Inter Milan have confirmed owner Erick Thohir has been officially elected president of the Nerazzurri board with his predecessor Massimo Moratti named honorary chairman.

Thohir’s company International Sports Capital officially became the new majority shareholder on Friday with a 70 per cent stake in the Italian giants “by virtue of a dedicated capital increase”.

And in Friday’s shareholders’ meeting, an eight-man board of directors was elected before Thohir was named president.

“I really want to thank my friend and new partner Massimo Moratti for the trust and support, and thank also my partners Rosan and Handy, who I’ve known for more than 20 years; I want also to thank our families. Most of all, thanks to our supporters all around the world and wherever I met them, on Twitter or personally,” said Thohir.

“This is a truly special day in my life. Inter is a magnificent story of passion, a tradition of winning and commitment to excellence.

“As (former Inter defender and president) Giacinto Facchetti said, ‘The secret of every triumph lies in your own belief’. Our belief lies in our passion and our passion will pave the way for Inter’s future success. Forza Inter.”

Moratti is delighted with the takeover and believes International Sports Capital is a company that can add to Inter’s success.

“I am truly pleased I have found the new owners of this glorious club,” said Moratti to the club’s official website.

“I am convinced they are more than equipped to keep on adding new successes to our beloved colours. Personally I feel honoured I have been the president of Inter for so many years.”

Chinese companies are enjoying increased brand awareness because of their Olympic sponsorship campaigns according to a report by Ipsos Digital Research.

The report, which was based on a survey of Chinese consumers, said dairy company Yili has benefited the most from its Olympic sponsorship with a 22 percent increase in brand awareness. Apparel and sports equipment company Anta Sport increased its brand awareness by 21 percent and wool producer Heng Yaun Xiang’s increased by 18 percent.

The report also indicates that people are more likely to buy from a company if it is an Olympic sponsor. A massive 91 percent of those surveyed said they would purchase products from internet company Sina Corp after being told it was an Olympic sponsor. {jcomments on}

Circuit of The Americas, pills the soon to be home of the 2012 US Formula One Grand Prix, sale has selected Phunware, Inc., the leader in enterprise branded mobile application infrastructure, to build its branded mobile application venue experience.

Phunware creates powerful anytime, anywhere solutions for mobile consumer engagement for many of the largest and most recognizable brands in the world.

Geoff Moore, chief marketing and revenue officer for Circuit of The Americas, said: “Phunware is a leader in the industry for creating amazing branded mobile experiences. We look forward to working with them in our continued effort to bring fans the ultimate race experience leading up to the 2012 US Formula One Grand Prix.”

Phunware is an Austin-based company whose work includes developing mobile applications for some of the most recognized brands in sports, including NASCAR, the National Football League and ESPN. Applications developed by Phunware have received multiple awards, including two People’s Choice Webby Awards, two CableFAX Awards and a feature as CNN and Time Magazine’s Top 10 iPhone Apps of the Year.

“We are extremely excited for the opportunity to bring Circuit of The Americas and the 2012 US Formula One Grand Prix to life through the Circuit’s mobile application,” said Alan S. Knitowski, chairman and CEO for Phunware. “Circuit of The Americas will be a world-class venue providing an unparalleled race experience in the United States and our aim is to create an application that complements and enhances the fan experience.”

The Circuit of The Americas mobile application will feature a 3-D interactive map and virtual tour of the venue, a guide to Austin with area information and news, alerts and videos highlighting activities throughout race weekend. The appeal of new technology in connection to Austin is evident as the city hosts thousands of visitors for the SXSW Interactive conference, which began Friday, March 9.

The 2012 US Formula One Grand Prix, along with the SXSW conference, are two of Austin’s biggest draws for visitors from around the world. In a recent meeting held in London with several politicians and diplomats, including the office of the London Mayor, the Honorable Boris Johnson and Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, these two events were the key topics of discussion.

“Austin continues to be recognized around the world for its leadership and innovation in the technology industry,” said Gray Hancock, Head of Trade and Investment for the British Consulate-General in Houston. “The upcoming Grand Prix is just one more example of Austin’s growing importance on the global stage.”

In addition to general excitement for race weekend, Mayor Leffingwell and representatives from the City of London reviewed the possibility of a direct flight between Austin and London to support the Formula 1 teams as well as travelers to the event. The creation of such a nonstop flight could result in accelerating a permanent route, one of the many benefits on the horizon as a result of Formula 1 returning to the United States.

“Austin is making tremendous strides as a destination city and world-renowned center for technology,” said Mayor Leffingwell. “I look forward to the inaugural 2012 US Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas and to downloading the app to go with it.”

by Ismail Uddin

Chairman of the European Clubs Association (ECA) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has accused FIFA of neglecting clubs’ needs while presidential incumbent Sepp Blatter attempts to fight off the challenge of Mohamed Bin Hammam.

