Travel distribution company Helloworld signed on as the major sponsor of Volleyball Australia for the next four years. The deal, which covers the men’s and women’s national teams for both indoor and beach volleyball, was announced as Volleyball Australia prepares for one of the biggest beach volleyball events in Australia since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Helloworld will also support the Australian indoor volleyball teams, as they head to Japan for the Olympic qualifiers in June (FIVB).
MAKING WAVES: The Socceroos "will debut a new strip on Thursday night in a World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan." Gold is the dominant color of the new kit for the Matildas and Socceroos, but "judging by the public reaction, the national teams will have quite the task in front of them."
The strip "was not well received on social media, with many suggesting they would not be buying the new kits." The new shirt also features a "wave rock" pattern based on a natural rock formation found in Western Australia "which is shaped like a tall breaking wave" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/22).
MARKETING BRIEFS ...
French Top 14 rugby side Montpellier has signed a five-year kit sponsorship with Italian sportswear brand Kappa. Kappa becomes the official kit sponsor for the club until '21 (MHR).
Daikin Air-conditioning India "renewed its sponsorship deal" with Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils (IANS, 3/21).
SportAccord Convention announced Dow Jones as the top media partner for this year’s convention. Dow Jones will raise the profile of the SportAccord Convention through advertising as well as providing access to news services on a trial basis for delegates (SportAccord Convention).
3D software design company Dassault Systèmes renewed its partnership with Oracle Team USA, winner of the 33rd and 34th America's Cups, for the 35th America's Cup in '17 in Bermuda (Oracle Team USA).
The Transat, the oldest professional solo sailing race, which sets sail from Plymouth to N.Y. on May 2, named French bakery goods brand bakerly its title sponsor.
The race now officially becomes "The Transat bakerly." Bakerly is a U.S. subsidiary of the French industrial food group Norac (The Transat).