NFL team Detroit Lions are looking to strengthen their brand after using social media marketing platform Social Toaster.

The program, sale ed entitled Lions Pride, case enables Lions fans to share Lions web content directly with Lions Pride — a Detroit Lions fan club — and their social networks.

Over 3,000 Lions fans have joined Lions Pride since its October 19th launch. It is estimated that those fans have a reach of over one million people.

Fans that participate in the program earn points for each piece of Lions information they share to their social networks, and also for each person that visits the Lions website as a result of that shared content. In return, participants have the chance to win various prizes, including Lions tickets and sideline passes.

Detroit Lions New Media Coordinator Chrissie, said: We were instantly intrigued with SocialToaster’sconcept. The platform allows us to release news and information in a non-traditional way and it rewards our fans for participating. Since our soft launch we have seen steady growth in our numbers and have already received plenty of fan feedback, showing that fans are not only signing up, but they are engaged in the process as well.”

Detroit native and SocialToaster CEO Brian Razzaque, said “We’re really excited to welcome the Detroit Lions to our rapidly expanding client list. They’ve been extremely supportive and have clearly demonstrated that they understand the unique value of our platform in terms of enabling them to tap into their existing supporters. It’s exciting to see good things coming out of Detroit, and we’re looking forward to being a part of that into the future.”

Baltimore-based company Social Toaster’s are already familiar with NFL surroundings after created a similar campaign with the Baltimore Ravens in September of this year.

The Freestyle Football Federation (F3) has commissioned an exciting team of young animated characters from Northern Creative Studio to globally promote its fast- growing sport emphasizing ball skills and imagination. The partnership is launching ahead of the World Freestyle Football Championships taking place in London on October 22, cialis 2014. 

F3’s slogan is “All You Need Is A Ball” and the new characters embody the free-wheeling fun spirit of freestyle. The first of the new characters are Anton, order who’s too cool for school, arthritis and the sparkplug Max. 

“Our sport isn’t football, it’s freestyle and it’s fun – and these new characters capture that spirit for digital media,” said F3 President Daniel Wood. “Freestylers are individuals, they’re creative and they’re passionate about the ball. With Anton, Max and their teammates, Northern Creative Studio is giving us characters who are just like our players – they live for freestyle and play anywhere.” 

The World Freestyle Football Championships, featuring the world’s top 16 freestyle footballers, will take place at Indigo at the O2 in London from 5pm-9pm on October 22. Tickets are available for only £10. Booking is now open at  www.axs.com.

League One team Bristol City have announced that John Pelling will become their new chief executive from June 1.

The 50-year-old, who has been heading up the Robins’ academy since October, will also sit on the board of directors with current CEO Doug Harman remaining as a director after Pelling’s appointment.

The former Nottingham Forest’s finance director, told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to be joining the board of Bristol City as chief executive. It is an exciting time with the stadium redevelopment project due to provide the club and its supporters with the facilities that they deserve.

“My seven months at the academy have given me a great introduction to the club. I feel that the club provides a great opportunity to give promising players a platform to develop their talents.

“I now look forward to working with club staff as we move towards a bright future.”

Vice-chairman Jon Lansdown added: “John boasts more than 15 years of Board-level experience principally with Nottingham Forest.

“His time in charge of the academy has been very successful and we’re delighted to welcome him on to the board from June 1.”

Iran have been given the gree light to host the Asian Kabaddi Championship at Tehran next year.

Mohammad Abassi, here Sports and Youth Affairs Minister of Iran, announced the developments.

Abassi praised the conduct of the 2nd World Kabaddi Championship by the Punjab Government and urged Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to lead the Asian Kabaddi Federation for the betterment of this game.

He expressed hope that in the years to come the Circle Style Kabaddi would be part of Asian Games.

“The ties between India and Iran are getting stronger with the organisation of such sports events. We have accepted the offer of Punjab Government to participate in the three- nation Indigenous Wrestling Competition going to be organised next year,” he said.

 

Even though Mohamed bin Hammam was given the all-clear by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), FIFA have provisionally banned Mohamed bin Hammam for 90 days while they investigate allegations of financial mismanagement during his time as president of the Asian Football Confederation.

The 63-year-old Qatari last week saw a lifetime ban from football overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being found guilty in 2011 by FIFA’s ethics committee of paying bribes to Caribbean Football Union officials while campaigning against Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

Bin Hammam remained subject to a 30-day temporary suspension by the AFC – which was then extended worldwide by FIFA – following an audit by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) that centred on contract negotiations and payments to and from AFC bank accounts during Bin Hammam’s presidency.

And FIFA have now extended that ban further as they continue to investigate those allegations.

“At the request of Michel J. Garcia (chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee), Hans-Joachim Eckert (chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee) today provisionally banned Mohamed bin Hammam from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for a period of a maximum of 90 days,” read a statement from FIFA.

