S.; our commitment to innovation and job creation; the importance of public-private partnerships and more.

The NFL is encouraging fans to GO INSIDE SUPER BOWL XLV WITH VISA through the official online Super Bowl XLV destination featuring Twitter content. "Go Inside Super Bowl XLV With Visa" is an innovative way for fans to engage with and be a part of Super Bowl XLV using Twitter. It launches today on www.nfl.com/visa.

"Go Inside Super Bowl XLV with Visa" will provide fans with a single location to experience the most relevant Super Bowl XLV chatter happening on Twitter, including coverage of the event from all angles. It will include Tweets from some of the best people covering Super Bowl XLV and will pull in Tweets about the game, the NFL (@nfl), the Green Bay Packers (@packers) and Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers). This resource also will feature Tweets from NFL executives, media personalities, NFL players, Visa and celebrities contributing to telling the story of Super Bowl XLV on Twitter.

"Go Inside Super Bowl XLV with Visa" also will provide fans an easy way to send Tweets to players or include mentions of them in their Tweets by clicking on player photos. Fans also may contribute to the conversation by tagging their Tweets with #SB45, the official hashtag of Super Bowl XLV.

"Over the last year we?ve seen Twitter at the center of fan engagement at major international sporting events sponsored by Visa. Learning from these experiences, we have worked with Twitter and the NFL to bring the world's conversation about Super Bowl together in one place," said ANTONIO LUCIO, Chief Marketing Officer, Visa Inc.

"We believe this is a great opportunity to provide unique coverage of America?s premier sporting event and to allow our fans from all over the world to experience Super Bowl week in an innovative way," said HANS SCHROEDER, NFL SVP of Media Business Development. "We are excited to work with Visa and Twitter to make this possible."

"Twitter lets fans anywhere experience the excitement and energy of the Super Bowl together, in real-time. "Go Inside Super Bowl XLV with VISA? takes this one step further, distilling that conversation and excitement in a single place. We?re excited to be working with Visa and the NFL to help fans experience the Super Bowl in a new way," said ADAM BAIN, Twitter?s President of Global Revenue.

"Go Inside Super Bowl XLV With VISA" will be featured prominently on www.superbowl.com, the NFL?s official online destination for all things Super Bowl XLV. Fans may access it via the web or mobile web by visiting www.nfl.com/visa. Visa (@VisaNFL) will run a supporting campaign on Twitter with Promoted Tweets and Promoted Trends to generate greater awareness of "Go Inside Super Bowl XLV with VISA."

Features of Go Inside Super Bowl XLV with VISA include:

Featured Tweets: Displays Tweets from NFL executives, media personalities, NFL players, Visa discount offers and celebrities.

Pulse: Graphic depiction of the most-frequently tweeted words and phrases. •

Map View: Highlights which key words/phrases are being tweeted in various NFL cities across the United States as well as across the world.

Team Matchup: Depicts the conversations happening on Twitter about the two competing teams with a team-colored field reflecting the volume of team-related Tweets and team-specific trending topics. The field representation will shows which team is dominating the Twitter conversation at any point in time as shading will shift to reflect the ebb and flow of Tweets. Below each team will be a listing of the "Latest Tweets" (Tweets from fans), "Top Tweets" (most retweeted), and "Featured Tweets" (mix of players & official accounts related to the teams).

Timeline: A timeline is integrated through all features, enabling users to follow the conversation or trends on a specific day or during a specific part of the game. Users also have the ability to replay the timeline leading up to and throughout Super Bowl XLV to see how the trends changed over time.

Topic of the Day: Super Bowl-themed questions or conversation starters followed by fans? Tweets in response.

ctvwinnipeg.ca

A festival meant to promote Prairie artists has hit a public-relations snag, with a number of artists signing a petition objecting to an energy company's sponsorship of the event.

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is putting on the Prairie Scene festival in Ottawa and Gatineau this spring. Billed as the largest-ever gathering of artists from Manitoba and Saskatchewan outside of the prairies, it will feature performances and exhibitions from 500 musicians, dancers, actors and artists.

One of the three major sponsors is Enbridge, a Canadian energy company.

A petition signed by artists, including novelist Miriam Toews, Winnipeg indie rockers The Weakerthans and musician and Winnipeg Bomber Troy Westwood, objects to the support from the company.

The letter accompanying the petition says it is endorsed by environmental groups including the Indigenous Environmental Network, Sierra Club, the Rainforest Action Network, Dogwood Initiative, Corporate Ethics International and the Polaris Institute.

Rosemary Thompson, the director of communications for the National Arts Centre, says the objections to Enbridge's sponsorship began with a letter sent over the summer from Chris Hannah, a member the Manitoba punk band Propagandhi.

Then this month, a petition and accompanying letter were sent to the NAC and posted on Propagandhi's website.

"As Canada's foremost showcase for the performing arts, the National Arts Centre should choose sponsors that help to promote its values as an innovator in community programming," the letter says. "Partnering with Enbridge Pipelines tarnishes that image with the company's disastrous environmental record."

Enbridge stores and distributes oil and natural gas. Last summer, an Enbridge pipeline ruptured in Michigan, spilling oil into the Kalamazoo River.

Ramsey, N.J. – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that for the eighth consecutive year its television ad campaign will be broadcast during CBS Sports' coverage of the 2011 PGA TOUR, and that it will once again be the exclusive sponsor of the “Konica Minolta bizhub SwingVision” feature. Both campaigns will kick-off this weekend during coverage of the Farmers Insurance Open, and will run through The Barclays in August.

In the first spot, entitled "Back in the Day," a "Rookie" employee is getting ready for a meeting when he is told by more senior employees of how things used to be done prior to Konica Minolta technologies being installed. The second spot, "When I was Your Age" features the same "Rookie" from the first campaign. He is printing a presentation when several other employees walk over and start talking about other business solutions they used when they were his age (i.e. fax machines, floppy discs, scanners) and how easy life has become now that only one machine is needed.

“Our ad campaign introduces – in a clever, memorable way – professionals to Konica Minolta's award-winning products and services,” said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “We are confident these TV spots will effectively deliver the message that our customers can count on Konica Minolta for all their document management needs.”

And once again for 2011, Konica Minolta has partnered with CBS Sports to sponsor the award-winning Konica Minolta bizhub SwingVision – the high-tech, super slow-motion swing analysis. Three times during each Saturday and Sunday broadcast, viewers will see and hear the Konica Minolta brand name connected to this unique and highly popular PGA TOUR feature.

“Our marketing partnership with CBS Sports and the PGA TOUR has grown into a great partnership over the years – especially when you consider the increase in our corporate brand awareness since the inception of the Konica Minolta bizhub SwingVision. These fan favorite spots have become must-see videos on YouTube and other sites for PGA TOUR followers around the globe, and these extra views add additional exposure to our brand building campaigns,” added Kern.

Below is the 2011 CBS Sports schedule of PGA TOUR events to include Konica Minolta’s bizhub SwingVision and ad campaign:

- Jan. 29-30: Farmers Insurance Open

- Feb. 5-6: Waste Management Open

- Feb. 12-13: AT&T Pebble Beach

- Feb. 19-20: Northern Trust Open

- April 9-10: Pre-Masters Special

- April 16-17: Valero Texas Open

- April 23-24: The Heritage

- April 30-May 1: Zurich Classic of New Orleans

- May 7-8: Wells Fargo Championship

- May 21-22: Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial

- May 28-29: HP Byron Nelson Championship

- June 4-5: Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance

- June 11-12: St. Jude Championship

- June 25-26: Travelers Championship

- July 2-3: AT&T National

- July 9-10: John Deere Classic

- July 23-24: RBC Canadian Open

- July 30-31: The Greenbrier Classic

- Aug. 6-7: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

- Aug. 11-12: PGA Championship Highlights

- Aug. 13-14: PGA Championship

- Aug. 20-21: Wyndham Championship

- Aug. 27-28: The Barclays

Budweiser will renew as the Official Beer of Major League Baseball continuing a legacy of 30 years of support by one of the world's leading sponsors.

January 3 2011

As part of its social responsibility towards the community, LG recently announced its sponsorship of 300 football fields as part of the “Malaeb” initiative for Hikmat Road Safety in the kingdom’s various public schools.

LG’s sponsorship to this initiative comes as the first of its kind in Jordan to illustrate concern for the general public, and Jordan’s youth in particular, and the significant role the private sector plays in supporting the local community.

The “Malaeb” initiative in association with the Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Education, and the Traffic Department has revamped to date 300 football fields in public schools for the students and the children of that area to play in after school and during the summer vacation.

LG’s sponsorship of the 300 public schools were located in 39 districts around the Hashemite Kingdom including Amman, Irbid, Jerash, Al Tafeeleh, Aqaba, and others.

Kevin Cha, Managing Director of LG Electronics Levant, said, “LG believes in the importance of facilitating safer environments for the children while spending their free time instead of risking their lives by playing in the street. LG will always be a part of the community by being part of any plan that benefits the general public.”

Mr. Maher Kadoura, founder of Hikmat Road Safety, was quoted in saying, “Our main goal for this initiative is the safety of our children by keeping them away from being injured by dangerous traffic on the streets, providing a safer place to play, avoiding dangerous habits, and creating healthy competition through sports like football.”

BBC News

Security will be a key priority at Olympic venues across the UK

Olympics organisers have been allocated £280m by the government to beef up security at venues being used in 2012.

The sum, part of the overall £9.3bn Games budget, will fund measures such as bag screening, fencing and perimeter searches at the various UK venues.

Separately, the £600m Olympic safety and security budget could be trimmed to £475m thanks to Home Office savings.

Security Minister Baroness Neville-Jones insisted: "Olympic safety and security has been prioritised."

The coming year will see venues handed over to London 2012 as the organisers press ahead with test events and plans to stage the games.

Although much of the Games' focus will be on the new Olympic Park at Stratford, east London, several other locations are hosting events.

Football stadia being used include Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and Hampden Park in Glasgow, while other sports taking place outside London include sailing at Weymouth, Dorset, and mountain biking in Essex.

Releasing the extra money and the potential future savings is not expected to compromise plans or put the public at risk, a Home Office spokesman said.

Responsibility for venue security is split between London 2012 and the government.

In a statement to the Lords, Lady Neville-Jones said safety and security for the 2012 Games is well advanced and on schedule.

Some £600m was budgeted for the core Olympic security programme in 2007 and the government said it would still make this sum available, although savings identified could bring the total spend down to about £475m. This does not include the £280m for venue security.

Beyond the £134m which will have been spent by the Home Office by the end of the current financial year, the Home Office will provide £107m in 2011/12 and £192m in 2012/13, primarily for the police service to meet Olympic safety and security costs.

This is on top of core police funding and the contributions being made by other government departments.

The statement to Parliament says: "Home Office funding includes a very substantial financial provision for contingencies."

A further Olympic contingency of around £500m is available for cross-programme issues, which could address any "material change" in the security situation, it says.

Much of the £1.1bn being set aside for counter-terrorism policing will be devoted to the Olympics in 2012, the statement adds.

Warrington-based bookmaker, Betfred, has extended its sponsorship deal with Wembley Stadium, which will see the company remain the venue's official betting supplier until 2014. “We have been the Official Betting Supplier since the new stadium opened in 2007 and I am delighted with the association,” said Betfred boss Fred Done.

“I am very proud to see Betfred kiosks at Wembley and as a proud England fan, although I’m still gutted we didn’t get the World Cup in 2018, I hope I can pay out a few quid to my fellow England supporters over the next four years.”

Betfred is also sponsor of the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible in Sheffield.

“Having an in-stadium betting provider is an important part of a sports fan’s day out so I am really pleased that we have renewed our deal with Betfred, who have been a key partner of Wembley since the stadium opened,” added FA group head of sponsorship Peter Daire.

Last month the independent bookmaker confirmed that it was interested in buying the Wigan-based Tote, thought to be worth around £200m.

Company will sponsor fall Cup race at Charlotte for sixth consecutive season

By Sporting News Wire Service

December 14, 2010

The green flag will drop for a sixth Bank of America 500 in 2011 courtesy of a one-year renewal the bank negotiated with Charlotte Motor Speedway and Speedway Motorsports Inc.

The deal extends the bank's five-year title sponsorship of NASCAR's fall Sprint Cup race and also prolongs its partnerships with five tracks owned by SMI. The short-term extension allows the bank to align the terms of its SMI partnerships with its International Speedway Corp. and NASCAR partnerships. As a result, it can negotiate its entire portfolio of NASCAR assets collectively in 2011.

The extension is the first sports marketing deal negotiated by Bank of America's new global sponsorship marketing executive, Charles Greenstein, since he was named to the position in September.

"This gave us the opportunity to align everything and make it co-terminus," Greenstein said. "It provides me with the opportunity -- just stepping into this role -- to not make any quick decisions, so that we can assess our relationships long term."

Financial terms of the agreement were not available. Race title sponsorships at Charlotte Motor Speedway typically cost between $1.5 million and $3 million per year.

The deal makes Bank of America the official bank at speedways in Charlotte, Fort Worth, Texas, Atlanta, Sonoma, Calif., and Las Vegas.

SMI Chairman Bruton Smith is known to be a longtime Bank of America customer and previously said that he has a line of credit with the bank.

Greenstein said the bank decided to renew with the race because it allows the bank to connect with NASCAR's strong fan base, and it reinforces the bank's commitment to the Charlotte region it calls home.

The bank is in the process of shifting the focus of its sports sponsorships away from affinity credit card and debit card business toward a more integrated program that supports selling across areas ranging from wealth management to home loans to investment banking businesses.

To support that, Greenstein said the bank will look to more fully integrate its race title sponsorship with other marketing strategies.

