Tickets.com, provider of state-of-the-art technology solutions has announced a ticketing services partnership with Arlington International Racecourse.

The Arlington Heights racing and entertainment complex will introduce the ProVenue platform to their fans in support of sales for the 2014 race season.

Arlington International Racecourse selected the Tickets.com platform after an extensive evaluation of ProVenue at two area Major League Baseball facilities: Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Milwaukee’s Miller Park.

Tony Petrillo, Arlington International General Manager noted, “From the automated kiosks, to the digital ticket delivery methods, and to the online purchase experience, we see the ProVenue installation as a major technology upgrade for our facility and will provide a most user friendly on-line experince. ProVenue will let us broaden the types of bundling and promotions we offer and give us more actionable data to help us more effectively plan for the future.”

Tickets.com’s Dan Archabal, Vice President of Business Development, added: “We see traditional racing & gaming facilities like Arlington International and Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots (Tickets.com’s other Churchill Downs Incorporated managed facility) continuing to broaden the types of live entertainment they offer fans,” said Archabal. “ProVenue gives our clients a flexible platform as their business expands beyond racing with immediate benefits occurring in a reduction to labor expense with more self-service options and a streamlined sales process all focusing on elevated customer service.”

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) has announced the Men’s World Championships will return to Manchester, England for 2018.

The games, which were held in Manchester in 2010 and will be played in Denver in 2014, will use the same facilities as in 2010 at the University of Manchester. England was previously named the host nation for the 2017 Women’s World Cup.

The 2010 games saw Team USA defeat Canada, 12-10, for the gold medal. That game was played in front of nearly 5,000 fans.

“The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) is proud to announce that the English Lacrosse Association has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2018 FIL World Lacrosse Championship. We are extremely confident that English Lacrosse, having successfully hosted the 2010 Championship, will again run an event that FIL and the International lacrosse community will be proud of,” FIL president Stan Cockerton said in a news release.

Cockerton said there were multiple bids for the games but did not disclose which countries were in the running. England has resources to accommodate up to 48 countries — 29 participated in 2010 — and is “more than willing to be inclusive with our growth.”

“We are absolutely delighted that with the decision of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) to give England Lacrosse hosting rights for the 2018 Men’s Field World Championship and the opportunity to serve the international community.  We hosted the 2010 Championship and will be using the same facilities at the Armitage Centre and accommodation at Manchester University which is within walking distance of fields where the games will be played,” David Marsden, co-president of England Lacrosse, said in a news release. “Following on from the success of the 2010 Championship we are certain that this will give a fantastic boost not only to English Lacrosse but more importantly to the international game.”

The games have been held every four years since 1974, with USA winning all but two gold medals. Canada won gold in 1978 and 2006. England has hosted the games three times (’78, ’94, 2010)

4Sight Sport, the partner company of Green 4 Solutions, has been appointed as the official Customer Relationship Management (CRM) & Data Agency partner for the Rugby League World Cup 2013, which will take place in October.

4Sight, which was founded two years ago to deliver CRM strategy development, analytics and data marketing to the sport & leisure industry, will review the current sources of customer data and provide in-depth customer insight and fan engagement services.

RLWC2013 Marketing Manager, Mark Foster said: “Rugby League World Cup 2013 is a major event in the sporting calendar and so far ticket sales have been very encouraging. We are looking forward to continue that, using 4Sight’s services to develop our data and fan engagement strategy and build on the excitement that a major tournament brings to the country.”

Garry Adamson, Managing Director at 4Sight Sport & Leisure, added: “Data driven sales and marketing strategies are now seen as a crucial method for sports rights holders to achieve their commercial aims.  We are delighted to assist a prestigious world tournament with their forward thinking plans in this area.”

Super League side Hull FC have agree a srtategic partnership with a lower league club York City Knights. 

As part of the partnership, up to five Hull players will be able to turn out for the Knights each week, with their selection set to be overseen by head coaches Peter Gentle and Gary Thornton.

Champions Leeds Rhinos partnered with Hunslet Hawks in August while St Helens recently announced they would be working with Rochdale and Whitehaven.

