Hollis Sponsorship Bulletin

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, has extended its sponsorship to become official sponsor of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and a Worldwide Paralympic Partner of the International  Paralympic Committee. 
The partnership represents an important extension of Samsung’s involvement with the Paralympic Games, through which Samsung will support the IPC’s efforts to communicate the inspiration and excitement of Paralympic Sport to a wider audience around the world.  Under the agreement, Samsung will be the Official Wireless Communications Equipment Provider and the Official Mobile Communications Equipment Provider of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, exclusive bib sponsor and presenting partner of www.paralympicsport.TV.

The Hollis Sponsorship Awards Gala Dinner looks set to be another sell-out.  Gathering to celebrate the very best in sponsorship are representatives from some of the UK’s top high-street and corporate names through to niche theatrical groups, grass root organisations and charities.

To join us on the night, please visit www.hollis-sponsorship.com/2010awards.asp or ring 020 8891 1067 for further information.

Foreign exchange and business payments specialist Travelex has renewed its successful sponsorship of the Travelex £10 Ticket season for a further three years from 2010.  The programme encourages first-timers to the theatre.  325,000 tickets (an average of nearly 25% each year) have been bought by people who have not booked at the National Theatre before.

The millionth Travelex £10 Ticket was sold at the end of the 2009 season.  The partnership between Travelex and the National Theatre began in 2003.  For the eighth year running, tickets for the 2010 season in the Olivier Theatre (beginning in April) will still be available at £10.

Lloyd Dorfman, Chairman of Travelex, said today: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the National Theatre and it’s tremendous to be associated with a sponsorship that grows year on year and that the general public responds to so positively.”

Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National, said: “I had a very strong instinct when I started as Director of the NT in 2003 that there were many people who would come and try anything here if the tickets were as affordable as cinema tickets.  The Travelex £10 Ticket has become emblematic of a new kind of National Theatre, which offers exciting and ambitious work to everybody, and I am immensely grateful to Travelex for their loyal and ongoing support.”

Adidas, Nike and Puma are the best-known football sponsors in the five largest European football markets, according to a survey by sports marketing analysis and evaluation company Sport+Markt among 3,000 European football fans.

Unsurprisingly, “Jersey sponsors and kit suppliers dominate European communication in football”, says Hartmut Zastrow, Sport+Markt’s executive director.  Adidas is the top football brand, according to Zastrow who expressed surprise at seeing Audi in number eight position and commented:  “Audi pursues a decentralised football strategy, with partnerships with many European clubs and is even outstripping rival automobile supplier Ford, as a sponsor.”  Another reason, however, for its position could be the press coverage following the company’s purchase of shares in FC Bayern Munich.

The top twenty sponsorships are an illustration of the variance in sponsorship strategy that European companies can use to gain the attention of European football fans.  A global group such as Coca-Cola is ranked fourth and is omnipresent as a sponsor in football and sport in general, although it has no shirt sponsorships, whereas Emirates (ranked fifth) do have shirt sponsorships and the naming rights of Arsenal FC.  Moreover, it is a FIFA World Cup Partner.

The UK is the only market where shirt sponsors, namely AIG and Carlsberg, score higher than the actual kit suppliers or technical partners; only Barclays as the league title sponsor is able to compete at such a high level.  Internationally, the popularity of the Premier League and the success these clubs enjoy in the UEFA Champions League has enabled these sponsors to reach overseas fans.  For more information on the report, visit www.sportundmarkt.com

Championship football team Doncaster Rovers will be on the hunt for a new shirt sponsor from the 2010/11 season.

Current shirt sponsor Wright Investments is currently in the third and final year of its three year deal with the club, the decision made by both parties not to renew the sponsorship agreement.

Commercial Manager of Doncaster Rovers, Laura Whiting said “We would like to thank Wright Investments for their support of the club during the past three years.  Since they joined the club in 2007 Doncaster Rovers have progressed massively and are now recognised as an established Championship team, renowned for playing great football.”

