McLaren Formula 1 announced double world champion Mika Hakkinen will take up the position of partner ambassador with immediate effect, in a multi-year deal. Hakkinen drove 130 grands prix for the McLaren team from '93-01 and won two Drivers' World Championship titles -- in '98 and '99. Hakkinen will sit alongside McLaren Exec Dir Zak Brown and the staff of McLaren marketing, working with partners and business prospects. He will also work closely with McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt and his marketing team (McLaren).
The French National Rugby League (LNR) announced sports equipment brand Gilbert will provide the official match balls for the Top14 and Pro D2 playoffs for the next three seasons (LNR).
Chinese actor Jin Dong has been named as the ambassador of Rendez-vous à Roland-Garros. Rendez-vous à Roland-Garros is a "series of wildcard qualification events" held in China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and the U.S (GB TIMES, 3/15).
Kuala Lumpur 2017 Southeast Asian Games announced a partnership with Malaysia Airports. Malaysia Airports is now the Kuala Lumpur 2017 welcoming partner under the gold sponsor category (Kuala Lumpur 2017).
Gatorade announced its sponsorship of the 2017 Copa Libertadores. The agreement was achieved through CONMEBOL's new partnership with IMG (IMG).
Motorcycle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp has "become the second Indian company to sign up as a national supporter" for the U17 World Cup, scheduled to be held "across 6 host cities" between Oct. 6-28. The company "filled the second of six national supporter slots" -- after Bank of Baroda. FIFA already has int'l sponsors for all events, including Coca-Cola, adidas and Wanda (ECONOMIC TIMES, 3/16).
