IMG signed equestrienne show jumper Karen Polle, a member of the Japan National Equestrian team, who is expected to compete in the Olympics in Rio this summer. At IMG, Polle will be represented by agent Yuki Fkui in Japan and Yuki Saegusa in the U.S. She was not previously represented. Polle attends Yale University and grew up in the U.S., but was born in Japan and has chosen to compete for her native country (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).
FASHION FORWARD: Reliance Industries-owned Indian Premier League team Mumbai Indians will collaborate with fashion brand Diesel in its "first ever association with cricket to produce a limited edition collection." The first collection will be launched later this year followed by a second release in the spring of '17 and "will be sold globally in all major cricket playing markets." Diesel will be "producing an exclusive line of merchandise comprising both top and bottom-wear." The collection will be "available globally across popular cricket playing nations like Australia, England, South Africa among others through the Diesel footprint." In India, all the 11 stores of Diesel "will stock the exclusive collection" (ECONOMIC TIMES, 3/30),
MARKETING BRIEFS ...
Premier League side Sunderland AFC strengthened its links with Tanzania with its first ever football partnership with Acacia Mining Plc. The partnership with Acacia Mining will see the Black Cats support the organization's CSR program, delivering Sunderland's community sports initiatives to community sites across the northwest region in Tanzania. The club works with local football clubs in the Kahama and Tarime districts. Sunderland AFC will operate in these areas eight to 10 weeks a year (SAFC).
Yamaha Motor Europe and Crescent Racing have announced a new three-year presenting partner agreement with Rizla, the rolling papers brand -- to create the "Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team with Rizla." Rizla has a "longstanding association with motorcycle racing -- having been title sponsor of both British Superbike and MotoGPTM teams previously managed by current Yamaha Team Principal Paul Denning, between 2002 and 2011" (ISPORTCONNECT, 4/1).
