Since launching their new Featured Discussions feature earlier in the month, decease iSportconnect has seen some of the industry’s leading professionals contribute their views and opinions to a range of hot topic debates in the world of sports business.

The popularity of the concept is something that iSportconnect – sports largest online business community – is hoping to promote through networking with some of the need-to-know people in the industry.

The real success of the feature has been down to the members, some of whom are of the highest end in their industry sector, sharing their thoughts on the matters relevant to them. The likes of advisory board members, Michael Cunnah, former CEO of Wembley Stadium, and Steven Falk, 8-year Director of Marketing at Manchester United, have been key players in ensuring the discussions success.

Mr Cunnah’s discussion on the issues surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar posed some interesting questions, prompting a flurry of responses and proposed answers from a number of members including Director of Event Operations Paul Freudensprung, whose experience in the matter is extensive through 4 Olympic Games and 2 World Cups respectively.

In addition, Stephen Pearson’s discussion on the prospect of the re-launch of world renowned MLS franchise the New York Cosmos was replied by CEO of fellow MLS club the Vancouver Whitecaps. Barber added his support to the work of Paul Kemsley in bringing in the likes of Pele and Eric Cantona to back the re-launch, stating: “With the Whitecaps now just days away from entering Major League Soccer, it would certainly capture the imagination of the soccer public if the New York Cosmos were to return to play top flight North American soccer too.”

Steven Falk’s latest discussion, Sponsorship – the next big push, was also contributed to by one of the relevant industry sectors most successful professionals. After recently partaking in an exclusive Featured Profile interview with iSportconnect, Vice-Chair of the European Sponsorship Association Pippa Collett explained where she thought some of the English Premier League’s top clubs were going wrong.

Collett wrote: “The essence of sponsorship is the desire of a sponsor to associate its brand with that of the rights-holder. But how many football clubs have developed a real brand? A brand is more than just a logo and a colour combination – it is a set of values, a personality, with certain characteristics that make it special and unique in the minds of those touched by it. When I look at the EPL, very few clubs have much to differentiate them beyond their geographic location. Faced with so little on which to base a selection decision, it is no surprise that brands look elsewhere.”

Speaking on the current success of the Featured Discussions section of isportconnect.com, the company’s CEO Sree Varma stated: “We are delighted that our members have taken the opportunity t utilise the new feature through interacting with their fellow, like-minded professionals. iSportconnect hope that the Featured Discussions can go from strength to strength and become an essential component of the networking department of the site. I would like to thank all of those who have contributed such fantastic discussions and debates thus far and urge all of our members to make your voices heard!”

Sony SIX has agreed a deal to broadcast both live events and archived events produced by GLORY, anesthetist the world’s new premier kickboxing league, on an exclusive basis for the first time in India.

Kickboxing fans for a long time have been missing a true globally organised series, with the sports most decorated icons, such as world No. 1 ranked heavyweight Semmy Schilt, world No. 1 ranked lightweight Giorgio Petrosyan and a host of other superstars including Daniel Ghita, Remy Bonjasky, Peter Aerts, Gokhan Saki and Tyrone Spong, competing for world championships in their respective weight classes

Commenting on the tie-up N P Singh, COO Multi Screen Media, the parent company of SIX, said “We are very happy to announce that GLORY will now be available on SIX. GLORY already attracts a 550 million audience & with India, we have the potential to reach a 100 million more. Indian sports lovers are maturing in their taste for fast paced fight sports, and there is a huge demand for such action packed and adrenaline pumping sporting events. We are proud to associate with GLORY and look forward to airing it exclusively to our Indian audiences.”

Julian Jackson, the Chief Content Officer of GLORY’s worldwide distribution partner, TSA, stated that, “We are delighted that the top management of Sony could see what GLORY is trying to achieve. They recognised the colossal project that GLORY has undertaken and the massive financial commitment that the owner, Pierre Andurand, has made to ensure it succeeds. GLORY has exceeded all of our expectations in terms of broadcast coverage with us being in almost every country in the world with the ability to reach over 550+million viewers – now we are delighted that Indian combat fans will get the chance to see why GLORY is sweeping the globe on Sony SIX.”

Sony SIX is an Indian sports channel owned and operated by MSM India.

In yesterday’s broadcasting stakes BBC overwhelmingly beat out ITV with a resounding share of the UK viewers.

An average of 10.2m people (41% share) watched Vincente del Bosque’s boys administering a thrashing on BBC1 and its HD counterpart, compared to the depleted squad of 1.7m (7%) viewers who tuned in to see their 4-0 victory over on ITV1 and ITV1 HD. 

The pre-match coverage watched by an average of 5.5m viewers between 7-7:40pm, while Adrian Chiles’s superfan act on ITV only attracted 1.2. people to the channel.

During the game itself (7:45-10:15pm), ITV averaged 1.8m viewers while the BBC scored almost 10m more with an mean audience of 11.6m. The channels’ respective peaks came within five minutes of each other too, with ITV pulling in 2.3m (8%) at 8:55pm, while Auntie’s apogee came at 9:00pm when the Beeb entertained a high of 13.4m (49%) people.

