December

UK Sponsorship Report – Insight & Attitudes

Did you know that the City of Salford is sponsoring The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to the extent of $40 million? Or that Roger Federer’s deal with Nike is worth $118 million? Or that food brands are seen as the second most appropriate brands for sponsorship?

November

Teed Up: The Long-Haul Golf Ball

It has been long known that the secret of how far a golf ball flies lies in its dimples. Now scientists believe they understand the forces at work, as air flows over the ball’s surface.

Federations Get Specific At IF Sports Forum

LAUSANNE, Switzerland-International federations will again share
knowledge and insights on managing their sports at the second IF Sports Forum taking place in Lausanne from November 17-19, 2008. Senior managers from all the international federations – over 100 world governing bodies – have been invited to attend a closed two day session dedicated to exchanging ideas on the nuts and bolts of IF operations.

Sports Marketing Surveys Breast Cancer Day

Sports Marketing Surveys embraced Breast Cancer Day on Friday 31st
October 2008 by all staff wearing pink and giving a donation to the
charity. Over £100 was raised exceeding previous years’ contributions
to the charity. The winner of the best outfit was Kathy Rendall who took
“pink” to the limits…

IFM AND SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS PARTNER IF SPORT FORUM IN LAUSANNE

Newly merged IFM/Sports Marketing Surveys are proud to announce that they will partner the IF Sport Forum in Lausanne in November. This annual invitation only forum brings together all the International Federations to discuss current topics of mutual interest.

October

Financial Institutions Should Continue Sponsorship

Most sports followers feel that despite the current problems, banks & financial institutions should continue their sponsorship programmes. In the current climate, any cutbacks should be on advertising rather than sponsorship.

Sports Marketing Surveys and Genesis announce strategic alliance

Sports Marketing Surveys has formed a strategic alliance with Genesis in Ireland to develop models of evidence based partnership solutions throughout the Irish sponsorship and sporting marketplace.

F1 Sponsors: Off The Pace?

Singapore – As Singapore’s first attempt at staging a Formula One Race takes centre stage this weekend, international sports sponsorship research and evaluation expert Nigel Geach believes the quiet marketing lead-up to the event is “endemic” of F1 races.

Sport Business-Artemis Race Coverage Worth €10m

Worldwide media coverage of The Artemis Transat 2008 was worth over €10 million, according to figures published by race organisers.
OC Events, the organisers of the race for the last two editions, said that research by Sports Marketing Survey’s had found that coverage of the famous single-handed transatlantic race, was worth a total of €6.5 million in the UK and France alone. The highest value of coverage was achieved in the TV sector, accounting for 57 per cent of all value, followed by print at 32 per cent – both in the UK market. The largest volume of coverage, however, was achieved online at 51 per cent, followed by print (23 per cent) and TV (17 per cent).

Increased Public Confidence in London 2012 Team

Despite the extraordinarily high standards set by the spectacular Beijing Games, confidence in the Team behind the London 2012 games has increased dramatically, with 64% of the UK public agreeing with the statement “I am confident in the team behind the London 2012 Olympic Games”. Only 18% did not agree with this statement, with the balance having no view.

Olympics Impact August Golf Roundage

A survey amongst regular golfers suggests that during the 16 days of the Olympic Games, a combination of non-stop interactive TV coverage and the least sunny August on record caused golf to lose a total of some 900,000 rounds!

August

Beijing Opening Ceremony Smashes Records despite many not viewing for "political reasons"

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony received record viewing
figures and high levels of interest amongst the UK population, with only
17% of the UK population having no interest in the Games and 41%*
watching at least some of the Opening Ceremony, according to a recent
poll carried out by Sports Marketing Surveys.

Measuring your sponsors media impact

Continuing our long-standing relationship with the Guinness Premiership clubs we are pleased to offer you our media evaluation service for this season allowing you to: …

Are you pricing your sponsorships accurately?

