The Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games has changed its commercial structure by appointing a commercial team.

Flavio Pestana will be the chief commercial officer (CCO) for a team which will also have its Sponsorship Sales director, therapy Rodrigo Frazao; Partner Services director, Henrique Leal; and head of Licensing, Retail and Concessions, Sylmara Multini.

Pestana will be responsible for the Games’ sponsorship, ticketing and licensing programmes as well as negotiations with the International Olympic Committee regarding Rio 2016’s share of broadcasting rights and international sponsorship agreements. The new CCO will report to the chief executive officer, Leonardo Gryner, who had also been acting as interim chief commercial officer.

The new chief commercial officer has had a career in the media sector as CEO of two of Brazil’s largest business newspapers (Gazeta Mercantil and Valor Economico), as well as the Bom Dia Communication Network and the Diario de Sao Paulo newspaper. He was also superintendent of Folha Group’s newspapers and magazines, a board member of Folha de S.Paulo newspaper and Plural Publishers and Editors, and chairman of the board of the UOL online media portal and Internet company.

Pestana has a degree in Engineering and postgraduate degrees in Business Management from Harvard Business School and Dom Cabral Foundation/INSEAD (the European Institute of Business Administration), as well as in Finance from Getulio Vargas Foundation.

With a wealth of experience in the commercial area, Rodrigo Frazao has participated in the preparation of several sales and relationship plans for corporations and events such as AB-Inbev and Casa Show. In his last professional experience, he participated in Technos’ IPO.

Henrique Leal is a marketing specialist, an expert in communications strategic planning, mainly customer relationship management (CRM) and digital marketing. He has over 20 years’ experience in marketing and advertising and has worked in large advertising agencies such as Ogilvy and Young & Rubican. Before joining Rio 2016™, he was vice-president of Sun/MRM, the digital marketing and CRM agency of the McCann Erikson Group.

Sylmara Multini is a business administrator with a degree from the University of Sao Paulo. She has extensive experience as an executive in the marketing area, mainly in sales, sponsorship, concessions and licensing for large corporations such as Volkswagen, the Walt Disney Company and Mattel. Before joining Rio 2016™, Sylmara held the position of Licensing director for Warner Bros Latin America.

Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of Rio 2016 commented on the appoitments: “Hiring a professional of the highest caliber such as Flavio Pestana and the other new members of the commercial department ensures the confidence and reliability we need to conduct such a record-breaking sponsorship programme and develop new revenue generating programmes for staging memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.” 

The Commercial Power of Sports Events in Asia: Top Players Gather in Singapore

With the recent influx of activity in major sports events throughout Asia, prostate it is clear that the region will be at the forefront of commercial activities for decades to come. Top players in the industry will gather at the 2011 Asia-Pacific Sports Conference (APSC) at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore for 2 days of thought provoking discussion and networking.

With Asia’s large economic growth, prostate size and young population, asthma the region has been successful in bidding for, and winning major international sports events. This week saw the news confirming Japan’s capital, Tokyo, officially entering their bid to host the 2020 Olympics, and only last week we PyeongChang succeed in winning the bid to host the Olympic Winter Games in 2018 – proof of the region’s continuing importance in the sports event industry.

Major sports events include the very recent FINA World Championships in Shanghai, the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea, the Asian Beach Games 2012 and 2014, the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the Asian Youth Games 2013, the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, in 2014, to mention but a few…

Cornel Marculescu, Executive Director of FINA, in charge of the recently concluded FINA World Swimming Championships in Shanghai, will be sharing his experiences during the Asia-Pacific Sports Conference in September. Presentations will be on the challenges and achievements the organising committee faced, as well as lessons learnt throughout the event management process.

Cornel Marculescu, will be joined by Mr Dong-Hoo Moon, Secretary General and Vice President of the IAAF World Championships 2011 in Korea, which will take place just before the conference opens its doors in September. Mr Moon will present a case-study on his recent experiences on the organising committee’s win, their utilisation of local stadiums in Daegu, the effect tourism has and how to ensure a legacy from the event.

APSC is a must-attend event for local organising committees and federations in the Asia-Pacific region.  Organisations attending include: Olympic Council of Asia, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, INASOC, Indonesian SEA Games Organising Committee, Indonesian Olympic Committee, IEC in Sports, Badminton World Federation, World Match Racing Tour, TSE Consulting, PMP Legacy, Singapore National Olympic Council, Singapore Rugby Union, ITTF, Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, SportsHub Pte Ltd, Asean Football Federation, Asian Football Confederation, Singapore Sports Council, IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, Sponsorium, Prescient Sports and Entertainment, Hill and Knowlton, ASIAN Tour, ESPN Star Sports, World Sport Group and more.

