Essentially facilitate new Test Match Cricket Naming Rights Partner
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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced that Investec Bank plc have agreed to become the new title sponsor of Test Match Cricket in a ground breaking 10 year deal. The deal, which was brokered by Essentially Group, a part of Chime Communications plc, will commence in 2012.
Kevin Vandrau, the Commercial Director at Essentially commented, "As the exclusive commercial agents to the International Test Match Grounds we have developed a long standing working relationship with both English cricket and Investec. For the past 10 years we have worked closely with in English Cricket to introduce high quality brands into the sport. Investec were amongst our first Test Match Ground Partners and we are delighted that they will soon be taking ownership of Test Match Cricket which is undoubtedly one of the most high profile and premium properties in the UK sporting calendar."
Test Match Cricket has only ever had two naming rights partners and John Perera , the Commercial Director of the ECB added "We were adamant that, at a time when interest in Test Match Cricket in the UK continues to rise, any new partner would share our passion and long term vision for the purest form of the game. Essentially introduced Investec who have a history of providing long term investment and marketing support to premium sporting properties. Their introduction has led to a new 10 year partnership with a company that will bring a fresh and exciting approach to how we market Test Match Cricket at a time when our National Team are ranked #1 in the world. "
The partnership will begin with the Investec Test Series against the West Indies and South Africa in 2012 followed by an Investec Ashes Series in 2013 and then the return of India in 2014. Raymond Van Niekerk CMO of Investec Bank said" Cricket provides an attractive platform to engage with our target audience and the International schedule that the ECB have put in place for the foreseeable future is particularly strong and will help us meet brand and business objectives across a number of our key established and emerging markets. We look forward to a long and successful association with cricket in the UK."
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