Sponsor Spotlight - New Partners for Incheon, Glasgow, Tokyo, USOC

Another Airline for Tokyo 2020

Japan Airlines joins Tokyo 2020 as its seventh bid partner – and second from the airline sector.

A month after All Nippon Airways signed on as its sixth sponsor, Tokyo 2020 announced Friday that Japan Airlines will follow suit.

"The JAL group will utilize both its domestic and international networks to the fullest in various areas, such as specially painted aircrafts, airline magazines and airline videos, in order to realize the goal of hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo," said Yoshiharu Ueki , JAL Representative Director and President.

JAL is also the official airline of the Japanese Olympic Committee dating back to Nagano 1998.

JOC VP and Tokyo 2020 CEO Masato Mizuno said: "JAL has enthusiastically agreed to help promote our campaign on behalf of this marvelous city. We are grateful for JAL’s support, and I look forward to working closely with them and other forthcoming partners."

Tokyo 2020’s other official bid partners are ASICS, Descente, JTB, Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. and Mizuno.

Samsung Sponsors 2014 Asiad

Samsung is the newest sponsor of the Incheon 2014 Asian Games.

The partnership was signed Friday on the sidelines of the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly in Macau.

Samsung is the longest prestige sponsor for the Asian Games – its deal with Incheon 2014 marks the fifth Asiad in a row the company has sponsored.

Samsung will cover mobile, audio and visual products for the Games as well as home appliances for athlete accommodations. The company will also provide laptop computers for the Games to expand their coverage.

"Samsung is proud of its legacy for the Asian Games, one of the world’s leading sporting events," said Sunny Hwang, Vice President and Head of Global Sports Marketing of Samsung Electronics.

The agreement includes the rights to Samsung’s logo, potential venue naming and the "Samsung MVP Award" to be given out during the Games.

"We’re very pleased that Samsung has made a commitment to support the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014. We’ll be working in close association with Samsung to stage a successful event together," said Kyung-Sang Kwon, Secretary General of the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee.

Glasgow 2014 Signs Emirates

Emirates Airlines is now an official partner of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Queen’s Baton Relay.

To celebrate the deal, the 777 Emirates airplane going to and from Glasgow was adorned with the 2014 Commonwealth Games logo.

"Together, Glasgow 2014 and Emirates create a compelling partnership which recognizes the international ambition and scale of the Commonwealth Games taking place in Scotland in 2014,"said Lord Smith, Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Organizing Committee.

"These Games create a world-class festival of elite sport and culture but also wider collaborations and further opportunities for Scotland on a global scale."

New Partner for USOC

Liberty Mutual will back Team USA at Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016.

The insurance company, whose sponsorship starts in January 2013, will be the Official Property and Casualty and Life Insurance Partner during the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics.

"I am happy to welcome Liberty Mutual to the family of great USOC sponsors, and I am eager to work together over the coming years in support and celebration of Team USA athletes," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun.

"Liberty Mutual is dedicated to sport at all levels - from youth sports to the highest level of international competition – and it will be a great partner to our U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes."

Coca-Cola Exec Promoted

James Eadie has been promoted from Olympic portfolio director to Coca-Cola's integrated marketing communications director for North West Europe and Nordics.

Eadie joined Coca-Cola in 2001 and had been Olympic portfolio director since August 2009.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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