Gillette named footballer Lionel Messi as its new global ambassador. Gillette also became a partner of the Leo Messi Foundation. Gillette's partnership with Messi will launch the brand's "Inner Steel" campaign (Gillette). ... Swiss watch brand Omega is in talks to extend its sponsorship of the Dubai Desert Classic and Ladies Masters golf tournaments. Omega President & Int'l Dir/Sales, Retail & Distribution Raynald Aeschlimann said that the current five-year agreement "expired this year but ensured negotiations were under way to renew the contract" (GULF NEWS, 2/2) ... Samsung UK revealed the "Samsung Galaxy Team," its selection of top U.K. winter sports athletes who will open up their lives and training regimes through the Samsung UK Sochi 2014 hub. The U.K. contingent of the Samsung Galaxy Team includes slopestyle snowboarder Billy Morgan, Skeleton World Champion Shelley Rudman, European champion speed skater Elise Christie, Paralympic alpine skier Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans, freestyle skier James Woods and world champion curler Eve Muirhead (Samsung). ... Eurosport has become a national sponsor of the ongoing 2014 UEFA European Futsal Championship (SOCCEREX, 1/31). ... Co-operative Energy has become the official energy partner of the Supporters Trust, a body aimed at promoting supporter and community involvement in the ownership and running of sports clubs in England. The two-year agreement will see Co-operative Energy offer English sports fans "competitive energy tariffs'' (SOCCEREX, 1/31). ... Aberdeen Asset Management won the Business-to-Business category at the 2013 ESA European Sponsorship for its sponsorship of the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open (European Tour). ... MB Partners will be representing the commercial rights for F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen in collaboration with his management and advisors (MB Partners).
IN AUSTRALIA: Netball Australia has announced a new three-year deal with ASICS. The deal will see ASICS continue as the official footwear supplier to the Australian Diamonds, Australia's U21 squad and Australia's elite umpires through '16 (Netball Australia). ... The Australian Rugby Union announced that global logistics firm TNT Express has extended its decade-long partnership with the Australian Rugby Union through '16 (Australian Rugby Union).
