Looking for sponsors?
         
Then you really need to push the button ...   
Advertisement: International media buying: Fox Media Advertise with us
 
Union Jack   The UK Sponsorship Database
The premier online database of UK sponsorship opportunities


  UK sponsorship news update ... April, 2012
  << Home   << News archive  Send us news!
Bookmark and Share
    Latest UK sponsorship news

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click
here to
crack those
costs!

 

 

After Dinner Speakers
Audio Visual
Catering
Celebrities
Conferences
Creative consultants
Direct marketing
Entertainers
Equipment hire
Event management
Exhibitions
Financial services
Gifts/Clothing
Hospitality
Incentives
International
Legal advisers
Licensing
Logistics
Marketing
Media buying
Monitoring/auditing
Music
Photography
Printers
PR agencies
Recruitment
Research
Sales promotion agencies
Signs
Sponsorship consultants
Training
Trophies and awards
Venues
Video
Web-related

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to find out or check
out our
property news feed


UK property
news

International media planning and buying
jobs by workcircle

Advertise with us

 

28th April, 2012

New International polo series to be sponsored by Audi

(PRWEB UK) -- For the forthcoming UK polo season (May to September), the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the sport's governing body, supported by Audi, the premium car company, have together created a brand new series of Polo Internationals to be known as the 'Audi International Polo Series'.

The newly created series will feature three internationals for the season with each taking place at different venues across the country. It will include the newly named Audi International at Guards Polo Club near Windsor (formerly the Cartier International) – one of the highlights of the British summer season and undoubtedly the biggest attended UK polo event of the year.

Having sponsored the England Polo team since 2005, it is no doubt a natural progression for Audi to sponsor the Test Match series of international matches which will provide more opportunities for England to play against some of the world's top polo teams.

David Woodd, Chief Executive of the HPA, commented: "Audi and the HPA have been working very closely together with the England team and its increased involvement with this International Series is fantastic news for polo". Jon Zammett, Head of PR for Audi UK, added: "This is a very exciting development. Polo delivers an ideal, high end, yet hard to reach target audience, for Audi. It's also a fast growing sport with both players and spectators rising markedly. In the last ten years, UK player numbers have increased by over a third and the number of polo clubs has almost doubled".

The new extension of existing Audi polo sponsorships will also allow the first ever Audi International match at Chester Racecourse Polo Club in the beautiful setting within the racecourse grounds.

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive of Chester Racecourse, said: "We feel privileged that our Polo Club has been selected as the new venue to host an Audi International for the upcoming season. This will allow a new audience to witness and enjoy the thrills of international Polo – we're confident that it will become a highlight on the Chester social calendar attracting large numbers".

Additionally, the International Series will include the Audi International at Beaufort Polo Club, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire - already a regular fixture on the calendar of Internationals.

The England team, sponsored by Audi too, will also be playing in The St. Regis International Cup, played at Cowdray Park, Midhurst (now in its fifth year) on May 19th where it will take on a team from the USA.

The investment by Audi in the International Polo Series, together with its existing sponsorship of the England polo team, will make the car company the biggest supporter of polo in the UK.

"The additional Audi-supported match days will allow us to organise – for the first time ever – an exciting and more cohesive programme of Internationals during the England polo season up and down the country. We are delighted with the addition of the Audi International in Chester. Audi's investment also gives us the opportunity of providing first class training programmes and facilities not only for the top England professionals but also the young rising stars of the sport via its support for Pony Club Polo", commented David Woodd.

This season, the England polo team will be donning newly designed shirts by the official clothing supplier Joules – a national retailer of country wear with sixty stores nationwide.

