We are now just eight weeks away from SEG3 at the Emirates Stadium – the meeting place for the global sports, entertainment, gaming and web3 industries.
SEG3 brings you an action-packed two days, with 32 sessions from industry leading organisations that will help to keep you on top of the latest developments, build long-lasting relationships, and position your business to capitalise on the opportunities web3 and immersive technologies present.
With industry-leading speakers including the likes of Christian Volk, Director Gaming and Esports, FIFA; Jonathan Vlassopulos, CEO, Napster; Michael Meltzer, Head of Business Development, Sorare; Tian Pei, Head of Sports Partnerships, Roblox; Michael Thomas, Business Director Sport, Animoca Brands and Marc Mathieu, SVP, Web3 & Emerging Tech Studio, Salesforce, and many more, it’s one not to be missed.
With the Early Bird pricing closing soon, secure your place now for June 28th & 29th!
We sat down with Queenie Porter, Global Managing Director of WOW HYDRATE, to discuss the drinks industry, partnering with ambassadors and TikTok.
So Queenie to kick us off, take us through your journey in sport?
I don’t have the traditional route into the sports business, I started off at the Arcadia Group working quite closely with Sir Phillip Green. While there I worked my way up from a buyers admin assistant to head of buying for the cold weather and jewellery categories. Then, aged 26, I took a bit of time out and ended up being head hunted by the Co-Op group on LinkedIn. I started off by heading up everything non-food for them, but quickly transitioned into food as well.
This is how I got introduced to the founders of WOW HYDRATE. They pitched me their healthy, sugar free, electrolyte drink that at the time I thought was a really nice product and seemed to be ahead of the curve.
They then asked me if I wanted to hop over and work with them on the brand side. I came over and took up the role of Head of Commercial and since then we have grown our retail accounts from two to six and we are on track to sell about 20 million bottles this year.
You are five months into your position as Global MD of UK for WOW HYDRATE, how are you finding it and how is it different to your previous position as Head of Commercial?
When I was Head of Commercial, I was only looking after one department and just looking after the KPIs for that department. Now I am overseeing the whole business. I have really had to learn how to split my time and attention between each department. Initially, it was a bit tricky going from a finance meeting to a marketing chat and then a meeting with one of our retail accounts, but I am definitely getting better at it. Also, it has been really enjoyable working with all the department heads and understanding what they need to feel supported and make sure we are all pulling in the same direction.
What is it like being a female leader working in sport from your experience?
I actually think it is really exciting and a privilege to be working in a space where unfortunately it isn’t being driven by a lot of women. I also think it works to my advantage at times because it can make you more memorable whether that be meeting brands at events or going to conferences people are more likely to remember you because you stand out. Sometimes people are shocked to learn I am not the founder’s PA.
WOW HYDRATE is actually a very women-driven business which is really refreshing and having the chance to lead a group like that is something I take great pride in. I do want to try and inspire them and make them feel they can stand in a room and be taken seriously.
What are some of the challenges that are facing the drinks industry at the moment?
Over saturation. There is so much competition out there at the moment and the consumers have so much choice. There are lots of brands out there that pay ambassadors a lot of money to appear like they drink their drink when in reality they don’t. We are very different in that sense, to be an ambassador for us you either have to own equity in the company or the drink has to be a part of your staple diet. What is difficult is being authentic and being recognised for that because it is so easy for content creators with TikTok and social media to just look affiliated with brands without actually having any interest.
Authenticity is one of the traits that Gen Z appreciate the most, is that why you have chosen this route when it comes to who you partner with?
That definitely is a factor, but it also about having credibility within sport as well. Professional sport is a small world and it can get round quickly if the athletes you partner with aren’t actually drinking your drink. It really helps us create a narrative that people want to be a part of the WOW HYDRATE family because they know it is real.
On Gen Z we are moving into using TikTok a lot more, Instagram was great a few years ago but now whenever the audience sees #ad they turn off from what the person is actually saying. Our TikTok strategy is very different to what we have done before we post entertaining Q&A’s with members of the public so that when people organically find out content we are not doing a hard sell.
