Member News

As almost 20% more sponsorship deals were reported in Ireland in Q1 2017 than in the same period last year, ONSIDE, Ireland’s leading management consultancy firm specialising in sponsorship and research services, has announced key senior appointments to its management team. John McDonagh has joined as Chief Operating Officer. John will take responsibility for strategy, marketing, business and organisational development with specific focus on commercialising opportunities internationally. ... read more

A number of research reports, opinion pieces and news articles have been published recently addressing similar digital themes (a number of which Strive Sponsorship has been asked for its perspective on). All, either directly or indirectly, highlight how important it is for sports/eSports entities to understand the opportunities and threats the digital world presents their commercial models. Rather than examine each in detail here, we have summarised them and provided a link to more ... read more

Dare2b will build on the success of their thee-year partnership with The Tour of Britain to provide the leader's jerseys and official apparel to The Tour of Britain, The Women's Tour and The Tour Series from 2017 onwards. It will mark the first time that the three leading, televised events have shared the same apparel partner, with Dare2b and event organiser SweetSpot extending the partnership to take in The Women's Tour, widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading women's races, and ... read more

Ahead of the 2017 Tour to New Zealand the UK's number one cask beer becomes the 'Official Beer' in the UK and Ireland to the Lions The British & Irish Lions have announced that Cornwall-based Sharp's Brewery's premium cask beer, Doom Bar, has become an Official Sponsor for the 2017 Tour to New Zealand. The Lions Tour is a unique moment in the global sporting calendar. Once every four years a squad from the four home nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland come together to take ... read more

CSM, a global leader in sport and entertainment, announced today the acquisition of GlideSlope, one of the industry’s leading management advisory firms. The group’s latest acquisition is another important step in CSM’s North America growth strategy, significantly adding to its offering in the region, for both US and international clients and prospects. Along with GlideSlope, CSM has completed a number of notable acquisitions in the market, including LeadDog Marketing Group, the award-winning ... read more

Betfair confirm reports that World Famous Magician, Dynamo has been collaborating behind-the-scenes with FC Barcelona Dynamo seen using pioneering techniques to improve the strength and connectivity of the players Suárez, Piqué, Sergi Roberto, Alba and Busquets discover new team connection thanks to Dynamo’s unique training style Dynamo’s first training session with the players shows him using visualisation techniques to enable them to bend metal Ending weeks of speculation, Betfair ... read more

•   Today Jurys Inn, the leading UK mid-market hotel chain announces it is set to be the headline sponsor for the Wembley Park Tour Series event •    The Tour Series is set to come to Wembley Park for the first time ever on 16 May 2017. •    Jurys Inn delighted to headline the event, which will take place across a 1.5km circuit of the area, which is undergoing a landmark regeneration. Today leading UK mid-market hotel chain Jurys Inn have been announced as the headline sponsor of The Tour ... read more

National Hunt Trainer Dan Skelton drives new Maserati Levante SUV in a race against professional jockey brother Harry on horseback Point-to-Point challenge took place in the grounds of Chavenage House Estate in the Cotswolds In the build up to the Grand National, luxury Italian car brand Maserati devised a unique ‘car vs horse’ challenge to explore the capabilities of the first ever Maserati SUV, the Levante, in an environment naturally suited to its equine competitor. The challenge ... read more

After an enthralling RBS 6 Nations Championship of twists, turns, and no small amount of drama on the last day, figures show the RBS 6 Nations is going from strength to strength, year on year, with no sign of slowing down. The 2017 event saw increased TV audiences, packed stadia and record levels of engagement and consumption across digital and new media channels. Live Television Audiences across the core Six Nations territories of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales were ... read more

Astronaut Tim Peake is set to guide people through a thrilling, high-speed journey back to Earth as an immersive virtual reality experience is unveiled at the Science Museum. Created by the award-winning Alchemy VR for the Science Museum Group, Space Descent VR will put visitors inside the descent module of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, with the UK’s first European Space Agency astronaut, for a first-person ride only experienced before by a tiny number of highly-qualified astronauts. To ... read more

Playforce, creators of outstanding outdoor spaces, have announced a new long term partnership with The Challenger Trust. The Challenger Trust supports schools to help young people to fulfil their true potential. They believe that a comprehensive programme of character development will typically include a blend of outdoor education, role model presentations, pupil to pupil supervision, curriculum trips, cultural tours, sports fixtures, enterprise training, careers talks, music camps and ... read more