Sports Marketing Surveys’ Valuation Model delivers a thorough assessment of your sponsorship package to provide a fair contract price for the rights on offer. Assessing the worth of sponsorship packages is one of the biggest challenges for rights owners, brands and agencies.

Sports Marketing Surveys Launches New Website

Sports Marketing Surveys, the independent sports & sponsorship agency, has launched its new website offering information on its widening portfolio of services and global reach

Major sporting double for Wilson Sports Goods

In a period of only 3 weeks Wilson Sports Goods have achieved a remarkable result at two of the World’s greatest sporting events.

WHO WILL BE RUGBY'S NUMBER ONE SPONSOR THIS SEASON?

55% of the general population recalled Guinness’ sponsorship of the English Premiership making it the most well known event sponsor in the 2006/2007 season.

What is the broadcast media saying about your team?

…victory look effort less but the battle on track was for third fpt colin edwards managed to make his way through the field, eventually just managing to overtake nicky, then in the last stages of the final lap, hayden had a problem and edwards ceased his chance.

UK FOOTBALL FANS UNCOVERED

The UK’s most comprehensive report on football fans, their behaviour and lifestyles has just been published by Sports Marketing Surveys. Find out the seven clear football-following segments which have emerged in the UK.

The European Football Fan Uncovered

“In terms of interest the UEFA Champions League ranks as the highest rated football event across Europe”

Support of domestic teams reflected in European Success

The success of clubs in the Champions League is reflected closely in domestic following of favourite clubs. Amongst avid fans in Europe, the following clubs are preferred…

SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS TO EVALUATE VOLVO OCEAN RACE

Volvo Ocean Race has appointed Sports Marketing Surveys to provide a comprehensive media monitoring service.

Sports Marketing Surveys partner RFL to produce research for engage Super League 2008

For the third year running Sports Marketing Surveys, the Surrey based sports market research company will provide the Rugby Football League (RFL) and engage Mutual Assurance with marketing data to evaluate their sponsorships.

Liverpool's European Capital of Culture Launch Receives Outstanding Media Interest in the UK and North America

Liverpool launched it’s year long celebration as the European Capital of Culture 2008 on Friday 11th January. It attracted extensive media coverage and Sports Marketing Surveys’ mediatrak picked up the features as they were broadcast.

July

Environmental sponsorships increase ten fold in ten years!

According to The World Sponsorship Monitor published by Sports Marketing Surveys – the global sports market research company, more and more companies are becoming involved in environmental sponsorships.

GOLF MONTHLY - STATE OF THE GAME

Golf Monthly talks to Peter Dawson about a recent survey devised by The R&A and Sports Marketing Surveys to assess our attitudes to the game in the UK, before analysing some of its key findings.

The Indian Premier League bowls SuperSport audiences over

Following the improvement strategy which is already planned for the 2009 FIM Motocross World Championships, series promoter Youthstream announces another step forward for the next season.

SIMON RINES – SPONSORSHIP CAN BE MEASURED!

The marketing community has traditionally been sceptical about sponsorship measurement but a new report from International Marketing Reports, Driving Business Through Sport – Strategy & Research, claims that scepticism is now misplaced. Report author, Simon Rines, says research companies have recently made massive strides to counter sponsorship analysis problems.

tennis is 'Good for Sponsors'

This year ’s Wimbledon has been as enthralling as ever. The first week was littered with the fall of top-seeds and tournament favourites Sharapova and Ivanovic and the unexpected progress of high -profile but underachieving Marat Safin.

June

Super 14 hooks audiences

Television audience figures for the 2008 Super 14 season has shown promising growth, according to Sport Marketing Surveys.

playing To The Brandstand

What price a name? To have the world’s most keenly watched domestic football league carry its name, the Barclays Group is paying a cool US$130.65 million (£65.8 million).

Brooks® Earns Top Rankings in the Specialty Running Market

According to Sports Marketing Surveys’ Spring 2008 Running Specialty Store Sales Survey, performance running company Brooks Sports, Inc. took home four gold medal standings in the report’s top rankings: Brand Strength Forecast, Market Strength Forecast, Dealer Confidence Index and overall Brand Ratings.