It’s a mixture of credibility, authenticity, and also making sure that the elite stars within the sports world understand that it’s a great product because their colleagues affiliated below sportsmen and women are committed for the right reasons.
You have recently signed deals with Tyson Fury, Kevin De Bruyne and Ella Toone, talk us through the strategy of using sports stars and how you identify the right people to use?
We really started off in Boxing because hydration is such a key part of the sport not just in the training but then when the fighters are trying to make a certain weight and then need to rapidly rehydrate after. The initial strategy was to partner with Tyson because he was just his comeback from his time away from the sport and everything that came with that and we wanted to go on this journey with him. The rest is history with him really and he is now an equity partner within the business and he is part of the WOW HYDRATE family.
In terms of Ella Toone we were able to pinpoint her as a real rising star and partnered with her early on. She has obviously gone on to do incredible things scoring in the European Championship Final at Wembley. We’re still aware, there’s lots to do for us and the female support space, which is a big strategy, the big concentration for us this year.
Your social media campaigns, particularly on TikTok, are interesting where you ask people questions without overtly promoting your drink. Talk us through the thought process behind that strategy?
At the moment our strategy is all about making our channel an entertaining place for people to visit and have a laugh. We are really trying to create an audience that people want to be a part of and have fun interacting with. Once we have grown an audience that we feel has our trust and is receptive to us then we will start to introduce elements of buying through TikTok shop and other ways. We are really planning to start this during this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. We want to get the company’s ethos across rather than just a hard sell.
In this Member Insight piece our Content Manager, Alex Brinton, looks into why sport needs to tread carefully moving forward.
You can’t have too much of a good thing.
Except we all know that you can. Scarcity value is something that is treasured in sport. What makes the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cups, ICC Cricket World Cups, Rugby World Cups and most other big tournaments so special is that they happen only every four years.
It gives us plenty of time to build up to them, creating storylines that fuel media hype and public interest. It gives teams the chance to evolve from one tournament to the next and players know they will only appear in three or four of them at the most, placing significance on each one.
There’s jeopardy, the word we all love in sport, on every match. Why do viewing figures always go up after the group stages of any major tournament? Because it is win or go home, everything a team has been building up for the last four years rests on that game. There is jeopardy in bucket loads.
The Olympics and FIFA World Cups are the most profitable sporting events in the world. For last year’s Qatar World Cup, FIFA earned a record-breaking $7.5bn from commercial deals in the four-year cycle. So naturally, it would make commercial sense to hold these tournaments as often as possible.
FIFA did look into plans for having the World Cup every two years, the project was the brainchild of legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger but it has since been shot down in flames. Nobody, bar FIFA themselves, seemed keen on the idea. Instead, they have used a Trojan horse technique to introduce a tournament expansion. The 2026 edition of the men’s World Cup will be hosted by three countries, 16 cities, four time zones, 48 teams and a reported 80 matches. More games, more commercial opportunities, and no doubt more lucrative broadcast deals.
In Formula One there is a championship every year, so there’s not much chance to shoehorn in another competition, but what they have done is increase the number of races. The F1 calendar has been expanding for years. This season will see the cars race on 23 different weekends and next year this is projected to increase again to either 24 or 25.
More races means more money for the sport. Each country or city which hosts a Formula One Grand Prix has to pay between a reported $15 million (Monaco) and $55 million (Qatar). But the increase in races means that the importance of each race as an individual event is decreased because there are more points on offer.
I am not suggesting that we go back to the seven races for the first F1 World Championship in 1950, but the more races the smaller the chance we have that the World Championship is still up for grabs going into the final race.
In the past ten years it has only come down to the final day on three occasions. We all remember the final race of the 2021 championship with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen going head to head – it was some of the best sporting drama that I have ever seen. Why? Because it was all or nothing, win or bust and the viewing numbers were up 29% from the same race the year before. Sport needs these moments to grow and produce drama.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the commercial jewel in cricket’s crown. Last summer’s media rights deal saw the tournament shoot up and become the second most valuable sports property behind the NFL in price paid per game. It really is a remarkable achievement and you can take nothing away from the BCCI, the tournament’s governing body.
