Duracell, buy sale a Procter & Gamble (P&G) brand, anabolics announced the launch of its “Rely on Copper to Go for the Gold” program, headlined by six-time NBA All-Star and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Dwight Howard.

It also featured Olympians Hunter Kemper (triathlon), siblings Mark and Diana Lopez (taekwondo), and Olympic Gold Medalist Summer Sanders, “Rely on Copper to Go for the Gold” gives consumers a portal to provide encouragement for the athletes through videos, pictures and texts as they train and compete for the Games in London.

Just as athletes rely on the power of their devices when training, they also rely on the power of fan support. Duracell’s online Virtual Stadium will offer consumers the unique opportunity to experience the road to the Games through the eyes of these world class athletes, and in turn, send them the power of encouragement and inspiration through video, text and photo messages. Additionally, by submitting motivational messages to the Duracell Virtual Stadium, consumers have the chance to win a trip to the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games or a $500 Visa gift card.

“Whether in training or using battery power in their everyday lives, athletes trust in Duracell to make sure they are always prepared for what life has to offer,” said Volker Kuhn, General Manager for Duracell North America. “Duracell is committed to powering Team USA, and it’s our privilege to provide consumers with a tangible and meaningful way to help athletes achieve their Olympic Games dreams.”

by Ismail Uddin

It has been announced that the 2018 US Open will be held in Shinnecock Hills by the United States Golf Association (USGA), 14 years after the Long Island club last hosted the event in 2004.

Shinnecock hosted the second ever US Open in 1896 and will be the site of the 118th edition of the tournament having also hosted the event in 1986, 1995 and most recently, 2004.

USGA president Jim Hyler told ESPN: “We are thrilled that our national championship will return to one of our country’s most-storied venues. We are confident that Shinnecock Hills will provide a true challenge for the world’s premier players, as it has for more than a century.”

Pebble Beach has already been awarded the 2019 edition of the tournament, while next year’s US Open will take place at Olympic Club in San Francisco followed by Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia in 2013 and Pinehurst in North Carolina in 2014.

However, the BRDC has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to attract investment for a series of new projects including hotels, a hall of fame, young driver academies and an international-standard kart track in plans to “realise the full potential of Silverstone and its 760-acre estate”.

BRDC chairman Stuart Rolt stated: “We are seeking external investment to help us realise the full potential of Silverstone more quickly. We have asked Robert Brooks, previous chairman, to lead the process. If we cannot find a suitable investor, or are unable to agree satisfactory terms on a deal, we will continue with the development ourselves, albeit at a slower pace.”

He added: “The commercial potential of Silverstone and the estate is significant. With the new circuit, new pit and paddock complex and other existing key motor sport developments all funded, the time is right for the BRDC to consider potential investment from third parties who share our vision and can help us realise the full potential of Silverstone more rapidly.”

Verizon are looking to expand their mobile video opportunities particularly in sports, remedy chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam has revealed.

The company previously live streamed on smartphones and tablets for the first time the Super Bowl via an NFL app in a deal with CBS Sports. At a UBS investor conference, ampoule he was asked if there could be more such deals. McAdam said that Verizon could partner with other sports networks, pills leagues or video app providers for similar opportunities in the future.

And he said that Verizon was in general looking to make more content available on mobile devices outside the home, especially sports. He said that such industry leaders as CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves, who will speak at the conference later, and he have discussed “how to bring more content out of the house.”

Asked what sports offers Verizon was interested in offering via mobile devices, he said sports leagues have an interest in making out-of-market games available to a broader audience. TV rights holders are “careful about (not) cannibalizing day of broadcast” audiences, and “there are a lot of content rights that need to be worked through,” McAdam emphasized. But he said that games could be offered with a delay of 3-4 days or even two weeks and still offer “a real win-win” for Verizon and content firms.

“The market has demonstrated that it wants it,” he argued before predicting: “Within the next two years, you will see some dramatic change in viewership.”

