Spike, Set, Sponsorship: FIVB and the 2018 Women’s World Championship
The 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship is currently underway with the Netherlands, China, Serbia and Italy all confirmed as semifinalists. The tournament is being held in Japan from September 29 through October 20, 2018. Japan is hosting this event for the third time in 12 years and the fifth time overall. Sponsorship of the Women’s World Championship covers all the aspects of the sport, from the athlete uniforms, sponsored equipment, and water to digital streaming. We'll take a closer look at some of event’s top sponsors below.
Sponsors of FIVB Women’s World Championships:
- Asics
- Ganten Water
- SCHENKER
- MIKASA SPORTS
- Senoh
- IMG / Volleyball TV
- Honda
IMG
IMG has joined the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as a top sponsor for its events. These events included the 2018 Women’s World Championship happening now. IMG has launched Volleyball TV, the sports first digital streaming platform for fans to have full access to coverage throughout the tournament. Fans can access Volleyball TV through the app (view screenshots below), Volleyball World TV’s website, or through Pay Per View. Volleyball TV’s content includes every match of the World Championship as well as game highlights. As the world of volleyball continues to grow globally, IMG makes a great partner for the sport because its innovations in technology allows viewers at home to witness new and diverse angles of the game. Furthermore, IMG’s digital platform showcases the world class athleticism of each nation’s best players on TV screens around the world.
Mikasa
The Japanese equipment manufacture has been a partner of he European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) and all FIVB events for several years; Mikasa acquired the sponsorship and marketing rights to the official game ball in 2013. The famous yellow and blue volleyball can’t be missed by fans on the TV screens. Over the years, Mikasa has developed custom balls for indoor and outdoor championship games. The current partnership deal runs through 2020.
Mikasa is involved with the following FIVB events:
- FIVB Volleyball World Championships
- FIVB Volleyball World Cup
- FIVB Volleyball World League
- World Grand Prix
- FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships
- FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour
Honda
Honda was not only the first automotive company to sponsor the FIVB, but first-ever FIVB official partner for professional elite volleyball and beach volleyball. This deal was signed in 2013. Honda’s first onsite presence was at the FIVB were during the 2014 Women’s World Championship in Italy. This sponsorship was a major stepping stone for the FIVB, as it was the governing body’s first major deal with a global brand. Throughout FIVB events Honda holds onsite activations. Honda’s creative displays outside the arenas attract fans from all over the world. During the 2015 Beach Volleyball World Championship, Honda had special FIVB decal wraps on the cars which would drive up and down the beaches. Both partners successfully aim to entertain and engage audiences in new ways.
ASICS
The Asics Corporation is the official uniform sponsor of the FIVB and the 2018 Women’s World Championship. The deal took effect in January of 2016 and is a five-year deal, ending in 2020. The Asics sponsorship is connected into almost every aspect of the game; they provide the uniforms/footwear for the athletes, on-court personnel and the referee officials. Today an athlete’s uniform is more modernized version with moisture-wicking technology than traditional jerseys. Asics has designed a new line of uniforms for the Women’s World Championship, which help the FIVB enhance as one of the world’s most innovative and dynamic sports.
Asics also has extended sponsorship deals to the major players shown above. While most players can be recognized as part of Team USA, Asics has also signed Valentina Arrighetti (Italy) who is advancing to the 2018 semifinals of this year's World Championships.
Ganten Water
Chinese mineral water company Ganten isn’t new to sport sponsorships. Already supplying water to some of the most recognizable organizations and events in world sports, Ganten’s sponsorship portfolio includes the Australian Open, Juventus, and FIVB. Ganten is the official water supplier at all FIVB events, including the 2018 Women’s World Championship and through the 2022 games. Ganten’s four year investment into FIVB will continue to elevate FIVB’s reputation internationally and increase brand awareness in overseas markets/sponsors.
Additionally, Ganten is supplying innovative benches for the teams, specifically designed for professional volleyball as well as running volleyball themed advertisements and marketing campaigns.