It is the crème de la crème of T20 franchise cricket. But do we really need 74 games? It is not only a lot of games, it is a lot of time. The tournament lasts from March 31 to May 28 – that takes up a fair portion of the international calendar. Would the tournament not be better served having the best players, play the best competition, in front of the best crowds in fewer games. So much more would rest on each game, that word jeopardy pops up again.
The expansion of all these sports properties is not necessarily a bad thing. They are some of the most valuable properties in the world and their balance sheets are some of the strongest. That isn’t going to change if they play a few more matches, but where do we draw the line?
At some point we will be in danger of killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
This week’s iSportConnect Sponsorship Index powered by caytoo, dives into Major League Baseball sponsorships. Who is sponsoring them and why?
While F1 is dominated by IT and consumer goods brands which both fit into the very fabric of the sport in terms of its technological foundation and globetrotting nature (clothing, watches, sunglasses and luggage), MLB is dominated by financial services and food & beverage brands, so what does this speak to about baseball?
The dominance of these two sectors is driven by insurance, banks, alcohol and soft drinks; in fact, these four sub sectors (caytoo tracks over 50 sub sectors) account for a whopping 35% of all MLB sponsors. Baseball is historically referred to as America’s national pastime as it reflects many aspects of American life; in particular, the idea of a hot dog in one hand and a cold beer in the other. This is symbolic to American culture – drinking while watching sports is also a classic pastime – and baseball embodies that, particularly as the games are over 2.5 hours long – which explains why alcohol brands lead the way. Alcohol is followed by soft drinks (dominated by Coke and Pepsi) as the kids need refreshment too.
The link with financial services isn’t so overtly obvious but in more ‘dry’ product sectors in which product differentiation is harder and there’s less connection with emotion or lifestyle, sports such as baseball enable these brands to differentiate themselves from the competition.
It does this by deepening the emotional bond with consumers through the sport and team they identify strongly with. Baseball is also the oldest of the US’s four major professional sports leagues so there’s a naturally strong association with heritage and a sense of safety/security which is an association financial services crave.
In this View From article Michel Cutait, Acting Secretary General of the World Obstacle Federation, dives into the benefits of individual athletes being members of international federations.
When discussing innovation, the first thought that often comes to mind is technology. However, it’s important to note that innovation can take many different forms. The objective of this article is to explore how international sports federations can innovate their business models to drive growth and success.
It’s essential to clarify that the proposal presented in this article does not intend to conclude the subject, nor does it suggest that the current model is necessarily obsolete. On the contrary, the main objective is to evaluate new possibilities and opportunities to enhance the existing business model.
It is worth stating that the suggestion outlined here is feasible and has the potential to innovate governance in sports.
Traditionally, international sports federations grant membership to national federations, which represent their respective countries. However, this model limits the action of the international federations, and above all makes the relationship with athletes and the community dedicated to sport more difficult.
There is an alternative that has not yet become effective among international federations, and which could bring several benefits for the growth of the organisations, by allowing individual athletes to become members of international federations with rights and obligations according to the statutes of the international federations.
This article will explore the benefits of allowing individual athletes to become members of international sports federations.
National Federations Just to frame the discussion, it is important to clarify that national federations are responsible for the development and organisation of sports in their respective countries, which is why they are members of international federations.
Among various responsibilities, in addition to organising sports nationally, they select and send teams to international competitions and ensure that their athletes comply with the rules and regulations of the international federations.
The participation of national federations in international federations provides a platform for collaboration and cooperation between countries, a model that has allowed sports to keep evolving around the world.
Individual athletes Allowing individual athletes to become members of international federations as well would establish a new paradigm in the world of sports that could intensify the scope and purpose of international federations, without undermining the importance of the work done by national federations.
