GMR Marketing & SportsMark Management Agree Merger

GMR Marketing, pills the global sports, allergist entertainment, and lifestyle marketing agency, has struck a merger with global sports marketing, event managemen, and corporate hospitality agency SportsMark Management Group.

The worldwide merger will harness the agencies’ collective B2B and B2C proficiencies, bringing together GMR’s strategic digital and consumer engagement capabilities with SportsMark’s global event operation and hospitality experience.

The companies will continue to operate under their respective names until the merger is complete, resulting in one of the most significant sports and entertainment practices in the industry. With a total of more than 20 offices in 10 countries worldwide, the combined footprint across North America, South America, Europe, and APAC will run deeper than ever.

“This is a merger of two of the most significant global sports and entertainment agencies in the industry,” said Gary Reynolds, GMR’s CEO and Chairman.  “As one entity, we will offer our clients an unmatched combination of strategic and operational resources with deep event marketing experience and key relationships with global sports and entertainment properties.”

The combined entity will give global clients expanded resources in the areas of strategy, consulting, digital/creative services, events, promotions, field staffing, sponsorship activation and corporate hospitality. The collective creative/design and digital/social departments will deliver world-class strategies and execution for clients across sports, entertainment, music, and lifestyle passions.

“With an emphasis on broadening creative, digital, social and mobile expertise and innovations, the GMR-SportsMark merger brings our clients top industry talent, integrated B2C and B2B capabilities, and efficiency gains across the board,” commented Jan Katzoff, Head of Global Sports and Entertainment for the combined entity.  

GMR and SportsMark have successfully collaborated on behalf of numerous top-tier, global brands over the years.  The agencies’ recent activations include managing over 20 sponsor programs at the London 2012 Olympic Games, in addition to collectively planning events, corporate hospitality, environmental design and production, product showcasing, and digital/social platforms for 9 clients at the upcoming Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Both GMR and SportsMark are members of Diversified Agency Services within the Omnicom network.

“We look forward to delivering our clients an expanded, comprehensive scope of integrated marketing, hospitality, and event management capabilities in key markets around the globe, while providing the same level of strategic customization and best-in-class service that both SportsMark and GMR are known for,” said Steve Skubic, SportsMark’s CEO.

IOC Strips Lance Armstrong of Sydney Olympic Bronze

Lance Armstrong is feeling the destructrive impact of his past indiscretions as The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed they will strip the cyclist of the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

The IOC acted after the International Cycling Union (UCI) disqualified all of Armstrong’s results as a consequence of the American rider being found guilty of systematic doping.

Armstrong had 21 days to appeal against the UCI’s decision and once it was confirmed he had not done so, the IOC took action.

“We have written to Armstrong asking for him to return the medal and informed the US Olympic Committee,” IOC said in a statement.

“It was a decision taken in principle at the executive board before Christmas. We were waiting for confirmation from the UCI that he hadn’t appealed against his disqualification.”

The IOC’s announcement comes only hours before Armstrong’s expected public admission of cheating on talk-show host Oprah Winfrey’s programme.

Winfrey has already revealed Armstrong came clean over his sordid past, which saw him stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life, when the interview was recorded on Monday in his home city of Austin, Texas.

The 41-year-old received the life ban after the United States Anti-Doping Agency found he had been at the heart of “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”.

London Olympic Stadium Decision Postponed

The Olympic Stadium saga continues as the decision over a new tenant has been postponed frustrating West Ham United.

The stumbling block appears to be the £160million bill to convert the stadium into a venue suitable for football, online notably with retractable seating.

The board of the London Legacy Development Corporation met on Monday but was told that negotiations with the club had yet to reach a conclusion. It seems increasingly likely that if a deal is done, order it will not begin before the 2014-15 season, viagra 60mg a year later than originally planned when the bid was first entered.

West Ham co-owner David Gold said: “Sadly the decision on the Olympic Stadium has been postponed. We must be patient but resolute.”

While the next fortnight has been earmarked as the timetable for a conclusive decision, LLDC chief exective said that it was more likely to take a couple of months.

