Marketing Research

Be part of the Ultimate Sports Marketing Agencies survey - 28 Feb 08

The April issue of SportBusiness International will include our most comprehensive survey of sports marketing agencies worldwide.

NZRFU signs up Ogilvy - 30 Nov 07

The New Zealand Rugby Union agreed a deal with Ogilvy as its exclusive advertising agency.

rEvolution hires sponsorship research pioneer - 17 Oct 07

rEvolution, the Chicago-based sports marketing and media services agency, has hired Darren Marshall, the former Knowledge Networks executive, to guide its Sponsorship Research Group.

CHELSEA AND DISNEY IN SOCCER PARTNERSHIP - 16 Jul 07

Chelsea Football Club is teaming up with the world's leading entertainment company, The Walt Disney Company, in a long-term agreement. The move is part of Chelsea’s business strategy to become the world’s biggest club brand.

BEIJING FACES SIGNIFICANT AMBUSH MARKETING THREAT - 23 Apr 07

Ambush marketing activity from non-Olympic sponsors is set to be a significant issue for the Beijing Olympic organisers, according to research from Beijing-based consultancy R3 and CSM.

MERGER FOR AUSSIE RESEARCH FIRMS - 23 Feb 07

Sports Marketing Surveys has further expanded its existing global research network with the merger of their Australian office with that of S-Comm Australia.

Campus 07: 90 days 90 speakers - 19 Jan 07

With 90 days to go before Campus 07, SportBusiness has signed up over 90 leading speakers to address the conference in April with new presenters confirming all the time.

IMG ACQUIRES TENNIS WEEK AND TENNISWEEK.COM - 3 Jan 07

The IMG agency acquired Tennis Week magazine, adding to its fast-growing stable of publications.

BARCELONA THE WORLD FOOTBALL'S “POWER BRAND” - 28 Nov 06

European champions Barcelona have been ranked the number one "power brand" in football.

IOC SHORTLISTS FOUR AGENCIES FOR MARKETING ROLE - 22 Nov 06

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected four agencies: Havas, Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi and United, to submit full proposals for its global integrated marketing communications campaign.

SCANDIANAVIAN AGENCY SIGNS UP ATHLETES - 21 Nov 06

Scandinavian marketing agency SportBusinessNordic set up a new business division and signed agreements to represent a number of sporting talents in golf, ice-hockey and tennis.

BANGLADESH CRICKET PRESIDENT RESIGNS - 14 Nov 06

Ali Asghar, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board resigned after a disagreement with the government.

COMPETITION TO DECIDE BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION LOGO - 6 Nov 06

The Badminton World Federation launched a worldwide design competition on the internet to select its new logo.

PLAYERS INC RECRUIT EXEC - 16 Oct 06

The licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players’ Association has hired Dextor Santos as vice president of player marketing.

SPORTFIVE TO ACQUIRE SPORTS MARKETING DIVISION OF FORMATION GROUP PLC - 5 Oct 06

The SPORTFIVE agency announced the acquisition of the Sports Marketing Division of Formation Group PLC.

SLAM DUNK BY IEC IN CHINA - 22 Sep 06

IEC in Sports, the Sweden-based agency, has been appointed to market and distribute the worldwide TV rights for basketball’s 2007 FIBA Stankovic Continental Champions Cup.

ADIDAS BUYS REEBOK RIGHTS IN CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA - 21 Sep 06

Sporting goods group Adidas acquired the distribution rights for its newly-acquired Reebok brand in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

NFL AND FMI EXTEND MERCHANDISE PARTNERSHIP - 31 Aug 06

The NFL has signed a new long-term deal keeping Facility Merchandising Incorporated (FMI) as the exclusive merchandise partner for the Super Bowl.

NEW CFO FOR GREENS WORLDWIDE - 29 Aug 06

US sports marketing and management firm Greens Worldwide have appointed a new chief financial officer.

IAAF SPRINTS TO MARKETING GOLD - 24 Aug 06

IAAF president Lamine Diack says its marketing policy has already achieved its long-term targets – and is set to exceed expectations in the coming years.

ROONEY THREATENS COMMERCIAL PULL-OUT - 20 Aug 06

England soccer ace Wayne Rooney has reportedly threatened to refuse the Football Association the right to market his image in commercial projects unless they reconsider a ban which will rule him out of three games later this month.