A small number of federations have already started to draft, and even include individual athletes as affiliates, but not exactly as members, and this proposal could be undertaken by many other federations, especially those that aim to grow the sport and its community of athletes.
Advantages Here are at least six interesting advantages of implementing the proposed change in this article.
Engagement It would increase their engagement with the sport. They would have a direct link to the international federation, which would give them access to information about the sport, training opportunities and updates on international competitions, as well as establishing a feeling of belonging for the athlete.
Revenue Moreover, implementing a membership fee for athletes, even a token amount, would generate significant financial benefits for the federation. This complementary revenue could be utilised to develop the sport, support training programs, and endorse international competitions.
However, it is crucial to emphasise that a portion of this revenue must be allocated towards enhancing the benefits of membership for the athletes. One way to achieve this is by creating a membership program.
Participation Individual athletes, as members of international federations, would have a voice to participate in discussions of committees, commissions, and even assemblies.
They could provide feedback, suggestions, and recommendations based on their experiences as athletes. This would benefit the federation with a more diverse and representative perspective of the sport and put athletes at the centre of the decision-making process.
Benefits
Additionally, It would offer direct benefits to athletes. These athletes would have access to resources and support provided by the federation, such as anti-doping education, medical support, training, and other benefits that the federation may extend to athletes.
Partnerships could also be expanded with companies and organisations, such as insurance companies, retailers, service providers, etc., who might be able to offer benefits based on agreements made with the international federations.
This would help athletes make the best of their performance with all the support that an international federation can offer.
Communication
One of the big challenges that international federations face is the difficulty of communicating with their community, because they depend on this bridge being largely made by the national federation.
Unfortunately, many times, this bridge is not made in an efficient way, and communication about the actions implemented by the international federation, such as projects, programs, and other initiatives, end up being poorly understood by the athletes.
Obviously, communication between the international federation and its national federations can be improved, but if the athletes could be considered as individual members, communication could be done in a direct way, and therefore much more efficient and assertive.
Database
Ultimately, the inclusion of athletes as individual members of the international federations would provide an advantage which turns out to be extremely important for expanding the database of the international federations.
All the technological innovations of this digital world, augmented by artificial intelligence, require organisations to maintain a comprehensive, reliable, and detailed database on their members, athletes, participants, and/or stakeholders.
In this case, if international federations could build their databases using the athletes’ information directly, without necessarily depending on the national federations, they could leverage this database meaningfully and productively.
For example, it could increase communication, boost engagement, facilitate sponsorship and fundraising, and create a collaborative environment in which all athletes would be connected right up to the leadership of the international federation.
Of course, this can be done by the national federations, and in practice this is what happens, but from the international federation’s point of view, having direct access to this information would be an excellent turning point for governing the sport.
Recommendations In order to ensure that this model not only proves to be useful but also yields positive outcomes for international federations, particularly given the crucial role played by national federations, it is imperative to take into account at least four key recommendations when implementing this new model.
First, any athlete who wants to join an international federation must also join the national federation of his or her respective country, following the specific requirements established in the statute of the national federations.
This would ensure that the national federations preserve their autonomy, independence and growth.
The proposed recommendation suggests a reciprocal affiliation process whereby if an athlete becomes affiliated with a national federation, it would be possible, based on the criteria set by each organisation, for the athlete to also affiliate with the international federation.
This would broaden the athlete’s participation at both national and international levels and provide advantages for both organisations.
Second, to uphold the principle of representation, it is crucial to limit voting rights in assemblies and committees only to national federations. This measure does not impede the rights of athletes, as they are already represented by their respective national federations.
It also does not hinder the national federations’ authority to make decisions in the assemblies and committees that have a significant impact on the future of the international federation and the sport.
If an individual athlete exercises the right to vote, he would be expressing his own interest and not the collective interest, which is why this prerogative would not become a solution for the common good of the organisation.
Third, this proposed model shift requires a modification of the statute, which can only be accomplished through a deliberation by members via an assembly set up for this specific purpose, in accordance with the statute of each organisation.
