LONDON, UK, 14 March 2011 -- Marussia Virgin Racing and CNBC, the leading global broadcaster of live business and financial news and information, have joined forces in an exclusive global partnership that sees CNBC becoming the team’s official ‘Business Media Partner’ for the 2011 Formula One season, which gets underway on 27 March in Melbourne, Australia.
The partnership gives CNBC branding on various Marussia Virgin Racing assets including its new Formula One car and driver’s racesuits, and in the paddock, as well as hospitality. Alongside this, the partnership provides business-to-business opportunities for existing and new commercial partners of the Marussia Virgin Racing Team through the reach of CNBC’s worldwide TV network and CNBC.com.
CNBC’s global audience of affluent and highly influential business leaders, and the team’s fast-growing and broad-based fan following, can also look forward to special CNBC programming around a number of marquee Grand Prix events throughout the year, which will provide insight into the team, the sport, the technology and some of the burning issues driving the future direction of Formula One.
The first chance to see the CNBC identity as part of the livery of the team’s new MVR-02 race car will be at the Australian Grand Prix on 27 March.
Andy Webb, CEO, Marussia Virgin Racing
“It goes without saying that we are delighted to welcome CNBC to Marussia Virgin Racing as our Business Media Partner. This is a very exciting partnership which underlines the strategic, targeted and intricate nature of our offering and its appeal to our rapidly expanding portfolio of commercial partners. CNBC needs no introduction as an oracle of international business and financial news and this multi-faceted relationship provides the team and its partners with an enviable business development opportunity.
“Following a period of investment and restructure, the team now has all the right resources and people to step up the pursuit of its racing ambitions. This is a fascinating partnership for both parties and it will be exciting to see it develop as the year progresses. We now look forward to getting the season underway in Melbourne in a little under two weeks time.”
Mick Buckley, President and CEO, EMEA, CNBC
“CNBC is extremely excited to be joining forces with Marussia Virgin Racing at this significant stage in the team’s development. Our audiences are complementary and this is an exceptional way to put CNBC in front of a massive global audience. We see many exciting marketing and commercial opportunities emanating from our association with the Marussia Virgin Racing Team and we look forward to a successful first season.”
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