Russian gas producer Gazprom "has signed a new partnership deal with Volkswagen to become the exclusive fuel supplier for the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup" starting in May (MOTORSPORT TOTAL, 4/8). ... Germany-based furniture company Stechert Stahlrohrmöbel GmbH "revealed that it will not extend its naming-rights deal for the arena in Bamberg," home of Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) club Brose Baskets. The current deal is set to expire on Sept. 30 (MAIN POST, 4/8). ... Germany-based ice cream maker Nestlé Schöller and the O2 World Hamburg "will extend and intensify their partnership, which has been in place since the opening of the arena" in '02. The two parties "signed a new five-year deal" (MUSIK MARKT, 9/4). ... Head Sport has granted a license for socks and underwear to Dobotex, the Dutch specialty company for socks and other garments. The new partnership is effective from the beginning of next year and is set to cover all of Europe. Dobotex will develop a line of performance underwear and ski socks as well as socks for tennis (ISPO). ... Fast Retailing has added the first golfer to its portfolio of Uniqlo brand ambassadors by signing world No. 7 Adam Scott to a multi-year contract (Fast Retailing). ... The PGA of Australia has agreed to a deal with Choice Hotels as the naming-rights partner of the PGA Pro-Am Series. The national sponsorship is a first for Australian golf. The Choice Hotels PGA Pro-Am Series will encompass all pro-am events held across Australia from April 1 to Dec. 31 in a united series that will comprise of 200 events played at more than 160 courses (PGA of Australia). ... U.K. auto-enrollment pension provider NOW: Pensions has signed a four-year deal as the principal partner of Great Britain and England men's field hockey. As well as supporting the men’s hockey league, NOW: Pensions is also supporting Rush Hockey (NOW: Pensions). ... Yo2mo will sponsor Middlesex Country Cricket Club for the '13-14 season. The shirt sponsorship deal will be for the non-leading arm position of Middlesex's Yorkshire Bank 40 and Friends Life twenty20 playing kits (Yo2mo). ... Barclays has "tried to appeal to their asian consumers by revealing that perimeter advertising at Premier League stadiums will display the Barclays messaging in Chinese," viewable worldwide during April. The Chinese translation will convey the message "Barclays Bank sponsors of the Barclays Premier League" (ISPORTCONNECT, 4/9).
