Latest International News

Toshiba Appointed RWC 2011 Official Sponsor

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced the appointment of Toshiba as an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

The global electronics giant will provide Rugby's showcase tournament with its range of market-leading products including televisions, notebook PCs and digital multi-function services.

The announcement extends Toshiba's association with the world's third largest single sporting event following its sponsorship of Rugby World Cup 2007 and underlines Toshiba's commitment to the global development and promotion of Rugby.

"Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted to announce that Toshiba has joined the impressive list of sponsors for Rugby World Cup 2011. The reappointment of a world leader in the electronics field further underlines the enormous attraction and prestige of the Tournament in the global sporting calendar," said RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"We look forward to working with Toshiba to further the promotion of the Game as the global Rugby community looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and a Tournament that looks set to write another memorable chapter in the Rugby World Cup success story."

Toshiba will drive Rugby-themed campaigns in the run up to the Tournament, which kicks off on September 9, 2011 when hosts New Zealand takes on Tonga at Eden Park in Auckland. The Tournament activation will include an inventory of stadium signage, corporate advertisements and banner ads on the official website www.rugbyworldcup.com.

"Toshiba is delighted to be continuing our fruitful relationship with this major global sporting event watched by a global audience of billions and we are very much looking forward to building on the success of our sponsorship of Rugby World Cup 2007," said Mark Whittard, Managing Director, Toshiba (Australia) Pty Ltd.

The announcement of Toshiba as an Official Sponsor follows the appointment of Emirates Airline, MasterCard, Heineken and ANZ as Rugby World Cup 2011 Worldwide Partners, Brancott Estate as Official Sponsor, Licensing in Motion and RTH as Master Licencees, Canterbury as Official Sportswear Supplier, Gilbert Rugby as the Official Ball Supplier, Russell McVeagh as Official Law Firm and KPMG as Official Tournament Supplier of accounting and tax advisory services.

Source – www.voxy.co.nz
Date – 20/07/2010

Latest Irish News

Phone group 3 in talks over sponsoring Irish soccer team

Mobile phone group 3 is believed to be in advanced discussions with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) about sponsoring the Irish soccer team in a deal understood to be valued at more than €2 million a year.

The group would replace Eircom, the FAI’s long-time sponsor, which is believed to have decided not to renew its deal with the association when it expires on December 31st.

A spokeswoman for 3 declined to comment on whether or not it was in talks with the FAI but said: “We do look at [sponsorship] opportunities from time to time.”

In a statement, the FAI said: “The FAI can confirm that it has held discussions in recent months with a number of interested parties in relation to the sponsorship which runs until the end of this year. These discussions are active and confidential and the association will not be making any further comment in the interim.”

The FAI is believed to be seeking up to €2.4 million a year as a sponsorship fee for the national team, which is managed by Italian Giovanni Trappatoni, and will kick off its European Championship qualifying campaign in September.

This would include bonus payments for qualifying for major tournaments and tickets for games at the new Aviva stadium.

This would be a considerable step-up from the Eircom deal, which is thought to be worth about €1.5 million a year and would make it one of the biggest sponsorships in Irish sport.

Any new sponsor would also be expected to provide matching funding in advertising and marketing to fully leverage the benefits of the sponsorship deal.

Owned by multi-national group Hutchison Whampoa, 3 launched here in 2005.

It has about 550,000 mobile phone customers here, placing it behind Vodafone, O2 and Meteor, which is owned by Eircom.

It won a State contract to operate the national broadband scheme, aimed at bringing fast internet services to rural parts of the country.

The firm is already involved in sports sponsorhip here, including the Irish Open golf tournament, which tees off on July 29th this year in Killarney and has a prize fund of €3 million.

This is the second year it will sponsor the Irish Open. The deal is renewed annually. It is also involved with Waterford’s inter-county GAA teams, League of Ireland football club Waterford United and some half-marathon events in athletics.

Source – The Irish Times
Date – 17/07/2010

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