EVERTON AGREES DEAL WITH SPORTECH - 18 Aug 06

English Premier League club Everton agreed a deal with Sportech, owner of Littlewoods Football Pools, as the club's on and offline gaming partner for the 2006-07 season.

AUSTRALIAN CORPORATES INVEST MORE IN SPONSORSHIP - 17 Aug 06

The inaugural ‘Sponsorship Outlook’ industry study, conducted by the Australasian Sponsorship Marketing Association and S-COMM Australia, reveals an Australian sponsorship industry that is maturing nicely.

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE WILL DISCUSS SPL 2 - 16 Aug 06

The Scottish Premier League is to discuss the creation of a second tier Premier League at this week’s meeting of the clubs.

GLOBAL SPONSORSHIP PANEL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SOCCEREX 2006 - 16 Aug 06

Soccerex are delighted to announce a unique panel that will be discussing Global Sponsorship at the 10th Soccerex, to be held at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 26th-28th November 2006.

HOTEL HERZOGSPARK SIGNS UP AS NEW FC NURNBERG SPONSOR - 16 Aug 06

Hotel HerzogsPark agreed a deal to become German Bundesliga club FC Nurnberg’s new exclusive hotel partner.

POOLS COMPANY TEAMS UP WITH EVERTON FC - 16 Aug 06

Sportech PLC, owners of the Littlewoods Football Pools agreed a sponsorship deal with English Premier League club Everton.

ONLINE CASINO SPONSORS SPANISH CLUB SEVILLA - 15 Aug 06

The online gaming company 888.com agreed a deal to become the official club sponsor of Spanish Primera Liga club Sevilla, for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons.

FOX SPORTS EN ESPANOL SIGNS INTERLIGA TOURNAMENT - 15 Aug 06

US Spanish-language channel Fox Sports en Espanol agreed a new four-year programming deal with Soccer United Marketing for the rights for the InterLiga Tournament.

SPORTELMONACO 2006 EXHIBITION SPACE SELLING OUT - 14 Aug 06

With more than 2 months to go before the opening of SPORTELMonaco 2006, exhibitors have committed to more than 85% of the expanded floor space in the Grimaldi Forum.

NATIONWIDE SECURES NEW SPONSORSHIP OF ENGLISH FA - 11 Aug 06

Nationwide Building Society and The Football Association (The FA) announced today (Friday 11 August 2006), a new partnership that will see Nationwide become the exclusive Official England Team Sponsor.

UEFA LAUNCHES EX-EUROPEAN TENDER FOR EURO 2008 - 10 Aug 06

UEFA today launched a tender for the non-European broadcast rights for UEFA EURO 2008.

FOOTBALL CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE OTHER AUSTRALIAN SPORTS - 10 Aug 06

Football is continuing to challenge Australian Rules football and is now well ahead of the Rugby codes as the football code in which most Australians are interested according to the 2005-06 summer edition of the Sweeney Sports Report.

LONDON 2012 SPONSORSHIP INTEREST SOARS - 9 Aug 06

Interest in sponsoring the London 2012 Olympics has been so strong that companies are reportedly prepared to pay around £100 million to become official partners, double the original estimate.

SLOVENIAN FA AND SPORTFIVE EXTEND DEAL - 9 Aug 06

The Sportfive agency has been given mandate to handle international sponsorships for the Slovenian Football Association.

USA BASKETBALL SIGNS UP NEW MARKETING PARTNERS - 4 Aug 06

USA Basketball agreed deals with five companies: Chevrolet, The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s, Gatorade, and Molten – to promote their brands and products through USA Basketball exhibitions, games, media and special events.

NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED TO ESA BOARD - 4 Aug 06

Three new directors have been appointed to the European Sponsorship Association Board following its AGM.

PSV AND PHILIPS EXTEND SPONSORSHIP DEAL - 3 Aug 06

Dutch Eredivisie club PSV’s main sponsors Philips extended their contract by five years, until the summer of 2011.

888 SPONSORS TOULOUSE FOOTBALL CLUB - 3 Aug 06

Online gaming company 888 signed an agreement to be official club sponsors ofToulouse Football Club.

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL SIGNS MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER - 2 Aug 06

US broadcaster Fox Soccer Channel agreed a five-year TV rights deal with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) for Major League Soccer.