But while last night’s figures are impressive, they’re distinctly first division compared to the premier 23m-strong audience who got behind Roy Hodgson and the England team for their heartbreaking encounter with Italy, which went out on BBC1 on Sunday 24 June and saw our boys crash out of the tournament.

The PGA Tour Policy Board announced that Randall L. Stephenson, order Chairman, price Chief Executive Officer and President of AT&T, Inc., will become a member of the Board effective January 1, 2012.

Stephenson will serve as one of the Policy Board’s four Independent Directors, joining Chairman Victor Ganzi, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Hearst Corporation; John McCoy, former Chairman and CEO, Bank One Corp.; and Ken Thompson, former President and CEO, Wachovia.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, said: “I have had a great working relationship with Randall over the past several years and consider him a wonderful choice by the Policy Board as an Independent Director. He has been very supportive of a number of initiatives by the PGA Tour and is recognized as one of the world’s most outstanding business leaders. Randall will be a true asset to the Board and the PGA Tour.”

Stephenson was appointed as AT&T’s Chairman, CEO and President in 2007. He previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer from 2004 to 2007 and as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2004.

“I am honored to join the PGA Tour Policy Board,” Stephenson said. “I have great respect for the PGA Tour and its members and look forward to working with the other Board members to serve in the best interests of the PGA Tour, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.”

AT&T has been title sponsor of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am since 1986 and has sponsored the AT&T National since its inception in 2007.

“We are delighted that Randall has agreed to become the newest member of the PGA Tour Policy Board,” Ganzi said. “He has tremendous business acumen and has intimate knowledge of the PGA Tour through AT&T’s sponsorship of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the AT&T National. We are fortunate to have an outstanding collection of business leaders and players on the Policy Board to serve the organization and its members, and Randall will be a most welcome addition.”

Stephenson is replacing Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. on the PGA Tour Policy Board. Whitacre, Chairman Emeritus of AT&T Inc., is retiring from the Board after having served since January 1, 2008.

Thomas Cook, denture  the Official Provider of Short Breaks to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has unveiled the detail of Games Breaks on sale from 15^th March 2011.

From 15^th March, sports fans will be able to secure their official Games Break at Thomas Cook stores and online at www.thomascooklondon2012.com. Paralympic Games short breaks will be available from September 2011.

Games Breaks and Games Breaks Plus will include accommodation and tickets to a full range of events from the Opening Ceremony and Athletics 100m final to Football preliminaries, Cycling and Swimming.  Games breaks are priced from £99.

Stephen Vaughan, Managing Director, Thomas Cook, London 2012 Partnership, said, “We’re getting ready for what promises to be an amazing year in the build up to this historic, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.  We’re incredibly proud to be involved and we’re looking forward to ensuring that wherever in the UK fans are, they have every opportunity to attend the London 2012 Games.”

Games Break customers favour a complete Olympic experience over a specific sport

Feedback from those interested in purchasing a Thomas Cook Games Break has shown that, with over a quarter of people interested in buying a London 2012 event ticket with accommodation, more people want to experience London as the host city and take in the Olympic experience rather than follow a specific sport.

With 44% of all adults saying they are most excited about the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere during London 2012 as they visit the host city as opposed to 39% who want to see a specific sport, the desire to experience the Games is strongest amongst those aged 25-44 (48%) with more 18-24 year olds (43%) wanting to see their favourite sport.

It’s also clear that using iconic sporting venues across the capital, such as Wimbledon and Wembley as well as the new Olympic Park, is proving a popular decision – over half of those people who would buy a Games Break (54%) would do so for venues away from East London.

The comments show that 59% of 18-35 year olds would spend up to £400 per person on a Games Break if it included two nights in a hotel and two events, while 17% of all adults expressed an interest in shorts breaks priced between £151 and £200 – an indication that many people are looking to visit the Games and experience this once in a lifetime occasion.

Games Breaks

Starting from £99, Thomas Cook’s Games Breaks will include a one or two night stay in a London hotel and guaranteed tickets to one or more Olympic Games events.  With a Games Break Plus, sports fans will be able to attend the Games in style, stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel and dine in the capital’s finest restaurants.

Thomas Cook’s Games Breaks also include flexibility and plenty of time for fans to use their stay as a base to visit other events that they’ve been successful in obtaining tickets for, through the London 2012 Official Ticket Ballot.

UEFA has announced that Cardiff City Stadium will host the 2014 European Super Cup.

The annual match, which pits the winners of the previous season’s Champions League against the winners of the Europa League, has been held at Monaco’s Stade Louis II since 1998, when the previous two-legged format was abandoned.

But the principality will no longer be permanent hosts of the showpiece game after this year, with Eden Park in Prague the destination of the 2013 edition.

Cardiff will then host the 2014 Super Cup, with the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, having that honour in 2015. Both stadiums have capacities around the 28,000 mark.

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: “This is fantastic news and confirms once again how our capital city is in the ‘champions league’ itself when it comes to hosting world class sporting events.

