Naming rights for stadia and other venues has become an important part of the sponsorship mix for many big brands, writes John Trainor.

As almost 20% more sponsorship deals were reported in Ireland in Q1 2017 than in the same period last year, ONSIDE, Ireland’s leading management consultancy firm specialising in sponsorship and research services, has announced key senior appointments to its management team. 

Aldi Ireland announced a new three year partnership with Community Games, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, that will see Aldi provide a significant six-figure investment to become its title sponsor.

Boosted by new opportunities such as the Women’s Rugby World Cup and ‘sponsor switching’ on some large assets, Ireland’s sponsorship market is expected to grow by 6% to €173 million this year, the annual survey by ONSIDE indicates. 

Guinness has topped the league of Ireland's most appealing sponsors among Irish adults for the year 2016, according to end-of-year research by sponsorship consultant ONSIDE.