COKE EXTENDS GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP WITH NBA - 1 Aug 06

Coca-Cola has renewed and extended its global marketing partnership with the NBA.

UEFA LAUNCHES EX-EUROPEAN EURO 2008 TENDER PROCESS - 1 Aug 06

UEFA, European football’s governing body, said it would launch the tender process for the marketing of ex-European broadcasting rights for Euro 2008 on 10 August 2006.

INDIAN BROADCASTERS MAY SHARE COMMONWEALTH GAMES - 1 Aug 06

The Indian government is to meet with the country’s broadcasters later this month to discuss the broadcast of the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games.

FIA SAYS ENGINE FREEZE INEVITABLE - 31 Jul 06

The FIA, Formula One's governing body has told the sport's car manufacturers to focus on new technology that promotes fuel-efficient engines rather than chasing raw power.

US FOOTBALL LEAGUE INKS DEALS WORTH $15 MILLION - 31 Jul 06

US football league Major League Soccer is reportedly about to sign a series of TV deals that will bring in upwards of $15 million annually.

GLOBAL SPONSORS TO CONVERGE IN MONACO - 27 Jul 06

The global sponsorship and marketing directors of some of the biggest companies in the world will be brought together for the first time at the 2006 Motor Sport Business Forum.

BEIJING SIGNS UP SIXTH EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER - 27 Jul 06

The Qianxhie Food Group has become the sixth company to become an exclusive supplier of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

STANDARD BANK RENEWS FOOTBALL SPONSORSHIPS - 26 Jul 06

Standard Bank renewed its sponsorship of South African football clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The five-season deals are valued at around R70 million with Standard Bank set to inject over R30 million into each of the two clubs.

STEIGENBERGER HOTELS SPONSORS EINTRACHT FRANKFURT - 25 Jul 06

The Steigenberger Hotel Group agreed a deal to become Eintracht Frankfurt’s official partner hotel starting from the 2006-07 Bundesliga season.

INFRONT SIGNS UP GERMAN ICE HOCKEY - 25 Jul 06

THE Infront Sports & Media agency agreed a deal to handle the marketing and licensing rights of the German Ice Hockey Federation.

PAYNE SIGNS FOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENT MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE - 18 Jul 06

One of the world’s leading sports marketers is to deliver an authoritative insight into the value and processes of event branding and the relationship between event managers and sponsors at the first International Sports Event Management Conference which takes place in London on November 22 and 23.

QATAR AIRWAYS SPONSORS TEST MATCHES - 17 Jul 06

Qatar Airways agreed a deal to become the official airline sponsor to English Test Match Grounds in a deal brokered by Frontiers Group.

MTN SIGNS UP AS FIFA WORLD CUP SPONSOR - 14 Jul 06

African company MTN Group signed a global deal as the first African World Cup Sponsor until 2010. The agreement, reported to be worth $65 million, gives MTN global rights for the 2010 World Cup South Africa as well as for the Confederations Cup in 2009.

REPORT SAYS TOURISM TO BE HIT BY LONDON 2012 - 6 Jul 06

A new report from the European Tour Operators Association says that the London tourism industry will suffer a decline rather than receive a boost because of the 2012 Olympics. “There is no strong link between hosting sporting events and increased tourism” says the ETOA.

A1 GRAND PRIX UNVEILS PROVISIONAL CALENDAR 2006/07 - 6 Jul 06

Motor racing series A1 Grand Prix unveiled a provisional calendar of 13 races for its second season, 2006-07. The season kicks off on October 1, 2006 at Circuit Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands and concludes at Brands Hatch in the UK, on April 29, 2007. A New Zealand race, although still to be confirmed, is new to the calendar, while races at the EuroSpeedway and Estoril have disappeared from the calendar.

TELEKOM AUSTRIA SUPPORTS EURO 2008 - 6 Jul 06

Telekom Austria signed a National Supporter agreement with Uefa, European football’s governing body, for Euro 2008, which will take place in Austria and Switzerland. It will be the tournament’s official telecommunication provider in Austria.

AGENDA: JULY 3-11, 2006 - 3 Jul 06

A GUIDE TO KEY EVENTS

ADIDAS SECURES REEBOK RIGHTS IN CHINA - 29 Jun 06

The adidas Group has agreed a deal to take control of the distribution and license rights for the Reebok brand in China.

