Manchester City FC to Speak at The Sports CRM Summit 2014 on Fan Relationship Management

We are pleased to announce that Claudio Borges, bronchi Head of Fan Relationship Management at Manchester City Football Club, allergist will join a prestigious list of keynote speakers at next month’s Sports CRM Summit. The Summit will take place at The International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 16th September and will be attended by delegates from across the sports industry.

Premier League Club, Manchester City is leading the way in their use of innovative digital and CRM strategies to both grow their fanbase and also to enhance their fans experience.  Claudio’s presentation will be based on the three pillars of their CRM strategy; ‘Capture, Learn, Act’.  He will provide an overview of their strategic approach and highlight some of their most successful fan engagement tactics around data capture, membership, loyalty, customer touch points, the online customer registration journey and digital marketing.

More about The Sports CRM Summit 2014

The Sports CRM Summit, hosted by Goodform, in partnership with Eight Feet Tall, is an established annual event for sports industry professionals to explore the latest CRM strategies and tactics to achieve their objectives, such as; maximising fan engagement, increasing participation levels, improving commercial processes and revenues and enhancing the customer experience. Data management and digital optimisation strategies will also feature throughout the Summit as sports organisations continue to seek to drive value and engagement from their databases.

This year the Summit will also focus on the customer journey and the ‘live experience’ in the digital age, exploring the tactics that sports brands can employ to engage with their audience before, during and after the event.

Other confirmed speakers and contributors include:

The format of the day will feature keynote speakers, expert panel discussions and round table discussions, giving delegates the chance to get involved through lively and interactive sessions. The day will be hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter, Jonathan Overend.

For more information call 01926 458 180 or email Jennie Spillane, Marketing Manager: jennie@goodform.info

The delegate rate is £299 plus VAT and online booking is available at www.goodform.info

Sports Rights Holder Spring Media Appoints New Commercial Director

Spring Media, prostate | who represent media rights for a growing number of sporting events, ambulance have announced today that Lasse Eckartsberg will join the company as Commercial Director starting from March 2014.

Lasse will be part of the executive group and work on the agency’s global commercial strategy and business development. He will work from Spring Media’s newly opened office in Hamburg, link Germany. 

Lasse was previously managing the Global Rights Sales Team at rights agency Kentaro. 

José Moreno, Partner and co-founder of Spring Media, said: “We are very glad to welcome Lasse to join us at Spring Media. Lasse has over 10 years of sports broadcasting experience and I’m confident he will make significant contributions to our future commercial expansion.” 

Commenting on his new role Lasse Eckartsberg said: “I have been following the impressive development of Spring Media since the founding of the company, and I am excited to join this dynamic and growing organization. I’m looking forward to expand the company’s current activities and to develop new business areas. There are a lot of interesting projects lying ahead of us.” 

Spring Media rights include tournament United Super Cup of Russian & Ukraine and the Nordic Club Team competition Copa del Sol with top teams from Norway, Sweden and Denmark participating.

 

Boss Global Media to Handle ISM’s Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorship and marketing consulting group Boss Global Media has signed an exclusive partnership with International Sports Management (ISM) to handle sponsorships and endorsement representation for ISM’s client athletes.

ISM is an international sports management agency that represents prominent international professional athletes focusing on golfers and cricketers.

“ISM’s list of athletes is stellar,” says BGM VP for Business Development Hayden Trepeck. “We are excited about the opportunity to partner their high-profile clients with preeminent corporate sponsors.”

ISM was founded in 1989 by former professional golfer and current Managing Director Andrew “Chubby” Chandler to meet the management needs of European professional golfers and cricketers. ISM is currently expanding its clientele into professional footballers/soccer players, as well. ISM’s roster of high-profile clients includes major’s champions Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel, as well as former #1 player in the world Lee Westwood. ISM also manages several golf tournaments around the world.

“I am delighted that Boss Global Media will be representing ISM clients and excited about the opportunities this partnership will generate,” said Chandler.

WWE Announce Fourth Quarter Financial Results

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) have revealed their financial results for its fourth quarter ending December 31, cialis pills 2011 with revenues totaling $112.9 million as compared to $122.5 million in the prior year quarter.

Operating loss was ($13.1) million as compared to Operating income of $14.4 million in the prior year quarter. Net loss was ($8.6) million, discount or ($0.12) per share, ambulance as compared to Net income of $8.1 million, or $0.11 per share, in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of film impairments and network related expenses in the current year quarter, Adjusted Operating income was $3.1 million as compared to $14.4 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted Net income was $1.8 million, or $0.02 per share, as compared to $8.1 million, or $0.11 per share, in the prior year quarter.