While the extension furthers Bank of America's commitment to the Charlotte race, its long-term commitment to NASCAR remains unclear. Its partnerships with the sanctioning body, ISC and SMI all end in 2011.

Greenstein recently met with NASCAR chief marketer Steve Phelps in Las Vegas. Renewal conversations are expected to continue throughout the year.

BRASELTON, Ga. – Porsche has a strong commitment to the environment and will be featuring its hybrid race car, Porsche GT3R, at Road Atlanta in a noncompetitive showing. The car uses a renewable energy source without sacrificing the loss of power and speed.

Instead of batteries that can add too much weight, the car makes use of a regenerative braking system. The car stores the energy created through the braking process to be used when the driver needs it. The system adds a boost of power making the car quicker and saves on fuel consumption.

Also in support of its environmental commitments, Porsche is meeting its goal of having its new cars that are at least 85 per cent recyclable.and is ahead of schedule.

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Environmentalists on Saturday praised Burger King's decision to stop buying palm oil from an Indonesian company accused of destroying rainforests.

The U.S. hamburger chain giant — which recently sealed a deal to sell itself for $3.26 billion to 3G Capital — said Friday that it was canceling its contract with PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology over concerns it had not adopted sustainable farming practices.

It cited an independent audit that found the company's plantations had violated several regulations, including planting in some peatland swamps and secondary forests.

"These practices are inconsistent with our corporate responsibility commitments," Burger King said in a statement on Facebook as it joined a growing list of multinationals that have broken ties with Sinar Mas.

Burger King did not say what its alternate source of palm oil — used for frying — would be.

The environmental group Greenpeace, which has accused Sinar Mas companies of tearing down forests that are home to orangutans and other endangered species, welcomed the move. Bustar Maitar,the group's regional forest campaigner, urged other major corporate consumers like Cargill, Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts to do the same.

Jatna Supriatna from Conservation International Indonesia sees the move as a lesson for Sinar Mas and others companies that have destroyed the tropical forests that are home to endangered wildlife and act as a filter to absorb carbon dioxide, a key cause of global climate change.

"They should not just be aggressive in expanding plantations without allotting their revenues for the forest restoration," Supriatna said Saturday. "The government has to stop them." Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, a cheap commodity used to manufacture cooking oil, margarine, cosmetics and bio fuel.

Sinar Mas said in a statement it was disappointed with Burger King's decision, but would work hard to convince the U.S. company that it was committed to sustainable practices. Unilever, Nestle and Kraft Foods also have recently broken ties with Sinar Mas.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) signed a new global sponsor Friday but a fragile economic climate has delayed the start of negotiations for the U.S. television rights for the 2014 and 2016 Games.

IOC president Jacques Rogge told Reuters in an interview that the negotiations could be put off until after the 2012 Olympics in London because of the uncertainty of the American economy.

"We have considered that the economic conditions are improving but not yet strong enough to start negotiations," Rogge told Reuters.

"This is something we have done together with the major broadcasters who have asked us to wait."

The IOC has already sold the television rights for the London Olympics as part of two-Games package with the Vancouver Winter Olympics, held earlier this year.

They have sold the rights for the next package, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, to some countries and regions.

But the U.S., the IOC's most lucrative deal, remains in limbo. Negotiations were originally due to start last year.

"It (the global economy) is better than it used to be last year but still not very strong," Rogge said.

"But we have plenty of time, we can easily wait until the end of 2012 before negotiation. There's no hurry."

Rogge's comments came just after the IOC announced at a plush Manhattan hotel they had signed the Dow Chemical Co. to a multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal.

Neither the IOC nor Dow would divulge the financial cost of the sponsorship but they said they had agreed to a 10-year deal through to the end of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

"This is something that is very important for the Olympic movement," Rogge told a news conference.

"The partnership is based on a win-win situation."

TENTH SPONSOR

Dow chief executive Andrew Liveris said his company had been involved with the IOC for 30 years and supplied products for this year's Vancouver Games but the sponsorship deal would allow them to more clearly associate their products with the Olympics.

"What we need is to get awareness at the sea level," Liveris said.

Dow is the first new major sponsor to join the IOC's Top sponsorship program in nearly three years and the 10th overall.

The previous nine sponsors were worth a combined $883 million to the IOC and while the committee does not release the financial details, most major companies pay about $100 million in cash and in-kind services to become top sponsors over a four-year period.

Other top sponsors confirmed for the London Olympics are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, General Electric, McDonald's, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.

Atos Origin, Panasonic and Samsung have extended their partnerships until Rio while Coca-Cola, Visa and Omega have extended their deals with the IOC until the 2020 Games.

The bidding process for 2020 has not begun yet but the host city will be decided in 2013.

IOC marketing chief Gerhard Heiberg said the deal with Dow was struck over breakfast at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but the fragile state of the American economy had delayed the signing.

He added that the IOC were confident of adding two more major sponsors before the London Olympics but the maximum total was 12.

"It is an exclusive club," he said.

Fitness Leader Prepared to Support Team USA in Quest for Gold With State-of-the-Art Training Facility in London

SAN RAMON, Calif.--(Business Wire)-- 24 Hour Fitness, the largest privately-owned U.S. fitness club chain and the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, today announced two new programs to be made available to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and their respective athletes, as they strive toward making the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

The new Elite Membership and NGB Incentive programs, valued at more than $1million, are designed to provide first-class gym and training access to more than 1,500 U.S. athletes along with providing a means of fundraising for these organizations. Through its support of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and NGBs, 24 Hour Fitness has become one of the largest supporters of amateurathletics in the country.

Elite Memberships are one-year, complimentary, All-Club passes which entitle athletes access to every 24 Hour Fitness® club nationwide. These memberships are allocated to NGBs based on the number of elite-level athletes they serve. As part of the NGB Incentive program, participating NGBs will receive a percentage from the sale of all memberships, personal training sessions and online transactions, to help offset operating and program costs.

"24 Hour Fitness is proud to again provide support of the United States Olympic Team for a fifth time and help Team USA pursue their ongoing quest for gold at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London," said Carl Liebert, Chief Executive Officer, 24 Hour Fitness. "We continue to look for additional ways to support Team USA athletes in fulfillment of their dreams."

To date, 33 NGBs have applied to participate in the program and more than 300 athletes have already begun to reap the benefits of the meaningful training and fitness solutions that 24 Hour Fitness offers. In addition, approximately 3,200 U.S. Olympic Team alumni have been invited to take part in the exclusive offer.

To purchase a membership and support the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams,visit the 24 Hour Fitness NGB page at www.24hourfitness.com.

"24 Hour Fitness has been a great and valued partner," said Scott Blackmun, USOC Chief Executive Officer. "The state-of-the-art training facilities, expertise and memberships they provide to Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls will continue to play an important role in the team`s success."

As part of its partnership with the USOC, which launched in 2003, 24 Hour Fitness is also helping U.S. athletes train for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games by providing state-of-the-art equipment and expertise at U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chula Vista, Calif.; and Lake Placid, N.Y.

Furthermore, the company is once again assisting the USOC with the creation of a U.S. Team High Performance Training Center (HPTC) to be staffed by 24 Hour Fitness employees, also known as "Fitness Ambassadors," from the more than 420 - 24 Hour Fitness clubs across the United States. Team USA`s HPTC, which is currently under construction, is located at The University of East London, Docklands Campus. The cardio, strength and conditioning facility will be approximately 6,000 square feet and has been designed specifically for the USOC and Team USA`s delegation of more than 550 athletes to train and ready them for competition while in London.

This will be the fifth Olympic Games for which 24 Hour Fitness has supported Team USA, having previously partnered with the USOC for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In addition, this is the second time 24 Hour Fitness has supported the U.S. Paralympic Team.

Time Warner Cable Sports announces its partnership with Fox Soccer Plus, a premium network intended to complement Fox Soccer Channel, to launch "Operation Community Cup" - a local community-focused project designed to revitalize soccer fields for children across New York City, Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio starting in August.

"Turning Time Warner Cable Sports` partnerships into programs that give the children of our community a safe place to play soccer, on a field that they can be proud of...well, that`s a pretty good reason to come to work every day," said Marissa Freeman, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Time Warner Cable. "When you see the happiness in the faces of these kids, you know where the `passion`for local sports begins. We are excited to be working with Fox Soccer Plus to help further the ability of our children to play the game."

The partnership comes on the heels of the 2010 FIFA World Cup wrap-up and follows the USA Bid Committee`s announcement that Fox Soccer Channel is an official sponsor to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022.

In New York City, Time Warner Cable and Fox Soccer Plus are partnering with FC Harlem to revitalize its field. Access to the land was provided by the Department of Environmental Protection. FC Harlem is an organization whose vision is to deliver youth development programs addressing the areas of academic enrichment, character and leadership development and healthy lifestyles.

"Operation Community Cup" provides a platform where fans can enjoy the opportunity to immerse themselves in a soccer experience on soccer fields across the country. From MLS stadiums in major cities to local community soccer fields, Time Warner Cable Sports and Fox Soccer Plus will create unique and exciting content around soccer fan experiences during the coming months.

"Operation Community Cup" kicks-off in New York City in August, in Los Angeles in September and in Columbus in October. It is comprised of the following components:

* Field Revitalization in New York City, Los Angeles and Columbus

* Launch events at three MLS stadiums

* Partner with U.S. Soccer Foundation to identify fields in need

* Exclusive Local Programming: Time Warner Cable will document the experiences Fox Soccer Plus brings to soccer fans throughout "Operation Community Cup." It will also provide mini-documentaries of each region`s activity - exclusively to Time Warner Cable subscribers.

* Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

The New York City ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled to take place on Oct 5. Details of the event along with dates and times of the remaining ribbon cutting ceremonies will be announced at a later date.

"As the leading source for soccer programming and information in the United States, Fox Soccer Plus is proud to join forces with Time Warner Cable Sports to bring soccer fields back to life across the nation," said David Nathanson, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fox Soccer Channel. "We are looking forward to celebrating the hard work of volunteers assisting in the revitalization process during the launch parties we will host at each location."

With a new football management team in place, this last year started with the hope and desire to establish firm foundations for our future football success. We invested significantly in the playing squad, particularly in the January registration window. Even although we knew then that we had a formidable task ahead in coming from behind and recovering the points deficit at that time, we had a clear sense of purpose - recovery of the SPL title. But regrettably, we fell short of that objective. Neither cup competition provided any comfort.

The unacceptable results on the football pitch meant that a change in the football management team was needed. Some pride was then restored from an unbeaten run in the SPL at the end of the season, with Neil Lennon taking temporary charge. But that does not in any way compensate for the extreme disappointment and frustration we and all Celtic supporters felt last season. It was simply not good enough for this Club and those who support it.

Fortunately, the relatively strong financial position we have insisted in maintaining in recent years has enabled us to continue to rebuild even after last year's set-back. Last year we signed or took on loan 13 new players. Already, under our new management in the new financial year, we have brought in 7 new faces and will continue to seek to enhance our football squad.

But just as football and financial strength are essential partners in progress, so too they affect each other adversely when we are not succeeding as we should.

Thus the combination of the financial/economic recession and disappointing football results have taken their toll in this year's report. Our turnover at £61.72m was well down on £72.59m the previous year. This was predominantly the effect of participation in UEFA Europa League rather than UEFA Champions League but also due to a lower level of season ticket sales, reduced merchandising revenues from one kit launch rather than two, and a drop in domestic media income following the demise of Setanta.

Operating expenses also fell, by £4.10m, to £57.25m leading to a profit from trading before asset transactions and exceptional items, of £4.46m. But after taking account of the extensive changes in playing staff, amortisation on players, a small loss on disposal and allowing for exceptional operating expenses of £3.14m, we have experienced a loss before taxation of £2.13m, against a profit of £2.00m the year before.

Our year end bank debt, net of cash is £5.85m, sustainable but up on £1.51m the year before. This is reflective, in part, of the hefty investment made in football personnel during the year - £13.64m - significantly higher than the £8.53m of 2009. Not surprisingly, against a backdrop of a substantial decrease in overall revenue, our ratio of total labour costs to turnover has risen from 53.4% to 59.11%, although our absolute wage cost of £38.75m in 2009 reduced to £36.48m in 2010.

When considered in the context of the season that we had, and the changes that had to be made as a result of poor football results, this outcome, heavily influenced by exceptional costs, is not overly disappointing. But we must try to ensure that it is not repeated in the coming year. That will not be straightforward.

Some of the major factors that are likely to affect our business, such as the economic environment and consumer confidence, are not within our control. Such difficult economic times make even more important our charitable work and the work that we as a Club continue to do in the community, including in some of the most deprived areas. But the economic context of Scottish football obviously also has a direct commercial impact on the Club and our supporters. Season tickets sales were down on the record of 54,252 the year before, and the Board believes this trend is set to continue this year, notwithstanding the continuing ticket price freeze, maintenance of concessionary schemes and the new instalment plans.

Our financial strength and management of resources have stood us in good stead to date and we aim to ensure that remains the case, investing where and when we can and taking up new opportunities when they arise. At the time of writing 7 new first team players have joined, and 3 have departed. Our new contract with Tennent's as our shirt sponsor commenced on 1 July, as did the 5 year extension with NIKE, renewal with our online retail partner Kitbag, and a new vehicle sponsor agreement with another blue-chip brand, Lomond Audi.

But the general picture of a constrained economic environment places a further premium on success throughout our scouting, sports science and Academy development. In the coming year our trading will also be put under greater pressure than has been the case for some time, and the performance of our football management team and players will be placed under even more scrutiny than normal.

But one great feature of football, and this great Club, is that each new season provides an opportunity to put past failures behind us, to learn from them and restore our place as Scottish champions. That is precisely what we aim to do with a new football management team under Neil Lennon, a revitalised playing squad and crucially, your support, for which I once again thank you on behalf of everyone at the Club.

