Wilson Signs On as 3x3 Basketball Sponsor -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) Wilson Sporting Goods will be the new sponsor and game ball supplier for 3x3 basketball tournaments.

The international basketball federation (FIBA) entered into a four-year deal with Wilson to sponsor the federation’s attempt at expanding and developing the newer discipline in the sport.

Wilson will provide all game balls for FIBA 3x3 tournaments through 2018 under the current arrangement.

The sporting company also developed a new basketball type specifically designed for the faster-paced 3-on-3 game.The new basketball has a smaller circumference than official game ball but maintains the weight and force needed to shoot, pass and dribble the ball.

Wilson says the new design will aid players with gripping and controlling the basketball.

Pan-Ams Get Broadcast Partner

Eight partners will be highlighted during the Canadian Broadcast Corporation broadcast of the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

CIBC, Chevrolet, Atoma, Loblaws, OLG, Esso, Maytag, and Hotels.com will be featured on CBC television, radio, and digital broadcasts during the Games.

"It's great to see the growing support for high-performance athletes on their journey to the podium by both Canadians as well as corporate Canada," Jim Kozak, senior director marketing at CBC/Radio-Canada Media Solutions, said in a statement.

"The integrations with our partners showcase the evolution of content marketing as well as our ability to contribute to driving our partners’ business objectives."

Chevrolet and Atoma will also provide the CBC with branded content to run during the Games. Chevrolet will do spots about how Canadian athletes received hometown support in the run up to the Pan-Ams, along with spots about the volunteers at the event. Atoma will run a daily recap highlighting special "performances of the day."

Coca-Cola Creates 100% Plant Bottle

The Coca-ColaCompany has successfully created the world’s first plastic bottle made from entirely renewable resources.

The bottling company accomplished this feat by developing a bottle using only plant materials. The Olympic TOP Sponsor says the bottle functions like a traditional PET recyclable plastic bottle but leaves a lighter footprint on the environment.

The new creation is an improvement of the PlantBottle initiative Coca-Cola began in 2009. The original was made of only 30 percent recycled plant material and more than 35 billion of these bottles have been distributed in the last six years by Coca-Cola.

The company says the initiative has helped save the equivalent of 315,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from polluting the atmosphere.

Written by Kevin NutleyandAaron Bauer

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