Asked if there was revenue for Verizon to be made from sports, McAdam said that the NFL app is free, but attractive content boosts mobile usage, plus the app offers premium services on top of the free usage, which brings in additional revenue. “That is our formula going forward,” McAdam said about the mix of free and premium offers.

The United States will play host to the 2013 CanAmMex Regatta, unhealthy which takes place July 7-14 at the Oklahoma City High Performance Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The event brings together junior competitors from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“The regatta serves two purposes,” said USRowing Director of Development Steve Hargis. “It brings together each country’s developmental junior athletes, coxswains and coaches for friendly, yet high-level competition. Secondly, this regatta provides a life opportunity for its participants and serves as a cultural experience. For many, CanAmMex will be an important step in development toward potential future U.S. Junior National Team, Under 23 and Senior National Team opportunities.

“I am very excited about this opportunity to train and race at a recognized world-class venue,” said Hargis. “I look forward to seeing the athletes in action with the great spirit and sportsmanship that defines CanAmMex.”

“We’re pleased once again to welcome this prestigious international event to the Boathouse District and Oklahoma City National High Performance Center,” said OKC Boathouse Foundation Executive Director Mike Knopp. “As the site for the 2008 event, we’ve seen the positive impact this regatta has on the athletes who participate and look forward to seeing the top youth in North America race on the Oklahoma River.”

Racing will be contested in twelve events including the men’s and women’s single sculls, double sculls, pair, quadruple sculls, four with coxswain and eight.

Catalyst Public Relations, apoplectic the award winning U.S. based communications firm that specializes in developing consumer-facing integrated marketing has been acquired by IMG Worldwide, viagra the global sports, fashion and media company.

Catalyst will remain itself for the time being and will become a part of IMG’s Consulting business, headed by David Abrutyn, senior vice president and Global Managing Director of IMG Consulting.  

“The acquisition of Catalyst is a perfect fit for IMG’s client-oriented businesses,” said Mike Dolan, Chairman and Chief Executive of IMG. “They have a long history of success in working across all the major U.S. Sports Properties as well as global properties such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup and boast a strong base of corporate clients. Their expertise in Public Relations, Content Development & Digital and Social media services will significantly enhance our ability to fully service the sports and entertainment agency needs of our clients here in the U.S. and in all of our key international markets,” Dolan concluded.

“This acquisition is part of an ongoing plan to further expand our portfolio of key marketing services we can provide our Consulting clients around the world,” added George Pyne, President of IMG’s Sports and Entertainment Group.  “We plan to integrate their capabilities into our global Consulting practice that includes our fast growing PR services in the UK and expand these Communications services into key markets in Europe, Middle East, South America and Asia.  They will also be able to work with other IMG Divisions where these types of corporate partner communication services are needed,” Pyne said.

With the acquisition, Catalyst’s current management team of Bret Werner, Bill Holtz and Ted Fragulis will all join IMG, as will their staff of full time employees in their New York, Charlotte and Los Angeles offices.  Werner will continue in his role as Managing Partner for the business and will report to David Abrutyn.  Holtz and Fragulis will continue to work with Werner in managing the business.

“We’ve enjoyed a strong and productive working relationship with IMG for many years,” said Bret Werner, Managing Partner, Catalyst. “The ability to join IMG Consulting and continue with our current client service model as well as expand our traditional PR and digital expertise globally provides us with the opportunity to evolve and grow well into the future.”

Catalyst Public Relations was named “Small Agency of the Year” for 2012 by PRWeek, which marked the third time that Catalyst has earned agency of the year honours, including “Boutique Agency of the Year” by PRWeek in 2010 and “New Consultancy of the Year” by The Holmes Report in 2009. These prestigious industry accolades recognized the agency’s financial and client growth, client retention and exceptional creativity and innovation.

Pat McQuaid, arthritis president of the International Cycling Union (UCI) has vowed to continue to improve the sport, despite calls for his job and challenge for his role.