Players will also be exchanged on a loan dual-registration basis from 2013 while the top-flight club will also share their player development and marketing knowledge.

“We are delighted to secure this partnership with the Knights and we look forward to working with coach Gary Thornton, his staff and their players next year and beyond,” the club’s director of rugby Shaun McRae told their official website.

“Linking up with York was a natural step given the strong relations between the two clubs and I’m sure both parties will soon see the benefits this exciting partnership will provide.

“With the proposed changes to the academy structure next year, this will provide a great opportunity for some of our younger players to develop in a more competitive environment with a club that boasts one of the strongest traditions in the game.” 

Promising half-back Danny Nicklas has joined the Knights on a season-long loan for 2013, although he will remain full-time with the East Yorkshire club.

York City Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “We are delighted to enter into this exciting partnership with Hull FC. We already have strong links with the Hull area in terms of our playing roster and we believe that the partnership will only enhance this.

“It is important to re-iterate that the partnership goes way beyond player movement and has been carefully structured to include support around many other areas including coach development, medical support, strength and conditioning, facilities, performance analysis, commercial and hospitality, media and marketing, and community work.

“In addition to the benefits identified above, the partnership is also financially beneficial to York City Knights, and Hull FC have committed to sponsoring a number of matches and other items.

“Utilising the resources that Hull FC have available to them will be extremely beneficial for the club and we look forward to working with them over the coming years.”

This follows similar partnership deals by champions Leeds Rhinos who partnered with Hunslet Hawks in August while St Helens recently announced they would be working with Rochdale and Whitehaven.

Coca-Cola, asthma the longest continuous supporter of the Olympic Movement, is giving fans a closer look of Team USA ahead of London 2012 with a number of marketing initiatives. 

This new work combined with the “Move To The Beat” global music collaboration, is the largest Olympic-themed marketing effort for The Coca-Cola Company, which has sponsored the Games since 1928.

The new program spans advertising, limited-edition packaging, experiential marketing, online and mobile engagement and public relations; and includes eight new commercials spotlighting the inspirational stories of the Coca-Cola 8-Pack of Olympic and Paralympic Athletes: David Boudia (Diving), Henry Cejudo (Wrestling), Marlen Esparza (Boxing), John Isner (Tennis), Shawn Johnson (Gymnastics), Jessica Long (Paralympic Swimming), Alex Morgan (Soccer), David Oliver (Track & Field).

“The new work captures the individual stories of support of our athletes on their Olympic journeys,” said Katie Bayne, President and General Manager, Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola North America. “Just like Coke, the energetic stories are all about patriotic optimism.”

Limited-Edition Packaging

New limited-edition packaging can currently be found on store shelves nationwide. Multiple limited edition packaging phases and materials will rotate into the market now through the end of the Games in August, encouraging people to collect, get active, and support some of their favorite athletes and sports. Specially designed cans and fridge packs showcase action-shot silhouettes of Coca-Cola 8-Pack of Athletes.

Advertising

Eight new ads highlighting the stories of athletes in the Coca-Cola 8-Pack will air across the networks of NBCUniversal, as well as in cinemas in heavy rotation throughout the Games. All of the spots urge audiences to support their athletes by purchasing Coca-Cola Olympic Games Collector Series cans.

1.) Olympian David Oliver tells us the importance of support from his family, coaches and his friends, and how now he always remembers to give back.

2.) Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson remembers the importance of the support of her whole community in helping her excel.

3.) Marlen Esparza, who will compete in women’s boxing in London, the Olympic debut for the sport, shares how her father is her constant support in becoming the ground breaking athlete she is today. This spot will be featured in Spanish on Telemundo.

4.) Jessica Long, a Paralympic swimmer and seven-time Paralympic Games Gold Medalist, shows us her global support network that has been such a big part of her life. Coca-Cola is also a long-time partner of the Paralympic Games.

5.) “Support Montage” highlights the athlete’s core elements – speed, strength, toughness and happiness – revealing the common thread that runs throughout: their need for support in their path to the Olympic Games.

