As part of its Olympic Torch marketing activity, Coca-Cola has launched a new cinema advertising campaign featuring an up-and-coming British actor running with a torch across the UK.

Created by advertising agency Mother, the ad features the young actor Thomas Turgoose (This is England) running with a flaming torch, inspiring young people he passes to: “Nominate a friend and give them the chance to run with the Olympic torch.”

The aim of the campaign is to create excitement about the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, celebrating the role young people play in society and encouraging people to nominate a ‘Future Flame’.

Coke launched its ‘Future Flames’ campaign this month by showcasing a live music event in London, featuring appearances by Dizzee Rascal and Eliza Doolittle.

The Olympic Torch Relay kicks off in May next year and the route covers 8,000 miles across the UK.

Major League Soccer (MLS) team New England Revolution and Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal, also known as Sporting CP, announced Wednesday that they have entered a multiple-year strategic partnership which will result in shared expertise, benefit and promotion for each club. 

Revolution president Brian Bilello and general manager Michael Burns were in Lisbon on Wednesday for the formal announcement and said they are delighted with the agreement that marks the MLS side’s first international club partnership.

“We’re very excited to partner with a club with such history and prestige as Sporting Clube de Portugal,” Bilello said in a statement released by New England. “The opportunity to not only partner on activities to improve our first team, but also to work with their prestigious academy on youth development, will benefit our club for many years. We will also assist Sporting in their efforts to explore opportunities to increase Sporting’s reach within the United States, both on and off the field.”

“Sporting has been one of the most consistent and successful programs in Europe, and we’re looking forward to working with their staff to share best practices, player talent and scouting resources,” Burns said in the same statement. “Both clubs have been recognized for our youth development programs, and we’re anticipating a tremendous shared benefit by this partnership.”

Sunil Gulati will remain President of the U.S. Soccer Federation it was unainimously agreed on Saturday.

Gulati, ampoule who ran unopposed in the election, erectile enters his third four-year term after having served as U.S. Soccer’s President since 2006.

“I’m honored to be granted the opportunity to serve our membership as President of the U.S. Soccer Federation, prostate ” said Gulati. “Over the years, soccer has made numerous strides in the U.S. and we are excited by the sport’s boundless potential for growth in the future. I’m looking forward to being part of soccer’s bright future on all levels throughout the country.”

A native of Allahabad, India, Gulati has more than 30 years of experience at all levels of soccer in the United States and has helped the sport rise to new heights. During the past four years as President, Gulati has continued his mission of improving soccer in the United States by taking an active approach on improving the structure and development of the sport in the country, while also reaching out to broaden the organization’s relationships within the international community.

Last April, Gulati was also elected to the FIFA Executive Committee and is serving a four-year term as one of three representatives from the Confederation that encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

In other news at Saturday’s National Council meeting, Merritt Paulson and Arthur Mattson were elected as new members of U.S. Soccer’s Board of Directors. Paulson replaced Kevin Payne, while Mattson replaced Richard Groff. Donna Shalala was also re-elected as an Independent Director, while Rocco Amoroso and Francisco Marcos were voted as Life Members.

Following a tender process for the TV and marketing rights to the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has appointed ABC Communication as promoter for this Championship.

The French Agency, which has been promoting the FIM Enduro World Championship since 2004, will be promoting the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship until 2015.

FIM President Vito Ippolito congratulated ABC Communication: “The FIM is very happy to entrust the promotion of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship to ABC Communication. We are confident that ABC Communication will draw on  its expertise, professionalism and passion for Enduro to make this Indoor version of the discipline a success.”  

Alain Blanchard, ABC Communication Director,  also welcomed the appointment: “We are very proud that the FIM has decided to entrust us with the promotion of SuperEnduro. It is an expression of confidence in ABC Communication and recognition for the work done by our agency with the FIM Enduro World Championship since 2004.  Promoting two Enduro Championships will enable us to have an overview of the discipline in terms of sport, promotion and media. ABC Communication plans to work with local organisers, who have already done an enormous amount of groundwork, and be guided by their experience. It is a big challenge but we are not short of ideas on how to give a further boost to the development of SuperEnduro.” 

