talkSPORT links with Marston's

Commercial radio station talkSPORT have announced a six-figure deal with Marston's to sponsor the station's summer cricket coverage in 2008.

The arrangement will see Marston's, the official beer of the England cricket team, take ownership of talkSPORT's coverage and will include the sponsorship of the newly created 'Cricket Show.'

Marston's marketing manager Ian Ward said: "Our partnership with talkSPORT is a fantastic opportunity to cement Marston's role as a true supporter of English cricket.

“With our sponsorship of the Twenty20 Cup and a host of in-ground and marketing activity planned we look forward to celebrating a great summer of cricket."

Other activity on the station will include sponsorship of an outside broadcast at the start of both the New Zealand and South African npower Test series, sponsored Test match score bulletins, and sponsorship of talkSPORT's official Twenty20 Cup coverage which includes the semi-finals and live final from the Rose Bowl in Hampshire.

Marston's will also provide tickets and merchandise for give-a-ways and exclusive interviews with cricketing guests.

Matt Wilson, talkSPORT sponsorship and promotions director, said: "There is a natural synergy between talkSPORT, Marston's and the station's cricket coverage.

“talkSPORT was able to offer Marston's a unique and unrivalled proposition which will allow the brand to leverage its existing activity around the country's county grounds whilst being exposed to 2.5 million potential beer drinkers."