As it is essentially a statutory modification, implementing the proposal may pose a challenge due to the requirement for a highly qualified quorum.
However, for organisations that are currently in the process of forming, the foundation has the potential to propose the change.
Finally, fourth, the nomenclature for individual membership, associate, or participant can be decided by each organisation in accordance with the rules outlined in their statutes.
Nonetheless, it is crucial that athletes could exercise their rights and prerogatives in an effective and participative manner.
Conclusion Allowing individual athletes to become members of international sports federations is a step forward for the federation business model.
It would intensify athlete and community engagement, increase revenue generation, strengthen athlete participation in matters of relevance to sport, allow for more benefits to be provided to athletes, bridge the communication gap between the organisation and the community, and represent a turning point in building a reliable and relevant database on behalf of the international federation, and, of course, on behalf of the national federations.
International federations could also create different separate membership categories for other stakeholders such as coaches, judges to ensure that everyone participates in the development of the federation, promoting a more collaborative approach to the governance of sport.
Recognising the benefits of this model, international federations can progress in a more collaborative and inclusive manner, ultimately benefiting both the national and international sports communities.
Michel Cutait is a Senior Executive Sports Manager, Consultant, Lawyer, Professor and Author. He is currently the Acting Secretary General of World Obstacle, the international governing body for obstacle sports (Obstacle Course Racing, Ninja and Adventure Racing) and related events, where he runs the Secretariat, and works actively in the areas of governance, membership, partnership, development, and strategy. He served as the Brazilian Triathlon Confederation’s Strategy Advisor. Graduated in Law, holds Masters degrees in Social Relations (Brazil), Marketing (Australia), and Sports Administration and Technology (AISTS) from EPFL in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital. In addition, he serves as an editorial board member and reviewer for the Journal of Global Sport Management. He has authored five books, with his most recent work titled “Management Performance Rio 2016 Olympic Games,” which is catalogued in the Olympic Library in Lausanne.
Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler, today announces completion of the acquisition of The Switch Enterprises LLC (The Switch) through its wholly owned international subsidiary Tata Communications (Netherlands) B.V. The US $58.8 Mn (₹486.3 Crores) cash transaction has been closed post customary adjustments and regulatory approvals.
Tata Communications, through its wholly owned international subsidiary Tata Communications (Netherlands) B.V. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% equity stake in New York-headquartered The Switch Enterprises LLC on 22nd December 2022.
With the close of this transaction, the combined strength of Tata Communications and The Switch is set to usher in a new world of end-to-end video production and transmission of high-quality, high-speed, and more immersive live video experiences for viewers and fans from event venues and racetracks to screens across varied equipment such as televisions, mobile devices, etc.
“Immersive video experiences in real-time are going to be the next game changer for enterprises, and our combined expertise will make for a formidable force creating shared value for all,” said Tri Pham, Chief Strategy Officer, Tata Communications. “We’re gearing to bring more powerful platforms for sports federations and broadcasters to help them deliver fast-paced, always-on and interactive entertainment forms for viewers across borders. We’re extremely pleased to welcome The Switch team to Tata Communications.”
Dhaval Ponda, Global Head of Media & Entertainment Business, Tata Communications added, “Tata Communications and The Switch are now a powerhouse with the combination of live production capabilities, global edge platform dedicated for media & entertainment industry along with end-to-end managed services. These are exciting times in the world of video production for us to make a difference for enterprises and engage consumers. Together, we are leveraging the expertise of both companies to bring some never-before-known experiences for fans globally – whether they are playing esports, watching a live tournament or live streaming a concert. We welcome and wish our colleagues from The Switch all the very best for their future.”
Eric Cooney, President & CEO, The Switch said, “The Switch is a market leader offering live production and transmission services to hundreds of customers in the United States and abroad. This acquisition by Tata Communications is a key milestone in our growth journey and enables us to expand our horizons. Together with Tata Communications, we are excited to step up our customers’ growth journeys, enhance viewer experiences and expand globally.”
