Asia-Pacific

The Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One team this month signed a deal with Chinese electronics manufacturer Hisense as the team’s commercial programme continues to thrive in the face of on-track troubles.

To mark the start of the 2015 FIM MotoGP World Championship, Sports Sponsorship Insider has completed a survey of the sponsorship portfolios for the top four MotoGP teams – Ducati, Movistar Yamaha, Monster Yamaha and Repsol Honda – the race title sponsors and the central MotoGP World Championship sponsors.

White goods manufacturer Beko is considering its long-term sponsorship strategy after its Barcelona deal showed good results.

With the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo around the corner, it appears that Japanese companies are far more ready to risk a bigger proportion of their marketing budgets on sports sponsorships

Sports Sponsorship Insider understands that Japanese carmaker Toyota will pay an astonishing figure for the International Olympic Committee’s TOP Partner rights in the new ‘mobility’ sector category, for eight years from 2017 to 2024.

Swiss watchmaker Swatch last month signed a deal with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and its promoter Beach Major Company to return to the sport as the title sponsor of the Beach Volleyball Major Series in 2015.

Bernie Ecclestone has told Sports Sponsorship Insider that Formula One Management, the motorsport’s commercial rights-holder, has not failed in its efforts to sell title sponsorships to its Formula One Grands Prix this season.

The Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing teams continue to lead the Formula One pack in sponsorship, in spite of the Mercedes’ dominance of the 2014 Championship.

Audio equipment manufacturer Jabra is looking to authenticate itself in the sports fitness space and reach key business decision-makers through its partnerships.

Japanese printing and technology brand Epson, this month, signed a three-year Official Team Partner deal, from 2015 to 2017, with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

Printing and technology brand Epson sponsors two major football properties, including English Premier League giants Manchester United, that “provide the strategic and geographical coverage the brand requires from its portfolio”.

Online trading and investment bank, Saxo Bank, has extended its partnership with the Lotus Formula One team for another year, rising in value if it takes up additional on-car branding options at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Audio products manufacturer Jabra is looking to reach business and retail customers through its partnership with the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) World Triathlon Series (WTS).

Japanese printing and technology brand Epson is using the high visibility of Formula One to increase its global brand awareness and build customer relationships.

The Monster energy drink brand’s deal with Kawasaki Team Racing is its first foray into team sponsorship in World Superbike, but follows a far bigger, ongoing investment in MotoGP.

Energy drink brand Monster Energy as a top-tier sponsor of the Kawasaki Racing Team in a two-year deal, from 2015 to 2016.