Dr. John Reid

Chairman

Social networking service Twitter has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers and put their privacy at risk by failing to safeguard their personal information, marking the agency’s first such case against a social networking service.

The FTC’s complaint against Twitter charges that serious lapses in the company’s data security allowed hackers to obtain unauthorized administrative control of Twitter, including access to non-public user information, tweets that consumers had designated private, and the ability to send out phony tweets from any account including those belonging to then-President-elect Barack Obama and Fox News, among others.

“When a company promises consumers that their personal information is secure, it must live up to that promise,” said David Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Likewise, a company that allows consumers to designate their information as private must use reasonable security to uphold such designations. Consumers who use social networking sites may choose to share some information with others, but they still have a right to expect that their personal information will be kept private and secure.”

According to the FTC complaint, Twitter allows users to send “tweets” – brief messages of 140 characters or fewer – to “followers” who sign up to receive such messages via e-mail or phone text. Twitter offers privacy settings through which a user may choose to designate tweets as nonpublic. For instance, users can send “direct messages” to a specified follower so that only the specific author and recipient can view the message. Twitter users can also click a button labeled “Protect my tweets,” which makes that user’s tweets private so that only approved followers can view them.

The privacy policy posted on Twitter’s website stated that “Twitter is very concerned about safeguarding the confidentiality of your personally identifiable information. We employ administrative, physical, and electronic measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access.”

The FTC’s complaint alleged that between January and May of 2009, hackers were able to gain administrative control of Twitter on two occasions. In January 2009, a hacker used an automated password-guessing tool to gain administrative control of Twitter, after submitting thousands of guesses into Twitter’s login webpage. The administrative password was a weak, lowercase, common dictionary word. Using the password, the hacker reset several passwords, and posted some of them on a website, where other people could access them. Using these fraudulently reset passwords, other intruders sent phony tweets from approximately nine user accounts. One tweet was sent from the account of then-President-elect Barack Obama, offering his more than 150,000 followers a chance to win $500 in free gasoline. At least one phony tweet was sent from the account of Fox News.

During a second security breach, in April 2009, a hacker was able to guess the administrative password of a Twitter empoyee after compromising the employee’s personal email account where two similar passwords were stored in plain text. The hacker reset at least one Twitter user’s password, and could access nonpublic user information and tweets for any Twitter users.

According to the FTC’s complaint, Twitter was vulnerable to these attacks because it failed to prevent unauthorized administrative control of its system, including reasonable steps to:

• require employees to use hard-to-guess administrative passwords that they did not use for other programs, websites, or networks;

• prohibit employees from storing administrative passwords in plain text within their personal e-mail accounts;

• suspend or disable administrative passwords after a reasonable number of unsuccessful login attempts;

• provide an administrative login webpage that is made known only to authorized persons and is separate from the login page for users;

• enforce periodic changes of administrative passwords, for example, by setting them to expire every 90 days;

• restrict access to administrative controls to employees whose jobs required it; and

• impose other reasonable restrictions on administrative access, such as by restricting access to specified IP addresses.

Under the terms of the settlement, Twitter will be barred for 20 years from misleading consumers about the extent to which it protects the security, privacy, and confidentiality of nonpublic consumer information, including the measures it takes to prevent unauthorized access to nonpublic information and honor the privacy choices made by consumers. The company also must establish and maintain a comprehensive information security program, which will be assessed by an independent auditor every other year for 10 years.

The Commission vote approving the complaint and settlement was 5-0. The FTC will publish an announcement regarding the consent agreement in the Federal Register shortly. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days, until July 26, 2010, after which the Commission will decide whether to make it final. To file a public comment, please click on the following hyperlink https://public.commentworks.com/ftc/twitter and follow the instructions at that site.

2010/03/18 Weekend Post Patrick Cull

The Weekend Post has reported that the South African Local Government Association (Salga) has issued a warning to all municipalities about the possibility of strikes and violent protests during the Fifa World Cup in June and July. In a letter dated March 3 and tabled at yesterday’s human resources committee meeting, Salga says June and July are “known to be South Africa’s strike season”.

It says although it was proposed parties “bind themselves by signing mutual agreements in terms of abstention from any such behaviour during this period, municipalities are urged to develop contingency plans for such incidents”. It adds that this is “especially important with regard to security companies”. The latter says that it should be kept in mind that “the 2010 Fifa World Cup could be seen as the ideal opportunity to get a quick, positive response from management bodies so as to eliminate the negative publicity factor”.

“Violent riots due to dissatisfaction in municipal service delivery have erupted in recent weeks and this should also be one area of importance in terms of forward planning for municipalities.”

Speaking at the meeting, committee chairman Oscar Mgwanza said in terms of security measures it would be important “to mitigate and if possible prevent” any action of this nature, adding that it might be possible to look at securing a pledge from all partners not to embark on a strike or protect action during the World Cup.

The Salga warning follows one from Nelson Mandela Bay’s acting public transport officer Keith Mitchell who told city councillors on Friday the consequence of the failure to reach an agreement with the Taxi Forum on an Integrated Public Transport System by March 31 could mean disruption of the World Cup “due to public violence and intimidation of spectators, visitors and other public transport operators”.

Mitchell also warned that the failure to reach an agreement would “compromise” the success of the World Cup in Nelson Mandela Bay and there would be “negative publicity which would damage the reputation of the city and its ability to host future large events at its stadium”. He also said the metro would be in breach of the 2010 Host City Agreement “to the effect that public transport services will be compromised”.

World trade organization for corporate sponsors calls for collaboration to raise industry effectiveness in protecting sponsors

ATLANTA, Georgia. Jan. 6, 2010 -- The recent developments with Tiger Woods have had an impact on the sponsorship industry. To what extent depends on whom you ask, but the International Sponsor Council (ISC), the world trade organization for corporate sponsors, wants the situation to be considered an issue of industry sustainability.

The ISC is partnering on a series of groundbreaking sustainability virtual summits in 2010 that will create industry collaboration to a global audience.

“The Tiger development is obviously a very unfortunate one for everyone involved,” said ISC President and CEO, Terry Cecil. “For sponsors, it isn’t the first endorsement to end in a negative impact, but the sponsorship industry needs to work very hard to limit the frequency and exposure in these cases.”

“Corporations commit to sponsorships and endorsements to meet business objectives,” added Cecil. “The current and future situation with Tiger will have varying degrees of impact on his current and past sponsors. All of Tiger’s sponsors have created exceptional programs, but when the sponsor’s business objectives are threatened or are no longer able to utilize the benefits of a particular celebrity or property, it is then prudent for the sponsor to end the relationship. The focus now should be on how the industry can learn from this and use it to collaborate on raising the effectiveness of sponsorship. Between the economy and Tiger, 2009 was an interesting year. 2010 shows much promise featuring the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup in South Africa. By focusing on and committing to sustainability, the industry will continue to make a positive impact on society."

The ISC is supporting its mission of protecting sponsor interests with the development of ISC vScreen, a vendor and volunteer screening service.

The ISC partnered with Notivus, a leading edge screening service company, to develop ISC vScreen. This is a groundbreaking service that allows sponsors to manage the screening of vendors and volunteers working directly and indirectly for sponsorship partners.

“This will benefit sponsors towards compliance and provide a layer of protection is becoming increasingly critical for sponsors to commit to sponsorship programming,” said ISC President Terry Cecil. “Vendor and volunteer screening offers management on business licenses, business insurance, credentialing and other workplace solutions. Sponsors need to satisfy compliance issues including impacts from Sarbanes, This service raises the effectiveness of sponsorship which will benefit sponsors, but also the entire industry”

Following its partnership on a series of sustainability virtual summits, the ISC and G2Events is developing a sponsorship virtual summit that will allow practitioners from around the world to participate exclusively online.

"There are factors affecting mediums of collaboration that necessitate a new model of conferencing," said ISC President Terry Cecil. "This is not meant to totally replace face-to-face events, but a solution to their limitations. The ISC is taking a leadership role in providing the ability to leverage the latest in technology advancements so that sponsors and the industry can avoid the negative impacts from budget restraints, scheduling conflicts and time management. The virtual platform allows for attendees to participate in presentations, interact with questions and answer sessions as well as collect and disseminate information from virtual exhibit booths. All of the positives of a traditional conference and trade show."

Cecil added, "We partnered with G2Events after researching the field and being impressed with their vision and expertise."

The event is scheduled to launch during Fall of 2010.

World trade organization for corporate sponsors provides leadership platform on sustainability in groundbreaking sustainability virtual summit

ATLANTA, Georgia. Jan 5, 2010 -- The International Sponsor Council (ISC), the world trade association for corporate sponsors, will join Cisco, Orange, Alcatel-Lucent, the United Nations Global Compact and BSR in delivering Sustainability Virtual Summits: Smart ICT virtual conference and exhibition. The event, which will launch online on March 23, 2010, is the first in a series of virtual events focusing on technologies that will impact sustainability programs.

“Major corporations around the world are taking a leadership role regarding sustainability,” said Terry Cecil, ISC President and CEO. “The ISC is partnering with the Sustainability Virtual Summit: Smart ICT for its potential to deliver an unprecedented global collaboration on an issue that is critical to sponsors. The ISC is leading the integration of sustainability executives and executives involved in sponsorship. This event will provide the opportunity for sponsors and the sponsorship industry to share and receive valuable strategies and tactics on sustainability, as well as key partnership opportunities with fans. By positioning sponsors’ sustainability and other social, economic and environmental initiatives through sponsorship and endorsement programs, the end result is an increased value offering from sponsorship, a deepening of the engagement between fans and sponsors, and an enormous positive impact on society.”

The conference will harness a powerful collaboration of enterprise, government, NGOs and influencer groups. The virtual exhibition will give participating companies the opportunity to showcase Green ICT solutions, in themed halls and ICT Pavilions including the ISC Impact Pavilion.

Cecil added, “Sustainability Virtual Summits: Smart ICT virtual conference and exhibition is a groundbreaking platform that utilizes the latest technology for collaboration without taxing travel budgets, time constraints and scheduling conflicts. It is exciting to be a part of this series of summits with leading sponsors and the support of the United Nations Global Compact. The ISC and G2Events will be co-developing a Sponsorship Virtual Series launching Fall of 2010.”

Mark Barounos, President of conference organizer G2Events, said, “We are very excited to welcome the ISC as a major event supporter. The influence and reach of sponsors can have a considerable impact on the actions and mindset of fans in regard to sustainability. The ISC workshop and exhibits will provide a unique and valuable education for anyone interested in or involved in sustainability.”

The ISC and G2Events will also be launching a global virtual summit on sponsorship in the Fall of 2010. “In addition to the Sustainability Virtual Summits, The ISC is excited to be partnering with industry leader, G2Events, the ISC Sponsorship Virtual Summit to be held in the Fall of 2010,” added Cecil.

Sustainability Virtual Summits: Smart ICT will be a telepresence and collaborative conferencing-enabled event. ISC will host specialty virtual exhibit halls, and will moderate track and panel discussions focusing on sustainable information and communications technologies. ICT Smart Leader sponsors Domani, NineSigma and the Human Productivity Lab will bring their consulting expertise to the event. Network sponsor Masergy, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), CSRwire, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GESI), the Interactive Multimedia Collaborative Communications Alliance (IMCCA), the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG), the Carbon Free Meeting Coalition, the Green Computing Impact Organization (GCIO), the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability, the International Society of Sustainability Professionals, TelepresenceWorld.net, and Terrapass are among the initial supporting organizations of the conference. For more details on how you can get involved, please contact the organizers at info@g2events.com.

Visit www.SustainabilityVirtualSummits.com to learn more about the events, or to take a demo tour of the virtual event environment. Speaking, sponsoring and exhibiting opportunities at the Sustainability Virtual Summits: Smart ICT event will be similar to those at a physical event, but without the cost and trouble of travel, or the associated greenhouse gas emissions. Registration as an Attendee to the Sustainability Virtual Summits is free of charge.

About the International Sponsor Council

The International Sponsor Council (ISC) is the world trade association for corporate sponsors. ISC core members are corporations that sponsor programs including sports, music, the arts, entertainment, education and other mediums of consumer engagement. The mission of the ISC is to promote sponsor value and protect the collective interests of sponsors. The ISC provides knowledge sharing, advocacy and networking for executives involved in sponsorship. For more information on the ISC, please contact Terry Cecil by phone 678-240-9494 or by email tcecil@sponsorcouncil.com, or visit www.sponsorcouncil.org.

About G2Events Inc.

G2Events is a professional organizer of virtual events. Advances in virtual event platform technologies, coupled with a shift in personal attitudes towards, and corporate embracing of, virtual world interactions, are changing the rules of business, culture and society. G2Events, building on the long-standing experience of its team members in the physical conference and exhibition arena, is taking a lead in the professional organization of virtual conferences and tradeshows. The company stages its own virtual events, and also produces virtual events for enterprises and partner organizations. In addition to having a thorough familiarity with virtual event platforms, the G2Events team includes experts in content management, speaker coordination, virtual booth design and content management, and event marketing, with a specific focus on digital marketing via new media and social networks. For more information, or to plan a virtual event for your organization or business, please contact Mark Barounos, CEO (mbarounos@g2events.com) or visit www.G2Events.com.

Media Contact:

The International Sponsor Council

Terry Cecil 678-492-0258

tcecil@sponsorcouncil.com

BERLIN (Reuters) – German car maker Audi has bought a 9.09 percent stake in Bayern Munich in a deal worth 90 million euros ($135.8 million), the club said on Thursday.

Volkswagen’s premium brand Audi, with headquarters in the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt north of Munich, has been a partner of the Bundesliga club since 2002 as exclusive car sponsor.

