After losing Generali, Eni and Diesel as sponsors at the end of the 2012, Ducati has announced that they will have Kobo a global leader in eReading, as a new sponsor for their MotoGP factory team this 2013 season which we’ve already seen on Andrea Dovizioso’s and Nicky Hayden’s GP13s during this last test at Jerez.
The two companies have aligned to showcase their mutual dedication to technology, innovation, and global commerce.
Fans of the sport will see the Ducati Team wearing the Kobo logo on their leathers, team clothing, and displayed on the bikes during the 18-round World Championship.
The partnership celebrates the success Kobo has experienced in Italy, with the company tripling its 2012 sales forecasts thanks to the tremendous uptake of digital reading by Italians.
“Kobo and Ducati share a passion for innovation, excellence, and powerful technology,” said Jean-Marc Dupuis, Managing Director of EMEA, Kobo.
“We are thrilled to bring this partnership to our fans who share the same passion for the best experience no matter whether in sport, a bike, a book, or an eReader.
” Alessandro Cicognani, Ducati Motor Holding Head of Sponsorship, said: “The partnership with Kobo confirms the strength of the Ducati brand, and will help to further promote the rapidly-growing eReader segment.
It contributes to Ducati’s reputation as a company that appeals to a young, knowledgeable, and technologically-minded public, as well as one that continues to attract a variety of product sponsors to racing.
”Kobo, an international eReading company with more than 3.
2-million eBooks across 68 languages, brought its eReading devices and services to Italy in October 2012 through its strategic partnership with Mondadori, Italy’s biggest magazines and book publisher, owner of the largest network of stores in the country and of one of Italy’s biggest online media stores.
Since that time, Kobo’s strength in the Italian market has grown tremendously with Italians quickly adopting digital reading – with 2012 sales forecasts tripling initial expectations.
With its current trajectory, Kobo expects to achieve the majority market share in Italy for eReading devices and content by the end of 2013.
The company has plans to expand beyond the current stores currently offering its award-winning devices, which include the Kobo Glo and Kobo Mini E Ink eReaders, and the Kobo Arc 7” Google-certified tablet, which recently won the red dot: Product Design 2013 award.