Visit Asia Pacific Sports Conference on www.asia-pacificsports.com

Infront Sports & Media, the media and marketing partner of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), has extended the national media rights agreement for IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship with the Austrian public service broadcaster ORF through to 2017. Austrian ice hockey fans can look forward to five more years of top-class ice hockey on free TV.

The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is the biggest annual winter sports event worldwide and brings together the 16 best teams from around the world in April/May of each year. The extended agreement between Infront and the ORF includes this year’s tournament in Sweden/Finland as well as the World Championships in Belarus (2014), Czech Republic (2015), Russia (2016) and either Germany/France or Denmark/Latvia (2017, location yet to be confirmed).

The rights covered by the agreement include live, delayed and highlights coverage for all games of the Austrian national team. Furthermore, ORF will broadcast at least ten additional games per tournament and the respective finals. In addition, the contract covers the IIHF Division 1 World Championship — should Austria not qualify for the top flight competition.

Infront, in close cooperation with the IIHF will continue to provide high-quality media production and broadcaster services to the ORF. Since 2009, the IIHF World Championship has been produced in full HD quality with 20 cameras per game guaranteeing in-depth sports coverage and dynamic reporting from every angle.

Manchester United hope to raise around US$300 million by selling just over 10% of the club on the New York Stock Exchange, the Glazer family confirmed.

The United owners initially claimed they would use the funds to pay off the club’s £400 million debt. However, the prospectus that has been released to accompany the announcement on Monday evening indicates only half the money will be used for that purpose, with the rest going directly to the Glazer family.

“Manchester United today commenced its initial public offering of 16,666,667 Class A Ordinary Shares,” said a statement issued from New York by Sard Verbinnen & Co, the public relations firm enlisted by United for the IPO.

“Manchester United is offering 8,333,334 Class A Ordinary Shares and the selling shareholder is offering 8,333,333 Class A Ordinary Shares.

“The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional 2,500,000 Class A Ordinary Shares from the selling shareholder. The Class A Ordinary Shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will trade under the symbol ‘MANU'”

The Glazers intend to hold on to the remaining 8,333,334 Class B shares, giving them 10 times as many voting rights on the club’s board as those who hold Class A shares.

This late change in stance is likely to anger United supporters who have opposed the family’s reign following the their takeover of the club in 2005.

“Supporters are going to be very angry about this,” said Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST). “The Glazers have already cost United more than £550 million in debt related fees and now another slap in the face as they help themselves to half of the proposed IPO proceeds.

“Clearly this has nothing to do with benefits for Manchester United and is all about giving the Glazers quick access to desperately needed cash at the expense of our football club.”

IRB (International Rugby Board) CEO and Rugby World Cup Limited Managing Director Mike Miller will step down from his posts at the end of this month.

In his decade at the head of the IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited, here Miller has overseen significant development in the game.

An official press release praised Miller’s involvement in “three hugely successful Rugby World Cups, viagra the re-inclusion of Rugby into the Olympic Games, viagra the expansion and growth of the HSBC Sevens World Series and the creation of the IRB’s Strategic Investment Programme and Union Fund which have seen an exponential increase in funding to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Unions and emerging major market countries.

Miller has reflected on his own achievements and looked forward to the realisation of his legacy.

“It’s been a fantastic 10 years. It was an honour and a privilege to have been welcomed into the Rugby family and to have worked with so many dedicated and talented Rugby people around the world.

“I have been lucky to have had three excellent chairmen in Vernon Pugh, Syd Millar and Bernard Lapasset and a brilliant staff at the IRB. We have achieved a lot in the last decade.

“Rugby is in a great place as it looks forward to Rugby World Cups in England and Japan, Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Women’s Rugby World Cup in France and the Olympics in Rio in 2016.

“The Game has grown around the world and with its major events going to Asia and Eastern Europe for the first time the platform has been established for Rugby to become a truly global sport.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to Rugby’s growth and success over the last 10 years and in particular Bernard for his support and vision and Bill Beaumont for his advice and guidance as Vice Chairman over the past four years”.

Miller made the decision to step down after discussions with recently re-elected Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

It was agreed that the beginning of a new four-year cycle following the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last autumn was a prudent time to end a partnership which has seen the IRB develop and mature.

Lapasset has stated, “Mike has achieved much during his 10 years at the IRB which is a much stronger organisation than when he joined in 2002.

“The Game is in great shape and the IRB is ready to take on the challenges of continuing to grow Rugby around the world and in particular to ensure that the Tier 1 countries are strong and secure, the Tier 2 countries continue to improve and grow, and the emerging major market countries become competitive as soon as possible.

“All of this will be achieved through our strong working relationship with the IRB Regions who are the first point of support and contact for our Unions.”