“With the direct financial participation in the club, the two successful premium brands move even closer,” said Audi board chairman Rupert Stadler.

“But apart from the financial engagement there are plans in progress to strengthen the global presence of both brands in the form of grassroots development in globally organised soccer schools,” he said in a statement.

Bayern, the country’s richest and most successful club having won a record number of domestic championships, is also the sole owner of the 69,000-capacity Allianz Arena.

The club has also lifted the European Cup four times.

By Martyn Herman

Cyclical Consumer Goods

LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - German carmaker BMW became the latest Tier One partner for the London Olympics on Wednesday, joining an impressive list of major companies already signed up by the 2012 organising committee (LOCOG).

The deal is worth about 30 million pounds ($50.50 million) to LOCOG, mostly in the form of services provided by BMW who will supply 4,000 vehicles to transport athletes, officials and media during the Games and the Paralympics.

"Operationally, an automotive deal is vital for any organising committee and so I'm thrilled BMW is on board," LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

"They share our vision to stage a sustainable Games in 2012 and will be a valued partner. On a commercial level, signing another Tier One Partner in this challenging environment is a fantastic achievement but it goes to show the inspirational power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games."

BMW, which makes iconic British cars such as the Rolls Royce and Mini, is also a sustainability partner and will provide low emission vehicles, electric cars, bicycles and motorbikes, as London aims to become the greenest Olympics ever staged. The German company is the seventh Tier One partner to be signed up as LOCOG moves towards its target of 650 million pounds in private investment.

The rest of the two billion pound budget for running the Games will come from merchandising, ticket sales, the International Olympic Committee and television rights. The other Tier One partners are adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. Tier Two partners include Cadbury and Thomas Cook.

LOCOG has managed to attract major sponsorship despite the harsh economic climate but the Olympic Delivery Authority, which is responsible for building the venues, has struggled to fund some of the projects and has required extra government funding.

* Air travel for spectators biggest source of emissions

* Spectators, sponsors, media asked to buy carbon offsets

By Allan Dowd

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Spectators, media and sponsors planning to attend next year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver will be under pressure to offset their carbon emissions, organizers said on Tuesday.

The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), which has vowed to make the 2010 Games carbon neutral, unveiled plans to reduce the 150,000 tonnes of indirect greenhouse gas emissions expected to be produced as a result of the event.

Indirect emissions include those produced by the airplane flights that thousands of spectators and journalists will take to and from the event on Canada's Pacific Coast. The Winter Games start on Feb. 12.

VANOC said it is on schedule to offset all 118,000 tonnes of direct emissions linked to Games, such as those produced venue construction, the torch relay run and travel by Olympic staff over which organizers have control.

"If we didn't walk the talk, we couldn't ask others to do it," said Linda Coady, VANOC's vice president of sustainability.

Offsets are payments to make up for carbon emissions, and can be used for investments in technology and projects that produce energy without emissions, such as windmills.

A report prepared in 2007 for VANOC estimated the Games would produce 110,000 tonnes of direct emissions and 220,000 of indirect emissions, but figures were revised this year as more information became available.

Vancouver will be the first Olympics to include venue construction and preparations in its estimate of total emissions of the greenhouse gases that scientists say are responsible for global warming.

VANOC has produced a calculator that will allow people to estimate the emissions caused by attending the Games, and how much in offset credits they will need to purchase to make their visit carbon neutral.

For example, air travel and accommodations for a Reuters reporter traveling from London to Vancouver to cover the entire 17-day event would produce nearly 2.5 tonnes of carbon emissions, which would cost C$61.69 (about $58) to offset.

Fewer than 5 percent of travelers normally volunteer to buy offsets, but organizers expect to get between 30 and 50 percent 2010 visitors to sign up, said James Tansey, chief of Offsetters Clean Technology Inc, a Games sponsor.

"It's a big challenge getting people to sign up," he said.

Twenty five sponsors and companies working with VANOC have agreed to participate, along with the television networks that have broadcast rights in Canada and Australia. Organizers said they will pressure others to sign up.

"We've made it as easy as possible for them to do it, so it is really incumbent on those partners to take responsibility for the emissions," Tansey said.

More than half of Qualified Teams Commit to Offsetting their Journeys to South Africa

Source: UN Environmental Programme

News Comes as UNEP-GEF Announce $1 million Funding for Climate-Friendly Actions in Six Host Cities

Copenhagen, 7 December 2009 - As the climate talks kick off in Copenhagen, key football nations are teaming up for the planet for the biggest sport event of 2010.

More than half of the countries that have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup have committed or pledged to offset the emissions of their teams' and officials' flights to South Africa for the competition.

Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, England, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Serbia, USA, Uruguay and host country South Africa are among the squads determined to score green goals for the environment in 2010.

Tackling transport is central to greening the World Cup, as emissions generated by the teams' and spectators' international travel to South Africa will make up more than 67 per cent of the event's total greenhouse gas emissions. The news was announced in Copenhagen on the first day of the UN climate talks, during a press conference with representatives of the seventeen World Cup teams alongside Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.

Achim Steiner said: "Today footballing nations representing millions if not billions of fans are standing up and being counted as environmental ambassadors for one of the greatest spectator events in the calendar. Every one of the teams is determined to make a sporting impact in South Africa while reducing their impact on the global environment. I hope the remaining nations participating in South Africa will want to come on-side for the climate in order to score their own green goals in 2010".

The news comes as UNEP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) announced further support towards greening the World Cup with a one million dollar funding package.

South Africa tournament's emissions to be eight times amount in Germany the last time around

David Smith, Guardian

Africa's first football World Cup will generate 2.75m tonnes of carbon emissions, one of the biggest environmental impacts of any sporting event in history, a study has found.

The finals in South Africa next year are expected to have a carbon footprint eight times that of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, even before long-haul international travel is taken into account.

The main reasons for the discrepancy are the vast distances between South Africa's host cities and the lack of a green transport infrastructure.

The estimated output from South Africa is 896,661 tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to the optimistically entitled Feasibility Study for a Carbon Neutral 2010 Fifa World Cup, commissioned jointly by the South African and Norwegian governments. Another 1,856,589 tonnes will result from fans travelling from around the world, making the World Cup's footprint the biggest of any major event aiming to be "climate neutral", the report said.

It cites the geography of South Africa as the main culprit, forcing players, officials and supporters to travel great distances between the 64 matches spread across nine host cities. South Africa is five times the size of the UK. The distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg is 880 miles, the same as London to Warsaw, and it would take about 17 hours to drive.

South Africa's transport systems are also less eco-friendly than in many countries. "For inter-city transport … distances between matches in South Africa are much greater than in Germany, and the lack of high-speed rail links means that most visitors will fly multiple times between matches, leading to much higher transport emissions," the report said. Within cities, they will use hired cars or buses, because there is no underground or light railway alternative.

But getting there will be the biggest contributor to the total of 2,753,250 tonnes of carbon. International transport represents 67.4% of emissions, intercity transport 17.6%, intracity transport 1.4%, stadium construction and materials 0.6%, stadium and precinct energy use 0.5%, and energy use in accommodation 12.4%.

The report said carbon offset programmes to counter the World Cup's impact would cost between $5.4m and $9m (£3.3m to £5.4m). It called for the early implementation of carbon offset programmes from football's governing body, Fifa, the local organising committee and the South African government. These should be visible during the event to "maximise the contribution to public awareness".

The local organising committee responded this week with a "green goal" initiative. It said the construction of Soccer City stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony and the first and final matches, used thousands of tonnes of builders' rubble from the demolition of parts of the old FNB stadium.

Waterless urinals will be used in the stadium and the pitch will be irrigated exclusively with non-drinkable water, the organising committee said. Waste reduction will be pursued, with reusable cups and limited use of food containers.

Buyelwa Sonjica, South Africa's environmental affairs minister, told parliament this week: "Some progress has been conducted toward processes for offsetting the footprint. However, even the footprint on its own is huge in comparison to the 2006 Fifa World Cup footprint. At least three of the nine host cities have considered the implementation of bicycle lanes."

World's Largest Student Film Festival Offers Movie-Making Opportunities To More Than 800,000 College Students

ATLANTA and DALLAS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Campus MovieFest (CMF), the world's largest student film festival, and presenting sponsor AT&T* announced today the recent launch of CMF's 2009-2010 World Tour. In its ninth year, Campus MovieFest gives college students everything they need to create original short films on any topic, competing for exposure, cash, and other prizes totaling more than $400,000.

This year CMF will tour more than 50 colleges and universities, CMF grand finales, and top film festivals around the world. Past participants have included first-time filmmakers as well as aspiring professionals.

"We've had an amazing journey since starting CMF as students. Working together with AT&T, we're making this year without a doubt the biggest CMF tour yet, providing masses of students with unforgettable experiences, exposure, and opportunities," said David Roemer, Co-Founder of Campus MovieFest.

"Each year, Campus MovieFest provides a great stage for us to showcase some of our most popular products and services, including our latest Samsung Quick Messaging phones, while providing a vehicle for these talented students to share their unique stories with a global audience," said Mimi Chan, director, Youth Marketing AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

Contest Details

Student teams from participating colleges and universities who sign up for Campus MovieFest will have one week to create their own five-minute films on any topic. Competing student teams will be given access to 24/7 support from CMF and will be provided AT&T mobile phones, Apple computers and Panasonic HD camcorders to use for one week, free of charge.

Entries are judged by a panel of students and staff from each school, with the top 16 movies shown at each school's red carpet finale. Top movies from each school, including AT&T Wild Card Picks selected by text voting, move on to their CMF Regional Grand Finale, followed by the CMF International Grand Finale at Paramount Studios in June 2010.

Awards are also given for winners of special categories, such as the Social Justice category that encourages short movies about solutions to help eliminate domestic inequality, with $20,000 in cash grants for winners from The Elfenworks Foundation. AT&T also presents a Golden Mobile Award for students using groundbreaking AT&T technology in innovative ways in their movies.

AT&T Prizes

The top movies from the festival will be shown exclusively on AT&T handsets via AT&T's CV mobile video platform. Text MOVIES to 41234 for more details.

Additionally, AT&T is sponsoring a unique sweepstakes that gives CMF participants the chance to attend one of the world's top film festivals and interview a famous director or producer, as well as other prizes. A sweepstakes winner from three regions of the country - Western, Southern and Northern - will win a trip for two to a leading film festival: Sundance, Tribeca or Cannes, based on region.

For a complete list of sweepstakes prizes, rules and alternative ways to enter, visit the "Mobile" section of the Campus MovieFest website -- www.campusmoviefest.com.

Additional Contest Content

Other AT&T-CMF offerings include:

• CMF Messaging Calendar designed to keep film lovers updated on the latest CMF news directly on their mobile phones. To opt-in to receive the CMF Messaging Calendar, text INFO to 41234.

• Another sweepstakes open to the broader CMF audience will give fans a chance to win an AT&T prize pack including cash, an Apple MacBook Pro, AT&T Samsung phones, and AT&T gift cards, by simply texting WIN to 41234. More details can be found at www.campusmoviefest.com, "Mobile" section.

Message & data rates may apply. Full terms and conditions can be accessed at campusmoviefest.com.

Collaboration marks beginning of innovative venture between two beloved Pennsylvania organizations

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In an ongoing effort to align itself with highly-regarded professional sports organizations, Tasty Baking Company (NasdaqGM: TSTY), makers of the Tastykake((R)) snack line, today announced a multi-year, multi-platform marketing alliance with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tastykake will join with the Steelers in a broad program, highlighted by co-branded products; radio, print and online advertising; and the availability of collectible Pittsburgh Steelers tins filled with various Tastykake products on Tastykake.com.

"Our sponsorship of the Pittsburgh Steelers further extends the Tastykake tradition of reaching our devoted consumers through breakthrough marketing initiatives," said Jon Silvon, Director of Marketing for Tasty Baking Company. "Together we share a commitment to excellence that our fans have come to expect. Tastykake is proud to sponsor the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially as we appreciate, enjoy and share terrific loyalty from fans. Tastykake looks forward to working with the well-regarded Steelers organization in developing consumer and community marketing programs that are viewed by our consumers as novel and exciting."

"The Steelers and Tastykake represent two strong brands that benefit from a distinctive, long-standing relationship with our valued fans," said Steelers' Marketing Coordinator Rick Giugliano. "We look forward to collaborating with Tasty Baking Company and we welcome them as a new sports sponsor in Pittsburgh, a city that demonstrates great passion for their Steelers and for the Tastykake brand.

This sponsorship with the Pittsburgh Steelers further supports Tastykake's strategic approach of reaching consumers in varied ways, notably through professional sports. Tasty Baking Company currently has strong partnerships with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers and SportsRadio 610 WIP. To read more about Tastykake's sports marketing initiatives or the Tastykake product line of high quality, fresh baked cakes, pies, snack bars, cookies and donuts, visit www.tastykake.com.

Three Out of Four Say Current Economic Climate Has Affected Their Charitable Giving

Americans Say Faith-Based Organizations and Non-Profits Bear Responsibility for Helping the World's Poor

SEATTLE, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three out of four U.S. adults say the "current economic climate" has affected their charitable giving and one in three is giving less to charities, according to a new Child Sponsorship Survey just released by World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization. Most polled say faith-based organizations (67%) and non-profit foundations (63%) should bear responsibility for helping the world's poor.

According to the study, one in five adults (21%) say they're now less likely to sponsor a child because of the economy and more than half (54%) say they would be more likely to sponsor a child if they had more money. Ten percent say they're actually giving more this year, despite the recession. Still, World Vision Child Sponsorship numbers show a modest increase (3%). Revenue forecast is for 8 percent growth in 2009 but private cash donations are expected to be down 3% from 2008.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, represents a definite shift from the charitable mood Americans were in less than a year ago. In late October, 2008 seven out of ten Americans said while the worsening economy meant they would probably spend less on holiday shopping, half said they were more inclined to give or receive a charitable gift for the holidays.