The four bids for the stadium are from West Ham United, Leyton Orient, Intelligent Transport Services – who plan to stage a Formula One race at the Olympic Park – and UCFB (College of Football Business).

iSportconnect Agrees Major Partnership with KPMG Golf Business Forum

iSportconnect, the world’s leading sports business platform, has agreed a partnership with the KPMG Golf Business Forum. 

The Golf Business Forum is a two-day conference filled with engaging, dynamic and interactive discussions, one-on-one interviews, fast-paced debates and presentations from key industry leaders on a variety of topics, from golf design, development and investment through golf operations to efficient tools in international branding and golf tourism marketing. 

The event brings together the entire spectrum of the golf industry from developers and investors to operators and journalists. The Golf Business Forum now attracts more than 250 participants from over 40 nationalities.

This year’s event is to be staged in Tuscany, Italy from 17 – 19 September headlined by speakers, Sir Nick Faldo, Dana Garmany (CEO of Troon Golf), Sir Rocco Forte (Chairman of Rocco Forte Collection) and Jack Nicklaus II.

As part of the deal iSportconnect members will receive a 10% discount for registering for the event.

Sree Varma, Founder & Director of ISportconnect, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with such a prestigious brand. The Golf Business Forum is known throughout the industry and the partnership will help strengthen our brand.

Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice, said: “We look forward to welcoming members of iSportconnect to the Golf Business Forum. This is the best networking event for investors, developers and CEOs involved in the golf business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as other sports business related professionals, and this year’s event looks set to be the best yet.”

Go to http://www.golfbusinesscommunity.com/golf-business-forum-home for further details about registering.

UAE Rugby Still Positive Despite it’s Exclusion from Dubai Rugby Sevens

UAE rugby furture still remains bright even after the announcement that the country will not compete at its home event, pill the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens this November.

This follows the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) implementation of a new merit-based qualification system into the HSBC Sevens World Series, generic which selects only the top 16 sides.

But the IRB Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan tried to assuage this blow by insisting: “While UAE will not be competing in the HSBC Sevens World Series event at this year’s 2012 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the future for rugby in the UAE is bright. From a rugby sevens perspective, the UAE RA is putting in place some very exciting plans with a view towards qualification for the Asian Games in 2014 and future Olympic Games. There has been tremendous development progress in the UAE since the current Board took over the governance of the game, and the IRB will continue to work closely with the UAE RA and all our member unions to make sure the sport continues to grow in their territories.”

Egan explained that, under the new system, the top teams in the Asian Sevens Series would proceed to a qualifying tournament with the best-ranked teams from the other five IRB regions to compete for places in all forthcoming Rugby Sevens World Series.

Formed only two years ago from the break-up of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, the UAE RA was handed a wild-card to last year’s Dubai event to celebrate their debut season as a rugby-playing nation.

However, with sevens becoming an Olympic sport in 2016 and the Rugby Sevens World Cup in Russia now just under a year away, the IRB has decided to hand invites to only the 16 highest-ranked nations.

Suffering heavy defeats in all three group games at last year’s Dubai Sevens and having finished ninth on the HSBC Asian Sevens circuit, the UAE has not yet done enough to warrant a recall.

Chairman of the UAE RA, Mohammad Falaknaz, said: “We fully respect and understand the IRB decision as elite performance unions enter a four-year cycle of preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games. UAE Rugby still has plans to participate annually in the Dubai and Asian Sevens Series as part of our ongoing development.

“We are still committed in the pursuit of our vision to be prominent and successful in Asian rugby. As part of our strategic development, we are currently implementing programmes to expand our player base within the Emirati population, to develop sevens in schools and tertiary institutions and to organise new domestic and regional competitions. All will provide a sustainable performance model for Asian Games qualification and beyond.”