“Mike will be a hard act to follow. But with my newly re-affirmed four-year mandate, a revamped IRB Executive Committee, a soon to be refreshed Rugby World Cup Board and a vibrant Council and staff we have the tools in place to continue to drive the Game forward”.

RaboDirect PRO12, the league that showcases the top rugby clubs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, has announced a four-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports beginning in the 2014/15 season.

For the first time Sky Sports will show 30 live matches, plus the semi-finals and final from the tournament, strengthening its unrivalled rights portfolio across six channels.

The RaboDirect PRO12 features the top teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy, including Europe’s current number one ranked side Leinster, defending champions Ospreys and current leaders Ulster.

Sky Sports viewers will be able to enjoy weekly coverage on TV, PC and on the move via mobile and tablet devices.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “We know European rugby is hugely popular with our viewers and this deal provides for even more fantastic action. From next year, the RaboDirect PRO12 will complement our Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup coverage and provide viewers with an unrivalled diet of rugby union.

“Sky Sports remains the home of televised rugby union, offering an unprecedented schedule from the international, European and domestic game. Our coverage is innovative and our expert analysis respected. This agreement is even more good news for rugby fans with Sky Sports.”

John Feehan, Chief Executive of RaboDirect PRO12, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sky Sports to the RaboDirect PRO12 family. Our competition is growing from strength to strength and we feel this partnership with Sky Sports will allow us to extend the reach of the RaboDirect PRO12 in the UK and Ireland.”

Aston Villa owner, Randy Lerner is not planing to sell the club according to Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner.

The US owner has decided to sell his NFL team, the Cleveland Browns, sparking fears that he could be keen to get rid of Villa too.

But Faulkner claims that decision is irrelevant to Lerner’s future plans for the Premier League club.

Faulkner is quoted in the Daily Star as saying: “The Browns situation means absolutely nothing regards Aston Villa – neither good nor bad.

“The big point that people sometimes forget is that he inherited Cleveland – he bought Villa.

“Any rumours that he could be thinking about getting out or losing interest is nonsense.”

NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been been given the role of global cultural ambassador for the US, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Wednesday

Abdul-Jabbar will begin his new role with a trip to Brazil from January 22-28, meeting with youth in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro to speak about education, social and racial tolerance, cultural understanding and using sports as a means of empowerment.

He will also participate in basketball clinics in both cities.

“I am excited and honored to serve my country as a cultural ambassador for the US Department of State,” said Abdul-Jabbar, who has turned his focus to African-American history and socio-economic justice since retiring from the NBA in 1989.

“I look forward to meeting with young people all over the world and discussing ways in which we can strengthen our understanding of one another through education, through sports, and through greater cultural tolerance.”

The 64-year-old spent 20 years in the NBA, winning six titles, and was named league MVP on a record six occasions.

Abdul-Jabbar remains the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points, and had his No. 33 retired by both the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Clare Connor appointed chairwoman of ICC Women’s Committee

England’s Connor replaces Netherlands’ Betty Timmer

 

Former England captain Clare Connor has been appointed chairwoman of the International Cricket Council Women’s Committee.

Connor, who currently sits on the ICC Cricket Committee and is Head of Women’s Cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board, replaces outgoing chairwoman, Netherlands’ Betty Timmer.

Timmer, who held the role since the committee’s inauguration in 2005, steps down having accomplished a number of milestones in women’s cricket in her time as head of the committee.

During her period at the helm of the committee, Timmer successfully pushed for the integration of men’s and women’s cricket, with the first joint ICC Men’s and Women’s World Twenty20 being held in England in 2009.

A former cricketer, Timmer also worked on the successful integration of the International Women’s Cricket Council and the ICC along with the integration of male/female cricket amongst member boards.

Connor, who will head the committee which discusses a variety of issues relating to the women’s game, will hold the role for two years and can be re-elected at the end of her term. By virtue of being chairwoman of the Women’s Committee, Connor will now also represent women’s cricket on the ICC Development Committee.

The 34-year-old former England and Sussex captain represented England in 93 ODIs and 16 Tests in her playing career before turning to cricket administration a couple of years after her retirement in 2008. She was awarded the British honour of MBE for her services to women’s cricket in 2004 and then the honour of OBE in 2005 for leading the England women’s team to its first Ashes victory in 42 years.

Connor said: “First of all I would like to thank Betty Timmer for her hard work and enthusiasm. Betty has worked tirelessly for many years to help promote women’s cricket globally through the ICC Women’s Committee. As such, she leaves the women’s game in a healthy situation.

“I’m delighted to be taking over as chairwoman of the committee at such an exciting time for the women’s game and immediately after the launch of the new ICC Strategic Plan in which the women’s game has real focus. I believe this role will complement my position on the ICC Cricket Committee and also as Head of Women’s Cricket at the ECB.”