“In 2011, we evaluated several paths for creating new programs and distributing all of our content in a way that optimizes its value. Executing this strategy effectively, including the potential creation of a WWE Network, has the power to transform our business,” stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

“While we made significant progress toward this objective, our fourth quarter and full year results were impacted primarily by three items: significant non-cash film impairment charges stemming from the weak performance of our movie releases, strategic decisions to withhold several hours of previously licensed television content for distribution on other platforms, and initial start-up operating expenses associated with our emerging content and distribution strategy.

“Regarding the first item, we have taken several measures to improve the profitability of our movie business. And, regarding the other items, we believe that our ongoing investment to expand and maximize the value of our content is the most potent approach for driving our future earnings.”

Aberdeen FC delay Pittodrie Stadium bid submission deadline

Aberdeen Football Club has extended their deadline for Pittodrie Stadium bids.

The closing date of 15th December has now been shelved and they will listen to submissions through until the New Year.

The news is the latest setback in the club’s establishment of a new home.

The Dons’ acquisition of a new stadium is contingent on the sale of the 107-year-old Pittodrie site which they put on the market back in October.

The club believe that this will secure the £38M required to build their 21,000 new home, and Aberdeen FC has already been granted planning permission for 350 homes on the 13.7 acre site.

The location the football club has identified for their new home is in the south of the City at Loirston Loch and they hope that they will be able to unveil the new stadium at the beginning of the 2013/14 season in conjunction with their chosen contractor Barr Construction.

However, residents have expressed concern over the environmental implications of such a move.

Infront Secure Marketing Rights to One-off Bayern vs Netherlands Game

Infront Sports & Media has secured the marketing rights of a one-off club vs international soccer friendly from FC Bayern Munich, order  Germany’s most successful club, who will host the Dutch national team at the Allianz Arena on 22 May 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, Infront exclusively handles all media, marketing, ticketing and hospitality rights for the event, which features two of the world’s top teams in their respective competition formats.

The match is the amicable result of a dispute that FC Bayern Munich and the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) have been embroiled in over the past few months with respect to the injury of Arjen Robben at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The special game has been scheduled, by the KNVB and FC Bayern Munich, in the middle of an exciting soccer period – only three days after the Champions League final in Munich and two and a half weeks prior to the start of the UEFA EURO 2012.

Infront is handling all forms of media, marketing and ticketing rights on a worldwide basis, and the media rights package encompasses all television, internet and mobile rights with a major HD quality broadcast already planned.

The ticketing rights include the full capacity of the Allianz Arena, including all hospitality packages. The marketing rights cover the advertising boards in Bayern’s prestigious home ground.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of FC Bayern München, stated: “As one of the leading agencies in football worldwide, supporting the game at every level, Infront has a great deal of experience in supporting international top events in football and deliver every relevant marketing aspect at high quality levels. This is why we have chosen the company for marketing this unique game as the head-to-head of Germany’s most successful football club and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Finalist.”

Günter Netzer, Member of the Infront Board of Directors, added: “This match will be a special event for the fans, who will be able to witness one of Europe’s top clubs play against one of the best national teams in the world. International superstars on both sides will turn this friendly game into a real football spectacle, providing for another highlight prior to UEFA EURO 2012™.”

Manchester United Extends Reach to Azerbaijan with AFFA Partnership

Manchester United have today signed a partnership with the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) and Bakcell to help develop grassroots football in the country.

In a first for the club, sale the AFFA will become its only Official Football Federation and Football Development Partner and will see Club sponsor Bakcell collaborate to promote and develop youth football in Azerbaijan.   

The Manchester United Soccer School supported by AFFA and Bakcell, anesthetist will see Azerbaijani children learn to play the ‘United Way’ with Soccer Schools coaches specially trained to teach the philosophy that drives the twenty-time English champions.

Manchester United’s Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said: “This exciting initiative will link the Club to a national football federation for the first time. Azerbaijan is a burgeoning football nation and is home to over a million Manchester United followers, so founding this relationship with the help of our friends at Bakcell is a fantastic development.

Manchester United is synonymous for developing some of the best young talent, and through this new relationship we can help by lending this expertise to a whole new generation of footballers.” 

AFFA President, Rovnag Abdullayev commented: “The commencement of the Manchester United Soccer School, with the support of Bakcell, in Baku is a pivotal event in the country’s footballing history.

“I hope the work to be done by Manchester United Soccer School in Azerbaijan will have a positive effect in a short time span, and children that study here will be able to contribute to the future of Azerbaijani football.”