Lana Reda, World Vision's VP for Donor Engagement says, "The sputtering economy has made it more difficult for hard working Americans to give what's on their hearts. As the economy gets better, we believe Americans will step up to meet the urgent needs of children and families around the world. Our survey speaks to this optimism. Even now, ten percent of Americans are giving more and our sponsors at World Vision have hung in there." Reda has been with World Vision 8 years.

The poll was conducted by telephone by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, between August 28th and 31st, 2009 among 1,006 U.S. adults ages 18 +. For complete methodology, including weighing variables, please contact John Yeager.

About World Vision - World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. World Vision serves the world's poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

Partnership Kicks Off With Festivities Surrounding the Mexican National Team Tour Game in Dallas and Te Reto Skills Challenge Starting on September 29

GREENWICH, Conn., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Degree Men announced today it has entered into a multi-year partnership with Soccer United Marketing (SUM), the preeminent soccer business company in North America, making Degree Men the Official Antiperspirant/Deodorant of the Mexican National Team (MNT) and Major League Soccer (MLS). The partnership will kick off on Tuesday, September 29 with the Degree Te Reto skills challenge hosted by Felix Fernandez, former star of the national team and co-host of Univision's sports program "Republica Deportiva", and continues with various festivities and on-site activation surrounding the Mexican National Team's tour game on Wednesday, September 30 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. Each event will be an exciting opportunity for fans to celebrate the game and let them know that whatever challenge they may be facing, Degree Men won't let them down.

"We are thrilled to be part of this first-ever sponsorship opportunity with Soccer United Marketing. This is a step forward in our efforts to connect more closely with the Hispanic community and provide men the protection they need whether they are enjoying a friendly neighborhood game or simply watching their favorite soccer team from the stands, without having to worry about sweat and odor," said Jay Mathew, Marketing Director, Degree Men. "The Always Take on the Challenge campaign is a truly integrated program that will allow soccer fans nationwide the opportunity to meet their favorite athletes and win tickets to highly coveted soccer games, as well as other great Degree Men branded prizes."

In addition to the partnership with SUM, Degree Men has signed an endorsement deal with Mexican National Team superstar, Andres Guardado. The agreement with Deportivo de La Coruna midfielder Guardado will feature him as the spokesperson for Degree Men. "We would like to welcome Degree Men as sponsors of MLS and the Mexican National Team," said Kathy Carter, Executive Vice President, Soccer United Marketing. "Degree Men's commitment and support of the sport of soccer gives our fans the opportunity to always take on the challenge and experience the 'beautiful game' in the United States."

Always Take on the Challenge

The Always Take on the Challenge campaign will kick off with the skills challenge event on Tuesday, September 29 at Grauwyler Park, 7780 Harry Hines Blvd. in Dallas from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT. During the event former MNT players Felix Fernandez, Jorge Campos and Luis "Matador" Hernandez will face other surprise celebrity athletes in a one-on-one round of tricks to outdo each other and win $10,000 for a local Dallas charity. Fans in attendance will be able to take part in an array of exciting activities including the opportunity to showcase their fanaticism by showing up in their best MNT gear and win the chance to judge the surprise celebrity athletes participating in the challenge. Additionally, winners will receive a Degree Men gift basket that includes a soccer ball autographed by MNT players and legends.

Mexico vs. Colombia International Game

Degree Men will continue its partnership celebration during the international match between Mexico and Colombia on September 30. The game, starting at 8:30 p.m. CDT, will take place at the Cotton Bowl as part of the annual Texas State Fair.

Concert Event

Hours prior to the soccer match on September 30, Degree Men is also sponsoring a free concert event featuring the popular Mexican Duranguense music group, Conjunto Atardecer, which starts at 5:30 p.m. CST at Futbol Fiesta, the official Mexican National Team U.S. Tour interactive fan zone located just outside the Cotton Bowl and on the grounds of the Texas State Fair. The Always Take on the Challenge campaign will continue with different promotions and giveaways throughout various U.S. cities for the remainder of the Major League Soccer 2009 season including participation with the MLS Futbolito program and local league sampling efforts. The campaign will continue to be expanded into the 2010 season.

For information on the Degree Men soccer YouTube video contest, please visit us at www.Degreefutbol.com starting on September 29. For more information about the Always Take on the Challenge campaign and to build your own story with digital assets please visit us at www.Degreefutbolnews.com starting on September 29.

NFL Rookie of the Year Featured in New Television Commercial to Support Launch of Sports-Themed Razor

BOSTON, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: PG) -- Gillette® [PG] today announced the launch of a new advertising campaign introducing the latest entry into the Gillette Fusion® razor family -- the Gillette Fusion MVP(TM). The campaign features Atlanta Falcons' quarterback and the NFL's 2008 Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan. The razor features a sleek new look and Fusion's five-blade shaving surface for unsurpassed comfort and proven performance even on sensitive skin. The spot will begin airing on Monday, September 28 on network and cable television programming.

Sensitive skin is a real problem for guys. In the U.S., more than 40 percent* of men claim to have sensitive skin. The situation is worse if you are a pro football player with sensitive skin and face extreme conditions on game day.

"Matt Ryan is one of the NFL's rising stars and his performance on and off the field makes him a perfect fit for Gillette," said Michelle Potorski, Associate Marketing Director, Gillette North America. "We teamed up with Matt because he has sensitive skin and he knows firsthand how shaving with Fusion, Gillette's most comfortable shave, can provide a solution."

The 30-second commercial, which was created by BBDO New York, captures Ryan on the field facing the hot sun, heavy rain, whipping wind and snow that an NFL quarterback is challenged with on a weekly basis. The creative concludes with Ryan in the locker room using the Fusion MVP razor. The commercial was filmed in New York City at Steiner Studios in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Earlier this year, Gillette kicked off its relationship with the NFL through a multi-year marketing and sponsorship campaign as an official sponsor of the NFL. The Gillette Fusion MVP razor is featured as one of Procter and Gamble's "Official Locker Room Products of the NFL" family of brands.

LONDON (AP)—English soccer club Arsenal announced record profits of $56 million on Monday following a big increase in turnover and manager Arsene Wenger’s refusal to pay huge transfer fees.

Releasing figures for the year that ended May 31, Arsenal said that turnover increased to $498 million thanks largely to TV revenue and ticket sales gained when the team reached the semifinals of both the Champions League and FA Cup.

At the same time, the overall debt caused by the building of the 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium has reduced to $473 million from $505.6 million in the previous year.

“The group’s profits have now risen in each of the three years in which Emirates Stadium has been our home,” Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said. “This is excellent news, although I should perhaps stress that making and reporting profits is not in itself the primary objective for the directors.”

The encouraging financial results come, however, with Arsenal trying to end a run of four seasons without a major title. Despite the arrivals of Russia forward Andrei Arshavin during last season’s January transfer window and Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen before the start of this season, the club has refused to make any big purchases with Wenger relying on the youngsters he is grooming at the club.

“The group’s profitability is important because it is a by-product of running the club as a solvent and successful business, which in turn allows us to maximize the level of investment in the playing staff and in the future development of the club,” Hill-Wood said. “Arsene has the resources to bring more players in, if he believes doing so will add to the quality which we already have in the squad.”

By TAREK EL-TABLAWY and ROB HARRIS, Associated Press Writers

CAIRO (AP)—A Saudi prince wants to become co-owner of the Liverpool soccer club in a deal worth up to $560 million that would mark the latest buy-in by Gulf investors in an English Premier League team.

But Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is only willing to allow 25 percent stake in the club to raise $159 million, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the club is not discussing the situation publicly.

Hicks has had investment bank Merrill Lynch scouring the Middle East for investors for more than a year to help find funds to reduce the club’s debt and build a new stadium. Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, who was present for Saturday’s 6-1 win over Hull, was quoted by the Saudi Al-Riyadh newspaper on Sunday as saying that “we are seeking, at present, to own a 50 percent stake in the club.”

“The value of the transaction, which is nearing resolution, will be between 200 million pounds ($320 million) and 350 million pounds ($560 million),” said the prince, who is chairman of Saudi holding company FAMA Group and the F6 sports investment firm. The comments come on the heels of an F6 statement released Saturday that said Prince Faisal had signed a memorandum of understanding with one of Liverpool’s American co-owners, George Gillett Jr., as well as Richard Petty Motorsports. That deal envisions in part setting up sports academies in the kingdom and the broader Gulf region.

If Prince Faisal were to acquire a stake in Liverpool, it would mark the latest investment in soccer by investors from the oil-rich Gulf region.

Sheik Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, bought Manchester City for 210 million pounds. The team has spent more than $300 million on new players since Sheik Mansour took over, raising hopes that the long underachieving club could move up in the Premier League and grab a spot in the Champions League.

Sulaiman al-Fahim, the Emirati businessman who helped broker the Manchester City takeover for Sheik Mansour, has also taken control of his own Premier League team—Portsmouth. Al-Fahim said he completed his takeover of the club last month, though not before the team was forced to sell several players to meet debt payments. Al-Fahim formerly headed an Abu Dhabi property company and hosted an “Apprentice”-style reality show in the Middle East.

Also, Dubai’s Emirates airline significantly boosted its name recognition in the Britain by negotiating a multiyear deal in 2004 worth more than $160 million to attach its name to Premier League club Arsenal’s stadium.

The company’s ties with the club were strengthened earlier this year when Arsenal opened a football academy in Dubai.

By Michelle Nichols Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:59am EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - People are flocking to free outdoor cultural events from opera to rappers to Shakespeare, entertaining themselves on a budget amid the worst recession in some 70 years.

As more people opt to spend vacations at home, some U.S. parks groups are seeing audiences double, while donations and sponsorships of free summer programs are dropping.

In New York, the City Parks Foundation puts on nearly 1,200 free events, mostly in summer, and has seen crowds grow by at least 30 percent compared to last year.

"The recession is definitely playing a role," the foundation's executive director, David Rivel, told Reuters. "Fundraising is down about 20 percent, Attendance is up about 20 to 30 percent at least, and we're doing the best we can.

"Almost all of our sponsors from last year are back, but virtually none of them are giving more money and many are giving less money than they did last year."

Rivel said the foundation had dipped into its endowment to avoid cutting programs.

A huge demand has risen for free sports programs, as many parents cannot afford sending children to camp, he added.

Waiting in the rain at New York's East River Park for hip hop artist Slick Rick to appear, Audrea Alicea, 40, said free events were good for "keeping the kids out of trouble."

"I go online to try to find stuff to keep my daughter entertained," said Alicea, a child care worker from Manhattan.

HUNGER FOR FREE EVENTS

In London, the Royal Opera House has seen a 27 percent increase in crowds from last year for live broadcasts of opera and ballet on big screens in 20 locations around Britain.

"There is a huge hunger for free events given the current economic climate," spokesman Simon Magill said.

Free guided walks through London's Royal Parks had seen a 12 percent increase in attendance, a spokesman said.

In New York, long lines of people waiting for free tickets to "Shakespeare in the Park" stretch through Central Park.

Also in Central Park, more than 80,000 people attended a free performance this month by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Orchestra president Zarin Mehta said he could not attribute the crowd to the dim economy.

"One can talk about the recession but on the other hand we have had the highest ever attendance at Avery Fisher Hall this year," he said. The orchestra is based at Avery Fisher Hall.

Alex Seki, 32 and unemployed, stood with his friends at the New York City Parks Foundation Slick Rick show for one simple reason. "If it's free, I'll be there," he said.

His friend Frankie Rubino, 31, a teacher's aide, added that he was "definitely" looking for more free shows to attend.

FREE EVENT SPONSORSHIP "GOOD VALUE"

Los Angeles Parks Foundation director Judith Kieffer said crowds for free concerts had doubled, although "finding any funding has been a real struggle this year."

"Absolutely, demand for services at all levels has increased," she said. The city's school system eliminated summer sessions, adding to demand for park usage, she said.

A survey by the Foundation Center think tank found nearly two thirds of U.S. private, corporate and community foundations planned to reduce the grants they awarded in 2009.

Stephen Lawrence, the center's senior director of research, said 2009 giving is forecast to be down 9 to 13 percent.

But Liz Panich, director of consulting for The Marketing Arm, said free events provide good value.

"Both consumers and companies are taking action on financial responsibility during these times, and companies that can assist consumers and families in these actions, will benefit in the long run," she said.

In Chicago, the Parkways Foundation, which is bucking the trend and on track for a 10 percent growth in fundraising, has established a $100,000 scholarship program for children to attend its day camp and took over funding free "Movies in the Park" after the event lost its sponsor.

"We have seen a definite increase in the families coming out," executive director Brenda Palm said. "Families who aren't traveling are saying, 'Well, let's travel to this park.'"

Sponsorship and live shows helped to raise revenues by 4.7%, according to research

Alexandra Topping, guardian.co.uk, Sunday 19 July 2009

It has been an unhappy few years for the music industry, hit by plummeting CD sales and rampant online piracy. But there are signs that the worst may be over – research suggests the industry grew last year and is finding new ways of making money.

Music brought in £3.6bn to the British economy last year, growing by 4.7%, according to a report from PRS for Music, the payment collection body for musicians, songwriters and publishers.

The sale of CDs, which took another blow after the closure of several high street retailers such as Woolworths last year, may ultimately be sidelined as live music becomes the main breadwinner for most bands.

Sponsorship deals between big businesses and musicians – such as Take That's partnership with Marks & Spencer – are also becoming more important as bands and their managers look for new ways of making money from a shrinking pie, said the report.

Will Page, chief economist at PRS for Music, said the money from the licensing of services such as music streaming website Spotify to big sponsorship deals was more important to the music industry than ever, making up 25% of its revenues, up 9% on last year.

