Interview

Scottish tweed manufacturer Harris Tweed Hebrides (HTH) has entered a partnership with Scottish Rugby, the national association for rugby union in Scotland, to increase brand awareness and sell a Scottish Rugby-themed product collection.

Luxury design brand Felio Siby signed as the Official Lifestyle Partner of Formula One team Force India this year to drive barnd awareness and sales of its limited edition watches.

Cereal and protein bar brand Nature Valley has taken sponsorship positions in UK tennis to help launch a new product which fits the sport's demographic in the country.

German outdoor apparel brand Jack Wolfskin is continuing its long-term association with the International Ski Federation (FIS) to maintain global brand awareness and promote its new clothing range for 2017.

Chilean wine producer Santa Rita became English Premier League club Arsenal’s first Official Wine Partner earlier this summer, in order to increase brand awareness across the world.

Electricity-utility company Iberdrola is working in cooperation with the Spanish Department of Sport (CSD) to support a drive to increase the promotion and participation of women’s sport at all levels in Spain.

 

Computer technology company Intel has refocused the brand's sports sponsorships on “amazing experiences outside” over the least two years in order to showcase technology that enhances digital sports coverage.

British telecommunications brand O2 is expanding its activation window around England Rugby test matches after its previous digital rugby programmes proved a success.

French regional airline HOP! is using sponsorship of French Top 14 rugby union teams to increase its brand awareness across the country and create strong association with rugby values.

Swiss watchmaker Tissot has upgraded its exposure with the International Cycling Union (UCI) in the face of an increasingly competitive market for timing sponsorship.

App-based taxi network Uber is consolidating its presence in sport by moving from single season to multi-year sponsorship deals with major US sports franchises and planning new deals with European sports partners.

US retail and wholesale energy supplier, Constellation, is using the PGA of America and its marquee events to promote energy sustainability and renewable energy sources.

Carmaker Land Rover is strengthening its sponsorship role in rugby to consolidate its presence and brand alignment with the sport.

Dairy product company Müller sponsored Team GB, the UK’s Olympic team at Rio 2016, and three individual federations, to raise brand awareness during the Summer Games.

Canadian bank, RBC, is using its sponsorship of two PGA Tour events to consolidate its position as Canada’s leading bank and grow its brand awareness in the US and abroad.

Betting exchange and sportsbook brand Betfair will continue to focus on Official Partner, rather than main shirt deals, with top football clubs in key regulated betting markets as the 16-year old company enters its second major growth phase.

This summer logistics company DHL renewed a second-tier deal with English Premier League champions Leicester City and added a second-tier agreement with German Bundesliga 2 football club Bochum as the company continues to benefit from its Partner Program, an online portal that supports regional teams when selecting and activating sponsorships.

France-based oil and gas company Total is looking to secure agreements that support its ‘One Ambition, One Total’ diversification policy, a direction that includes its recent mega-deal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).