Schedule of Internationals for 2012

     19th May: The St. Regis International Cup, Cowdray Park Polo Club, Midhurst - England vs USA

     16th June: Audi International, Beaufort Polo Club, Tetbury - England vs Commonwealth

     22nd July: Audi International (formerly the Cartier International), Guards Polo Club, Windsor - England vs South Africa

     8th September: Audi International, Chester Racecourse Polo Club, Chester - England vs South America

 

26th April, 2012

Maxifuel signs up for new partnership with the Tour of Britain

Maxifuel, the UK's endurance brand from sport nutrition experts Maxinutrition, has announced a new deal to become the official sports nutrition partner to the UK's biggest cycling event, The Tour of Britain, which also includes The Halfords Tour Series and The Tour Rides.

The Hemel Hempstead-based company will provide amateur riders with individually-tailored nutritional support to complement their lifestyle, training and racing schedules as well as support professional participants and race enthusiasts through sampling opportunities at the various events.

The Tour of Britain, taking place from 9th to 16th September, is the country's largest free-to-spectate live sporting event attracting over a million spectators to the roadside annually, while over 10,000 amateur cyclists take part in the mass participation Tour Rides based on Tour of Britain stage routes.

The Halfords Tour Series is a city centre cycling race series, taking place throughout May and June. It will see ten teams of five highly tuned professional cyclists engage in a daily one hour competition of intense, fast paced, attacking racing to become the overall champions of the series. Maxifuel supported Team UK Youth are one of the ten teams vying to be Series Champions in 2012.

Senior Sponsorship and PR Manager for Maxifuel, Mark Morgan, says: "We are delighted to announce this pivotal partnership with The Tour of Britain and are relishing the opportunity to make a nutritional impact on such an exciting and vibrant series of cycling events. Following our recent sponsorship of the UK Youth Pro Cycling team this deal further exemplifies Maxifuel's commitment to cycling".

Commenting on the partnership, Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said: "I'd like to welcome Maxifuel to The Tour family of events, and we look forward to working together in what is a very important year for British sport. I am sure spectators and our Tour Ride participants will be looking forward to exploring Maxifuel's range of products with the aim of helping them to improve their performance".

Maxifuel supports many other events, teams and athletes, such as Team UK Youth, British Triathlon Federation, GB & England Hockey and Badminton England as well as GB athletes including Stuart Hayes (triathlon), Kate Dennison (pole vault), Chris Walker-Hebborn (swimming) and Andrew Steele (athletics).

 

24th April, 2012

Click Consult announces joint sponsorship of Cheshire Business Awards 2012

Click Consult, one of the UK's leading internet marketing agencies, have announced they will be sponsoring the 2012 Cheshire Business Awards along with SAS Daniels LLP and the Chester Chronicle. They will also be sponsoring the 'Business Person of the Year' award.

The company has an established affiliation with the award ceremony, having won the EA Technology Large Business of the Year award, while their Managing Director, Matt Bullas, was voted Bentley Motors Young Business Person of the Year at last year's event. Click Consult say they jumped at the opportunity to sponsor the event because of how impressed they were with how the award ceremony celebrates and promotes the successes of local businesses and business people in the difficult economic climate.

Joint sponsorship of the event means that Click Consult will have a place on the judging panel where they will help whittle down the nominations to a selection of finalists, before helping to choose the winner for each event. Click Consult have also announced they are set to sponsor and present the Business Person of the Year award, as they are proud to attach their brand to something that recognises the achievements of regional business people.

The Cheshire Business Awards 2012 will be held at the Chester Racecourse in October and will be hosted by regional newsreader Lucy Meacock.

"When we attended the 2011 Cheshire Business Awards, where we were voted as the EA Technology Large Business of the Year, all of our attending party were incredibly impressed with how the ceremony celebrated the efforts and achievements of regional business people and businesses. It's common knowledge that we are operating in a difficult economic climate, and therefore it's more important than ever to recognise success stories of businesses, no matter the size or niche. For this reason, everyone at Click Consult is proud to have our brand attached to an event of this prestige", said Matt Bullas.

"Along with the joint sponsorship of the 2012 Cheshire Business Awards, we will also be the sole sponsor of the 'Business Person of the Year' award. Again, we wanted to be associated with this award because it celebrates the commendable work done by business people within our region. The work they are doing is strengthening the financial health of our region, and in turn this is creating jobs - something, obviously, we hugely advocate at Click Consult".