"It's not just about the Armageddon sales figures, the industry is becoming much more diversified," he said. "Revenues from business now make up a quarter of the overall pie, but whether this is enough to make up for the fall in CD sales remains to be seen."

The marriage of convenience between music and brands is nothing new – Michael Jackson set the trend with a $5m partnership with Pepsi in 1983 – but new deals now account for £89m of the industry's overall worth.

The way brands are working with artists is changing too. Advertising campaigns are more inventive and look to harness the power of the internet, with companies such as chewing gum brand Trident partnering with pop star Beyoncé, organising a "flash dance" of 100 women dancing to her recent hit, Single Ladies, in the hope that people would share the video on YouTube.

Some bands have gone even further. Last year, electronic act Groove Armada left Sony to strike a deal with drinks brand Bacardi. As well as releasing all new music through the company, they featured in its international music events throughout 2008.

Record labels may be trying to get in on the action with "360" deals that control all the artists' revenue streams, from CD sales to sponsorship. But musicians and their managers are more open than ever to signing direct deals with brands, according to Jon Webster, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum. "It's not just about money, but also about creative control," he said. "Record labels are rarely known for their moral stand, but a band knows immediately the type of deals they want to do."

Live music now makes more money for the industry than CD sales and is worth £1.4bn, up 13% on last year, according to the report. But it warns that not everyone is feeling the benefit of this growth.

While this summer's major festivals have sold out and Madonna can fill the O2 many times over, established "heritage" acts such as Take That are taking the lion's share of the profits, said Page. "The live music industry is somewhere you really want to be right now, but there is a widening gap between hits and niches," he said. The rise of live could also pose questions about future investment, he added. "Yes, recorded is down and live is up — but we have to remember it's recorded music which does the primary investment in new talent."

In future it is possible that big companies could step up and become talent nurturers as well as sponsors of big acts, according to Dom Hodge, director of Planning at FRUKT, a music branding agency. He points to events such as the Red Bull music academy, which takes 60 aspiring DJs, producers, MCs and singers for two weeks of workshops and talks from experts. "Although big brands will want to associate themselves with big stars, we are seeing brands investing in new music and that has to be a benefit for music fans and the music world," he said.

July 16 2009 -- Electronics giant Samsung has extended its sponsorship deal with English Premier League club Chelsea for another three years, until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Samsung will remain Chelsea’s shirt sponsor, will get access to Chelsea players for marketing purposes, and have exclusivity in consumer electronic products including digital cameras, mobile telephones and IT equipment. The press release announcing the new deal said that it would also involve additional rights and opportunities for both partners.

Samsung has been Chelsea’s official club sponsor since 2005.

HERNDON, Va., July 20 2009 -- Volkswagen of America, the official automotive partner of Major League Soccer, today launched the Volkswagen Junior Masters, a 20-country, international youth soccer tournament. Created by Volkswagen AG, the international competition is the first of its kind in the U.S. One team will have the honor of representing the U.S. (and will enjoy an all expenses paid trip) at the Volkswagen Junior World Master Finals in May 2010 prior to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The Volkswagen Junior Masters tournament runs from today through October 2009 and builds upon the company's global commitment to the sport.

"As a long-time global supporter of soccer, Volkswagen is taking its U.S. soccer presence to new heights by giving young soccer players the chane to compete on the world stage," said Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing for Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The Volkswagen Junior Masters extends our growing commitment to soccer in the U.S. and complements our existing U.S. soccer initiatives including our sponsorship of MLS, D.C. United and The Footballers' Clubhaus youth soccer tour."

The Volkswagen Junior Masters kicks off with preliminary tournaments across the East Coast beginning July 18 in Fort Dix, NJ and continuing on to: Downingtown, PA; Winston Salem, NC; Lancaster, PA; Richmond, VA; and, Parsippany, NJ on October 11. Twelve total teams from the preliminary tournaments will be invited to compete in the U.S. finals in Washington, D.C. on October 17 - 18. All youth soccer clubs and school teams that meet the specified age requirements are eligible to participate in the Volkswagen Junior Masters. The winning U.S. team will then go on to compete in the Volkswagen Junior World Master Finals against 19 other teams in Cape Town, South Africa May 26 - 30, 2010.

"Major League Soccer is proud to partner with Volkswagen on a tournament like the Junior Masters that encourages fun and competitive soccer, especially among younger players," said Kathy Carter, executive vice president of Soccer United Marketing, MLS' marketing arm. "We look forward to the various competitions that lay ahead and to the excitement that this event will generate among soccer fans across the United States and internationally."

"I am delighted that Volkswagen has demonstrated such a profound commitment to developing America's young soccer players through initiatives like the Junior Masters Tournament," said John Harkes, ESPN soccer analyst and former MLS star who is the official spokesperson for the Volkswagen Junior Masters in the U.S. "Volkswagen, through the Junior Masters Tournament, has created the opportunity of a lifetime for budding young soccer players everywhere."

Globally, Volkswagen has been a long time supporter of soccer. The brand is the title sponsor of Volkswagen arena in Wolfsburg and owns the VFL Wolfsburg football club at its global headquarters. In the U.S., Volkswagen of America is the official automotive partner of Major League Soccer and is a sponsor of D.C. United. The brand also recently launched the Footballers' Clubhaus presented by Volkswagen and MLS, a 19-city mobile marketing tour showcasing Volkswagen's product family at local youth soccer tournaments.

For more information on Volkswagen, visit media.vw.com. For more information on the Volkswagen Junior Masters, visit http://www.vw.com/vw-junior-masters-soccer/en/us/.

VANCOUVER, July 20 /CNW/ - As a part of our company's ongoing series of Olympic-related programming, Coca-Cola is pleased to launch the Aboriginal Art Bottle program.

The Coca-Cola Aboriginal Art Bottle Program will provide an opportunity for Aboriginal people across Canada to experience the Olympic Spirit and showcase the diversity of Aboriginal art and culture to the world by displaying Aboriginal art on the contour bottle - the Coca-Cola's unique global iconic asset.

This program is open to both amateur and professional First Nations,Inuit and Métis artists working in all artistic mediums from traditional to contemporary (i.e. weavers, carvers, painters, beaders, jewellers, and numerous traditional crafts), the bottles will vary in size depending on the medium. They will command quite a presence as they can reach up to 6 ft in height.

Over 100 Aboriginal artists from across Canada have expressed interest in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create artwork that will play a role in creating a lasting impression of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games experience for millions of people worldwide.

"Our cultures are thriving and we want to share them with the world," said Tewanee Joseph, chief executive officer of the Four Host First Nations, official partners of the 2010 Winter Games. "When visitors come to the Games, they will experience First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures in an unprecedented way, from works of art in prominent locations at venues to youth acting as torchbearers and flame attendants during the Olympic Torch Relay. The Coca-Cola Aboriginal Art Bottle program is another exciting example of how the diversity of Aboriginal peoples will be showcased during the Games."

The Art Bottles will be unveiled across the country during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, will be on display at select City Celebrations and will then travel to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games where they will be showcased for thousands of visitors to view.

"Coca-Cola's innovative Aboriginal Art Bottle program is another important avenue for First Nations, Inuit and Métis to feel a personal connection with Canada's Games in 2010," said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). "We encourage artists across the country to seize this opportunity and unleash their creativity to show the world a brand new way to look at the iconic Coke bottle and the limitless potential of Aboriginal art."

An invaluable facet to this program is its legacy.

Each bottle will be up for sale through auction to collectors from around the world. The proceeds from the sale of the Art Bottles will go to the Vancouver 2010 Aboriginal Youth Legacy Fund to support sport, culture,sustainability and education initiatives for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth across Canada.

"Coca-Cola is thrilled to be able to provide such a legacy while contributing to VANOC's commitment to celebrate and build understanding of the rich cultures and traditions of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada," said Nicola Kettlitz, General Manager, Coca-Cola's Olympic Project Team.

HONG KONG, July 20 -- Qin Jia Yuan Media Services Company Limited (Stock Code: 2366, hereinafter referred to as "QJY" or "the Group") announced the entering into an agreement with Shanghai Media Group ("SMG") which gives QJY exclusive advertising rights of China Business Network ("CBN") in Sunday prime time. These rights were expected to generate advertising value up to RMB30 million.

As a leading multimedia services provider in Shanghai, SMG's performance mirrors Shanghai's booming economy. In 2008, SMG generated a ground-breaking revenue of RMB5.9 billion, in which revenue from advertising business exceeded RMB3.8 billion. With an intuitive understanding of Shanghai viewers' affinity for local culture and catered towards local viewers, SMG's local channels have outperformed the majority of other provincial satellite TV channels available in Shanghai.

Dr. Anita Leung Fung Yee, Chief Executive of QJY, said: "Acquiring the exclusive advertising rights for Sunday prime time of SMG's CBN is a remarkable breakthrough for QJY. We are expanding into Shanghai, which is one of the country's leading economic hubs. The gaining of a foothold in the advertising business in this economic centre is an exceptional achievement, and it is even more remarkable that we have acquired advertising rights of CBN's Sunday prime time. Shanghai audiences had shown the largest interests in financials in the country. High TV ratings of CBN have long been a mark of confidence for advertising clients. We expected that one hour of their Sunday prime time will generate over RMB10 million annual advertising fee and sponsorship income."

Dr. Leung also stated that the collaboration between the two companies has resulted in QJY acquiring, at no cost, exclusive licensing rights of SMG's exclusive program "What's Up in Job Market" for broadcasting in three provinces. The program would be broadcasted on TV channels which the Group held exclusive advertising rights. This was expected to bring an additional RMB10 million revenue through advertising and sponsorships in Shanghai, Chongqing, Fujian and Shanxi. This project was a prime example demonstrating QJY as a comprehensive and integrated one-stop advertising provider and its effectiveness in providing sponsorship and advertising packaging services.

Mr. David Liu Yuk Chi, Chairman of the Strategic Committee of QJY, indicated that the collaboration with SMG was a new chapter for QJY's advertising business. The historical good track record of QJY's TV advertising network had enabled it to acquire the exclusive advertising rights for high quality TV media. Cooperation with CBN was just a start. He believed that the phenomenal 79% increase in television advertising income over the past six months as compared to the same period last year would enable QJY to fully and firmly establish itself as an one-stop cross-media advertising service provider and will certainly attract more advertising clients in the coming six months.

July 15 2009 -- Less than half the teams in the NBA made a profit last season, and some owners now regard as too optimistic a “worst-case scenario” salary cap decrease of 5 per cent, NBA commissioner David Stern has said.

Stern also said that teams could face at least a 10-per-cent drop in ticket revenue next season.

The International Herald Tribune reports that Stern made the comments following an NBA board of governors meeting in Las Vegas, which will convene again on August 4 along with the players’ union to attempt to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement. The current deal runs out in June 2011. Stern has appointed a 10-man labour relations committee.

The Associated Press reports Stern as saying, “The losses that are being shown by the league and the decrease in business, although our decreases are less than many other businesses, are going to be delivered in some detail to the players with an understanding that whatever further details they need they'll have.”

Meehan will take responsibility for the company’s partnership with FIFA for the 2012 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.

Meehan joins from Ford Europe where he was responsible for running the UEFA Champions League sponsorship programme and Ford’s World Rally Car sponsorship in 2007.

He also led Ford’s ‘feelfootball’ programme, which featured football stars including Jose Mourinho and Patrick Vieira.

Meehan says: “I plan to build on the presence that Castrol has established through the years in motorsport and more recently in football, and firmly position the brand in the eyes of our customers as a credible and relevant partner in these sports.”

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo recently signed up as a global ambassador for Castrol, making him the face of a number of Castrol football initiatives and brand campaigns.

Newell Rubbermaid said Tuesday it named Penny McIntyre, a former Coca-Cola executive, to run its office products division.

By PÉRALTE C. PAUL

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

McIntyre, who has nearly three decades of packaged goods expertise working at Coke and S.C. Johnson & Co., will be responsible for a division that accounts for $2 billion — roughly a third of Sandy Springs-based Newell’s $6 billion in annual revenue. She is slated to begin at Newell on June 15.

The office products group includes Sharpie brand highlighters, Dymo label and postage printers and Paper Mate pens.

At Coke, where she spent 11 years, McIntyre had been senior vice president and general manager of coffee and tea for Coca-Cola North America. While there, she oversaw a makeover of Coke’s Nestea line that included adding new flavors and a redesigned package.

Newell said her marketing background in consumer packaging, plus her international experience — McIntyre had leadership stints in Tokyo, London and Johannesburg — made her the top choice among the internal and external candidates considered.

Garnier, part of the L'Oreal Group, has become the second major sponsor after GE Money to pull back sponsorship from the Australian Open tennis Grand Slam.

The loss of the sponsorship, worth nearly A$ 10 million ($ 7.76 million), follows the recent decision by the tournament's other associate sponsor, GE Money, against extending its three-year arrangement.

Australia's the Age has quotes a statement from Garnier as saying the beauty products company had recently advised Tennis Australia of its decision not to continue as a sponsor in 2010. "Garnier has enjoyed its partnership with the tournament and has had five very successful years of involvement," the statement said.

The Open's much smaller arrangement with MasterCard is also over, while a multi-faceted deal with Optus that extends to Australian national teams is under review, according to The Age.

The newspaper said the deals with Garnier, MasterCard and GE Money were among five up for renewal this year.

The Australian Open's 2009 sponsorship portfolio was worth an estimated A$ 35 million. It has been headed since 2001 by Korean car manufacturer Kia, which remains committed until at least 2013. Lacoste and Rolex both signed lucrative multi-year contracts last year.

The IAAF has concluded a worldwide marketing partnership with leading consumer electronics‘ brand Samsung for the World Championships in Athletics.