With the completion of this transaction, The Switch Enterprises joins the Media and Entertainment Services (MES) business of Tata Communications under the leadership of Dhaval Ponda, Global Head of Media and Entertainment Business, Tata Communications.
Matchroom and DAZN are delighted to announce a three-year extension to their broadcast deals in the USA and Mexico – a deal further cements Matchroom as a true global leader in boxing while also confirming DAZN as THE home of global combat sports with the platform available in over 200 territories.
Matchroom held their first event live on DAZN in October 2018 when Jessie Vargas took on Thomas Dulorme in Chicago, and since that night in the Windy City, President Eddie Hearn has teamed up with the global streaming giants to put on over 50 events in America and Mexico.
The first Mexico night took place in February 2019 when Humberto Soto defeated Brandon Rios in Tijuana, and Hearn has hosted seven more thrilling nights in the country and Matchroom’s latest event saw World-rated Lightweight Angel Fierro stop Eduardo Estela in Culiacan to move closer to World title action. Matchroom are in a strong position in Mexico after Mauricio Lara joined Juan Francisco Estrada and Julio Cesar Martinez as World champions from the boxing hotbed with his stunning KO win over Leigh Wood in Nottingham, England to become WBA Featherweight ruler, as they meet in a rematch in Manchester, England in May.
Matchroom kicked off 2023 in America in style with a double-header of Undisputed World title action in New York that saw Amanda Serrano and Alycia Baumgardner crowned the undisputed rulers at Featherweight and Super-Featherweight respectively and San Antonio had it’s first two-weight World champion in April, as future pound-for-pound star Jesse Rodriguez bravely boxed on with a broken jaw to add the WBO Flyweight crown to the Super-Flyweight strap he won and defended in style in 2022.
The blockbuster action continues in May as Canelo Alvarez defends his undisputed Super-Middleweight crown against and John Ryder in what promises to be a spectacular homecoming for the Mexican hero in Guadalajara on Cinco de Mayo weekend. The next action in America sees Hearn’s newest signing in action as Super-Middleweight star Edgar Berlanga faces Jason Quigley in New York in June, with the Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican KO artist the latest addition to a stacked Stateside stable along with young talents Criztec Bazaldua and Yankiel Rivera, with promoter Eddie Hearn ready to add more great nights and fighters to the already stacked schedule with this announcement.
Paris Saint-Germain Esports is returning to Rocket League in style, thanks to a partnership with leading organisation Tundra Esports. Determined to break into the global elite, the two have their sights set on producing long term championship results together. Competing under the name PSG Tundra, the team will be leveraging the Paris Saint-Germain brand’s growing stature in gaming with the unique expertise of Tundra in esports performance and content creation to build a highly engaged global audience of fans.
The aim of this partnership is to create a competitive Rocket League team capable of winning every competition it enters and a brand that reflects the mainstream interests of its fans. The full team information including players and coach will be announced in due course.
Regarded as one of the most technically complex of video games, Rocket League quickly became an esports sensation. Released in July 2015, this football/driving hybrid is played by nearly 100 million people globally every month, which is an indication of its success with gaming and football fans.
Paris Saint-Germain Chief Brand Officer Fabien Allègre said: “We are delighted to be back in Rocket League, one of the most popular games in the world. We are anxious to see the PSG Tundra team succeed. In putting together our team Paris Saint-Germain is looking to make the most of its presence in Europe and to continue its expansion. Thanks to the PSG Tundra team, the club now has seven Esports teams.”
Tundra Esports was formed in 2019 with the aim of bringing together the best Esports talent worldwide. Winning countless titles including the Dota International 2022 and FNCS EU Championship, the British organisation has developed a breakthrough profile with their disruption to the esports scene and is the one to watch on the international stage.
Tundra Esports Executive Chairman, Carleton Curtis said “We are delighted to partner with the elite French team Paris Saint-Germain. PSG shares the same values as us at Tundra – excelling beyond the competitive game and offering fans a unique and unforgettable experience through gaming culture, art and music! We are very much looking forward to seeing what this dynamic duo can achieve.”