Sochi Athletes Bjørndalen & Wickenheiser Join IOC Athletes’ Commission

Two Sochi 14 Olympic Winter Games athletes Ole Einar Bjørndalen from Norway and Hayley Wickenheiser from Canada have been elected to the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by their peers for a term of approximately eight years.

A new Olympic record was set by the Sochi athletes after 80.87 per cent of them made their way to the voting booths to cast their votes.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “As one of the founding members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, pills I very much appreciate the high participation in the vote. It shows the value that athletes place on being part of the decision-making process and helping to shape the future of the Olympic Movement.”

The announcement was made today at the Coastal Olympic Village by IOC Executive Board members Claudia Bokel (also Chairwoman of the IOC Athletes’ Commission) and Anita L. DeFrantz (also Chairwoman of the Election Committee). The election was held over the past 21 days in the three Olympic Villages located in the coastal and the mountain clusters.

Bjørndalen was elected with 1, order 087 votes, followed by Wickenheiser with 758. The two new members will replace Rebecca Scott and Saku Koivu, who were elected to the Athletes’ Commission at the Turin Games in 2006 for a term of eight years each.

Claudia Bokel said after the announcement: “The athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Games, and our Commission is their voice in all decisions taken by the IOC. During the Games, our Commission members listen to the athletes’ concerns and opinions in all three Olympic Villages.” She added: “We also aim to offer them the best support possible outside the Games, for instance when it comes to questions of career transition with tools like the Athlete Career Programme and the newly launchedMOOC. I am sure that our two new colleagues will make an important contribution to our work.”

On 23 February, Bjørndalen and Wickenheiser will be proposed to the IOC Session for IOC membership. Pending approval, they will then be officially introduced at the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi Games on 23 February.

Phizzle to Produce Mobile Marketing Campaigns for Kroenke Sports

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment has selected Phizzle, a leading technology provider of advanced mobile marketing products, to power robust and enhanced mobile marketing campaigns for the Denver Nuggets (NBA); Colorado Avalanche (NHL); Colorado Mammoth (NLL); the Pepsi Center, and Altitude Sports & Entertainment, the regional sports network that broadcasts the teams’ games.

Recognizing that mobile continues to emerge as the most influential channel for their fans, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is committed to implementing an integrated digital experience designed to recognize and reward audience engagement through SMS, mobile web and real-time interaction. Phizzle will provide Kroenke Sports & Entertainment with a comprehensive set of mobile & digital marketing tools that integrate, multi-channel marketing programs for fans, event sponsors and local advertisers — before, during and after the games, during broadcasts and on the digital boards inside Pepsi Center.

Whether at the game, at a Pepsi Center concert or watching at home, Phizzle’s proprietary solution, Broadcaster iX, a live event presentation solution, powers the ‘here and now’ dialogue with audiences. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is utilizing mobile campaigns including Text-2-Vote instant polling, trivia opportunities, Text-2-Win promotions and Text-2-Screen elements through SMS messages, tweets and pictures that initiate real-time dialogue.

“Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is proud to work with Phizzle,” stated Tom Philand, Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing and Media Sales for KSE, “It allows us to engage with our fans with a user-friendly platform. The results to this point have been outstanding.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to be partnering with such legendary brands as the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment network,” said Ben Davis, CEO of Phizzle. “Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is dedicated to providing a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that dramatically and effectively increases fan participation while initiating one-to-one dialogue with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment supporters. Phizzle is excited about delivering the ultimate fan experience to Colorado.”

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Brazil 2014 Host City Hires Vero Communications

The Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte has hired Vero Communications’ Rio de Janeiro office MLA True Communications to support its comms plans as it kicks off international outreach ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

As the third largest metropolitan area in Brazil, denture Belo Horizonte is one of the 12 host cities of the global football tournament.

Flávia Rohlfs, viagra executive co-ordinator of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil for Belo Horizonte, said: “We want to make the most of the opportunities that this major sporting event will bring to our city and showcase to the world what Belo Horizonte has to offer to football federations and fans alike.” 

Belo Horizonte is also home to three professional football teams – Cruzeiro, Atlético Mineiro and América – as well as owning two of the best training centres in Brazil: the Cruzeiro Esporte Clube and Clube Atletico Mineiro.

The city’s Mineirão Stadium is currently scheduled to host at least three matches in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and six matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, including one of the semi finals. 

Belo Horizonte mayor, Marcio Lacerda, said: “It is essential that the world becomes aware of the hospitality and attractions of our city and can come to enjoy it. The partnership with Vero will pave the way for Belo Horizonte to become a not-to-be-missed destination within Brazil and known for its commitment to being a fantastic host city for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”