London 2012 was rightly dubbed the first Social Olympics and it was certainly social media that brought the Games to life like never before.  It transformed the ways fans interacted with the Games and also ‘talked’ about the Games.  But how did sponsors leverage their investments in social media and who did it well?

Looking specifically at Facebook, medical Sponsorship Intelligence, pills using ZenithOptimedia’s proprietary social tracking software, Socialtools, recently completed research that considered these questions.  In this research, Sponsorship Intelligence defines successful Facebook strategies, as well as identifies the winners in a few Facebook Olympic ‘events’.  The research defines success by considering three areas – fan growth, active users and engagement rate.

In fan growth, Coca-Cola were the gold medallists.  Teaming up with London’s top music talent, their ‘Move to the Beat’ campaign successfully fused passion for music and sport around London 2012.  They started their campaign early and built momentum that they maintained across and beyond the Games period.

In active users, Samsung were the gold medallists.  They successfully rode the adrenaline rush of London 2012 to deliver a constant stream of content-rich updates explaining how fans could use their smartphones to create, capture and enhance their Olympic experience.

In engagement rate, P&G were the gold medallists. They ran a compelling campaign recognising the unsung contributions Mums make in their children’s future, successfully telling this story by showcasing their sponsored athletes.

The research also highlights commonalities shared by successful campaigns. These campaigns were able to bring Games experiences to the virtual world, for example, by providing real-time updates allowing fans to enjoy the action as it unfolded. By offering tangible opportunities to get involved, for example, by virtually congratulating athletes, they successfully turned spectatorship into participation.  They also united fans by championing the common cause (i.e. national success) and ultimately, rewarded fans for their engagement through exclusive content.

The research discusses how the first Social Olympics left a lasting impression with fans. It outlines how sponsors provided fans with fresh outlets to cheer for athletes, exclusive content, and opportunities to create and share their own Olympic experiences.  It seems a high bar has been set for future Games and sponsors will need to perform. 

With that in mind, Sponsorship Intelligence define a number of Top Tips to help future sponsors win Olympic gold – commit to a compelling story, incorporate Olympic spirit into conversations, secure a loyal following by inviting people early, reward fans and finally, use celebratory cheers to your advantage.

Matt Hales, Head of Consulting at Sponsorship Intelligence, comments, “Given the importance sponsors should now place on using assets in their social media strategies, this research is significant.  We are now able to help sponsors of all kinds, not just Olympic, more effectively tell their brand stories and build relationships with fans on Facebook.”

Canadian broadcaster TSN announced today it has acquired media rights for Major League Baseball’s (MLB) marquee Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday night games through to 2021.

TSN platforms will broadcast 75+ live games per season – tripling the network’s current slate of MLB games.

In addition to the live games, TSN also acquires rights to ESPN’s flagship baseball show Baseball Tonight, along with a comprehensive package of MLB digital content.

“ESPN’s Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday Major League Baseball games have become appointment viewing for baseball fans across North America,” said Stewart Johnston, President of TSN. “We are delighted to expand our schedule and give Canadians world-class baseball coverage with some of the biggest games in Major League Baseball each week.”

TSN’s baseball coverage will feature ESPN’s acclaimed MLB production which includes Sunday Night Baseball, helmed by veteran Toronto broadcaster Dan Shulman along with analysts John Kruk and Curt Schillingand reporter Buster Olney.

MLB coverage begins on TSN platforms with exclusive Canadian coverage of the Opening Night game between the Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres on Sunday, March 30 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2.

Ralph Waters has been appointed Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, prostate Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket have announced.

Mr Waters, who was previously Deputy Chairman, was appointed following the sad loss of the inaugural Chairman, James Strong AO, who passed away last week.

For the past decade, Mr Waters has been one of New Zealand’s most prominent businessmen and is well placed to lead the Board of this major Trans-Tasman venture. He is the Chairman of Fletcher Building Limited and Woolworths Limited, and Director of Fonterra Co-Operative Limited and Asciano Limited.

Mr Waters paid tribute to the leadership of Mr Strong: “Like myself, James had lived and worked in Australia and New Zealand and was determined to put on a truly world class tournament in 2015.

“I share his vision and will work closely with the ICC, Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket to deliver a successful tournament for cricket fans around the world.”

Alan Isaac, President of ICC echoed Mr Waters’ sentiments: “James’ passion and expertise will be missed by all of us. I know Ralph shares the same love for the game and together we will deliver a great tournament.”

Mr Wally Edwards (Chairman, Cricket Australia), Mr Chris Moller (Chairman, New Zealand Cricket), Mr James Sutherland (CEO, Cricket Australia) and Mr David White (CEO, New Zealand Cricket) will continue to sit on the Board of the Local Organising Committee with the ICC sending representatives to each meeting as observers.

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Game Changers is a brand new event designed to help companies and organisations unlock the massive potential of CSR through sport.

With expert speakers and inspiring case studies alongside networking and passionate discussion, link Game Changers shows how to unlock CSR through sport. Game Changers will bring together business and sport creating an innovative platform of discussion, order ideas and innovation.

Held in the exclusive setting of Lord’s Cricket Ground, herbal Game Changers will present case studies from companies including; Nike, Barclays and Total Jobs. As well as presentations from; The Football Foundation, The Cricket Foundation and QPR Community Trust.