Brooks® Forges Ahead in the Specialty Running Market

According to Sports Marketing Surveys’ Spring 2008 Running Specialty Store Sales Survey, performance running company Brooks Sports, Inc. took home four gold medal standings in the report’s top rankings: Brand Strength Forecast, Market Strength Forecast, Dealer Confidence Index and overall Brand Ratings.

May

wilson Continues to Lead Industry as the #1 Racket Brand

Wilson increased their market share lead in First Quarter 2008 compared to year end as the #1 racquet brand according to the Sports Marketing Surveys first quarter 2008 results just released.

s14 rugby a big TV switch -on

The number of television viewers who watched Super 14 rugby on SuperSport this year was the highest in the history of the competition.

Super 14 rugby a big TV switch-on

The number of television viewers who watched Super 14 rugby on SuperSport this year was the highest in the history of the competition.

s14-reeks lok toe rekordtal kykers

Meer mense het vanjaar op SuperSport na die deurslaggewende Super14-rugbywedstryd tussen die Sharks en Chiefs as na verlede jaar se eindstryd gekyk.

prince Continues Momentum According to Q1 Industry Audit

Industry Leader Now Has More Racquet and Footwear Models in Top Fifteen Than Any Other Brand and #1 Position in String.

More speakers confirmed for industry-leading conference on 17 April

Toby Hester, Head of Sponsorship for Castrol, and Olayinka Seriki, Arts and Conferences Manager for Manchester Airport, have joined an already impressive speaker line-up for the ninth Think!Sponsorship conference, which takes place on 17 April at the Hackney Empire, London.

April

TaylorMade Golf Tour Staff Professional Darren Clarke Wins BMW Asian Open playing the New TaylorMade TP Red Golf Ball with LDP Technology

CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 28, 2008) – TaylorMade Golf Tour Staff professional Darren Clarke rolled home a 40-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the BMW Asian Open yesterday for a dramatic, one-stroke victory. It was Clarke’s 11th career European Tour victory and first playing the new TaylorMade® TP Red™ ball with LDP. LDP stands for Low-Drag Performance, which is a proprietary aerodynamics technology developed to improve distance on the most common types of driver mis-hits.

Motor Sport Business Mideast Forum opens in Bahrain

Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East 2008 opens today at the Ruf premises adjacent to Bahrain International Circuit. The Forum, the first of its kind in the Middle East, has generated enormous interest and excitement since the formal launch of the event.

Ian Peacock to take on TIA UK Presidency

The TIA UK will have a new President at the next Annual General Meeting when Ian Peacock, former Managing Director of Slazenger Ltd and Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, takes over from David Lloyd.

March

TaylorMade Sues Nickent Over Ad Claims

Nickent Golf has denied it violated any advertising principles in response to a lawsuit filed March 20 by TaylorMade – adidas Golf, which asserts false claims by its smaller competitor.

UK. Sports Marketing Surveys to evaluate Volvo Ocean Race

Sports Marketing Surveys has been appointed to provide a comprehensive media monitoring service. The UK -based Sports Marketing Surveys will monitor a full range of broadcast and print media, including new media, as well as carrying out a number of international race and brand awareness studies.

sports Marketing Surveys to partner RFL

For the third year running Sports Marketing Surveys is to provide the Rugby Football League and Engage Mutual Assurance with marketing data to evaluate their sponsorships.

Sports Marketing Surveys takes to the waves

Sports Marketing Surveys, a sponsorship and sports research agency, has been appointed by the Volvo Ocean Race to monitor media coverage of the event.

Sports Marketing Surveys renews rugby contract

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has appointed research agency Sports Marketing Surveys to provide marketing data on its sponsor, Engage Mutual Assurance.

