The Australian Rugby Union is "still searching for a major sponsor for Super Rugby less than seven weeks from the start of the new season." ARU COO Rob Clarke said the union was in talks with "two or three" int'l brands over Christmas and "expected to finalise a deal before the competition kicks off" on Feb. 23. Clarke also "backed two newcomers to the rugby calendar" -- the new combined women's and men's Sydney Sevens and the Brisbane Global 10s -- to "breathe new life into a traditionally slow start to the season" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/6).
The Emirates FA Cup has teamed up with specialist sports creative agency Matta to "create a campaign to drive attendance and attract a younger audience to this season's football games." The "Every game's an adventure" campaign, which is now in its third year, features a GoPro-style self-shot video of four young people attending an FA Cup match. As part of the campaign, PR agency Mischief is handling an "influencer" program that will be promoted on social (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 1/6).
The new year has "started with a bang" for Warwick Racecourse after The Jockey Club venue secured "one of the longest" sponsorship deals in its history. After attracting a "bumper" 6,500 crowd for its annual New Year’s Eve racing fixture, the racecourse agreed to a deal with property law firm Feldon Dunsmore. The new partnership will see the Coventry-based company be a major sponsor at Warwick's final May fixture -- part of the May Racing Carnival -- for the next five years (LEAMINGTON OBSERVER, 1/5).
SCG, "one of the leading conglomerates" in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on Thursday inked a two-year agreement to sponsor the Hà Nội Football Club. In the '17-18 season, the SCG logo "will be incorporated on the team's jerseys and other outfits." As part of the agreement, the two sides will also cooperate to bring "Kick and Share activities" to help the youth in Vietnam learn about the foundations of football (VIETNAM NEWS, 1/6).
Handball Bundesliga (HBL) club THW Kiel partner Big Bau has increased its sponsorship investment. The construction company is now a second-tier "Teamsponsor" of the club. Financial deals were not revealed (THW Kiel).
Second Bundesliga club Eintracht Braunschweig and Coca-Cola have extended their long-term partnership until the end of the '18-19 season. Financial details were not disclosed (Eintracht Braunschweig).
The French Handball Federation (FFHB) announced specialty chemical supplier Sika as a new official partner. For the World Handball Championships -- hosted by France from Jan. 11-29 -- Sika’s logo will be seen on the left sleeve of the French men’s team (FFHB).
Bridgestone Corp. signed a deal with the IOC to expand and extend its top-tier commitment to the Games. The expansion of marketing rights for Bridgestone "follows its successful activation of initial rights," signed in June '14, in Brazil, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. in association with the Rio 2016 Games (NY SPORTS JOURNALISM, 1/5).
