Sponsorship & Marketing
Rio signs to new agent
England and Manchester United Rio Ferdinand – currently facing an eight-month ban from the game for failing to take a drugs test – has signed a new management deal.
Change afoot at the RFL
There is a changing of the guard at the UK's Rugby Football League with the appointment of a new president dovetailed by the resignation of the governing body's marketing director.
MotoGP eyes US return
MotoGP could be returning to the US next year, as negotiations continue with local promoters.
Duo join GEM Group
Rob Pope and Andy Dwyer, former heads of sponsorship agency the TSW Consultancy, have joined the GEM Group.
Saints sign kit deals
English Rugby League Club St Helens has signed a major sponsorship deal for the 2004 Tetley’s Super League season.
WWE clamps down on Canada
The Federal Court of Canada has issued an injunction that will prohibit bars in Canada from illegally showing World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view events.
Awards deadline extended
Organisers of the UK’s Sport Industry Awards have extended the deadline for entries after a flurry of entries since the start of the year.
Sullivan joins Alan Taylor
Veteran motorsports publicist Tim Sullivan has joined US sports and leisure PR agency Alan Taylor Communications (ATC).
Pepsi renews Beckham deal
Pepsi is hoping to put the fizz into its 2004 soccer campaign by extending its partnership with David Beckham to line up alongside its two big-name new signings.
Monty signs with Yonex
Golfer Colin Montgomerie has signed a multi-year sponsorship with the Yonex brand.
OCSN sees subs soar
Subscriber numbers for the Official College Sports Network’s (OCSN) online offerings have rocketed over the past 12 months.
RDA wins Traffic deal
RDA Communications has been appointed by South American agency Traffic Sports Marketing as its exclusive television agent for the UK in a three-year agreement.
F1’s sponsor exposure race
Ferrari may be champions on the track, but in terms of exposure for sponsors, the BMW WilliamsF1 team leads the way.
Navigator in Real deal
Sports marketing firm Navigator has been sold in a deal worth up to £5m ($9m/EUR7.2m).
MPA Media wins Touring Car deal
Sports marketing and communications agency MPA Media has been appointed as the exclusive support agency for the 2004 Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Brandenstein new SportA chief
Dagmar Brandenstein has taken over as managing director of sports rights agency SportA replacing the outgoing Michael Amsinck.
Interpublic sells UK circuits
Interpublic has finally sold its four UK motorsport circuits for an undisclosed sum.
Parallel wins LET contract
The Ladies European Golf Tour (LET) has unveiled a new ten year renewal agreement with sports management firm Parallel Media Group.