Umbro Launches ‘Faces of England’ Marketing Campaign with Paul Gascoigne

A new marketing campaign by Umbro, no rx unveiled a giant 13m x 10m image of legendary former England footballer Paul Gascoigne.
The image of Gazza is the first in a series of ‘Faces of England’ from official England kit suppliers Umbro which celebrates icons of England. Over the coming months, ambulance other famous figures that represent English culture will appear on the billboard on Old Street, London.
Gazza is pictured proudly wearing the current England Home shirt, tailored by Umbro, which will be worn by the England squad in Poland and the Ukraine.
The England home shirt is inspired by the red and white of the St George’s flag and the striping detail under the collar is a nod to the Umbro jacket worn by England manager Sir Alf Ramsey during England’s 1966 World Cup winning campaign.
Gazza said: “It brings a lump to my throat when I think about how proud I am to have played for my country. There’s nothing better than representing England – the buzz of the crowd and feeling the support of the whole country. Wearing the shirt again has brought back many happy memories and seeing myself on display in the capital, being celebrated as an icon of England is truly an honour.”
Gazza also joked: “I bumped into Colin Hendry recently and it [the game against Scotland] felt like only yesterday that I left him on the turf at Wembley. We delivered in style that day and I wish the current squad all the best this summer and hope they wear the shirt with pride.”
Trevor Cairns, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Umbro, said: “‘Faces of England’ will celebrate icons of English culture and in Gazza we’ve chosen one of the most entertaining and passionate players this country has ever seen.
“The pride which Paul displays when talking about playing for England proves he was the perfect choice. He has quite literally given blood, sweat and tears in the Three Lions shirt and if you’re an England fan, you can ask for nothing more.”
Images of Gazza in the England home shirt will also appear on fly postering sites across England.

A new marketing campaign by Umbro, unveiled a giant 13m x 10m image of legendary former England footballer Paul Gascoigne.

The image of Gazza is the first in a series of ‘Faces of England’ from official England kit suppliers Umbro which celebrates icons of England. Over the coming months, other famous figures that represent English culture will appear on the billboard on Old Street, London.

Gazza is pictured proudly wearing the current England Home shirt, tailored by Umbro, which will be worn by the England squad in Poland and the Ukraine.

The England home shirt is inspired by the red and white of the St George’s flag and the striping detail under the collar is a nod to the Umbro jacket worn by England manager Sir Alf Ramsey during England’s 1966 World Cup winning campaign.

Gazza said: “It brings a lump to my throat when I think about how proud I am to have played for my country. There’s nothing better than representing England – the buzz of the crowd and feeling the support of the whole country. Wearing the shirt again has brought back many happy memories and seeing myself on display in the capital, being celebrated as an icon of England is truly an honour.”

Gazza also joked: “I bumped into Colin Hendry recently and it [the game against Scotland] felt like only yesterday that I left him on the turf at Wembley. We delivered in style that day and I wish the current squad all the best this summer and hope they wear the shirt with pride.”

Trevor Cairns, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Umbro, said: “‘Faces of England’ will celebrate icons of English culture and in Gazza we’ve chosen one of the most entertaining and passionate players this country has ever seen.

“The pride which Paul displays when talking about playing for England proves he was the perfect choice. He has quite literally given blood, sweat and tears in the Three Lions shirt and if you’re an England fan, you can ask for nothing more.”
Images of Gazza in the England home shirt will also appear on fly postering sites across England.

TaylorMade Completes Takeover of Adams Golf

TaylorMade Golf company, a subsidiary of adidas, announced on Monday it will acquire rival Adams Golf for about $70 million.

“This acquisition reflects our commitment to continued growth in the golf category,” said adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer in a statement. “The proposed combination of Adams Golf and TaylorMade-adidas Golf brings together two highly complementary sets of brands, combining Adams’ focus on game-improvement as well as senior and women golfers with TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s focus on the younger and the low-to-mid handicap golfer.”

Barney Adams, interim CEO of Adams, said in a statement he’s pleased TaylorMade-adidas Golf will maintain his company’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.

“The Adams Golf brand will fit nicely into TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s stable of brands, and together we will be able to increase our reach and better serve our customers by leveraging a wider set of resources.”

by Ismail Uddin

Croatia Join List of Formula One Hosting Hopefuls

According to Croatian daily newspaper, Vecernij List, the nation has become the latest in a long line of hopefuls linked with hosting a Formula 1 race. 

The newspaper claimed that the project is being planned for just outside the country’s capital, Zagreb, and has the support of the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and favoured track designer Hermann Tilke. 

According to the report, the project has an estimated budget of US$346.7m, which will wholly come from private investors, and would take more than 18 months to complete.

