Connect PR hits a bullseye for Speedy

Connect PR is extending its work in sports sponsorship PR with the appointment by Speedy, the leading UK provider of construction equipment rental and support services, to handle its sponsorship of the Professional Darts Corporations’ UK Open.

The Wolverhampton-based agency introduced Speedy’s new marketing director, Steve McIntyre to the sport over Christmas and an initial one year sponsorship was signed last week. Connect worked with McIntyre during his time with Johnstone’s Paints. The agency has handled The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy for the last five years.

Speedy will bring together the very best darts players in the world as well as 32 amateur players which the company will choose through a national competition. The final of the Speedy Hire UK Open takes place from 2-5 June at Bolton’s Reebok Arena and will be shown live on Sky Sports over the four days and nights.

Steve McIntyre said of the sponsorship: “As former marketing director of Johnstone’s Paints, I know how much success can be leveraged from a robust sports sponsorship, so this is a partnership that really excites us all. I have worked with Connect PR for a number of years and know they can deliver on PR activation.”

Connect PR is part of the Connect Group, and employs 10 PR consultants. The firm also activates darts sponsorships for WD-40, Uponor and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Hazel Crawford-Upton, MD, said: “Darts is a fantastic way to engage with trade professionals across every industry. Alongside live events, we will also be instigating a robust social media strategy to engage with people as they watch the sport from home.”

To find out more visit http://www.speedyhiredarts.com/.

WD-40 scores a bullseye with sponsorship deal

World number three darts player James Wade is stepping up to the oche with a new sponsorship deal under his belt. WD-40 is behind the ‘new face’ of darts until at least the end of 2010, for a significant five-figure sum.

The rising star from Cobham, who is just 26 years old, has climbed the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation) world rankings year after year and in 2008 he became the first player to beat Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in the Premier League since the event started in 2005.

Following the sponsorship announcement James said: “It is fantastic news that such a big brand wants to provide significant support to me. I regularly used WD-40 when I was a mechanic and can’t believe it’s now on my shirt.

“This is the first sponsorship deal I have had that has not been related to the traditional sponsors in darts and marks a new era for the sport. I look forward to working with WD-40 and hope the backing helps me win more titles.”

European managing director for WD-40, Bill Noble, said: “We felt that darts was the perfect sport to link up with as it fits well with our target audience and has the second highest viewing figures for sport after Premiership football.

“James is a very talented player who is dedicated to the sport and is doing extremely well at such a young age and has a lot of potential to go much further.

“We look forward to cheering him on at the Grand Slam of Darts, later this month.”

The sponsorship begins at the Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday 14th November in Wolverhampton as James hopes to add the title to the Premier League he won in May.

James showed off his talents at the official launch day of the sponsorship deal by playing a few friendly games against journalists and WD-40 staff including Bill Noble. Needless to say he remained undefeated, with no one coming close to beating the world number three.