SKODA UK will own the Mountains Classification in Britain's biggest men and women's professional cycle races from 2017, with news that the car manufacturer, whose heritage was founded in cycling, have extended their partnership with The Tour of Britain. The multi-year extension will also see SKODA become the lead sponsor of The Women's Tour's Queen of the Mountains Classification.  The announcement comes in the same month that SKODA UK launched their new Driven By Something Different campaign ... read more

Matt Vandrau and Jeff Shifrin named co-CEOs of CSM CSM Sport and Entertainment has today announced a global reorganization of its individual agencies under a single, unified brand presence - CSM. CSM was formed, in 2011, from a collection of global best-in-class agencies with a depth of capabilities, expertise and experience in multiple disciplines that has grown to include 26 offices in 18 countries with over 800 people. The new CSM proposition will reorganize these agencies, through ... read more

Camilla Hollweck has joined leading marketing agency Fuse, part of the Omnicom Media Group, as Head of Business Development and Marketing. Hollweck is an accomplished global partnership marketer with over 13 years’ experience in business development, commercial strategy as well as brand positioning and partnership management. Hollweck has previously worked for Kantar Media, Helios Partners, the International Olympic Committee and most recently for iLUKA where she managed an international ... read more

Double the number of Priority Tickets available to O2 customers for shows at the venue The O2 has welcomed over 60 million visitors and sold 20 million tickets since opening in 2007 Deal reaffirms O2’s commitment to providing unforgettable live experiences O2 and AEG have today announced the signing of a new agreement for the world’s most successful music and entertainment venue, The O2.  The landmark deal secures O2 as The O2’s naming rights partner for a further ten years. The ... read more

The EGBA is pleased to announce that Betsson Group, a leading European online gambling company with licenses across Europe, has joined the EGBA as of the 20th February 2017. Commenting on the recent membership of Betsson Group, Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, said: “We are very delighted that Betsson Group has joined the EGBA. Betsson has historically been an established company in the Nordic markets, who are now increasing their market share outside of the Nordics holding ... read more

London will host the final stage of The Women’s Tour on Sunday 11 June, as the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan helped Olympic Champion Katie Archibald unveil the route for the 2017 race, which takes place from 7 to 11 June. The fourth edition of the world leading race will also include stages in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire and Derbyshire, plus a major new charity partnership with Breast Cancer Care to celebrate 25 years of the pink ribbon. All of the ... read more

Limelight Sports, the agency of the Active World, has just announced two major new appointments. Rick Jenner has been appointed Strategy and Insights Director and Ian Scoffield been appointed as Group Financial Officer.  The appointments are another step in the development of the agency which last Autumn received an investment boost from DCT Ventures, the investment arm of leading media owner DC Thomson. Rick Jenner will have a key role in guiding the strategy of the agency going forward. He ... read more

The European Tour is today delighted to unveil GolfSixes, a revolutionary and novel short form of the game which further illustrates the Tour’s desire to embrace innovation and originality in professional golf. The inaugural GolfSixes event – featuring a prize fund of €1 million – will make its debut on the European Tour schedule at the Centurion Club in St Albans, to the north west of London, on May 6-7, 2017. The event will feature two-man teams from 16 different nations, each nation ... read more

Slingshot Sponsorship has won the Rights Holder Award for the second consecutive year, at the 2016 European Sponsorship Association (ESA) Excellence Awards for their work with Snowboxx Music Festival. The category celebrates the rights holder that has gone out of their way to support sponsoring brands, offering innovative solutions and opportunities. With Snowboxx confirming the relocation of the festival to a substantially larger site in 2016, Slingshot were appointed to complete a strategic ... read more

New Zealand wine brand, Mud House, is the official wine sponsor of The British & Irish Lions. George North joins All Blacks legend, Sean Fitzpatrick, as a Mud House Wines ambassador. Mud House Wines, the official wine sponsor of The British & Irish Lions, today unveiled George North as an ambassador, further cementing their position in rugby. Mud House Wines, the fifth largest New Zealand wine in the UK, already have former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick as one of their ... read more

