Aspera, therapy | Inc., creators of next-generation software technologies that move the world’s large data at maximum speed, today announced that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s leading promoter of mixed martial arts (MMA), has deployed Aspera’s high-speed transfer software to power its file-based content delivery workflows – for its internal teams during production of live events, for global distribution partners and for fans accessing content on the web or via their mobile devices from around the world.

With over 30 live events taking place annually worldwide, the UFC needed to implement a digital transport technology solution that would overcome wide area network challenges to deliver video content quickly to the production crew ahead of each event and distribute it internationally within hours of each event.

UFC deployed Aspera as the backbone of its digital asset management system allowing field production teams to quickly pull existing content from venues all over the world for inclusion in the live broadcasts. The same system links UFC’s Las Vegas headquarters and Los Angeles office, with video editors transferring gigabytes of file-based media on a daily basis.

UFC programming is broadcast to 800 million TV households throughout 145 countries, and content is hosted on UFC.com and delivered on every major mobile gaming platform including iTunes, Hulu, Xbox, Amazon, Roku, and Sony PS3. Exclusive footage offered includes fighters in training, event week activities such as workouts, weigh-ins and press conferences, and behind-the-scenes interviews.

“We needed to push large volumes of high-quality content from locations that sometimes have poor connectivity, so we developed a solution using Aspera,” said Christy King, vice president of digital and technology research and development at UFC. “There is simply no way we could have ever distributed this much content as broadly as we can today without the ability to deliver video as quickly as Aspera does.”

Aspera is also at the heart of UFC’s content delivery to over 150 international partners. Over the past year, UFC shifted its workflow from 90% physical tape delivery to 95% digital delivery via Aspera.

“We are thrilled to support UFC in their exponential growth by allowing them to scale and accelerate their content delivery workflow,” said Richard Heitmann, vice president of marketing at Aspera. “With Aspera software deployed on-premise and in the cloud, UFC can confidently rely on its technology investments to meet the growing worldwide demand for mixed martial arts content.”

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has appointed World Sport Group (WSG) as its exclusive agent to sell TV & Media Rights and Marketing & Licensing Rights to the events managed and promoted by the FIM throughout the territories of Asia, viagra 100mg Oceania and the Middle East.

The Singapore-based sports marketing, cialis media and event management company has signed a four-year deal with the FIM, which will also see WSG provide management and coordination services for select events in Asia (excluding Japan) and Oceania.

Stephane Desprez, FIM CEO, said: “We are very proud to have the opportunity to work with WSG in Asia and Oceania.

“They will provide the specialist expertise and knowledge needed to help the FIM to boost motorcycling awareness and activities in one of our biggest and fast expanding markets. WSG will be the FIM’s key partner within those territories.”

Nick Mould, WSG President, East Asia, added: “It’s a great pleasure to have the opportunity to work with and represent the FIM throughout a region as dynamic as Asia and Oceania, where there is an insatiable appetite for  motorcycling,” said of the partnership.

“With WSG’s long held status and expertise in the region, we are confident the partnership between our two organisations can be hugely beneficial to the popularity of motorcycling in Asia.”

WSG, which also has offices in Beijing, Beirut, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo and Delhi, has a long and successful history operating throughout Asia and has played a key role in the positive development of football and golf in the continent during a 20-year association with the respective regional governing bodies.

WSG will bring the company’s extensive experience of working in the region to the relationship and will seek to further enhance the FIM’s profile and engagement across all media and event platforms.

Kent County Cricket Club have announced they have received planning permission by the London Borough of Bromley, ed in a scheme that will dramatically enhance the Club’s operation at the County Ground, Beckenham.

The Club has operated the Beckenham ground since 2002 and now looks forward to a long future in Bromley. The plans include a new all-weather hockey pitch, an indoor multi-use training centre, a health and fitness centre, improved permanent spectator seating, and a small conference facility. The funding for these facilities will be raised through enabling development.

The Club expect that the proposed new facilities will provide the required revenue streams to create a viable future for the ground, and in turn ensure that professional cricket continues to be played in Beckenham.

Jamie Clifford, Kent Cricket CEO said: “I am delighted that Bromley Council have approved our scheme. We have been determined to secure a long term base in the Greater London area for the county, and this decision brings that hope a step closer. The cricketing county of Kent covers a very big land area, and we have always been keen to take cricket to all parts of the county.

“Most importantly, I now look forward to establishing a thriving sporting centre of excellence, that will help us considerably in the development of talented young cricketers. I anticipate that this, coupled with our community programmes, will bring something very special and lasting to Bromley.”

The International Rugby Board are contemplating allowing Wales to play some of their 2015 World Cup matches at the Millennium Stadium even though England were awarded the tournament on a sole basis.

The Cardiff venue is just one of many arenas organisers are looking at using during the World Cup despite the fact that England are supposed to be the only country to host games as they did not bid for the competition on a joint platform. The IRB board will meet with organisers in March to discuss dates and stadia to be used in the tournament.