Less than a year ago Web3 was all over the media as the next big thing. Since the end of the cryptocurrency craze you hardly hear about it anymore. Now it’s AI everywhere you look. The similarity in hype is hard to miss. But don’t think that just because Web3 isn’t making as much noise, blockchain is any less important or less likely to be shaping the future of the internet ¬ and of the sports and entertainment businesses.
The simple fact is that AI is easier to “get” than Web3. You can easily experience it first-hand. All you have to do is pop a question into ChatGPT and say “wow” when you see what comes out. Web3 is about the underlying architecture of the internet. It’s like plumbing. You don’t want to see plumbing, it’s just supposed to work. When the buzz was around Web3, the curious had to buy crypto or an NFT or at the very least you needed to get a wallet.
My point is that AI has now become the hot topic that Web3 and the metaverse were last year, maybe hotter.
The thing that I find striking is that Web3 and AI are at different ends of the spectrum of the future internet.
AI is about centralization. Look at who’s calling the shots in headline-making generative AI at present. The usual Big Tech suspects. Microsoft is behind ChatGPT. Google has countered with Bard. I will also mention Adobe’s Firefly. AI underpins Big Tech. It’s at the heart of Facebook.
Web3 is about de-centralization of the internet. The whole premise is that control of data and interaction will reside, not with the platforms that control Web2 but with individuals and the communities they choose to be a part of. Put simply, the logic of the Web3 vision for internet users is anti-Big Platform (just as the logic of crypto is anti-Big Banks).
Does this mean that AI will not have a place in a Web3 future? Not at all. That would be a backwards step. But it does seem to suggest that the answer-bots would have to navigate the internet in a different way than they currently do, by scraping every bit of Web2 in order to appear all-knowing.
Indeed, it has been suggested that Web3 can be the much-needed “trust layer” protecting us from the potential excesses of AI. Pay attention!
Martin El-Khouri of Bertelsmann Investments, who will be a speaker at the SEG3 Sports, Entertainment & Gaming conference in London coming up June 28-29, told me this week that he sees Web3 as the future of the internet, and that advertising and the media business will be transformed by blockchain and the potential for brands to reinvent their relationships with fans and consumers. Given that Bertelsmann is one of the world’s largest media conglomerates (the 68 TV channels of their RTL Group reach 99% of European homes), anyone in sports and entertainment should pay heed.
In a similar vein, Accenture’s business trends survey shows that executives expect 4.2% of their revenues to come from the metaverse in the next three years.
And yet, the current levels of Web3 attention and understanding still remain far from where they should be. While Web3 and the metaverse are enthusiastically embraced by the initiates, too many sports and entertainment decision-makers have just not got their heads around what is happening. And that’s a shame because beyond Web2 the opportunities for building deeply engaged communities and profitable new businesses are far bigger than they imagine
Volleyball World has announced that Stake.com will become the exclusive betting partner of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Volleyball World and Stake.com are excited to announce a far-reaching new collaboration for the VNL in 2023. The new partnership follows Stake’s involvement in the VNL Osaka event in 2022 and will now extend to cover all rounds of both the Men’s and Women’s VNL. This thrilling development underscores the strengthened trust, mutual respect, and shared dedication to promoting the sport of volleyball worldwide.
“We are ecstatic to welcome back Stake.com as our partner for the 2023 VNL. With our reach in multiple markets, including Brazil, Canada, and beyond, our partnership will offer an unparalleled platform to connect with a passionate and engaged fanbase from around the globe. We look forward to seeing how Stake.com will elevate the matchday experience for our fans and add even more excitement to the tournament.” said Finn Taylor, CEO of Volleyball World.
Akhil Sarin, Director of Acquisition for Stake.com added: “Our involvement with the VNL in 2022 was a resounding success, so it was an easy decision to secure a partnership on a larger scale for 2023. We’re looking forward to seeing the Stake branding light up the courts and offering Volleyball fans globally an unbeatable proposition on our platform throughout the tournament.”