Now in it’s fourth year, SNAP Photography Festival is set in the great outdoors of Fforest, Wales, complete with glamping in cabins, yurts and bell tents. It was set up by Laura Babb, who has recently been named one of Rangefinders 30 rising stars, who wanted to build a cohesive creative community, connected by a mutual desire to just “snap.” In addition to the week’s programme of workshops and a host of activities (plus an epic closing party) SNAP invites speakers from the professional ... read more

Boosted by new opportunities such as the Women’s Rugby World Cup and ‘sponsor switching’ on some of Ireland’s larger sponsorship assets, the Irish Sponsorship market is expected to grow by 6% to €173 million in 2017, according to the annual ONSIDE Irish Sponsorship Industry Survey* from sponsorship consultants ONSIDE. Ahead of expectations, 2016 saw the Irish Sponsorship market grow 9% to an estimated €163 million investment, as an unprecedented 3 in 4 sponsors increased investment in ... read more

Golazo Group has announced the full acquisition of VAAV Communication, the specialist sponsorship consultancy. VAAV Communication will continue to operate under the same name with its existing staff. VAAV Communication was created by its founder Andy Hancock to advise and service companies with their strategic and operational sponsorship programmes. Alongside its consultancy offering VAAV Communication also maintains a strong position and activity in tennis and golf. The company will be ... read more

Cooper Tire Europe, the official tyre partner of German Bundesliga team 1. FSV Mainz 05, has been testing the players’ accuracy with a Shoot Out challenge. In this light-hearted video launched today, defenders Daniel Brosinski and Giulio Donati, along with striker Pablo De Blasis, represent the club in this highly competitive set piece specialist tyre test. Watch the 1. FSV Mainz 05 Cooper Tire Shoot Out here: https://youtu.be/ze2LmTOTXd8 Cooper designed a bespoke structure, topped ... read more

-          Rivaldo returns to Barcelona and goes undercover to surprise fans -          FC Barcelona legend joins training session disguised as Betfair competition winner, Roberto Da Silva -          WATCH fans reaction as Rivaldo astonishes players with his magical control On Sunday 15th January Rivaldo appeared at FC Barcelona to surprise a group of superfans who had been selected out of thousands of entrants from around the world as part of Betfair’s #MagicOfBarça ... read more

CSM, a global leader in sport and entertainment, announced today an investment in Visualise, one of the fastest growing virtual reality (VR) agencies in the industry. The investment is a further indication of CSM’s focus on developing in-house capabilities in technology and innovation.  Today’s announcement comes after CSM recently added to its experiential capabilities and services with the acquisition of Curb Media, the award-winning brand experience, technology and innovation ... read more

In June 2017, the first contest among cyborgs named “Cybathletics” will take place in Moscow. The developers and users of hi-tech assistive devices will participate in this event in the largest exhibition space - Expocenter. Cybathletics  is held under the International forum The Integration. Russian company Sponsor Consulting, an ESA member, is the official representative of the competition in work with partners and sponsors. Motorica proposed the idea of this competition. Motorica is a ... read more

The inaugural London 10 Mile running event launched today in the Capital London’s only major 10 mile running event In support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Closed roads experience inside London’s most beautiful Royal Park Family Fun Run and Picnic in the Park alongside the 10 mile event Ambition to be the UK’s most family friendly running event CSM Active, the active lifestyle division of CSM Sport and Entertainment, has launched the London 10 Mile, an exciting new ... read more

Global technology company, Ricoh today has today launched the third video in their Rugby Change Series.  The latest video, Laws, focuses on how changes to rugby laws have affected the game of rugby, the reasoning behind those changes and which have had the greatest impact; forcing teams to re-think and adapt their game strategies. The video also provides deeper insight into the men and women implementing and enforcing those changes; the referees. The modern era has brought with it the ... read more

And the nominees are... Click here for more information. To book your place at the ceremony click here. ... read more

Following the highly successful 2015 inaugural Race the World race, Limelight Sports and BIKE Channel are thrilled to announce the broadcast this month of the epic 26 minute documentary celebrating the 2015 race experience on BIKE Channel from 11-28 January (link to full schedule) Craig Dews, CEO Limelight Sports, commented, "We're incredibly excited to be airing on BIKE Channel, and as the agency of the Active World, Limelight Sports shares the vision to promote cycling, sport and an active ... read more