It is thought that Wales may be allowed to play some of their pool games at home in the 74,500-seater stadium in their own capital.

IRB chief executive Mike Miller said no decision had yet been taken, adding: “Yes there is an issue of Wales playing at ‘home’, but for people in the west of England, it’s much easier to get to Cardiff than it is to get London.”

He added: “Firstly we will set the dates for the tournament, then we will see what stadia are available and move forward from there. No decision has been taken on use of the Millennium Stadium yet. That will be part of the meeting.”

The planning for the 2015 World Cup started in earnest on Monday with the launch of a new HQ for the host organisation, England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015), opposite Twickenham.

The organisation have set themselves the huge task of putting on the best Rugby World Cup in the competition’s 25-year-history and are also setting cheaper prices to get the nations interest.

Around 1.4million tickets were sold at last year’s World Cup but ER 2015 are hopeful of selling at least double that amount, with the cheapest prices for pool games being available for less than £10.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have began the process of selling advertising spots on the London 2012 official website and other digital properties, as it anticipates millions of digital enquiries ahead of next year’s games.

Sponsors of London 2012 can now browse the advertising spots available to bid on ahead of the sales of the spots in two weeks time.

LOCOG  would not divulge details of the website address of the auction, which is only open to sponsors for the time being.

The work on the trading platform has been carried out by Haymarket, which won the tender to build the site.

Sponsors invited to purchase digital advertising opportunities include major global brands such as McDonald’s, Adidas and Coca-Cola.

The opportunities will be focused on the LOCOG website, mobile applications and other digital properties.

Brands will be offered the chance to purchase advertising spots based on how the official LOCOG website will look at the time of next year’s games. Places are available on the news section, medal tables, photo galleries and travel information, among other areas on the Olympic and Paralympic websites.

London 2012 top tier sponsors will be given a period of exclusivity to buy advertising opportunities.

The site where many of the ad slots will be available, www.London2012.com, offers a variety of information to consumers, such as ticket information, accommodation and travel information, jobs, and Olympic merchandise.

Organisers believe the site will be inundated with visitors before the games as they seek out transport and ticket information.

Rugby Canada has announced the signing of a multi-year digital video distribution deal with digital sports video news agency SendtoNews. 

SendtoNews will distribute premium game highlights and other video content through its News Partnership Network, try comprised of top television, order radio, anesthetist print, and online news outlets throughout North America and abroad. 

The partnership enables Rugby Canada to quickly distribute premium game highlights and interviews from domestic and international tournaments, such as the upcoming 2013 Rugby Canada National Invitational University Sevens Championship,to Canadian media markets.

“SendtoNews’ expertise in distributing premium sports video enables us to connect with local and national media markets to ensure Canadians receive premium Rugby Canada highlights in a timely manner,” said Rugby Canada CEO Graham Brown.

In previous years, SendtoNews distributed video highlights for Canada during the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and for the International Rugby Board (IRB) during the 2011 Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

“We are very excited to add premium Rugby Canada highlights to our growing roster of sports video content,” states SendtoNews’ CEO Greg Bobolo. “Through our News Partnership Network™, SendtoNews can provide Rugby Canada with a distribution outlet to connect with home media markets while competing in tournaments on national and international stages.”

Major sportswear company, ambulance Nike Inc. on Thursday posted the highest quarterly revenue in its history, illness a figure likely to be overshadowed by a drop in fourth-quarter profits as it struggles with higher costs and a weak European economy.

Its $1.17 per share profit fell well short of Wall Street expectation of $1.37 per share, ambulance | marking just the second time in 19 quarters that Nike missed analyst forecasts.

The results sent Nike’s share price down nearly 11 percent to $86.40. Its stock closed Thursday at $96.89.The athletic footwear and apparel brand, based in Washington County, said fourth quarter sales climbed 12 percent from a year ago, reaching a new quarterly record of $6.5 billion.

But its net profit for the year fell 8 percent to $549 million, or $1.17 per share, which the company attributed to increased marketing spending, higher tax rates and a restructuring of its Western European division that led to a $24 million charge.

Nike said the restructuring was to “better align resources against growth opportunities and drive efficiencies,” but didn’t disclose whether layoffs were involved. 

For the fiscal year, Nike profits grew 4 percent to $2.2 billion, or $4.73 per share, on a 16 percent increase in sales to $24.1 billion. Its inventory levels ended the fiscal year up 23 percent to $3.4 billion.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has selected the Royal College of Art in Kensington as its base during London 2012.

The Grade II listed building will be used as the team’s official hospitality centre and will host guests from sponsors including BMW, Kellogg’s and Nike. Up to 1,000 people a day are expected to pass through.

Among the features of the USA House will be a Budweiser Bar and McDonald’s Coffee Bar as well as an opportunity for youngsters of invited guests to take part in interactive sporting demonstrations.

A spokesman for USOC said the venue was chosen following a two-year search because of its central location, which gives easy access to hotels and attractions. Other venues which were considered included The Hospital Club and Vinopolis.