Sponsor Spotlight - Olympics Helps Sponsors; BP Supports USOC

Companies Benefit from Sponsorship Deals

Olympic sponsor PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has seen "tangible benefits" from supporting Sochi 2014, says its Russian advisory leader Bob Gruman.

The giant accounting firm is the official professional services provider to the Games. Gruman says the sponsorship allows it to reach out to many key stakeholders.

"We are seeing significant interest in the marketplace for management consulting in sports," said Gruman in a statement.

Through their sponsorship, PwC is also a member of the "Partners Club," which connects the organizing committee with businesses for joint projects.

"We are particularly proud of the work we are doing with the Organizing Committee to implement a project-oriented organization and pioneer an innovative "Sochi model" for managing large-scale national projects," said Gruman.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, president and chief executive of the Sochi 2014, told ATR in an email that sponsors like PwC provide "excellent examples of how the partnerships can benefits companies’ strategies in the Russian marketplace."

According to the organizing committee, Sochi 2014 already has $1.2 billion in sponsorship revenues.

BP Extends Partnership

BP is extending its sponsorship as the official energy partner of the U.S. Olympic Committee through 2016.

USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said the company’s sponsorship is critical to the team’s success.

"BP's support of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements directly impacts America's athletes as they train hard each and every day to compete at their best.

"Their support is critical, as is their drive to fund and promote a wide variety of USOC programs, which help create additional exposure and resources for our athletes," said Blackmun.

The oil and gas company became a sponsor last year during the Vancouver Olympics. It supports a many programs including the Warrior Games, where wounded American soldiers compete, and the Jack Kelly Fair Play Awards.

Visa Partners, USSA

Visa will continue to support the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association for the next seven years.

The company signed an extension plan with USSA that will cover the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and PyeongChang in 2018.

"Visa continues to bring a positive stature to Olympic sports, especially skiing and snowboarding, through a quarter century of leadership," said USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt.

"Visa has become an iconic representative of the Olympics and our teams through a longstanding partnership with the Olympics and our own world class athletes."

The company will partner with all three USSA brands: U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and the new U.S. Freeskiing. Visa will also be the preferred method of payment for the new online shop.

Ernst & Young Sponsors Commonwealth Games

The accounting firm Ernst & Young will serve as sponsor for 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

As the official professional advisor, the company will provide accounting and tax services.

"Ernst & Young is a fantastic addition to the Glasgow 2014 family, and bring with them unparalleled expertise in professional services.

"By becoming an official supporter for the Games, they have made a strong statement of their support for this country by investing in what will be a truly outstanding Games," said Glasgow 2014 Chairman Robert Smith.

Visa Marketing Exec Leaves

One of Visa’s top Olympic sponsorship executives, Andrew Woodward, has left the company.

In an email Visa supplied to Around the Rings, Woodward announced last week he would be leaving his position due to a corporate relations "restructuring."

"In Australia and the United States, I did many cool things with Visa and worked with some fabulous people," he wrote.

For the immediate future he will return to his native Australia where he says he will cheer the Manly rugby club onto "greatness" and spend time with his family.

Citroën Supports Sailors for London 2012

The French automobile manufacturer Citroën will sponsor Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson in London.

The two gold medalists have been named to Team Great Britain and Citroën has been an automobile provider of Percy and Simpson since 2009.

"We’re thrilled to hear that Iain and Andrew will represent Great Britain in 2012. They have the passion, experience, determination and spirit to achieve great success," said Linda Jackson, managing director of Citroën in the U.K.

Tissot Renews Partnerships with UCI

The International Cycling Union (UCI) will continue to rely on the Swiss watch manufacturer Tissot for timing and results.

The company secured a deal with UCI that makes it the official timekeeper of all races for the next six years. These races include the road world championships and the newly added BMW world championships.

"Tissot is setting the highest international standards in timekeeping and we share the same values of precision and perfection. Our partnership builds on trust and reliability. Overall, this is a great fit as we both complement each other," said Pat McQuaid, UCI’s president.

UCI and Tissot have been partners since 1995.

Written by AnnCantrell.