Sports sponsorships are one of the most popular ways for brands to be seen across America and the world. Here are two new examples from Infiniti.

Infiniti and NCAA Basketball

Infiniti has inked a corporate partnership with the NCAA, CBS Sports, and Turner Sports. Infiniti will run a multi-media campaign during regular-season men's basketball games and the newly expanded, 68-team 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, including the inaugural “First Four” games and the Men's Final Four^®. (We might add that the First Four games will be held in Dayton, Ohio, which is also home to CarLocate.com.)

“Like many of the teams heading toward the championship tournament, Infiniti is on a winning streak – closing 2010 with sales up 27.5 percent over the previous year,” said an Infiniti spokesperson. “The strong momentum is continuing into 2011, led by sales of the new Infiniti M sedan, Infiniti QX56 luxury SUV and the Infiniti G Sedan line, which includes the new G25 sports sedan.”

During games, viewers will see “Inspired Performance” spots sponsored by the automaker. Infiniti will also present in-game “coaches spotlights” throughout the tournament.

Infiniti and F1 Racing

Infiniti has announced a marketing agreement with Red Bull Racing Renault – the reigning Formula One World Champions – for the 2011 and 2012 F1 seasons. Infiniti will have a high-profile branding presence on the racing car, drivers’ clothing, and related team uniforms and equipment. Infiniti also will work with Renault to forge future technical collaboration with Red Bull Racing.

This marketing agreement is an outgrowth of a unique industrial and commercial business alliance between Renault and Nissan, Infiniti’s parent company, in which the two companies hold stock in one another and actively cooperate and compete against each other.