 

23rd April, 2012

Aetna to sponsor UK Olympic Volleyball hopefuls

With just three months to go before the start of London 2012, Great Britain's Olympic beach volleyball squad and leading global health benefits company Aetna have announced a deal for Aetna to become the squad's first major commercial sponsor.

Aetna is a leading diversified health care benefits company headquartered in the United States, serving approximately 36.4 million people with information and resources aimed at helping them make better informed decisions about their healthcare.

The Olympic beach volleyball tournament will occur in July and will be staged at Horse Guards Parade. Tickets for the event are already the most oversubscribed of the entire Games. The relationship between Aetna and the UK Volleyball team covers 2012, whilst also bringing the athletes much needed financing to aid their progress in the Olympic Games.


The news comes as Team GB continues its preparations for the Games and its bid to secure extra team spots in both the men's and women's competitions, in addition to two automatic spots as the host to the women's and men's competition. Team GB has been represented at the Games on only one previous occasion, at Atlanta in 1996 when the women's team participated.

Under the terms of the sponsorship, Team GB players' kits will carry the Aetna logo as they face a hectic travel, training and qualifying tournament schedule in the lead up to the Games. The sponsorship was brokered by sports specialist Beach Volleyball UK Ltd.

David Healy, General Manager of Europe, Aetna International, said: "We're proud to offer our support to Team GB as they seek to use London 2012 as a launchpad to grow interest and participation in beach volleyball. As an organisation, we are committed to empowering people to live healthier lives through the provision of both insurance and health management services. This partnership is the perfect fit for us, given the fact that volleyball is a sport that can be played by almost anyone, yet it also demands its competing athletes maintain the highest levels of health, nutrition and fitness".

Richard Callicott, President of the British Volleyball Federation, said: "This significant sponsorship with Aetna is wonderfully welcome as an opportunity to intensify our preparations and continuing efforts to both qualify and perform at the London 2012 Games. It gives us particular pleasure to work with a leading company in the global health care industry, given the emphasis of our sport on activity, strength, fitness and high-quality athleticism, in addition to well-being and fun". GB Head Beach Coach, Morph Bowes, added that the sponsorship will allow the Squad to focus on its efforts on the FIVB Swatch World Beach Tour and other Olympic qualifying events in a bid to qualify both women's teams for the Horse Guards Parade event, and to further support the best efforts of a men's team in their bid to represent their country.

 

20th April, 2012

Coutts sponsors V&A's spectacular ballgown exhibition

Coutts is sponsoring a spectacular exhibition of more than sixty ballgowns from 1950 to the present day which will go on display at the V&A next month. Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950 will be the first exhibition in the newly renovated V&A Fashion Galleries and will feature beautiful ballgowns, red carpet evening gowns and catwalk showstoppers.

Coutts has a long history of championing the fashion industry and looks after the financial affairs of a number of famous clients connected with fashion. Over the years Coutts has established long standing links with the world of fashion and contemporary creative talent.

There is a strong British design tradition of creating sumptuous ballgowns, one that has been upheld in the late 20th and 21st centuries through the work of designers such as Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. The exhibition will cover more than sixty years of a tradition that continues to flourish.

Displayed over two floors, Ballgowns will show specially made designs for social events such as private parties, royal state occasions, debutante balls, opening nights and red carpet events. Tour de force eveningwear from the V&A's vast collection by designers such as Norman Hartnell, Victor Stiebel, Zandra Rhodes, Catherine Walker, Jonathan Saunders and Hussein Chalayan will be on show, as well as dresses fresh from the catwalk shows of Alexander McQueen, Giles, Erdem, Roksanda Illincic, Mark Fast and Jenny Packham. Innovative designer Gareth Pugh has created a stunning metallic leather dress especially for the exhibition.