Samsung has agreed to become an Official IAAF Partner of the 2009 and 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics and the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

Samsung will also help these World Championships events with products and provide support for the IAAF's Continental and National Championships programmes, thus providing a more direct benefit to the IAAF Areas and Member Federations.

With the conclusion of this agreement, the IAAF has secured its seventh marketing partner for the 2009 World Championships with the other partners being TDK, Toyota, adidas, Epson, Seiko and VTB as well as Official IAAF Supplier, Mondo.

The deal was negotiated by Dentsu, the IAAF’s worldwide marketing partner for the IAAF World Athletics Series.

IAAF president Lamine Diack said: “I believe that the IAAF and Samsung are natural partners. I am very proud that a top corporation like Samsung, which is already renowned for its work with the Olympic movement, has now agreed to become the partner of athletics, which has such a historic connection with the summer Olympic Games. This new partnership demonstrates the positive values and underlying strength of our sport and I am delighted that this agreement not only supports the IAAF, but also the IAAF’s Area Associations and 213 Member Federations in a more direct manner.

20/05/2009 - Women’s tennis star Ana Ivanovic has signed a one-year sponsorship deal with private aircraft firm NetJets Inc.

Bloomberg reports that Ivanovic’s spokesman Gavin Versi confirmed the deal was signed this week, in an interview yesterday. NetJets, which is owned by US investor Warren Buffett, is also endorsed by Roger Federer.

The deal was signed just before 21-year-old Ivanovic begins her defence of her French Open title at Roland Garros this weekend.

18/05/2009 - A sex scandal involving Australian rugby league players has prompted sponsors to revise their contracts, and warnings that companies may be deterred from backing the sport.

Bloomberg reports that the scandal was revealed in a television documentary in which a New Zealand woman told of her trauma as a 19-year-old, seven years ago, following group sex with rugby players. One former player involved has lost his job as a television presenter. The Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd was moved to call for sports organizations to foster greater respect for women.

Sally Loane, a spokeswoman for Coca-Cola Amatil, Australia’s largest soft-drink maker, said, “We want to protect our brand and our name.

“In respect of controversial behaviour, we’ll be tightening up those agreements. We don’t want our sponsorship diminished and we certainly don’t want adverse publicity against us as sponsors.” Lynne Anderson, managing director of Repucom International Australia & New Zealand, which advises sponsors, said that the league must “prove they are eradicating these issues…They are clearly not acceptable or palatable to sponsors.”

18/05/2009 - Lance Armstrong and his Astana team-mates blanked out their sponsor’s name on their jerseys at the Giro d’Italia seventh stage in protest at not being paid.

Team manager Johan Bruyneel said, “It’s basically a way of saying, ‘We don’t want to forget about this’; that this is still a problem. Once it’s fixed, we go back to normal.

“I explained the situation of the team to the federation of Kazakhstan before the Giro, and I asked certain questions and asked for certain solutions. And those solutions didn’t come. “We are an important factor in the race, and we don’t want to pretend everything is OK when it’s not OK.”

The only sponsor names on the Astana jersey during the stage were KazMunayGas, Trek bicycles, SRAM components and Armstrong’s LiveStrong cancer foundation.

One rider, Andrey Zeits, wore the jersey with the full list of sponsors on it.

08/05/2009 - A record 28 sponsors have been secured by organisers of the 16th Asian Games, which takes place next year in Ghuangzhou, China.

Organising committee director Fang Da’er told a press conference that it is the biggest number of sponsorship deals in the event’s history, despite some sponsors having been lost due to the financial crisis.

Fang said the sponsorships secured to date are worth over 400 million yuan, about four times the amount collected by the committee behind the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. He said agreements had been signed with large multinationals and top domestic companies from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and that “five to eight more agreements with big companies like China Southern Airlines” would be signed before June.

Fang said the Games are attracting interest from broadcasters from China, South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Official licenses to produce products for the Games have been awarded to 23 companies, with 12 more signing agreements to merchandise the goods.

08/05/2009 - South Korean broadcaster SBS has agreed a new 10-year title sponsorship deal for the PGA Tour’s season-opening event at Kapalua, Hawaii. SBS replaces existing sponsor Mercedes-Benz after 2010.

The International Herald Tribune newspaper reports that PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said, “We don’t do a lot of these announcements during the Players, but we’re particularly excited about this one.”

The Tour’s sponsor roster includes several automotive and financial services companies - sectors which have been hit particularly hard during the economic downturn. The sponsors include Mercedes, Buick, Chrysler and Stanford Financial. The tour has recently renewed sponsorship deals with Zurich Financial and Accenture.

SBS, which has previously been title sponsor of an LPGA event in Hawaii, has broadcast the PGA Tour in Korea for the past 15 years.

By Roger Blitz and Ben Fenton, Financial Times

April 28 2009

The task of promoting the London Olympics, probably the biggest assignment in the history of UK marketing, has been awarded to a US-owned agency over a British counterpart.

McCann Erickson, whose parent company is the New York-based marketing concern Interpublic Group, is set to be unveiled as the agency that will handle London 2012’s advertising, promotion, public relations and digital communications over the next three and a half years.

Their selection is a blow to Sir Martin Sorrell and his WPP Group which was hoping that its British background would help to secure the tender. People close to the situation say that Sir Martin, WPP’s chief executive, lost out to McCann Erickson because WPP was unwilling to split the tender for marketing from the tender for market research, which is being awarded separately.

The London 2012 tender is unusual in that far from being paid a lucrative fee for its work, bidders were invited to say how much they were prepared to pay for the right to market the Games. McCann Erickson will pay around £10m in services-in-kind in return for which it becomes an official sponsor of the Games. Some marketing experts say this factor deterred some other major agencies from pitching.

People close to the situation also said WPP’s in-kind offer fell well short of its rival’s bid.

WPP’s defeat is further depressing news for Sir Martin, following Tuesday’s figures from the marketing services group showing a decline of nearly 6 per cent in first-quarter revenues. The WPP chief executive said he did not expect an upturn in advertising and marketing budgets this year.

McCann Erickson will take over the account held by Chime Communications, which held a one-year contract for London 2012’s marketing in the run-up to the handover ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.

McCann Erickson’s UK arm is behind the American Airlines TV campaign featuring Kevin Spacey.

It is part of McCann Erickson Worldwide, Interpublic’s largest subsidiary, which last year agreed to pay £12m to the Securities and Exchange Commission to settle charges that claimed it was engaged in accounting fraud.

London 2012’s organising committee said it never commented on sponsorship deals until completed. McCann Erickson declined to comment.

20/04/2009 - FIFA yesterday announced plans to sell branded clothes and merchandise through new FIFA stores and retail partners starting this summer.

The world governing body for football said that it would initially launch five collections, ranging from the ‘preppy 1904’ through the edgier, youth-focused ‘Code to upmarket Trophy’. 1904 was the year in which FIFA was founded.

FIFA said it had signed a licence agreement with brand management and licensing company Global Brands Group to facilitate design and distribution. Agreements have been reached with designers and distributors in five markets: Cooper Sports (Australia), the East India Trading Company (India), Young Turks (Turkey), Fireblade (UK) and Total Apparel Group (United States).

FIFA added that deals in a further three markets are pending and six more have been identified.

The collections will be for both men and women. The new collections will be shown at trade shows over the coming months and go on sale from August.

16/04/2009 - The two-year endorsement deal between the world’s second-biggest soft-drink producer PepsiCo Inc and three-time Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova has been ended by mutual consent.

In January 2007, Sharapova became the first tennis player to represent PepsiCo’s Gatorade and Tropicana brands in a deal that expired at the end of last year. Sharapova has currently dropped out of the top 50 due to a shoulder injury.

“There is no particular reason other than that the contract has ended, with both parties mutually deciding to go their own way,” said Huw Gilbert, New York-based spokesman for the company. “We enjoyed our partnership and wish her well.”

Pete Brace, director of communications at the Gatorade Company, added: “Gatorade has a rich history of partnering with the world’s best athletes. As a leading sports brand, we are consistently evaluating our portfolio of athletes and properties to ensure we have the right mix.”

Gatorade struck a deal in late 2008 with tennis rival Serena Williams, who joined athletes including golfer Tiger Woods and retired basketball star Michael Jordan to endorse its products in the US.

The two-year deal with Sharapova, which included the Russian fronting a global hydration education campaign, was believed to be worth close to $1 million a year.

16/04/2009 - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has agreed a shirt sponsorship deal with multi-national footwear retailer Bata from January 2009 to December 2011.

The deal was announced at a ceremony at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka last week. Negotiated by UK-based agency Nijjar Sports Management, the sponsorship is worth $225,000. “We are delighted to work with Bata Shoe Company and Bangladesh Cricket Board as Cricket and Bata are both at the heart of Bangladeshi community at home and abroad,” said Nijjar Sports managing director Khushwant Singh Nijjar.

Under the terms of the contract, Bata can use up to three logos on the jerseys of the national cricket team, national women’s cricket team, Bangladesh A team and BCB-GP national academy. Bata will also have the right to place two parameter boards in the field during any international match.

15/04/2009 - Dick Cass, president of the National Football League (NFL)’s Baltimore Ravens, has said the League should allow teams to sell more liquor advertising.

The NFL currently allows teams to sell advertising space to distillers in the upper level of stadiums and in publications such as game programs. Teams are forbidden however to sell liquor sponsorships involving a team logo, on in-stadium video displays or television advertisements. Teams also cannot sell the right to use their logo on state lottery tickets.

“It’s more acceptable now,” Cass told Bloomberg. “It’s not a desperate need for money, that’s not what is driving it. We would be pleased to have our marks and logos associated with the Maryland state lottery. We serve liquor at the stadium, so I don’t know why we can’t advertise that. I think it makes sense to permit some sort of advertising arrangement with liquor.” The NFL has felt the effect of economic recession, cutting around 15 per cent of League staff and freezing executive salaries for the remainder of 2009. Cass said the advertising should be allowed because the public has grown more tolerant and it would bring in much-needed additional revenue.

NFL owners are likely discuss the topic of liquor and lottery advertising at their spring meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 18-20. A change in League policy requires approval from 24 of the 32 owners.

08/04/2009 - The New York Yankees Major League Baseball (MLB) team has agreed a new sponsorship deal with PepsiCo.

Under the multi-year deal, Pepsi will be the official soft drink of the Yankees, and Gatorade the official sports drink. PepsiCo will have signage in the Yankees new stadium - Yankee Stadium - on hoardings, at drinks stations in team dugouts, and PepsiCo drinks will be sold to fans inside the stadium.

Tying in with the start of the deal, Pepsi vans will be visiting high-traffic areas in the New York area and rewarding fans wearing Yankees gear and drinking Pepsi products with match tickets and merchandise.

08/04/2009 - MasterCard agreed a new deal with Uefa to continue its sponsorship of the Champions league for the 2009 to 2012 cycle.

MasterCard will continue to be the exclusive ‘payments systems’ category sponsor of the Champions League and the Super Cup competitions taking place in the 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. MasterCard is the fourth official partner of the competitions signed for the period, after Heineken, Sony and UniCredit.

The deal was brokered by TEAM Marketing AG, which markets the commercial rights of the competitions on behalf of UEFA.

Feb 23 2009

The UK’s leading tennis player Andy Murray has said he is willing to renegotiate his sponsorship deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which has been badly hit by the credit crunch.

The Scotsman newspaper reports that RBS was bailed out of trouble by the UK government after recently posting losses of £28 billion, and is now 68 per cent owned by the state. Murray has been sponsored by the bank since he was 13, and currently wears its logo on his sleeve.

The Scotsman reports Murray as saying, “The bank kindly supported me when I was going through the difficult transition from the juniors to the seniors. Now I want to try and help them.

“I don’t want to discuss whether I am planning to give money back or not. I will speak to the people at RBS about the best way forward and we will work something out. The bottom line is I want to help.”

The Scotsman says the value of RBS’s sports sponsorships is currently estimated at around £200 million. These include the Six Nations, cricket’s RBS Cup, the Williams Formula One racing team, and several sportsmen and women as ‘global ambassadors’, including Sir Jackie Stewart, Jack Nicklaus and Sachin Tendulkar.

South African mobile telephony company MTN is walking away from continued sponsorship of Confederation of African Football events after a massive hike in the price.

The Sportfive agency, which markets the rights for all CAF events, is asking R1.2 billion for sponsorship rights from now until 2016. The package includes the African Nations Cup, the CAF Champions League, the CAF Confederation Cup, the new African Nations Championship for locally-based players, and the Under-20 and Under-17 championships.

The International Sponsor Council, the trade association for sponsors, has created an initiative to help protect official sponsors from ambush marketing. The SPAAM Initiative, Sponsor Protection Against Ambush Marketing, will encourage properties and media partners to collaborate on the prevention of brands that are competitors of official sponsors to position themselves as sponsors.

“Ambush marketing is a destructive action by brands that attack the positive impact official sponsors deliver to society,” stated Terry Cecil, President of the ISC. “It is increasingly difficult for brands to connect with consumers and when they commit to an official sponsorship, they should be applauded for supporting people’s passions. Any brand that attacks that positive impact is doing a grave disservice to society – they need to focus on creating their own positive value. Brands are under great scrutiny during this economic crisis and the ISC is working to deliver a platform of leadership for sponsors. Property partners should protect the official sponsors and not become a willing party to ambush marketing.”

“As some areas of the world combat this egregious medium, the U.S. still often looks at ambush marketing as creative and acceptable,” Cecil added. “The SPAAM Initiative will increase the value offering of properties and strengthen the partnership with sponsors.”