“The decision was taken based on art. 83 par. 1 in fine of the FIFA Code of Ethics, in order to prevent interference with the establishment of the truth in respect of a preliminary investigation initiated pursuant to article 62 par. 2 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

“The investigation aims inter alia at assessing the PwC report of 13 July 2012 in respect of potential misconduct on behalf of Mr bin Hammam in the light of the provisions of the FIFA Code of Ethics and at assessing the prospects of collecting further evidence relevant to the recently closed CAS proceedings in the case of Mr Mohamed bin Hammam v/ FIFA as well as at undertaking investigative efforts to this

Legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana has begun discussions with Santa Clara leaders to build a four- or five-star hotel across from the San Francisco 49ers stadium.

The City Council on Tuesday night voted 4-2 to begin exclusive negotiations with the business group fronted by Montana. The vote was expected after officials in July promised to cooperate with Montana, who excited Niners fans when he unveiled the idea at a public meeting last year.

City leaders and Montana’s group will have one year to battle over how much money the Hall of Fame player and his associates will contribute to the Santa Clara general fund for the right to build on city-owned land. Montana says he has the money to build a luxury hotel garnering at least four stars, a sports bar, an “upscale” restaurant and “additional entertainment uses” that would open with the new Niners stadium before the 2014 NFL season.

“This is a no-brainer,” said Councilman Kevin Moore, a stadium supporter, who joked that apparently there was no interest from former superstar quarterback Brett Favre.

The project will be built on two city-owned lots totaling eight acres at Tasman Drive and Centennial Boulevard. Construction on half the land cannot start until work on an adjacent, new parking garage is complete later this year, while the other half is being used to store vehicles and equipment for the stadium project.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will take place in Moscow from June 28-30 as the sport builds towards its Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016.

The announcement was made today at Webb Ellis House, ask Twickenham by Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) and the Rugby Union of Russia.

It will be the sixth edition of the event which is the premier international sevens competition contested by men’s and women’s national teams every four years.

Vyacheslav Kopiev, pills President of the Rugby Union of Russia, said: “The IRB has shown great vision by entrusting the running of this great tournament to us.

“We have made real progress in recent years and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will be the next step along the way to Russia becoming a rugby superpower.

“Indeed, our national team’s performances at the recent RWC in New Zealand showed the world how far we have already come along the way.

“We are committed to delivering an exceptional event. We hope to welcome supporters from other countries to Moscow while also engaging the local population and switching them on to Rugby Sevens.”

International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset is expecting Moscow 2013 to be an exceptional event.

He said: “The IRB is committed to growing the Game in emerging and new territories and the awarding of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 to Moscow underscores our commitment to this process.

“Moscow 2013 will not just be an exceptional global showcase, with the support of the Russian Government it will provide the platform to boost participation and interest in a country that really is embracing rugby.

“We are excited about the potential of Rugby Sevens. We are already a long way down the road in preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games where our finest men’s and women’s sevens athletes will have the opportunity to compete on the world’s greatest sporting stage.”

The ambassadors for the event have also been unveiled as Russian players Vasiliy Artemyev, who plays for Northampton Saints, Vladimir Ostroushko, Anastasia Mukharyamova and Elena Shevtsova.

English Premier League team Chelsea FC has become the first English team to add a charity logo onto its Champions League kit.

In addition to existing sponsors Samsung and adidas, the club’s European kit will also feature the logo of global charity partner, Right To Play – a humanitarian organisation using sport and play to help tackle disease, poverty and conflict in 20 countries around the world. The logo will feature on the back of the shirts throughout the remainder of the European campaign.

The new European shirts debuted on Tuesday 1 November during Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Belgian side KRC Genk.

Bruce Buck, Chelsea chairman, said: “As a club we acknowledge the vital role that sport can play in our local and global communities and we are delighted to be leading the way by featuring a charity sponsor on our Champions League shirt.

“Our vision is echoed by our shirt sponsors Samsung and adidas who share our passion for using sport for positive social change.”

Working closely with communities, Right To Play train local staff and volunteers to implement sport and play-based learning programs designed to teach children and youth important life skills including health, teamwork, conflict resolution, respect and fair play.

Founded by four-time Olympic speed-skating gold medalist Johann Koss, Right To Play’s partnership with Chelsea is helping to raise funds and increase awareness of the charity’s work across the globe.

Koss, Right To Play President and CEO, said: “I am excited about this new commitment by Chelsea Football Club. By featuring our logo on their Champions League shirt, Chelsea and their sponsors are truly demonstrating their commitment to Right To Play. This will spread the message that sport and play have the power to improve the lives of children living in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.

“I am thrilled that Right To Play’s partnership with Chelsea continues to grow and I would like to thank Chelsea and their sponsors Samsung and adidas for their support.”