“The European Super Cup will be a major boost to not only to the city, but also for the global profile of Wales.”

Barcelona won last season’s Super Cup with a convincing 4-0 victory over FC Porto, while Champions League winners Chelsea will take on Europa League champions Atletico Madrid on August 30 this year.

AC Milan have won the Super Cup more than any other club, claiming the trophy on five occasions.

English Championship team, ailment Burnley Football Club, brand viagra online have announced today the appointment of Lee Hoos as Chief Executive.

The 50 year old American and former Leicester City and Southampton Chief Executive, who also served on the board at Fulham under Mohamed Al Fayed, will take up his position on Tuesday, December 13 and replaces Paul Fletcher.

Hoos said of his appointment, “It’s a privilege to be named as Chief Executive of Burnley Football Club and I am absolutely delighted to be joining a club that, in my opinion, is going places.

“Burnley has an excellent Board of Directors and, as a long standing admirer, a very, very good manager in Eddie Howe.

“I know the people – and Chairman Barry Kilby in particular – because I have been in football here for a while now and when I heard about the opportunity to work here it was a chance I couldn’t pass up.

“I come here with high hopes and the number one priority has to be to get this club back into the Premier League.

“That’s the shared vision of everybody at the club and in my opinion everybody has a part to play.

“Burnley has already shown that can be achieved and there is no reason at all why we can’t get back there again.”

Chairman Barry Kilby welcomed Hoos to Turf Moor saying, “I am sure all supporters and staff will join me in welcoming our incoming Chief Executive.

“Lee has previously worked under Mohamed Al Fayed at Fulham, managed during a difficult situation at Southampton and then worked under Milan Mandaric at Leicester.

“Dealing with such varied situations, handing tough financial problems and then working with some very powerful people means he brings a wealth of experience here.

“I have no doubt he will be a big appointment as he carries out the policy of the Board of Directors.”

Kilby also paid tribute to departing Chief Executive Paul Fletcher, “I would like to say a very big thank you to Paul for making such a solid contribution to the club in the past three years.

“He was Chief Executive during momentous times for us and has certainly played his part in a golden era for the club.

“It’s good to know he will still be around until at least the summer, working on several projects.”

Michael Payne, Strategic Adviser / Consultant, has taken part in an exclusive Featured Profile interview with iSportconnect news editor Martin Laurence.

Payne spoke to iSportconnect about his 30 year career in the sports marketing industry starting from his own experiences as a British Champion skier. He joked that he soon became aware of his superior ability to broker personal sponsorship deals than winning races and in turn began representing his fellow athletes.

Payne discussed how he felt that the industry had changed dramatically since his career in the field began and how some of his work at the IOC was at the forefront of that change. He went on to state that his best-selling book, Olympic Turnaround, was written as ‘a balanced history lesson’ to be used as an aide memoir of what to do and what not to do from a host nation’s perspective. The process is an area of immense experience to Payne after strong involvements in the recent successful bids of London 2012 and Rio 2016. He stated that such high interest in bidding to host major sporting competitions was a completely different story from that of the 70s and 80s now that cities and nations have began ‘to understand how to use the big event as a vehicle for transformational change.’

He spoke about the successes of the TOP programme in redefining Olympic sponsorship and how he felt its continued achievements did not seem to be coming to an end. The programme has recently secured major deals with the likes of marketing powerhouses such as Proctor & Gamble and Payne feels that such deals were ‘a big boost and validation that the programme is still going very strong.’

Payne stated that the ability to listen to what is truly needed from a client was key to some of the major deals which he was involved in. He spoke of how the Rio Olympic bid succeeded due to admittance from the government of Brazil, that they did not understand this particular bidding electorate. Michael put the success of Brazil’s Olympic bid down to the fact that they were the only one of the bidders to answer the question ‘why?’ Payne feels that this accomplishment was what eventually won the bidding process over rivals such as Chicago, whose politicians felt that they understood elections.

As well as his involvement as an advisor to the London and Rio Olympic bids, Michael speaks of his role at the F1 alongside Bernie Ecclestone and his privilege at working with some of the biggest companies in the world throughout his career. Although Mr Payne could not pick out one single proudest moment in his career, he highlighted that ‘helping the Brazilians to win the right to host the Games’ along with the IOC’s US rights deal, one of the last in his time there, as ‘one of the biggest ever in the Olympic world.’

Editors Note:

Michael Payne is a Strategic Adviser to Broadcast and Media, Governments and International Sports Events, Companies and Corporations. He led the global marketing effort for the Olympic Movement for more than two decades, from 1983 to 2004, as the IOC’s first ever Marketing and Broadcast Rights Director.

In September 2004, following the Athens Olympic Games, Michael resigned from the IOC to become an independent strategic sports marketing consultant. He joined the management team of F1, as special adviser to the Chairman – C and CEO, Mr Bernie Ecclestone. In addition he took on a number of other senior strategic advisory roles, including that of the successful London 2012 Olympic Bid and Rio 2016 Olympic bids.

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