“The concept of selling advertising to competitors of official sponsors within the broadcast of the respective event is destructive to the commitment of the partnership, however, the ISC recognizes that properties will demand the right to do so in order to secure the revenue needed to sustain its level of commercial success. Through the ISC SPAAM Directive, we have created a valuable, but necessary compromise. A commitment to the ISC SPAAM Directive is a small, but crucial step towards protecting the best interests of sponsors and therefore will benefit properties as well,” said Cecil.

SPAAM – Sponsor Protection Against Ambush Marketing The ISC is proposing its SPAAM Directive that properties and networks adopt a policy that includes a clause in its contracts for media rights that forbids any competitor of an official sponsor to use an inherent sport(s) or terms including sponsor, partner, etc. in the ad creative for the event.

Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a senior member of the Finance Committee, announced plans to introduce legislation to end "the extravagant spending practices" of U.S. banks that received taxpayer dollars from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

TARP Taxpayer Protection and Corporate Responsibility Act would prevent any recipient of TARP funds from hosting, sponsoring, or paying for conferences, holiday parties and entertainment events. Any TARP recipient that misused the funds would be fined and required to reimburse the government.

An outline of the Senator’s legislation is below:

TARP Taxpayer Protection and Corporate Responsibility Act

• Any recipient of TARP funds shall not be allowed to host, sponsor, pay for conferences and events and pay for holiday or entertainment events for the year in which they receive TARP funds.

• A recipient may seek a waiver from the Secretary of Treasury for any event which the recipient believes is directly related to the operation of the business. The Secretary has thirty days to respond to a waiver request.

• Any violation will require the federal government to be reimbursed by the company’s CEO for the cost of the event and there will a fine of $100,000 per violation. A recipient will have 30 days to reimburse the government and pay the fine. The fine increases $10,000 a day for each day after 30 days.

• The date of enactment is March 1, 2009.

Liverpool have extended their £5m deal with the Bank of America for four more years. One of the world’s most famous soccer clubs, Liverpool is anticipating closing three new sponsorship deals soon involving consumer electronics, gaming and automotive. Bank of America is the parent company of credit card firm MBNA who supply credit cards to Liverpool fans.

Liverpool FC will be touring the Far East from 17 to 26 July of 2009 involving matches in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. The club – as does ManUnited – enjoys a tremendous fanbase from Asia.

Bank of America is an Executive Committee member of the International Sponsor Council.

John Mann MP, a member of the Treasury select committee in Britain, has called RBS “reckless” for its investments in sponsorship, particularly with celebrity endorsements including Jackie Stewart, Andy Murray and Jack Nicklaus.

Mann has called for the sports stars to opt out of their contracts. He has been quoted as saying: "I think it would go down very well with the British public if some of them were to cancel their contracts. Some of them would become real heroes if they did."

“This shows a dangerous and ill-advised mentality that sponsorship is a luxury and waste of money,” stated Terry Cecil, President of the International Sponsor Council, trade association for sponsors. “Sponsorship is perhaps the greatest engager of people’s passions and in a time of economic crisis, it takes deeper commitment from brands to generate business. I’m not saying that all sponsorship generates a favorable return, but by reeling in all of your sponsorship contracts, you might as well admit to closing your doors. Let’s focus on how to make sponsorship more effective, not call for its demise. That’s reckless and irresponsible. Contraction at this point will further the economic crisis. Sponsorship hasn’t been the reason for RBS’s recent financial performance, but instead has been successful in building the brand and winning business which should be the goal at this point.”

Debt-ridden bank will continue to sponsor Six Nations

28th January 2009

The Royal Bank of Scotland will continue to sponsor the Six Nations for another four years.

The announcement is made despite the bank recently having to rely on a Government bail-out that saw the state gain a 70% stake in the company.

The RBS sponsorship will include every championship between now and 2013 in a deal reported to be approximately 20million pounds.

"RBS has shown that during this economic crisis, it is crucial to utlilize sponsorship to compete and get a strong financial footing," said International Sponsor Council President Terry Cecil.

"It is in down periods that corporations need to resist the urge to slash marketing budgets. Sponsorship is the greatest engager of people's passions and the British taxpayer's will be well-served to support RBS marketing efforts to protect their investment," Cecil added. "The key for success for these programs will be a structured ROO or Return on Objectives measurement so that RBS can validate the results. As the world trade association for sponsors, The ISC is working with sponsors to manage this process."

World trade association for sponsors provides critical medium for organizing and supporting sponsors

Milton, Georgia February 20, 2009 - The International Sponsor Council, the world trade association for corporate sponsors, is holding a summit for leading sponsors in Europe on April 2 at Honda Racing’s F1 Factory outside of Oxford, England. The purpose of the event is to identify issues affecting sponsors and opportunities for raising the effectiveness of sponsorship.

“The economic crisis has impacted the sponsorship industry and will continue to do so. It is crucial that sponsors collaborate so we may improve on promoting and protecting sponsor value and interests,” stated Terry Cecil, President & CEO of the ISC. “In these challenging times, sponsorship is a brand’s greatest engager of people through their passions. Sponsors deliver incredible value by supporting those passions, but have a fiduciary responsibility to do so with a satisfactory Return on Objectives so that we may justify the commitment”.

“We are very excited to hold the meeting at the Honda Racing F1 factory which will also provide our attendees with a tour of the facility,” added Cecil. “It is the optimum location for this historic thought leadership event”.

The International Sponsor Council is the world trade association for corporate sponsors and serves to promote and protect the value of sponsors and their collective interests. Members of the Executive Committee include AT&T, Bank of America, Bridgestone Firestone, The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Honda Motor Co., MasterCard, McDonald’s Corporation, Panasonic and Visa.

Cadbury, the confectionary giant, based in Birmingham, England, has signed on to be the official confectionary sponsor for the 2012 London Olympics. Cabdury will provide all confectionary and ice cream sold at all venues and within the Olympic Park.

Cadbury joins as a tier two sponsor. There are currently seven tier one sponsors including: adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF Energy, Lloyds TSB and Nortel. Tier one sponsors reportedly pay approximately 40 million pounds while tier two sponsors pay approximately 20 million pounds.

The sponsorship has drawn criticism from the National Obesity Forum which is concerned about the promotion of eating unhealthy foods, especially in children.

"I am excited about Cadbury's participation and support of the Games," stated Terry Cecil, President of the ISC. "Cadbury will provide an innovative value experience for fans and deserves to be welcomed. Many of us are concerned about obesity, especially in children, but moderation with any food is key. Chocolate is a vital source of antioxidants. Cadbury was founded in the 1800's. The Cadbury's Fruit & Nut Chocolate bar is a classic."

The 2009 French Grand Prix has reportedly been cancelled after the French Motorsports Federation (FFSA) withdrew its financing, another victim of the economic downturn. The event was out of favor with teams and sponsors due to its rural setting.

This is another blow to the F1 circuit after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal has also reportedly been cancelled. The event is to replaced with the inaugural race in Abu Dhabi on November 15, 2009.

FNB, was the first South African corporation to sign on as an official national supporter the official National Supporter. To deliver value to fans around the world, FNB launched shine2010.com, a portal that offers a place for fans to congregate, learn and communicate in the months leading to the FIFA 2010 World Cup which will be hosted by South Africa.

"This is a great example of a sponsor enhancing the experience of the fans," stated Terry Cecil, President of the International Sponsor Council. "FNB, an ISC member, is known for its innovative sponsorship programming and this will add value for the World Cup and South Africa."

The Web site link is www.shine2010.co.za

Elite XC, home for Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano, is reportedly about to close its doors. Despite a television deal with CBS and Showtime, the organization can't stay afloat. Elite XC produced seven of the 10 most-watched MMA matches in U.S. history. The fate of its fighters including Slice and Carano is unknown, although the UFC seems the favored option. Carano has broad appeal as the leading female fighters.

The economic downturn is expected to continue to cause problems for live entertainment properties, especially those that do not have lucrative television deals. Sponsors should be evaluating any current and future opportunities for risk aversion purposes.

ISC Holds Key Sponsor Meeting on Strategic Partnerships

The International Sponsor Council is holding a key meeting for sponsor executives to discuss critical issues including the need for improving value from strategic partnerships. The event will be held in New York City on September 23rd.

“Sponsorship is under constant pressure to evolve in its sophistication due to fiscal and brand justifications,” stated Terry Cecil, President & CEO of the ISC. “Coupled with the fragmentation of media and empowerment of the consumer, sponsorship has become a dominant form of engagement. Although the sponsorship industry has matured and offers valuable programming, we must continue raise the bar so that sponsors will continue to commit resources to properties. The ISC meeting provides a unique opportunity for sponsors to identify and address critical issues and develop a plan of action for change. A major portion of the meeting will focus on how to increase the value of strategic partnerships.

The meeting is for sponsor executives and is by invitation only. Please contact the ISC if you would like to attend, but please be advised space is limited.

A Great Loss for the Sponsorship Industry

The ISC has launched social collaboration sites for its Sponsor members as well as its Associate members.

"These sites will provide a valuable platform for the industry to collaborate on raising the effectiveness of sponsorship through the sharing of valuable insight, information and ideas," stated Terry Cecil, President of the ISC. "The sites will offer the opportunity to post blogs, forums, photos and video as well as the creation of specific topical groups such as soccer, Olympic, golf, tennis or other sponsorship interests."

For information on using the site contact the ISC by email at membersevices@sponsorcouncil.com

The International Sponsor Council will hold a member appreciation event at the Atlanta Steeplechase, one of the premier events for the southeast United States.

"The Atlanta Steeplechase is attended by over 25,000 equestrian enthusiasts and has been one of the area's leading affluent-market events," stated Terry Cecil, President & CEO of the ISC. "This will be a great opportunity for sponsor executives and their families to enjoy a spectacular event and we are very honored to be hosted by Hal Berry and the Atlanta Steeplechase."

The 43rd Atlanta Steeplechase is held outside of Rome, Georgia on April 12th.

Historic Group To Help Lead the Sponsorship Industry

United States Olympic Committee CMO Rick Burton to Speak at International Sponsor Council Conference

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The International Sponsor Council, the world trade association for corporate sponsors, has confirmed Rick Burton, the Chief Marketing Officer of the United States Olympic Committee, will be a featured speaker at the ISC SponsorCamp Conference in Atlanta on February 27th, 2008.

"We are very proud to announce Rick Burton's participation in the ISC SponsorCamp Conference," said Terry Cecil, ISC President & CEO. "The position of CMO for the USOC has historically been one of the most important for the industry, but especially so considering the global importance of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the London Olympics in 2012 and Chicago's 2016 bid."

"Rick is highly respected in the sponsorship industry," added Cecil. "His involvement in the conference provides valuable insight and supports the ISC and its work to raise the effectiveness of sponsorship programming and support sponsor interests."

The ISC SponsorCamp Conference is hosted by King & Spalding and will be held in Atlanta on February 27 & 28, 2008. Attendance is limited and by invitation only. For additional information on the ISC, the world trade association for corporate sponsors, visit www.sponsorcouncil.org or call 678-240-9494.

Atlanta, May 14, 2007 - The International Sponsor Council, the world trade association for corporate sponsors, will hold its 2008 Global Sponsor Summit at the Louvre in Paris, October 2nd and 3rd.

“The members of the ISC include the world’s leading sponsors,” says Terry Cecil, ISC President & CEO. “The ISC Global Sponsor Summit allows these corporate executives to engage in a collaborative forum to address issues and opportunities in the industry and advance the effectiveness of sponsorship as a marketing strategy.”

“We are honored to be able to hold this historic event at the Louvre, which is unquestionably one of the world’s greatest centers of thought leadership and inspiration. We thank Monsiuer Loyrette and the government of France for hosting the Summit which in part will focus on the relationship between the arts and sponsors,” added Cecil.

Citing Cook’s Product Creation Experience and Success Leading Growth, ISC Names Veteran Executive to Oversee Global Operations

President & CEO Cecil Says Members will Benefit from Cook’s Insight and Experience

Atlanta, December 30, 2006 – The International Sponsor Council, the trade association for corporate sponsors, today announced David Cook has been named chief operating officer. Cook will be responsible for the ISC’s operating units worldwide and work with Terry Cecil, ISC President & COE, on strategic development.

“David brings a unique blend of business experience having been in leadership roles in both start-up businesses and very large and diverse public businesses,” said Cecil. “He has repeated success excelling at new product conceptualization and validation which revolutionized the industries he had served. This deep experience and proven leadership will be valuable in servicing ISC members and the sponsorship industry.”

Cook has 25 years executive experience in the technology, risk management and information services industries. As one of Choicepoint’s (NYSE:CPS) top six executives, he built and ran its Workplace Solutions business and was also an executive with Equifax (NYSE:EFX).

"Joining the ISC at this time is a tremendous opportunity. As businesses become more dependent on their sponsorship investment and strategy to drive growth, the need for a supportive trade organization that represents sponsor interests is vital," said Cook. "Sponsors are facing significant challenges in order to be more responsive to business needs, and I believe the ISC will have great impact on impacting the successes of sponsors and sponsor executives. This is an organization with deep experience, application development, and a strong vision for the future of the sponsorship industry."

As a co-founder and President & CEO of Logistics Health, he helped build the first-of-it’s-kind health information business supporting post 9-11 health management issues, such as Anthrax for the US Government. He also is a co-founder of Equity Depot, a real estate information business.

David sits on the boards of Intelligent Document Systems, Equity Depot and Harvest Business Advisors, DJC Investment Holdings. He has a BA degree in Psychology and Business from Eastern Illinois University.

International Sponsor Council is the leading business association for corporate sponsors. The ISC works to represent, educate, promote and protect the interests of sponsors investing in the sponsorship and endorsement of sports, music, athletes, musicians, celebrities, product placement, and other lifestyle properties. For more information, visit our Web site at www.sponsorcouncil.com.