WORLD CUP VIEWING FIGURES SOAR - 29 Jun 06

TV audiences for the FIFA World Cup in host country Germany have rocketed by 51 percent on the 2002 event, according to the latest research commissioned by Infront.

ADIDAS DECLARES ITSELF WORLD CUP WINNERS - 29 Jun 06

Adidas says its sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup has been its most successful ever after chalking up record football sales on the back of its association with the tournament.

ACTION SPORTS DEAL FOR AOL AND FUSION - 27 Jun 06

AOL has joined forces with video production firm Fusion Entertainment to launch a new online network devoted to extreme sports.

WOMEN TUNE INTO FIFA WORLD CUP - 27 Jun 06

Close to four in ten viewers of the global audience for the FIFA World Cup are women, according to soccer world governing body FIFA’s marketing agency Infront.

ITV NETS UEFA CUP TV RIGHTS - 27 Jun 06

UK commercial network ITV has won the exclusive broadcast rights to show the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, semi-finals and final between 2006 and 2009.

SPORTZ SURVEY SERVES UP A SURPRISE - 27 Jun 06

More British TV viewers claim they specially chose to watch Wimbledon the last time it was on TV rather than the FIFA World Cup, according to a new study.

BMW DRIVES AHEAD WITH PGA TOUR DEAL - 26 Jun 06

Car giant BMW has announced a six-year partnership agreement with the PGA Tour and the US’ Western Golf Association (WGA) to create the BMW Championship.

SWISS FIRM PENS EURO 2008 DEAL - 25 Jun 06

Swiss manufacturer Caran d’Ache has inked a licensing agreement with European soccer’s governing body UEFA and Warner Bros. Consumer Products for a new range of goods bearing the UEFA Euro 2008 trademarks.

IEC SCORE WITH PORTUGUESE SOCCER RIGHTS - 25 Jun 06

Swedish TV distribution agency IEC in Sports has been appointed to handle the distribution in certain regions of the world for Portugal’s top soccer league.

COKE'S EXTRA FIZZ IN SOUTH AFRICA - 22 Jun 06

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola has extended its sponsorship of youth rugby in South Africa.

TRUMP EXTENDS USPGT SPONSORSHIP - 22 Jun 06

Billionaire entrepreneur Donald Trump has agreed a five-year strategic partnership with the US Pro Golf Tour.

ING RENEWS TITLE SPONSORSHIP - 22 Jun 06

Global financial services company ING has returned as the title sponsor of the ING Par-3 Shootout with ESPN.

BRANDS TICKLED PINK WITH SPONSORSHIP - 22 Jun 06

Organisers of the Gay Games in Chicago next month have confirmed two more sponsors for the event.

AIG HIRE 141 TO LEVERAGE UNITED SPONSORSHIP - 21 Jun 06

The new sponsor of English Premier League soccer giants Manchester United - the American International Group (AIG) - has awarded WPP Group company 141 Worldwide, the contract to leverage their sponsorship.

PEPSI AGREES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR NHL DEAL - 19 Jun 06

Fizzy drink giant Pepsi has signed a new multi-year partnership with NHL and the NHL’s Players’ Association (NHLPA).

JORDAN AND JOHNSON FORM INVESTMENT TEAM - 18 Jun 06

The majority owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats – BET founder Robert L Johnson - has entered into a venture with the legendary Michael Jordan to see the two jointly invest in a range of future business opportunities.

SNOW HEADS TO NHL SIDE WILD - 15 Jun 06

NHL team the Minnesota Wild have hired a staff writer from the Boston Globe as its director of hockey operations.

CHINA CHIEFS JET IN FOR C-ZONE - 15 Jun 06

A delegation of powerful Chinese sports government officials are flying into London next month to speak at a major conference aimed at identifying opportunities in the fast emerging market.

MOTOROLA SECURE BECKHAM AS BRAND AMBASSADOR - 14 Jun 06

Mobile phone giant Motorola has secured a three-year deal with England and Real Madrid soccer star David Beckham to act as its global brand ambassador.

WISDEN GROUP SWOOP FOR HAWK-EYE - 14 Jun 06

Cricket publishing company The Wisden Group has acquired the business interests of Hawk-Eye Innovations Limited, the global pioneer in ball tracking technology for sports broadcasting and officiating.