Game Changers will be held on Friday 8 March. There is an exclusive early bird rate of £150 (+ VAT) available on the Game Changers website: www.totalgamechangers.com

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Soccerex has announced that Macesport have been appointed as the organisation’s new official public relations consultants.

The partnership will see Macesport responsible for creating and co-ordinating a full media and public relations strategy for the Soccerex portfolio of global footballing events across Europe, South America and Africa. This will begin with the Soccerex European Forum, Europe’s premier football business event, in Manchester on April 10-11.

Macesport managing director Paul Mace said: “It is a great honour and privilege to play a role in further enhancing and developing the international profile of Soccerex globally. As an established member of the international football family, everyone at Macesport is delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside such an iconic brand as Soccerex.

“We work extensively with football brands, governing bodies, clubs and players and are delighted to add Soccerex to a portfolio which already includes England sponsors Vauxhall, the Football Association and the NFL.

“We look forward to generating even stronger relationships for Soccerex with our friends in global television, print and online sports media, and further leveraging and communicating the quality of debate among football’s highest-profile executives and ambassadors to an even wider audience.”

Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright said: “I am very excited to be working with Macesport; Paul and his team come with a fantastic reputation and a proven network both in the UK and internationally. The next two years will see the last Soccerex Global Convention held in Rio de Janeiro before the event moves to Manchester in 2014 and Macesport will play a key role in managing our media and public relations during this crucial period.”

CBS have acquired the rights to Thursday Night Football NFL games for the 2014 season.

CBS will air eight early season games that also will be simulcast on NFL Network. NFL Network will also televise eight late-season games in the run-up to the playoffs. The mix of games will include 14 on Thursday nights and two late-season games on Saturday.

The full slate of 16 regular-season games will be produced by CBS with its lead broadcasters and production team, abortion including Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, cough on all Thursday night games. In a new twist, NFL Network hosts and analysts will be featured in the pregame, halftime and postgame shows along with CBS Sports announcers.

The agreement is for the 2014 season with an additional year at the NFL’s option.

“NFL Network built Thursday into a night for NFL fans,” said Commissioner Goodell. “Our goal is to bring these games to more fans on broadcast television with unprecedented promotion and visibility for Thursday Night Football on CBS.”

“We are very pleased to build on our outstanding partnership with the NFL by expanding our coverage to Thursday nights,” said Moonves. “CBS is a premium content company and the NFL represents the best premium content there is. I look forward to all this new deal will do for us not only on Thursday nights, but across our entire schedule.”

“The NFL is the most powerful programming in television,” said McManus. “To add a primetime NFL package to our successful Sunday AFC package further strengthens our position in the sports marketplace.  We look forward to having Jim and Phil and our top production team showcased in prime time on Thursday nights.”

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Kevin Rochlitz, arthritis who joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2003, capsule has been promoted to vice president of corporate sales and development, pills president Dick Cass announced today.

“Kevin has earned these increased responsibilities,” Cass said. “His exceptional sales work for us at both the local and national levels has been instrumental as we attempt to stay financially competitive with the best NFL franchises.”

With his new responsibilities, Rochlitz will lead the Ravens’ corporate sales department, which includes national and regional partnerships, broadcasting contracts and M&T Bank Stadium suite sales.

“It’s a privilege to continue in a leadership role with the Ravens,” Rochlitz said. “Our organization is committed to our community and to the people who live and work here. Our corporate sponsorship staff will deliver the value and service our sponsors, media partners and suite holders have come to expect from the Ravens.”

Rochlitz replaced Mark Burdett, who is now the president and general manager of WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C.

Among the contracts completed by Rochlitz, 42, are the Ravens’ partnerships with MedStar Health, AAA, Visa, Coca Cola, MillerCoors, Anheuser-Busch, Southwest Airlines, Ticketmaster and Dietz and Watson. At M&T Bank Stadium, Rochlitz has created and sold the Bacardi Bar and Talon Pub, as well as the club level bars.

Importantly, Rochlitz coordinated the Ravens’ recent partnership with Under Armour, which led to the team’s Owings Mills, Md., training facility being named the Under Armour Performance Center in 2012.

Before joining the Ravens, Rochlitz spent five years as the senior vice president of sales for Mandalay Sports and Entertainment/Mandalay Pictures, owners of the Dayton Dragons and Frisco Rough Riders (minor league baseball). He coordinated the new stadium construction and sold naming rights for each venue (Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio, and Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas). From 1996-97, Rochlitz was one of the youngest assistant athletic directors in NCAA Division I-A for the University of Miami.

Now in its 8th consecutive year, click Havas Sports & Entertainment’s Great Nations of Sport ranking reveals where the main sport nations stand today.

The ranking takes into account all current podium athletes (first, buy cialis second, unhealthy and third place) in World Championship & Olympic events across 53 sports and 154 disciplines, totaling 5,108 medals.

The USA confirms its dominance thanks to London 2012

The three most powerful sporting nations (USA, China and Russia) remain in 1st, 2nd  and 3rd place, respectively, since 2006. Nevertheless, 2012 marks the overwhelming dominance of the United States. China has been hot on the heels of the USA since 2005 (25 gold medals behind in 2011) thanks to its stellar performance playing at home during the Beijing 2008 Summer Games. In 2012 however, the gap with the USA widened, reaching 57 gold medals, despite China’s having the highest ratio of gold medal of all countries (44% vs the USA’s 37%).

France moves up to 4th place, becoming the #1 sport nation in the EU