Atsuko Kudo, worn by Georgia Frost with dresses by Hardy Amies and Worth of London; Carlos Jimenez, V&A Images

Royal gowns, with their luxurious fabrics and exquisite embellishments, always make headlines. A selection of royal ballgowns will be displayed, including a Norman Hartnell gown designed for Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Diana's "Elvis Dress" designed by Catherine Walker (see left) and gowns worn by today's young royals. Dresses worn by actresses and celebrities including Sandra Bullock, Daphne Guinness, Elizabeth Hurley and Bianca Jagger will also be shown.

Coutts is the wealth division of Royal Bank of Scotland Group and serves clients from offices across the world offering tailored wealth management, banking, trust and tax services. It is headquartered at 440 Strand, London with offices in other key international financial centres in Zurich, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 is part of Fashion 2012, the official fashion industry activity for the Olympic year.

Created by the British Fashion Council (BFC), it is a central platform under which the industry is able to showcase and celebrate British fashion. It will provide a core focus for the industry and a schedule for the major fashion events and activities throughout London's Olympic year.

 

20th April, 2012

SEAT extends sponsorship of Fulham Football Club for another year

Fulham Football Club has announced that SEAT has extended its sponsorship for a further year and will be Fulham FC's Official Car Partner for the 2012-2013 campaign.

The deal was announced at Craven Cottage during Wednesday evening's Business Club event at the club attended by seventy sponsors and corporate clients. The Business Club provides a framework for Fulham supporters in business to come together on a social and informal basis.

SEAT signed an initial two-year deal in November 2010, shortly after the club reached the inaugural UEFA Europa League Final, a European football cup competition also sponsored by SEAT. The deal will see SEAT continue to supply the club with a number of vehicles for business use.

During the past two seasons, Fulham and SEAT have actively promoted the partnership, most notably this season, which involved the launch of SEAT's Ibiza Copa in conjunction with the club's 2010-11 away strip. Fulham supporters were given the opportunity to enter a competition to win a customised Fulham FC SEAT Ibiza Copa. The eventual winner was presented with the car by Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.


Managing Director of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny, said: "We have experienced some great results over the last two years of the partnership with Fulham, but we are still not at the top of consumers' shopping lists. Being associated with other successful brands such as Fulham helps us to become front of mind for potential customers. We want to grow our awareness and business presence and collect more people who are going to consider SEAT.

"And the culture of Fulham is something that appeals to us to help us achieve this. There is a feeling of intimacy that you don't get with other clubs and that provides great synergy with us as a brand - there's a really elegant way in which our partnership comes together".

Jonathan Gregory, Fulham Football Club Commercial Director, endorsed the sentiment: "We have a set of values at the football club, one of which is service excellence, which we endeavour to deliver throughout the business. The fact that service excellence is as important to SEAT is what makes this such a great partnership for us, and long may it continue".

Photo: Fulham FC Commercial Director, Jonathan Gregory, Managing Director of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny and Fulham FC Manager, Martin Jol.

 

19th April, 2012

Aviva and Norwich City go global with longest main sponsorship deal in club history

An historic new contract between Aviva and Norwich City Football Club has been announced. The extended contract is for four years starting from July 2012 – taking the total length of time with Aviva as main club sponsor up to eight seasons.

As main club sponsor the insurer will continue to feature on the team's shirts and sponsor the Community Stand at the Carrow Road ground.

Aviva is the UK's largest insurer and operates in over twenty-five countries worldwide. Norwich City has also gone global with the launch of Global Canaries, a new e-newsletter with exclusive content for the thousands of City followers at home and abroad, from the USA to India, Spain to Malaysia.

The club has also unveiled their new Errea home kit for the 2012-2013 campaign. Norwich City director, Stephen Fry, said he was delighted to hear about the new deal with Aviva – and celebrated by taking time off from filming "The Hobbit" in New Zealand to star alongside some Canary players in the Club's innovative "Pass it on" viral video, promoting the new home kit, which can be seen at www.norwichkit.com.

