Sponsor Spotlight - Audi Renews Ski Partnership; Dow, P&G Announce Earnings

Audi Renews Ski Sponsorship

Audi is extending its sponsorship of the FIS Alpine World Championships.

The German car giant will sponsor the 2015 and 2017 FIS World Championships in Beaver Creek, Colorado and St. Moritz, Switzerland as part of the new deal. Audi was already a sponsor of the 2013 World Championships in Schladming, Austria.

"We look forward to continuing to partner with the athletes beyond the next World Championships and to bring the Audi brand closer to all the spectators in an emotional and top-class sporting environment," said Luca de Meo, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales of AUDI AG.

FIS president Gian-Franco Kasper added:"Audi has been partnering with FIS for the past decade and has done much for winter sport during this time. The brand’s commitment goes beyond the role of a sponsor.

Audi had previously sponsored the 2003-2011 World Championships.

Dow Releases Quarterly Earnings Report

TOP sponsor Dow Chemical released its earnings report for the third quarter of 2012, which included the London Olympics.

The Midland, Michigan-based firm reported earnings of $0.42 a share, but noted that sales were down 10 percent from this time last year.

Much of the sales were down in Europe due to the "adverse currency conditions" on the continent.

"Dow’s results this quarter demonstrate the acceleration and delivery of our cost reduction actions. We focused on execution and intervened to protect our prioritized growth path," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s chairman and CEO.

P&G's New Business Model

Proctor & Gamble reported growth in both organic sales and stock price in the third quarter.

However, the company continues to implement its new cost-cutting business model in the wake of declining sales and increased pressure from competitors.

"We're making strong progress against our $10 billion [cost-cutting] plan and we will not stop there but we'll not compromise growth in the process," said Chief Financial Officer Jon Moeller.

P&G received losses in the China market, and reported that only 45 percent of its business comes from the global market.

In response, P&G has announced new product innovations, such as a new line from Olay, more advertising, and "equity-building spending."

Procter & Gamble became a TOP sponsor in 2010.

Media Watch

What is the best P&G logo of all time?

To celebrate the 175th birthday of P&G, Adage is running an online poll for readers to vote for their favorite of 10 Procter & Gamble logos.

The logos are: Mr. Whipple (Charmin), Josephine the Plumber (Comet), Mrs. Olson (Folgers, acquired by J.M. Smucker), Rosie the Waitress (Bounty), The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (Old Spice), Mr. Clean, Mr. P. (Pringles can man, now owned by Kellogg), Charmin Bears, Punchy (Hawaiian Punch, now owned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group), and Cheer Guy.

After voting ends, the top two logos will be put to another vote to determine the top P&G logo of all time.

Click here for the poll.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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