The next edition of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship will take place from 1 November 2012 to 31 March 2013.

British Handball have slammed London 2012 organisers after they disapproved of changing the name of the Handball Arena to the Copper Box

The world’s leading nations will battle for precious Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals in the 7,000-seater venue at this year’s Games but copper it seems is not to the taste of British handball’s governing body.

“We deserve to have all our good work in developing the sport recognised by the authorities by not giving the venue a generic title which does nothing to reflect its usage,” British Handball chief executive Paul Goodwin said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Why have they not renamed other facilities in a similar vein? Perhaps the Olympic Velodrome will be called ‘the big round wooden building’ or the basketball arena renamed ‘the marshmallow’?”.

The Copper Box, which features 3,000 square metres of copper cladding and multi-coloured interior, was completed in May. It will host the handball competition until the semi-finals before it switches to the basketball venue.

It will also be used for the fencing element of the modern pentathlon and the Paralympic sport of Goalball before reverting to a multi-use venue following the Games.

Britain Handball have been battling to increase awareness of the sport which is marginal in the country but hugely popular elsewhere in Europe and around the world.

“Retaining the name of the sport in the title of the venue is important to us,” Goodwin added. “The Olympics has given handball a great opportunity to grow in popularity and all the indications are that we are achieving that.”

A recent study by Sport England said there had been a six-fold increase in British children being introduced to handball in the last three years.

Britain have been given a wildcard into the Olympic handball tournament due to their hosting of the tournament.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has risen to Number 19 in the annual list of the “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business” published by Sports Business Journal (SBJ).

The Swiss’ ranking is up two places from the 2010 list despite the corruption scandals which have engulfed FIFA this calendar year and seen the association tarnished by accusations of bribery, in both World Cup bids and the presidential race, and Blatter himself accused of racism, ultimately leading to calls for him to resign.

The FIFA President’s rise in the SBJ list is probably indebted to the TV deals brokered by association for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, in Russia and Quatar respectively, which will secure $1.85 billion, predominantly from the networks Fox and Telemundo. It is likely that the plan to reform and “clean up” the 107-year-old association by 2013 in response to the recent unrest appeased any sceptics.

There were only two other contributors to the top twenty from the world of football – Robert Kraft, owner of the MLS side New England Revolution (eighth), and Tim Leiweke, AEG president and Chief of MLS Champions LA Galaxy (eleventh).

Marketing agency RPM have been appointed by global insurance brand Aviva to handle experiential activity for its UK athletics sponsorship programme.

Under the terms of the agreement, RPM will create a campaign to showcase Aviva’s sponsorship of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland athletics team – including a branded roadshow.

A tour of shopping centres across the country over the next year will feature a number of elite athletes, as well as engage with consumers and demonstrate Aviva’s involvement with the sport in that time having visited 11 destinations around the UK last year.

Aviva has been a sponsor of British Athletics for the last 12 years and senior sponsorship manager at Aviva, Gerri Carr said: “We are proud to be highlighting the full extent of our athletics sponsorship, from our grassroots programmes in schools and clubs, the six Aviva Series televised events we stage each year, and importantly our funding for Aviva GB&NI Team elite athletes.

“Our long-standing commitment is paving the way for British athletes to achieve their dreams and we wanted to give the public a chance to feel a part of this. It’s important for us to deliver a powerful experience that stands out – and we believe that RPM is best placed to deliver this.”

A-League team Newcastle Jets have announced the launch of the Jet Well Community Program supported by Slater and Gordon Lawyers.

The Club also confirmed that John Hunter Children’s Hospital will once again be an Official Charity Partner of the Club for the upcoming 2014-15 Hyundai A-League season. 

The Jet Well program will see Newcastle Jets players undertake visits and activities at the Children’s Hospital to help local children feel well and provide them with the opportunity to meet their football heroes.

Robbie Middleby, Newcastle Jets Chief Executive said “We are delighted to be supporting the John Hunter Children’s Hospital once more this season and extremely pleased to welcome on-board a major national sponsor to help us expand our community work.”

