As previously reported by SBD Global, UEFA announced that Hankook has agreed to extend its official sponsor agreement for the UEFA Europa League. The continuation of the partnership, which started in '12, runs through the UEFA Europa League final in '18. Hankook becomes an official partner of the UEFA Europa League alongside UniCredit and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. FedEx is the official main partner and adidas is the official supplier to the tournament for the '15-18 period (UEFA). ... Zlatan Ibrahimović is introducing an eponymous fragrance label. A statement released said, "Zlatan Ibrahimović, in association with the principle actors of the perfume world, launches a fragrance brand -- Zlatan Ibrahimović Parfums." The statement added that it will be "present in Paris and his birth country of Sweden" (WWD, 6/16). ... SportQuake is focusing on growing a Chinese market and has launched a new website, which is available in Mandarin for the first time. SportQuake's presence in Asia includes Mandarin-speaking business experts and the launch of its website will further raise the company's profile and accessibility in China. Since '06, SportQuake has secured more than £150M ($234.8M) in sponsorship funding for rights owners (SportQuake). ... Brasileiro side Bahia "entered the field with a new master sponsor stamped" on its jersey. MRV Engineering "closed a contract" with the club until Dec. '16 (MAQUINA DO ESPORTE, 6/16). ... EPL side Swansea City confirmed global sports betting brand 12BET as its new official betting partner for season '15-16. The deal will see 12BET have a strong advertising presence around the Liberty Stadium (Swansea City). ... League Championship side Birmingham City announced a new commercial deal that will see EZE Group become the club’s principal partner for the '15-16 season. Under the agreement -- which is worth well into six figures -- EZE Group’s distinctive logo will adorn Blues' football shirts throughout the club’s 140th anniversary campaign (Birmingham City). ... Telekom signed a two-year contract with the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) "to become the main sponsor of Romania’s national football team." The contract "can extend after two years, taking into account the athletic performance and reputation" (ROMANIA INSIDER, 6/16). ... IMG "increased its presence in the growing professional video gaming industry by signing three of the biggest organizations in eSports." The agency added Cloud9, Dignitas and SK Gaming "to its clientele." With total industry revenue expected to surpass $500M this year, IMG "is looking to solidify its stake in eSports after acquiring the Global eSports Management agency in January" (CITY AM, 6/15). ...
The German competition authorities have approved the purchase of UFA Sports by Lagardère Unlimited. By acquiring UFA Sports, Lagardère Unlimited strengthens its marketing and media business, especially in Europe, and expands its football marketing portfolio in Germany, Poland and Slovakia. UFA Sports will continue to operate its marketing activities in Germany as a separate and independent entity within the Lagardère Unlimited network of businesses.
The closing process will be completed by the end of June (Lagardère). ... Man City tapped Fermata Partners to be the EPL club's "licensing agency for North America." Atlanta-based Fermata Partners said that the agreement "lets it cultivate the club's consumer products business in North America through partnerships with key manufacturers (licensees) and retailers" (ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 6/16).
