16/05/2010
NEWS STORY
Sharp eyed fans may have noticed a new logo on the overalls of the McLaren drivers this weekend after the Woking outfit penned a deal with the American financial giant AON.
The American company, which is based in Chicago and is ranked as the world's second largest insurance broker, was created in 1982 when the Ryan Insurance Group merged with the Combined Insurance Company of America. In 1987, it was introduced to Wall Street as Aon, a Gaelic word meaning "oneness".
Monaco is often the scene of sponsorship announcements, the Principality the ideal backdrop for team bosses and sponsorship managers to make their pitch. That said, the deal with Aan was just that little bit easier for McLaren since vice-chairman Grahame Chilton - who had a £59m stake in reinsurance brokers Benfield Group, which was bought by Aon in 2008 - is the father of racing drivers Tom (BTCC) and Max (GP2).
"Aon is excited to start working with McLaren," a McLaren spokesperson told Pitpass, confirming the deal. "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes offers an ideal platform to drive sales and enhance our business-to-business marketing activity, especially in the global accounts segment and across important growth geographies."
The American company will also sponsor English football legends Manchester United next season, replacing troubled fellow American insurance company AIG.