“Our change in league status and increased national exposure has increased our brand value and this means the club are now looking for a new deal for our main club sponsor.  Having Wright Investments as a shirt sponsor during the past few seasons has created mutual benefits for both parties and the decision to end the shirt sponsorship has also coincided with them having a change in advertising strategy.”

Squash tournament The ISS Canary Wharf Classic, taking place at the end of March, has confirmed that facilities services company ISS and the Canary Wharf Group plc will continue their sponsorship of the competition for a further two years.

The tournament, run by events company Eventis and fronted by squash player Peter Nicol MBE, is a popular sporting occasion in the City.

Virgin Media and Enterprise UK have joined forces to support young entrepreneurs across the UK.  As part of a national campaign to unlock the UK’s enterprise potential, the partnership will see the launch of a new digital media initiative, designed to meet the needs of young people as they start their own businesses and social enterprises.

Neil Berkett, CEO of Virgin Media, said: “We need to close the gap between the number of young people with a great idea and those who are able to make it happen.  The digital world can open up new opportunities and experiences for people and, as a brand founded in entrepreneurial ambition, our partnership with Enterprise UK will help create an environment that supports the needs of potential entrepreneurs.”

The partnership with Enterprise UK continues Virgin Media’s commitment to bringing the benefits of broadband to a range of communities across the UK.  Virgin Media has teamed up with the e-Learning Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to helping children from low income families get online, and has provided over 400 families, across five UK cities (Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Nottingham and Newcastle upon Tyne) with free home access to the internet.  Virgin Media has also worked with Digital Unite, an organisation that helps older people get online, to provide 17 sheltered housing schemes with a ‘get online’ package, including free broadband for a year, two computers per scheme, software and accessories, plus a seven-week training programme delivered by Digital Unite.

The total figure for private sector investment in culture for 2008/09 fell from its record high in 07/08 to £654.9 million in the UK, decreasing by 7 percent (above inflation).  Investment from all three private sector sources declined from the previous year, according to analysis published recently by Arts & Business.  Business investment fell by six percent (a smaller decrease than last year) and now stands at £157 million and accounts for 24 percent of the overall contribution from the private sector.

In 08/09, investment from individuals dropped to £363 million, a seven percent decrease of £19 million, that ends the trend of fast-paced growth that began to accelerate in 05/06.  Individual giving now accounts for 55 percent of the total private investment received in the sector.

The amount of support from Trusts and Foundations also fell from £141 million to £135 million, also experiencing a 7 percent decrease from last year and accounting for 21 percent of the total private investment in the cultural sector.

Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive of Arts & Business, said: “As we anticipated, these latest figures show a reduction, though not a disastrous one.  We would like to be optimistic, but predict the worst is yet to come, with 2010/11 being the low-point.  We must remember that despite the economic difficulties, the UK’s arts fundraisers have still secured close to £655 million from the private sector – which is a remarkable achievement.  We must now give them every opportunity to maximise their skills and ideas.

“In this fiscal climate there is still enormous pressure on the arts.  With much focus on public expenditure budgets, many are looking to the private sector to contribute more – we believe it can.  When businesses see that attendances are on average up by 12 percent; they will profit by targeting these markets and their future consumers.”

He continued: “Arts & Business’ latest market trend report (Autumn 2009) indicated that confidence levels for private sector investment in the arts will begin to pick up by 2013.

“Even in these leaner times, public and private money continue to go absolutely hand-in-hand.  Any potential cuts to the public purse will have a detrimental knock-on effect on private investment.”

According to the respondents of Arts & Business’ Private Investment in Culture Survey, private investment in 08/09 accounted for an average of 15 percent of their organisation’s total income.  Public sector funding, including funding from the arts councils, the UK Ministries of Culture, other governmental departments, local authorities, other public subsidies and lottery funding, made up 53 percent of the total income of cultural organisations.  The remaining 32 percent was raised through earned income, including ticket sales and trading.

February’s Chinese New Year celebrations in London, Manchester and Newcastle will be sponsored by Tiger Beer. A four-pack limited edition will be released.

The Australian Open Tennis championship has secured sponsorship from V Australia, the international airline of Virgin Blue Airlines Group. The new airline brand will be known as the official airline of the Australian Open and the Brisbane International.