The two presidential candidates have been promising to “do everything” for the national federations who have votes in Congress but Rummenigge, also chief executive of Bayern Munich, said: “We have no democracy in FIFA. It is doing nothing in favour of the clubs. It’s clear that they are doing everything in favour of the FAs to convince them to go ahead with Blatter or whatever.”

Rummenigge was dismissive of FIFA attempts to introduce a nine-plus-nine player quota rule restricting foreign players in top-tier matches worldwide. This has replaced the original, doomed six-plus-five idea which contravened European Union labour laws.

Rummenigge added: “The ECA has explicitly rejected it. I am convinced FIFA and UEFA have not thought this through in detail.” The world’s clubs, despite their power and wealth particularly in Europe, have no direct representative presence on FIFA’s governing executive committee.

Silverstone, the long-time host circuit of Formula One’s British Grand Prix, has appointed Manning Gottlieb OMD as its media planning and buying account. 

The Omnicom-owned agency has been appointed ahead of the launch of the new US$44.2m pit and paddock complex at the venue with managing director Robert Fitch, stating: “Silverstone is a British institution. It has fantastic motor sport credentials and has some very ambitious plans to grow and extend its business.

“We are delighted to be working with the team down there. It is a very impressive and exciting business, and we are very proud to have been appointed to work with them.”

Having secured a renewal of its deal to host the British Grand Prix, sponsored by Santander, the Silverstone Wing follows a redevelopment of the area and the investment is reportedly part of a bigger plan to develop Silverstone’s credentials as a leading motor sport destination, products and services brand. 

Justin Elias, Silverstone marketing director, said: “We are delighted to be working with Manning Gottlieb OMD at what is a major strategic crossroads for the Silverstone brand, with a very exciting future ahead.

“Their professionalism and global expertise will add significantly to our marketing capability and we look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.”

New Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise New York City FC have appointed Doug Fillis, mind Josh Neier and Mike Quarino to newly created roles of Senior Vice President, abortion Partnerships, Vice President, Finance and Vice President, Ticket Sales & Fan Services respectively.

Speaking of the new hires, Tim Pernetti, Chief Business Officer of New York City Football Club said: “Launching a Major League Soccer expansion team, especially in a market like New York City, requires progressive and experienced leadership in the front office. In Doug, Josh and Mike we have a team with proven leadership and real expertise in their fields in roles which we have identified as central to our growth. These additions to our team are an exciting step on the path to building a premier Major League Soccer Club.”

For the past eight years, Fillis has worked in college athletics, most recently at Rutgers University as Senior Associated Athletic Director for Administration. In this role he was responsible for sealing a $65 million partnership with IMG College, overseeing the school’s $100 million fundraising campaign, and securing and leading major sponsor partnerships. Prior to this, Fillis oversaw all revenue businesses, development, and fundraising at the U.S. Military Academy, managing the naming rights agreement with Siemens and, the business plan, including sponsorship and revenue creation, for the Army at Yankee Stadium Series. 

Both Neier and Quarino come to NYCFC from previous jobs within Major League Soccer. Neier previously spent 10 years in the finance department of Major League Soccer and was most recently Senior Director, Finance, for the League. Quarino most recently spent five years with Philadelphia Union as Vice President of Ticket Sales & Fan Services, overseeing all ticket programs and revenue as well as serving as an integral part of the senior management team that launched the Union as an expansion team in 2010. 

Quarino also spent six years as a Senior Manager of Ticket Programs with the New York Red Bulls, responsible for the Group Sales Department where he was named in the MLS Ticket Sales Best XI in both Total Revenue and Group Ticket Sales in 2007 and 2008. 

The three new hires will join Tim Pernetti and Claudio Reyna, Director of Football, in NYCFC’s front office with immediate effect. 

Announced in May 2013, New York City Football Club will be the league’s 20th team, beginning play in the 2015 season. The team was launched in partnership by Manchester City Football Club and the New York Yankees and is led by Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano.

Taiwanese computer company Acer has yet to confrm whether or not it will remain in the TOP Olympic sponsorship program once its current contract expires at the conclusion of the London Games.

Acer joined the highest Olympic sponsorship level after the 2008 Beijing and replaced Lenovo as a sponsor of the computer category.

Industry insiders believe Acer is concerned about the structure of the Olympic TOP program because it inludes other major electronics companies like Samsung and Panasonic, shop which sponsor the wireless devices category and audio/visual category.

The fast pace of technology development has meant  protected categories that were established in 2008, are beginning to overlap.

The Olympic movement may consider restructuring the programme.

Acer is likely to indicate its future Olympic sponsorship intentions after the London Games. {jcomments on}