"We're so thrilled Aviva are with us for another four years. A four years which we hope will see our beloved club consolidate its natural home in the Premier League. The new kit fitted me like a ... football shirt. I was so pleased to be able to launch it, even while 12,000 miles away. You'd be amazed how many Norwich fans there are in New Zealand".

The Norwich City and Aviva brands have been beamed to millions across the world since the team were promoted to the Barclays Premier League. In the last five seasons there has been a 171% increase in global TV coverage of the Premier League1 and each match has gone out to 650 million homes, with games broadcast in 211 different countries giving a global weekly audience of 1.46 billion.2

Anne Filatotchev, marketing director at Aviva, said the deal championed a shared local heritage between the two brands, but also their global reach: "We are a business that trades in a global market and to have a partnership with a Premier League football club, where our brand is seen in millions of homes across the world every week, is a great asset to have. We are proud to be continuing this strong relationship for a further four years.

"But this new contract is also about Aviva's heritage and support for local UK communities - Norwich is the headquarters of our general insurance business and we have around 6,000 staff working in the city, many of whom are Norwich City fans. As part of our sponsorship we have a programme of sport-related activities locally that will also benefit the community here".

The simultaneous launch of Global Canaries means that City followers from home and abroad who sign up for free membership will receive exclusive interviews, competitions and prizes via a fortnightly e-newsletter. Since they began playing in the Barclays Premier League there has been a surge in international interest in the team's fortunes, says the club. Fans from a total of 146 countries around the world are among the 58,568 supporters who follow the Club on Twitter and Facebook.3

City chief executive, David McNally, said: "We're delighted to have agreed a new four-year deal with Aviva. This latest commitment to the club makes them the longest main club sponsor in our history, which is fantastic backing. Securing a partnership with a major global brand such as Aviva fits perfectly with our own objective of continuing to develop our interaction with overseas fans and businesses.

"The launch of Global Canaries today is another important step for us as it's a perfect way to reach out to our supporters both in Norfolk and around the world. It's an exciting time for us as a club and it's great that Aviva will continue to be part of the amazing journey Norwich City has been on these past few years".

The theme of the viral video is "Pass it on", featuring Norwich City players, Aviva staff and other guests including Stephen Fry, celebrating the launch of the new home kit.

Commenting on Global Canaries, Stephen Fry added: "You know how when you're travelling and you see someone in Canary colours and then you leap up to them only to discover it's a Brazilian kit? Well, in New Zealand I was amazed by how often it really was Norwich. I do hope as many fans as possible will join in with the 'Pass it on' campaign and enjoy wearing their olours with pride. On the ball City and never mind the danger!"

---------------------

1 Global TV coverage of the Premier League (number of hours) over 06/07-10/11 seasons: source Kantar Sport
2 Research conducted by European sports marketing company Sport+Markt in 2011
3 Fans from a total of 146 countries around the world follow the club on Twitter – source www.tweepsmap.com. The top fifteen countries are UK, USA, Indonesia, Australia, Ireland, Spain, India, Nigeria, Canada, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Brazil, Malaysia and France.

 

18th April, 2012

Sponsors DHL prepare OAR Project for historic journey across the North Atlantic

DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, announces its sponsorship of the OAR Project (Olympic Atlantic Row), the first ocean rowing attempt on record to cross the North Atlantic from St John’s, Newfoundland to Bristol, England continuing through the British Inland Waterways. The 2,000 mile journey will challenge the two ocean rowers to reach London in time for the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

As the official logistics partner of the OAR project, DHL will be transporting 'Bojangles', a state of the art ocean rowing boat, from San Francisco, California, to St. John's Newfoundland, Canada, where rowers Andrew Morris and Roz Savage will begin their adventure through the infamous Canadian Grand Banks.