INFRONT REVEALS FIFA TV RATINGS - 13 Jun 06

TV audiences in Europe for the FIFA World Cup look set to beat expectations judging by the initial viewing figures.

REAL CANDIDATE PROMISES F1 SPONSORSHIP - 13 Jun 06

Spanish soccer club Real Madrid will sponsor Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso – if presidential candidate Juan Palacios wins next month’s election.

SUBARU MOTORS TO TRIATHLON SPONSORSHIP - 8 Jun 06

Motor company Subaru has signed up as the title sponsor of the US Women’s Triathlon Series.

ADIDAS WINS FIRST SET IN COURT BATTLE - 7 Jun 06

Sportswear giant adidas has won a High Court battle to prevent restrictions being imposed on the amount of branding worn by stars at this year’s tennis Grand Slam Wimbledon.

SOCCEREX SIGNS SPONSORSHIP DEAL - 6 Jun 06

Dubai Sports City has confirmed a major sponsorship deal for industry event Soccerex 2006.

NIELSEN ANALYSIS AIMS TO BOOST SPONSOR ROI - 5 Jun 06

The top sponsor of tennis’ US Open received more TV coverage than the leading brand backing the Super Bowl, according to findings from research firm Nielsen Sports.

FIFA BRANDS PICKING UP SPEED - 5 Jun 06

Big spending sponsors for the FIFA World Cup are already seeing the benefits of their marketing campaigns, according to a leading research firm.

TICKETSNOW AGREE NFL TEAM SPONSORSHIP - 31 May 06

The Baltimore Ravens NFL team have signed a sponsorship and marketing deal with online ticket marketplace TicketsNow.

TYRE FIRM SIGNS CHAMP CAR ATLANTIC DEAL - 31 May 06

Champ Car Atlantic Championship officials have signed an exclusive partnership with the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.

LOGO JOINS GAY GAMES' SPONSORS - 29 May 06

The MTV Network’s new lesbian and gay channel – Logo – has been named premium global sponsor of the 2006 Chicago Gay Games.

YORKSHIRE TOAST BREWER WITH THREE-YEAR DEAL - 29 May 06

English county cricket side Yorkshire has named beer brand Deuchars IPA the club’s official beer.

IAAF STROLLS TO ON-DEMAND SERVICE - 25 May 06

The IAAF has launched an on-demand broadband offering enabling athletics fans in Europe and Africa to watch the recent IAAF World Race Walking Cup.

FERRARI RING UP NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL - 24 May 06

Formula One team Ferrari has signed a sponsorship deal with Italian telecommunications, media and internet firm, the Telecom Italia Group.

MULTI PLATFORM DEAL FOR MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL - 24 May 06

Toyota, Lexus and ESPN have announced a ‘fully integrated multi-platform promotion’ for ESPN's Monday Night Football and its surrounding programming and content for the 2006-07 season.

USTA AGREES OPEN SERIES SPONSORSHIP - 24 May 06

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has agreed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Unilever brand Lever 2000.

NATWEST PENS NEW ECB DEAL - 23 May 06

The England and Wales Cricket Board have signed a new four-year sponsorship deal with the NatWest bank for its new-look Pro40 limited overs league.

BRANDRAPPORT'S SHORE MOVE - 21 May 06

UK marketing and sponsorship agency, brandRapport has appointed a new account director.

TOYMAKER'S OWN GOAL NOT OUR FAULT, SAYS FIFA - 19 May 06

FIFA says the cost of the licence to market World Cup mascot Goleo was not the cause of the financial collapse of German toymaker Nici AG – and dismissed claims the company paid $28m for the rights.

BRAZIL'S SPONSOR APPEAL - 18 May 06

It will come as little surprise to most, but Brazil’s soccer team is the most commercially attractive for corporate sponsorship to play at next month’s FIFA World Cup, according to a survey conducted by a sports marketing company.

LIEDTKE IS NEW ADIDAS GLOBAL BRAND HEAD - 18 May 06

Sportswear giant adidas has appointed Eric Liedtke as head of global brand marketing.

OMEGA EXTENDS IOC SPONSORSHIP - 17 May 06

The IOC has extended its Olympic sponsorship deal with official timekeeper Omega.

TOYOTA PLAY BALL WITH NBC - 10 May 06

Toyota has signed a deal with NBC to sponsor the NFL’s Sunday Night Football Halftime Show.