Brancott Estate appointed Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has signed a deal with leading wine and spirits producer Pernod Ricard New Zealand for the premium wine brand Brancott Estate to become an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Brancott Estate, the new name for New Zealand's leading Montana wine range, is a key brand in the Pernod Ricard global portfolio and the partnership with the world's third largest single sport event is seen as providing the perfect platform to drive global awareness for the premium wine brand.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Brancott Estate as an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

"The appointment of a leading New Zealand wine brand as an Official Sponsor gives a significant boost to a tournament which continues to attract major multi-nationals to a strong portfolio of Worldwide Partners, Sponsors and Suppliers.

"We look forward to working with Brancott Estate to further the promotion of the Game as the global Rugby community looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and a tournament that looks set to write another memorable chapter in the Rugby World Cup success story".

Rugby World Cup would seem to be a perfect fit for Brancott Estate, whose brand values are closely aligned to those of Rugby's showcase tournament.

Pernod Ricard New Zealand Managing Director, Fabian Partigliani said:"The sponsorship of Rugby World Cup 2011, one of the greatest sports events in the world, provides the perfect platform to drive global awareness of Brancott Estate as a leading New Zealand wine brand, particularly in key markets such as the UK and Australia and, of course, our home market of New Zealand".

The announcement of Brancott Estate as an Official Sponsor follows the appointment of Emirates Airlines, MasterCard, Heineken and ANZ as Rugby World Cup 2011 Worldwide Partners, Licensing in Motion and RTH as Master Licencees, Canterbury as Official Sportswear Supplier, Gilbert Rugby as the Official Ball Supplier, Russell McVeagh as Official Law Firm and KPMG as Official Tournament Supplier of accounting and tax advisory services.

Picture: Rugby World Cup General Manager Ross Young (left) and the Chief Winemaker for Brancott Estate, Patrick Materman.

HBA Around the Bay in a Day Event Manager, Ms Eleni Koronakos, said the event has evolved in line with the increasing popularity of bike riding.

"As more people begin to understand the benefits of riding, there has been a greater demand for more challenging events", she said. "Around the Bay in a Day offers a challenge to every bike rider with five very different ride options around Port Phillip Bay from 50km to 250km".

The event also encourages riders to take on the charity challenge and get sponsored for The Smith Family, the event's official charity partner. Last year cyclists raised over $900,000 for the Smith Family's Learning for Life program, helping disadvantaged children through important periods in their lives.

HBA Health Ambassador and Australian National Cycling Champion, Amber Halliday, encouraged all Australians to participate in the HBA Around the Bay in a Day.

"I love the freedom and the culture of bike riding. It's a healthy balance of being active, healthy and social, which is really important for your overall wellbeing", Halliday said.

"And it's a feeling that more and more Australians are starting to enjoy as cycling increases in popularity. With that in mind, I'd encourage as many Australians as possible to hop on their bikes and experience the thrill of participating in an event like the HBA Around the Bay in a Day".

Australian Cricket Captain, Ricky Ponting said: "I've never been more excited about an Australian summer than I am about this one. The Australian Cricket Team is focussed on regaining the Ashes and we are delighted to have the support of Vodafone as we embark on a wonderful summer of exciting cricket against the old enemy".

Australian vice captain Michael Clarke was also announced as the new Vodafone ambassador. Painting the town red in his new whites, the new Vodafone logo for the player's marked the official launch of the legendary cricket battle between Australia and England, which will begin in November this year.

Commenting on the series, Australian vice captain and Vodafone brand ambassador, Michael Clarke, said: "The team are training phenomenally hard in the lead up to the Vodafone Ashes Series and we’re more than ready to take on England in November. This is such an exciting time for Australian cricket and we're delighted more people across Australia will be sharing that excitement with the team".

Vodafone and 3 mobile customers can look forward to an exciting summer of cricket with access to the longstanding and iconic Cricket TV plus a new consumer promotion which will run throughout the upcoming Vodafone Ashes Series. The Vodafone Ultimate Fan Cricket Promotion will be hosted on the Channel 9 website and promoted on Wide World of Sports every Sunday, starting Sunday, 6th June through to 27th September.

There will be five lucky major winners who will get to choose which Test match they would like to attend. The prize also includes flights, accommodation, gold tickets, a merchandise pack for two, two i-phones plus a tour of the commentary box and a meet and greet with Michael Clarke. The Vodafone Ashes Series between Australia and England is from 25th November, 2010 to 7th January, 2011, kicking off at The Gabba.