ECB Commercial Partners Set For Ashes

As England prepares to begin its long-awaited summer of cricket on Thursday, the extensive range of commercial partners of the England & Wales Cricket Board have begun rolling out their range of products and promotions. 

England begin their summer this week with two Investec Tests against New Zealand (Lord’s and Headingley), before the NatWest One Day International and T20 Series – to be played either side of the ICC Champions Trophy in June.

The Investec Ashes Series begins on 10^th July at Trent Bridge, with Tests at Lord’s, Emirates Old Trafford, Emirates Durham, and Kia Oval to follow. 

The showpiece series is followed by two NatWest T20 matches at the end of August, and five NatWest ODI matches in September.

Meanwhile, England Women face Pakistan in two NatWest ODI’s, and Australia in one Test match, three NatWest ODI, and three NatWest T20 matches.

It was also announced this week that this year’s Women’s Ashes will be decided by playing all three formats. The highest points total after one Test, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s will win the Ashes. 

Six points will be awarded for the winners of the Test in Wormsley from 11^th to 14^th August, with two points for each side in the event of a draw, while the limited-overs games which follow will see two points for a win. 

John Perera, commercial director at ECB, said: ‘All of our commercial partners are understandably excited about the packed summer of international cricket ahead, and the commercial uplift their association with England Cricket will bring. During the Investec Ashes Series, the public’s interest in the sport will reach fever pitch – and it will be fantastic to have the sport featuring so prominently on so many products and promotions in supermarkets, shops, pubs, banks and advertising campaigns.’

Below is a summary of the ECB’s commercial partner activations:

• Investec (title sponsor of Test match cricket) will continue their Investec Cricket Zone offering tickets to fans who take part in their Runs Predictor game. They will use in-ground inventory to promote their new ‘Voyage’ private bank account, and brand ambassadors Stuart Broad and Steven Finn will be used across social media channels (@InvestecCricket) to promote the Series and engage with fans.

• NatWest (title sponsor of One Day International cricket and International Twenty20 cricket) will be giving their current account customers the chance to win thousands on NatWest Series tickets and the opportunity to attend a training session with the England team. They will continue their commitment to community cricket by offering three recreational cricket clubs the chance to win a fundraising match against a team of ex-England internationals in the NatWest Locals v Legend Series.  

• adidas (official kit supplier) will celebrate two of the UK’s most iconic sporting teams taking on Australia this summer, as the brand activates its sponsorship of both the England cricket team and the British and Irish Lions.  Their ‘Stand Together’ campaign positions the two squads side by side, and the campaign will be brought to life via viral and social content featuring strong campaign imagery. 

• Buxton Water (official water) are featuring images of England players on over 4 million multi-pack bottles of water, offering customers the chance to win tickets to the Investec Ashes Test Series as part of their fully integrated ‘Who’s Got The Bottle?’ campaign. 

• Yorkshire Tea (official tea) are marking their first season as an ECB partner with an on-pack promotion of approx. 2 million boxes, offering the chance to win a family holiday to the Ashes down under this winter. The tea break at all seven Investec Tests will be referred to as the “Yorkshire Tea Break”. Their ‘Little Urn’ will give fans the chance to try the tea in-ground, and the brand has recently launched a competition for recreational clubs to compete for the best cricket tea, to win a new kitchen for their club.

• Marston’s Pedigree (official beer) have launched a range of promotional activity, including an on-pack promotion for in the region of 1 million bottles, offering the chance to win Investec Ashes Test Series tickets. The brand has also produced limited edition tankards to mark the Series for use in partner pubs. 

• Stowford Press (Westons cider – official cider) will distribute over half a million Investec Ashes branded cans throughout the summer, and will run a press campaign with the Daily Telegraph, Telegraph Online and columnist Simon Hughes, which will allow fans to win top prizes before every Investec Test. In-ground, fans will be able to take part in their interactive game “Catch” – where they’re challenged to catch as many soft-plastic apples as possible. 

• Laithwaite’s Wine (official wine), will be greeting fans from their “boutique airstream” and offering them the chance to try an array of wines across the summer. The brand will also be giving fans a daily opportunity to win a case of wine personally selected by brand ambassador David Gower. 

• 505 Games will release ‘Ashes Cricket 2013’ on 21 June across PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360 and PC formats. It promises the most authentic cricket experience to date and boasts exclusive licenses from the ECB and Cricket Australia. 

• TM Lewin are creating new suits for the England and England Women’s team, whilst fans will be able to enjoy England Cricket branded ties and cufflinks. Members of TwelfthMan – the Official Fan Community of England Cricket – will have the chance to buy an exclusive tie. 

• International Sports Clothing have produced an extensive range of branded men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, whilst Smith & Brooks will offer branded children’s clothing and footwear.

• Christy Towels, famous for their iconic Wimbledon Tennis towel, will for the first time produce a limited edition towel to mark the Investec Ashes Series.

Ahead of the most exciting summer of cricket in years, including back-to-back Ashes Series, chief executive of the ECB, David Collier, is set to take the stage as the next speaker of the Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club. Ensure your place in the room today.