"As a company that is certainly no stranger to achieving monumental challenges for its customers – particularly those on a global scale – DHL is proud to sponsor this historic journey for the OAR Project", said John Cornish, Sr. Vice President/General Manager – Western USA. "We wish these two ocean rowers a safe journey as we track their incredible voyage every step of the way".

The boat has been on display in the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park on Hyde Street Pier since her maiden voyage across the Pacific in 2009. She will enjoy a send-off celebration on April 23rd hosted by OAR and the British American Business Council of Northern California at the British Embassy Building, One Sansome in San Francisco, California. Immediately following the ceremony, DHL will carefully transport 'Bojangles' on her 4,500 mile journey to Eastern Canada to hit the water for the next phase of her journey to London.

"We're thrilled to have the support of DHL as a Silver Sponsor and official logistics partner", said Andrew Morris from the OAR Project.

"When we first discussed the idea of rowing Bojangles home to London, the biggest logistical challenge we faced was how to get her from San Francisco to St John's. Bojangles is absolutely essential to the success of the OAR Project, and with DHL on board, I know she will be in safe hands on this leg of her journey".

Battling against the prevailing winds and powerful currents of the North Atlantic, Andrew and Roz will depart by May 14th, 2012 from St. John's to endure a gruelling routine; rowing two hours on, two hours off, twenty four hours a day. The OAR Project is set to be fully interactive: spectators on both sides of the Atlantic will be able to track the progress as the adventure unfolds via an interactive map available at www.oar2012.com.

The images and stories of the OAR will also be published via social media.

 

12th April, 2012

BMW Group UK to partner the Rugby Football Union

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have today announced a new four-year partnership with BMW Group UK as the Official Vehicle Partner from September 2012.

BMW Group UK will invest in various levels of the elite game through an integrated partnership to become the Official Vehicle Partner of England Rugby, title sponsors of England's elite age grade development programme and front of shirt sponsors of the England Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 squads.

The partnership sees the world's leading premium automobile manufacturer make a significant investment in the continued development of the next generation of English players.

Outside of its commitment to development and support of the England teams, BMW Group UK will also engage rugby supporters and BMW and MINI customers through the RFU's digital channels and at Twickenham Stadium on international match days.

Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We are delighted to be entering into a new partnership with BMW Group UK, a company renowned both for the excellence of its vehicles and for supporting the development of athletes. As one of the leading global automotive brands who pride themselves on performance, we are really looking forward to working with them at various levels from September".

Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group UK, added: "This new partnership is an excellent result for the RFU, BMW, our dealers, customers and, crucially, anyone who plays or follows rugby. The game is a perfect brand fit for us and this news comes as a natural extension of the work we have already done to support some of the UK's leading sports stars".

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has overseen the development of English players over the last four years in his role as RFU Head of Elite Player Development. "Putting in place the right player development programmes is critical if we are to make England successful, not just in 2015 but beyond", said Lancaster. "We are now seeing the fruits of our age grade representative structure and BMW's support of that will be a massive boost to them".

 

12th April, 2012

CAF report: government cap on tax relief will hit donations from major donors, say top charity execs.

Nearly nine out of ten top charity executives believe the government's new cap on tax relief will hit donations from major donors, according to a new survey published today.

A survey of 120 charity chief executives and senior executives conducted by the Charities Aid Foundation revealed deep concern about the effect of the Chancellor's decision to cap tax relief, with 78 per cent of executives calling on the government to reverse its decision.

The survey, carried out over the Easter weekend, found more than half believed the Budget would lead to a significant reduction in income from major donors, with 56 per cent of them believing that major donations would fall by at least 20 per cent.

Charity executives also expressed deep concern about the potential impact on their own charities’ income, with half of those expecting a reduction in income predicting their major donations would fall by at least 20 per cent.

The survey found:

     88 per cent said the decision would have a “negative impact on the value of donations from major donors”

     89 per cent said they were concerned about the implications of the tax relief cap on the charity sector

     82 per cent said the decision “will have a negative impact on the relationship between the wealthy and charities”

     78 per cent of charity executives called on the Chancellor to reverse his decision to cap tax relief on charitable donations

     91 per cent said the Government should have held consultations before deciding on the cap

More than 2,200 charities and individuals have signed up to support the campaign against the charity tax - Give it back, George.