A day after a meeting of pressure group Change Cycling Now called for a change of leadership and saw three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond offer his services as an interim president of the UCI, McQuaid launched the first phase of a stakeholder consultation.

All of those involved in the sport, from riders to industry representatives and anti-doping organisations, have until next Monday to respond to a letter from the UCI.

McQuaid said: “We will work together to tackle issues of concern and build a bright future for cycling.

“We will look at how we can continue the process of globalising cycling, encourage wider participation and make the sport even more interesting for spectators.”

The consultation, which will take place in early 2013, is completely separate from the external independent commission, which is charged with looking into the issues and allegations contained in the United States Anti-Doping Agency decision relating to the Lance Armstrong affair.

Wembley has been put forward by the the Football Association as a potential venue for the Euro 2020 final should UEFA president Michel Platini’s plan to hold the tournament across several European countries go ahead.

Platini concocted a new plan to stage European Championship matches in 12 or 13 different countries, with the final stages all taking place in one venue. The idea will be discussed by UEFA’s executive board in December, with a decision set to be made early next year.

It is reported that FA chairman David Bernstein met with Platini last week and registered his association’s interest in Wembley holding the final.

“Clearly Wembley is incredibly highly thought of by UEFA and it is something we will probably push for,” said Bernstein. “UEFA want to hold the semi-finals and the final on the same ground, or in the same city and I think we would be on their shortlist – but there would be some strong competition.”

Turkey have currently placed a bid to hold the whole of Euro 2020 in its traditional format, however if they are successful in their bid to stage the 2020 Olympics then the Euro bid will give way, opening the door for Platini’s revolutionary idea.

“One of the major factors is whether Turkey get the Olympic Games or not. If Turkey do not get the Olympic Games then I think they are in a pretty good position to stage the Euros,” added Bernstein.

“If we believed there was a real opportunity of having the tournament here of course we would look at it. Of course there would be an intent, the public want it and we’d want it and it would be wonderful to have it here. If Michel Platini’s current views prevail and it becomes a pan-European competition, then the focus needs to be on the semi-finals and final.”

Regarding Platini’s plan former Wembley CEO, Michael Cunnah, said: “You can make anything work and I guess that if the Euros were held in cities across Western Europe they could be closer than some cities which were in Korea/ Japan or Ukraine/ Poland.”

But the iSportconnect chairman also reiterated: “It is always a real strain when competitions are held in different countries and therefore Platini could be multiplying this.”

Wembley will hold the Champions League final for the second time in three years this season as part of the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

iSportconnect, the world’s leading sports business networking platform is excited to announce we are launching a meeting scheduler for those attending the Euro 2012 finals and the London 2012 Olympics.

Following on from the success of various business conferences across the globe including Rugby Expo, Soccerex European Forum and Sportech, iSportconnect will be launching two new meeting schedulers on the website.Following on from the success of various business conferences across the globe including Rugby Expo, Soccerex European Forum and Sportech, iSportconnect will be launching two new meeting schedulers on the website.

The Euro 2012 and the London 2012 Networking Tools will now have the exclusive feature of being able to see who else is attending, and the opportunity to arrange meetings with them.

As of the 23rd of May, iSportconnect members will be able to utilise the Euro 2012 Networking Tool by logging on to or signing up to dev.isportconnect.com/euro2012.

Members will then be able to go to the community section of the site and click on the Euro 2012 Networking Tool where they can keep up to date with all the latest news and discussions, see who else is attending the events, and book meetings with them.

From 20th June, iSportconnect members will be able to utilise the London 2012 Networking Tool by logging on to or signing up to dev.isportconnect.com/london2012.

iSportconnect’s Marketing and Partnership manager Xavier Cureau said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to grab. Where else will business executives be able to make new contacts and find out who’s attending these huge events? London and Europe will be thriving on the business that could be made.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available for these Networking Tools on iSportconnect. For more information contact mark.thomas@isportconnect.com.