6.) “Ceremony III” celebrates Coca-Cola’s long-standing support of the entire Olympic Movement. Coca-Cola has produced the third iteration of its Ceremony TV commercial, originally released in 2008 and updated in 2010. This year’s spot features Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympics athletes receiving their medals in scenes from competitions over the last several decades. New this year are some members of the Coca-Cola 8-pack of Athletes.

7. and 8.) Two 15-second animated commercials bring the collector cans to life through animated silhouettes in the style of the new can designs. One spot features hurdling (Oliver), gymnastics (Johnson) and diving (Boudia); another focuses on soccer (Morgan) and tennis (Isner).

All spots, created by Ogilvy & Mather, Wieden + Kennedy and Leo Burnett, are part of Coca-Cola’s Open Happiness campaign.

Online Engagement & Promotion

MyCokeRewards.com/theOlympics will serve as the digital hub designed to bring families closer to the Coca-Cola 8-Pack of Athletes. Activation on the site features the Coca-Cola 8-Pack of Athletes during a 10-week program that includes interactive athlete quizzes, instant-win prize opportunities and enter-to-win sweepstakes. Consumers can win customized prize packs designed to encourage healthy, active activities through items inspired by the athletes’ sports.

Coca-Cola also is encouraging teens to move to the beat of the 2012 London Olympic Games when they visit coca-cola.com/theOlympics. There, they can access special content that allows them to create a custom music beat, explore information on members of the Coca-Cola 8-Pack and sign up for SMS alerts during the Games.

In addition, Coca-Cola kicks off “On the Go with D.O.,” a My Coke Rewards promotion offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for moms to bring 2008 Olympic bronze medalist David Oliver (also known as “D.O.”) to their children’s school for an exciting “field day” of athletic activities. In the true spirit of the Olympics, “On the Go with D.O.” is designed to inspire consumers to get physically active with their families and rally the community together to cheer on Team USA as they compete in London for the gold.

The program also will come to life at retail. For the first time ever, Coca-Cola will execute unique programs with 127 individual customer accounts.

Public Relations

Coca-Cola offered fans a unique opportunity to see themselves in lights – larger than life – in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. By visiting Coke.com/Cheers, fans were able to upload a personal photo and brief message supporting Team USA hopefuls and athletes. If selected, their images and accompanying notes will appear on the giant, six-story Coca-Cola Times Square billboard on July 18. Participants will receive a composite photo illustrating how they appeared on the big screen, which can be shared through social media and printed as a keepsake.

The Company also has partnered with 22 Olympic Torchbearers through traditional and social media outreach.

Experiential Marketing

The Coca-Cola Swelter Stopper is a mobile marketing unit that will be present at more than 80 events throughout the summer. Expected to host approximately 400,000 consumers, its interior reflects the look and theme of the 2012 London Olympic Games and features blasts of frosty air to provide refreshing relief to visitors in the summer heat. 

The Coca-Cola Swelter Stopper also features a recording studio and photo station, providing consumers with a memento that captures the experience.

The European Tour has reminded players that they face disciplinary action for breaching social media rules after James Morrison of England recently criticized the Wales Open in an online post.

 

The European Tour says sanctions will apply for any “offensive, threatening, disparaging, hurtful or otherwise” comments, and stuck a memorandum on a notice board at the BMW International Open in Germany on Thursday to remind players of their responsibilities.

Morrison wrote on Twitter to describe the Celtic Manor course as a “dump” and say “one more round and then can’t get over that bridge quick enough!”

The 27-year-old Englishman apologized for his comments during the May 30-June 3 Wales Open but will still be fined by the Tour.

The Tour also warns that players could face civil action from “`any other parties who legal rights are affected by such comments.”

It is not known how many players have been the subject of disciplinary action.

Marcus Fraser of Australia, who holds the first-round clubhouse lead at the BMW International Open after shooting a 64, is believed to have been fined heavily for online comments made during the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last August.

Fraser had played the opening two rounds alongside Rafa Echenique of Argentina, who was seen using his mobile phone on the course to rearrange a flight. Fraser went on Facebook to allegedly express his disapproval at Echenique’s actions.