Happy New Year from CSM To welcome in the New Year, we’re taking a look back at a few highlights of the work we were proud to do on behalf of our clients in 2016. From the Maracanã to the Stade De France. The Yas Marina Circuit to Bristol Motor Speedway. Lords Cricket Ground to Flushing Meadows. The Hazeltine National to Eden Park. It was a memorable year of sport and entertainment. Why not take a quick trip down memory lane? Read Here GET IN TOUCH:  Simon Lamb | Marketing ... read more

Five-year agreement marks a new chapter in the history of Continental Europe’s oldest National Open HNA Open de France becomes the eighth tournament of the Rolex Series Prize fund increased to US$ 7 million in line with other tournaments in the Rolex Series After celebrating its centenary last July, the Open de France will begin a new chapter in its illustrious history when HNA Group, a global Fortune 500 company focused on tourism, logistics and financial services, takes over as title ... read more

2016 was a big year in eSports as numerous major investments were made, non-endemic businesses entered the fray, the industry saw the first signs of aggregation and the attention of wider media was gained, and sustained. 2017 will no doubt be more of the same as the industry continues to gather pace and more is tried, learned and understood about how to monetise this growing interest. 2016 Year in Review: Digital Games and Interactive Media Specialist gaming research company, ... read more

Wickes have already received over 1,500 competition entries following the recent launch of Kit for Kids – a new initiative that offers local communities the chance to win free Mitre team kits. The competition which has seen Wickes – The Official DIY Partner of the EFL – team up with Mitre to support grass roots football, offers junior sides the chance to win the ultimate kit giveaway, with 72 sets of brand new Mitre kit available for the lucky winners and their football team. Along with ... read more

On November, 30 at DoubleTree by Hilton Moscow – Marina (Moscow) Russian Sponsorship Awards ceremony took place. Russian Sponsorship Awards is the first award in the field of sponsorship in Russia. Among the main goals of RSA there are – specification of current status of sponsorship market in Russia, detecting of the most bright and effectively completed projects in different fields of sponsorship, professional assessment and ability of sharing experience, motivation of companies that have ... read more

Boris Becker to play key role in promoting Anakena Wines’ Ambition and Dedication story Multiple Grand Slam winner joins Jamie Murray as an Anakena brand ambassador Latest brand partnership set to improve Anakena’s current market position as the fifth best-selling wine brand from Chile Boris Becker, the six-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one tennis star, has been unveiled as a brand ambassador for Anakena, the new Chilean wine brand in the UK.  Launched just six months ... read more

Betfair, the world’s leading bookmaker, has launched a global campaign to leverage its partnership with FC Barcelona The ‘Magic of Barca’ will tap into the club’s unique style and culture and celebrate moments of magic both on and off the pitch Betfair will work closely with FC Barcelona to run a number of joint marketing initiatives to engage and reward the club’s global fanbase. The campaign aims to build anticipation and excitement in line with Betfair’s ‘Ready?’ brand positioning ... read more

Speed Communications’ specialist sports division and its sister sponsorship agency Mongoose are to join forces from January 2017 to form an enlarged sports and entertainment business under the Mongoose brand.  The merger of the two businesses to create an enlarged specialist agency has been accelerated by the decision of Kate Bosomworth, Managing Partner of Speed Sport, to leave to explore new opportunities in the wider sports arena.  The new agency will operate under the Mongoose brand, to ... read more

Swimathon, the world’s biggest fundraising swim is 30 years old next year! The 2017 event takes place over 3 days from 7th – 9th April.  As registration opens for the 2017 event, the total fundraising amount over the previous 29 years currently stands at a staggering £46 million which has been distributed among 36 different charities. Swimathon began in 1986, the 1986 pilot was a London only initiative, organised by the Guild of London Bath Managers to encourage pools to get more people ... read more

The EGBA and the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) are pleased to announce that OVWG has joined EGBA as its newest member as per 2 December 2016. Claus Retschitzegger, President of the OVWG said: “OVWG faces many challenges on the Austrian market and joining the EGBA will strengthen our position both in Austria and on EU level. EGBA has been the leading voice for the industry in Europe for many years, and we can now benefit from their vast experience of other European ... read more

Wickes has today announced the launch of Kit for Kids, a community based initiative providing members of the public the opportunity to win free Mitre team kits. Through its partnership with the EFL, Wickes believes support begins at home, so in turn it wants to support to all the local communities that are passionate about football. Wickes has teamed up with Mitre & the EFL to support grassroots football and offer the ultimate kit giveaway for junior sides, with 72 sets of brand new ... read more