“Slater and Gordon’s support will allow us to brighten the day of more children in both the Hunter and also in Children’s Wards when we travel to some away matches”

“We are also pleased to be able to support the growth of the Slater and Gordon business in the region and will work closely with their offices in Newcastle and the Valley.”

“This is just one way that our firm can give back to the Newcastle region in a meaningful way,” said Stuart Barnett, General Manager, Slater and Gordon.

“This is an invaluable initiative and we are so thrilled to be supporting something that is sure to lift children’s spirits while they spend time in hospital.”

The Atlanta Falcons have announced the appointment of Jared Miller to the newly-created position of Chief Technology Officer for AMB Sports & Entertainment Group, ampoule which includes a division that will operate the new Atlanta stadium currently in development. 

Miller will join the group on March 3 and will be responsible for sourcing and integrating innovative, pills leading-edge technology solutions to ensure the development of a world-class stadium facility.  He also will lead the deployment of technology solutions designed to meet the changing needs of Falcons fans and guests of the many other events that will be hosted at the new stadium.

Miller comes to the Falcons from NCR Corporation, vialis 40mg where he was vice president and general manager for travel & gaming solution management.  In this role, Miller oversaw the launch of two next-generation self-service kiosk products.  Before his time with NCR, he spent nearly 10 years leading the development of customer-facing emerging technologies in the airline industry.  Specifically, at United Airlines Miller launched customer mobile applications and employee applications that streamlined the airport lobby experience and delivered a more consistent customer experience.  While at Continental Airlines prior to its merger with United, he pioneered the introduction and widespread adoption of many innovative customer products, including self-service check-in, voice check-in, baggage service kiosks, mobile boarding passes and self-boarding.

“Jared has the skills and background to help us make the fan experience at the new stadium truly unique and memorable,”Greg Beadles, chief administrative and financial officer of AMB Sports & Entertainment Group said.  “We are excited to work with him in applying his creative and customer-focused approach to stadium technology and fan experience.”

“I am very happy to be part of the team working on this exciting project,” Miller said.  “I look forward to delivering technology that will help create a standard-setting stadium and an outstanding experience for its customers.”

The international governing body for all Olympic equestrian disciplines (FEI) has re-opened the bidding process for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 following today’s Bureau meeting at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).

They have also specifically asked the Canadian bid from Bromont/Montreal to remain a part of that process.

There had been an expectation that the FEI Bureau would allocate the 2018 Games to Bromont/Montreal today following the Bid Committee’s strong presentation to the Bureau, but the Canadian delegation was unable to provide the full public sector financial support that was required before an allocation could be made. As a result, the Bureau is to re-open the bidding process for the 2018 Games, but with the clear intent that Bromont/Montreal remains in the mix.

“The Bromont/Montreal bid was very impressive on all technical aspects and it is hugely disappointing, both for the bid team and for the FEI, that the Bureau was unable to allocate the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 today”, FEI President HRH Princess Haya said, “but unfortunately, without the necessary financial support, the FEI and the organisers would be exposed to an unacceptable financial risk.

“In these circumstances, re-opening the bidding process was clearly the only option open to us, but we are very hopeful that Bromont/Montreal will be a part of that new bidding process.”

All National Federations that submitted signed Expression of Interest documents prior to the November 2011 deadline for the first phase of the bidding process were informed that solid financial support to cover the cost of staging the event was a key requirement.
The FEI Bureau will now re-open the bidding process and the Bromont/Montreal bid team has confirmed that it will be re-bidding for the 2018 Games. Providing the Bromont/Montreal bid team can secure the required financial support, the Canadian bid will be evaluated in the same way as other applicants that come forward.

“We are of course extremely disappointed by today’s decision by the FEI Bureau not to allocate the 2018 Games to Canada, but despite our best efforts, we were unable to put the full financial support in place in time,” Bromont Bid Committee President Paul Côté said. “We obviously respect the FEI Bureau’s decision completely, and we will continue our efforts to secure the financial backing we need. We now need to redouble our efforts with our federal and provincial government partners. We have a very strong bid and we are confident that we can stage a wonderful FEI World Equestrian Games in Bromont.”