John Low, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "This survey shows the widespread alarm and despair among charities at the Government's decision to cap tax relief on donations. There are fears across the charity world that donations will be hit, which means the vital work that charities do will be damaged at a time when demand is high and public spending cuts make the charity safety net even more important than ever. Major donations support a huge number of projects and services for the public good. We need to encourage more philanthropists to give to these causes, not dissuade them through the tax system.

"It was the intent of Parliament that these tax reliefs be used to promote major philanthropy, something which was confirmed in the Government’s White Paper on giving last year. Capping tax relief on charitable donations flies in the face of the Government’s own policies and aspirations for a big society. We need the Government to embrace and celebrate our modern philanthropists for the good of society as a whole. It was good to see the Prime Minister this morning confirm his commitment to encourage charitable giving.

"Ultimately, it will not be the rich who will lose out. It will be the most vulnerable people in society, and the other causes charities support.”

 

11th April, 2012

Sponsors for 2013 build on Crufts success

The NEC Group has been awarded the sponsorship contract for Crufts for the second year running, after attracting a number of new and returning sponsors to the 2012 show including brands such as Lathams and Purina.

Existing sponsors such as Eukanuba, Agria Pet Insurance, Samsung, R&L Pet Products, Royal Canin, Arden Grange and VetMedic returned for another very successful show, say the organisers. The team has been briefed to find brands from title sponsorship level down for 2013, who want to speak to the large Crufts audience.

Crufts, billed as "the greatest dog show on earth", is an event for dog breeders, owners and members of the public who simply love dogs and in 2012 attracted just over 145,000 visitors – a 6% increase from 2011. The show features 28,000 dogs, with approximately 1,900 travelling from thirty-eight countries. First held in 1891, Crufts pre-dates the modern Olympics by five years.

This year's show attracted a flurry of media interest, giving headline sponsors the maximum amount of exposure to a diverse audience. The competitive elements of Crufts were broadcast on More4, with viewing figures reaching just over 2.7 million. Over 800,000 people watched the YouTube channel live, which gained an additional 3,000 subscribers over the four days and over 16,000 comments during the live stream and over 66,000 fans also joined the conversation on Facebook.

Crufts 2012 was popular with the media: over 800 journalists registered to attend, reports NEC Group. A total of 142 national and regional BBC and commercial station interviews took place before Crufts with a total of 118 broadcasts being aired on BBC and commercial radio stations covering the whole of the UK on a national and regional level. Around 340 pieces of print coverage appeared in regional, international and national outlets, as well as online ahead of the show, reaching a total of 258 million people.

Simon Wheeler, from Agria Pet Insurance, one of this year's sponsors, commented: "Crufts 2012 was the best yet for Agria Pet Insurance. The show offers the opportunity to engage dog breeders, owners and members of the public alike and, as one of the major sponsors, generates great, high profile brand awareness for us".

Annaliese Reekie, Sales & Marketing Director, P&G Pet Care, said: "The principal sponsorship of Crufts 2012 was an important step in the relationship between the Kennel Club and P&G Pet Care. Crufts is a fantastic platform for Eukanuba, a leading pet nutrition food, to drive greater awareness of our nutritional benefits and raise the Eukanuba brand profile amongst its core audience of dog lovers and breeders across the UK to drive sales within the pet specialty market".

Andrew Evans, Managing Director at Vet-Medic Pharmacy, said: "Crufts 2012 was our best show yet, with great support from the Kennel Club, we continue to make affordable veterinary medicines available for all pet owners at the world's greatest dog show".

 

E&OE

Creative Commons License
Parts of this work are licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.

Like this site?   Tell a friend!

Home page  Advertise with us  Arts  Cause-related  Education  Media  Sport
  Other