David Richards to open Forum Middle East

David Richards, Chairman of Prodrive and Aston Martin, and a former team principal of the BAR and Benetton Formula One teams, will deliver the opening Keynote Address for the first Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East on 1-2 April 2008.

February

Excitement rising as F1 season starts. Will last season's broad appeal be continued?

The 2008 Formula 1 season starts in Melbourne this weekend with excitement rising as another McLaren and Ferrari battle is expected and on the track fans will hope for further epic races head-to-head from Hamilton, Alonso and Raikkonen

European Winter Sports Fast Facts

60% of the specialist ski retailer sales in Europe were from Alpine Skiing with 11% from both snowboarding & Nordic skiing.

The Coca Cola Championship has a real fizz for football fans

With all the focus on the Champions League and the Barclays Premiership in the media, there may be a belief that these are the only areas of football interest in the UK. However, the fairy-tale stories of the F.A. Cup for Barnsley and Cardiff have shown there is magic in the world’s oldest cup competition – and it does not stop there.

UK Golf Participation – a new report

The number of golfers in Great Britain who play on a full length course remains around the 4 million mark – a level that has been consistent since 2000. The same is true of the number of regular golfers who play at least 12 times a year – at 1.65 million this is at almost exactly the same level as in 2000.

Sports Research Specialists Team Up

German consultancy IFM International Sportanalysen GmbH (IFM) has acquired a majority stake in the UK’s Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS).

ProQuip: the UK’s best selling rain suit brand

ProQuip, the leading innovator of lightweight golf weatherwear, has retained its position as the number one selling rain suit brand in the UK, according to the latest sales figures from golf industry analysts Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd.

Outlook for sponsorship growth in 2008 looks strong

Although past performance isn’t always an indicator of future performance, with respect to the sponsorship industry, that actually isn’t quite true.

Prince O3 Racquets Capture Four of the Top Ten Best Selling Spots in Tennis

The SMS/TIA fourth quarter 2007 racquet audit revealed more exciting news for Prince Sports, Inc. The report showed that Prince has four of the top ten best selling racquets in the sport (ranked by year-to-date dollars).

IFM acquires majority stake in Sports Marketing Surveys

IFM International Sportanalysen GmbH (IFM), the German research consultancy, acquired a majority shareholding in Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS).

Germany's IFM buys Sports Marketing Surveys

Sports research consultancy IFM has expanded its research offer with the takeover of the UK’s Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS).

ECB confirms plan to increase investment by £30 million

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced a £30 million investment in facilities and in club cricket – the most significant injection of funding ever in cricket in England and Wales.

Record £30m funding for facilities and club cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced a £30million investment in facilities and in club cricket, the most significant injection of funding ever in cricket in England and Wales.

January

British Airways to reach 6½ million people after announcement to sponsor London 2012

British Airways, the latest Tier One London 2012 sponsor, can expect over 6½ million people in Britain to be aware of their involvement.

IFM deal with SMS creates world's biggest sport & sponsorship research group

In one of the busiest years ever for sports research, IFM International Sportanalysen GmbH (IFM), the large German research consultancy, has acquired the majority shareholding of Britain’s Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) to form the world’s biggest specialist company in sports research, evaluation and media analysis.

IFM DEAL WITH SMS CREATES WORLD'S BIGGEST SPORT & SPONSORSHIP RESEARCH GROUP

In one of the busiest years ever for sports research, IFM International Sportanalysen GmbH (IFM), the large German research consultancy, has acquired the majority shareholding of Britain’s Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) to form the world’s biggest specialist company in sports research, evaluation and media analysis.

SMS bought by German counterpart

German research consultancy IFM International Sportanalysen has bought the majority shareholding in British counterpart Sports Marketing Surveys with the new combined entity claiming to be the biggest specialist outfit of its kind.

IFM Acquires SMS in Bid to Rule Sponsorship Research Sector

IFM, the Germany-based sports research firm, has acquired a majority shareholding in fellow UK research consultancy Sports Marketing Surveys to form the world ’s biggest sport and sponsorship research company.