Glasgow 2014 Chief Grevemberg to Become Commonwealth Games Federation CEO

The Commonwealth Games Federation have announced today that David Grevemberg will be their new Chief Executive.

Currently the Chief Executive of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, doctor he will take up his new role as head of one of the world’s leading sports organisations in November.

The appointment comes after a meeting yesterday (June 5) of the Federation’s Executive Board in Dubai.

Making the announcement, capsule CGF President, HRH Prince Imran, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have a sports leader of David’s calibre join us at this important time for the Commonwealth sports movement. He has an excellent track record for delivery and shows a real ambition for harnessing the power of sport within the Commonwealth. We look forward very much to the energy, vision and commitment he will bring to the Federation.”

David, 41, has been CEO of Glasgow 2014 since Sept 2011. He joined the OC as the Director of Operations in October 2009 and progressed to the role of Chief Operating Officer in July 2010. Previously he was the Executive Director of Sport and International Federation (IF) Relations at the International Paralympic Committee. He is a former wrestler and sports coach and was born in New Orleans, USA.

David Grevemberg said: “It will be an honour and privilege to lead the Commonwealth sports movement on the next stage of its journey. This is a time of tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth in which sport has an impactful role to play in empowering, inspiring and connecting nations and people in shared purpose.

“Glasgow 2014 is setting a new benchmark for Commonwealth Games and gives the movement sound foundations from which to build and grow. My immediate focus is on ensuring that – together with our Games Partners – we do Glasgow and Scotland proud and deliver the best Games ever, creating a great global stage for Commonwealth athletes to shine and a wonderful festival of sport the Commonwealth can enjoy.

“I look forward to working with HRH Prince Imran, the Executive Board, and the whole Commonwealth Games family – in particular Samoa and Gold Coast, hosts of the next Commonwealth Youth Games and Commonwealth Games. I’d also like to pay tribute to Mike Hooper for the commitment he has shown to Commonwealth sport over the past 14 years as the CGF’s Chief Executive.”

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Sochi 2014 Looks to Legacy with RIOU Campus Unveiling

The Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) has unveiled its state-of-the-art campus in Sochi.

RIOU was established in 2009 as a part of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games’ legacy plans, symptoms and aims to train a new generation of sports managers in both the strategic and operational skills needed to manage sports organisations, facilities and events, across the Olympic Movement and the wider sporting world. The campus is located in the centre of Sochi, close to the city’s seaport, and can accommodate 500 students at any one time, with the number of annual graduates totaling 2,000.

RIOU Rector Prof. Lev Belousov said:“The Olympic family has no boundaries, and RIOU’s creation is a perfect example of this. Building a university from nothing has not been an easy task, but we have accomplished it. Our goal is to train the next generation of sports leaders by drawing on the vast Olympic knowledge and experience that RIOU’s professors, visiting experts and the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee possess.

20 students, including Olympic swimming champion Otylia J?drzejczak of Poland, have been awarded scholarships for the inaugural MSA course by the Vladimir Potanin Foundation.

Vladimir Potanin, chairman of the private investment company Interros, a major investor in RIOU, added: “This is a great day for sport in Russia and for the Olympic Movement in general. It has been a lot of hard work to get the university ready in just four years but I am certain that it will pay off and I look forward to helping RIOU become a globally recognised training centre for specialists in sport management. The MSA course is about to start and I wish all of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation scholars the very best of luck with their studies. They have been awarded scholarships because of their commitment to sport and their talents are exceptional. I have no doubt they will go on to become excellent sports management leaders.”

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, said: “RIOU’s state-of-the-art campus, which meets all environmental requirements, is a clear example of Sochi’s Olympic legacy. The RIOU building has become the first Olympic venue to receive the BREEAM international environmental certificate. The University’s Olympic education programme will produce a new constellation of professional sport managers equipped with the right knowledge to stage major sport events. They will become not only top class specialists, but ambassadors of Olympic and Paralympic ideals and values as well.”

RIOU and Microsoft also signed an Agreement on Cooperation to provide the university with up-to-date IT infrastructure to ensure the efficient management of the University’s information flows. RIOU also formalised cooperation arrangements with Coventry University, a British university and sport management experts.