Sponsorship news & analysis

Bet365 to sponsor French Open on ITV

Bet365, the online betting company, has signed a significant six-figure deal to sponsor ITV's coverage of the 2012 French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros.

Foxy Bingo signs up for second summer with Smooth and Real Radio

Foxy Bingo has signed a multimedia,13-week sponsorship deal with GMG Radio's Smooth and Real Radio brands, to sponsor evening shows presented by DJs David 'Kid' Jensen and David Hearne.

Think BR: Making the most of Euro 2012 sponsorship

With all the buzz around the London Olympics it's important not to forget about the opportunities around Euro 2012, writes Jamie Robertson, director, Ipsos ASI.

Ocean Outdoor partners with TalkSport for summer sport bulletins

TalkSport, the UTV-owned national station, and outdoor media owner Ocean Outdoor have signed a deal to distribute simultaneous live sports bulletins during the summer.

Orange invests in film ties after sponsorship review

Orange is to overhaul its brand sponsorship activity, ending its association with the Prize for Fiction, RockCorps and National Business Awards.

Video: Brian Blessed and Carlsberg brand controller discuss Euro 2012 ad

Marketing attended the filming of the Carlsberg 'fan academy' ad at Mill Hill School in London, to interview the stars Brian Blessed, Linford Christie and Carlsberg brand controller Darren Morris.

Resident Evil 6 to sponsor 'The Walking Dead'

Resident Evil 6, the upcoming video game release from Capcom, has signed a partnership with Channel 5 to sponsor zombie series 'The Walking Dead' as part of its launch marketing activity.

Brother targets small businesses with Channel 4 sponsorship

Office equipment brand Brother is sponsoring Channel 4's 'inspirational' programmes including 'Secret Millionaire', 'Undercover Boss UK' and new show 'Bank of Dave' in a deal brokered by Carat.

Vodafone hunts agency for global sponsorship pitch

Vodafone is holding a pitch to find an agency to help the company build its next major sponsorship property.

Former Carlsberg marketer Roberts takes up cricket role

Former Carlsberg marketer Gareth Roberts has been hired by Warwickshire County Cricket Club with a brief to reposition its Edgbaston stadium as a multipurpose entertainment venue.

Non-sponsor brands ramp up pre-Olympics sports marketing

Several non-sponsors of London 2012 are stepping up efforts to run sports-themed ad campaigns ahead of the forthcoming Olympics marketing blackout period.

Chevrolet Volt sponsors AskMen Innovation Awards

AskMen, the men's lifestyle site, has secured Chevrolet's electric car Volt as the sponsor of its inaugural AskMen Innovation Awards, which celebrate the last 50 years of life-improving technology.

Lexus to sponsor City AM awards

City AM, the free financial newspaper, has secured Lexus as the headline sponsor of its annual awards for the next two years.

BA unveils plans for giant screen in Olympic Park

British Airways has revealed plans to broadcast the London 2012 Olympic Games live within a dedicated area at the Olympic Park for an audience of 10,000 people.

Absolute Radio partners with Australia's Fox FM for Thomas Cook giveaway

Thomas Cook has signed a partnership with Absolute Radio that will feature the UK's Christian O'Connell broadcasting simultaneously with Australian radio's Hamish and Andy, and a competition for listeners from both countries to win a holiday.

Samsung tipped to unveil London 2012 Olympic phone

Samsung, a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics, is set to launch the latest version of its Galaxy smartphone in London tonight (3 May), as speculation mounts that it will be positioned as the official phone of the Games.

ISBA president Woods: Marketers must shape online regulation

Coca-Cola Great Britain & Ireland and ISBA president Jon Woods has called on the marketing industry to demonstrate greater "transparency" to consumers to help prevent further government regulation.

Welsh rugby stars soften up with Dove Men+Care partnership

Unilever's Dove Men+Care grooming brand has signed a title sponsorship deal with the Welsh Rugby Union, in a move that will rename this autumn's test matches, the Dove Men Series.

Unilever tops 2012 Marketing Society Awards nominations

Unilever, ASOS, British Gas, McDonald's and John Lewis top the nominations shortlist for the 2012 Marketing Society Awards for excellence

BT London Live signs up Duran Duran and Stereophonics

Snow Patrol, Stereophonics, Duran Duran and Paolo Nutini will headline the BT-sponsored London Live concert that celebrates the start of the Olympics.