Survey reveals positive future for sponsorship
A major survey of Irish sponsors and rights holders reveals that two out of three sponsors expect spending in 2012 to remain at or above existing levels.  This compares to only one in four twelve months ago.  A total of €120 million was spent on sponsorship in the past year, representing a modest drop of four per cent.  Onside Sponsorship, who compiled the survey are forecasting stability in 2012 with a modest drop of one per cent.
“Sponsorship spending is moving towards customer retention, and away from a sales recruitment focus,”  according to John Trainor of Onside Sponsorship.  “Sponsors and rights holders are increasingly moving towards a partnership model which means more strategic and commercial relationships are being developed.”
The survey highlights that 86% of sponsors will be increasing their use of social media but that the next are for growth is in public relations where 55% of companies have indicated they will be spending more on activating.
Sport for Business will play a part in this growth, highlighting examples of the best thinking and execution being applied in Ireland and around the world.
Patriots and Giants to contest Super Bowl
The New England Patriots and the New York Giants won two tight divisional Championship games last night to set up the marketing community’s desired showdown in Indianapolis in two weeks time.
A missed 32 yard field goal by the Baltimore Ravens and a fumble by the San Francisco 49’ers cost their teams dear.
The New England Patriots will be coming to Europe this year as they were confirmed to play the St Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium on Sunday October 28th.  The Rams, owned by Arsenal majority stakeholder Stan Kroenke have committed to play games in London in each of the next three years.
College Football is coming to Ireland in 2012 with Notre Dame and Navy meeting at Croke Park on September 1st.  The two sides met at the same venue in 1996 attracting a crowd of almost 40,000.
All Ireland Heineken Cup Final is possible
The prospect of an All Ireland Heineken Cup Final became possible after the roadmap of the tournament’s knock out stages became clear last night.  Munster will face Ulster at Thomond Park to guarantee an Irish place in the semi finals while Leinster are on the other side of the draw.
They will face Saracens or Clermont Auvergne in an away game if they get past Cardiff Blues in their quarter final at the Aviva Stadium.
The quarter final ties will take place over Easter Weekend, April 6th to 8th, while the Final will be held in Twickenham on May 19th.
The sporting weekend in review
Robbie Keane showed his wellbeing scoring two goals for Aston Villa against Wolves on Saturday.  Late goals for the two Manchester clubs ensured they stayed clear in the Premier League with wins over Tottenham and Arsenal.  Three Irish teams progressed to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup for the first time.  Fionnuala Brittton won the Antrim IAAF Cross Country challenge beating British rival Gemma Steele for the third time this year.  Jessica Kuerten landed her first Grand Prix event in over a year in show jumping in Amsterdam.  Kenneth Egan won his quarter final in Boxing’s Elite Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday night.  Kildare and DCU will contest the final of the Board na Mona O’Byrne Cup after wins over Meath and Dublin, while ugly scenes marred the end of the AIB Junior Football Club Championship semi final between Dromid and Derrytresk in Portlaoise yesterday.  Kerry star Declan O’Sullivan was hit by a handbag as he left the pitch amid fighting between players and spectators.
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