LaLiga has appointed Octavi Anoro as International Director after having completed five years of impressive work for the organisation. In the past three years, he had worked as an International Deputy Director and managed the LaLiga Global Network (LLGN) project.
In his new role, Anoro will continue to lead the LLGN project and its 44 delegates spread across the globe, whilst leading the coordination of the 11 offices worldwide and overseeing the international strategy of the organisation. Moving into this position, which was previously held by Óscar Mayo before he was appointed as executive general director, is a natural next step in Anoro’s professional development within LaLiga.
The new international director discussed his new role, stating: “I take on this challenge with the objective of ensuring our business and international standing continue to grow with the same momentum as recent years, while we will also partner all the clubs in their own international expansion. To achieve this, we will focus on developing integration among the delegates team and the offices, fully capitalising on what are two of the most important competitive advantages that we have compared to other organisations in the sports and entertainment industry: our extensive physical presence around the world and the local market knowledge we possess after five years of this project.”
Anoro arrived at LaLiga in 2017 as part of the LaLiga Global Network project, through which he spent more than two years as the delegate in Japan. During this time, LaLiga hit significant milestones in the country, including the signing of two sponsorship agreements with local brands, a collaboration with the J.League with ambitious events and activations plan that boosted LaLiga’s brand in Japan.
Following his time in Japan, Anoro returned to Spain to take on the role as the head of LaLiga’d Global Network, a position he has held until today.
With a degree in administration and business management from the University of Barcelona and a Master in administration and sports business management from the UPF Barcelona School of Management, Anoro started his professional career at companies such as tourism group SERHS and youth football organisation KOMM MIT.
SPORTFIVE is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Klingebiel (42) as President Media starting mid-February 2022. Previously Thomas Klingebiel worked for Genius Sports where he was responsible for the company’s business in the region as Commercial Director APAC for five years. He has gained nearly 20 years of commercial experience in prominent global media and sports organizations.
For his new position at SPORTFIVE, Thomas Klingebiel will relocate from Singapore to Hamburg. He will be responsible for driving the strategically important Media business to the next level and will report to Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer of SPORTFIVE.
After his business studies at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management Thomas Klingebiel started his professional life in Australia, where he gained first experiences in the field of Sports media rights brokerage. He relocated to Singapore in 2007 where he has been working in responsible management positions at various companies in the sports media rights sector (Nimbus Sport International, Perform Media Services, Asia Sports Digital and Genius Sports).
Robert Müller von Vultejus says: “We are very happy to have convinced Thomas to join SPORTFIVE in Hamburg as President Media. He is an effective business leader who has learned the media rights business from scratch. Thomas sees digital media rights marketing, including the development of corresponding business models, as one of his core competencies which makes him – in combination with his experience, culture and drive – an ideal fit for SPORTFIVE and for our next stages of growing the business.”
Thomas Klingebiel says: “I am really looking forward to my new role and to joining SPORTFIVE. After my years in Australia and Singapore I am excited to bring in my international experience and to make an active contribution to growth. Together we will drive the SPORTFIVE media business to the next level.”
British Wheelchair Basketball has today announced that the BBC will show eight games live across the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League. The British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League will be the first of its kind for women’s wheelchair basketball, and the very first female professional para-sport league in the UK.
The season will begin in January 2022, with Cardiff Met Archers, East London Phoenix, Loughborough Lightning and Worcester Wolves competing for the title. All matches are to be broadcast, either live on the BBC’s digital platforms or through British Wheelchair Basketball’s YouTube channel.
The deal to show the first ever professional para-sport league in the UK is important to ensure disability representation, and for building on the momentum of the Tokyo Paralympics to encourage more disabled people see a pathway for them in sport. Bringing the sport to home audience’s outside of the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games will increase para-sport visibility more than ever before, this time with a new focus on domestic competition.
Lisa Pearce, British Wheelchair Basketball’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are delighted to announce the BBC as the broadcaster for the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League. Wheelchair Basketball is an incredible sport, and it is really important to us that as many people as possible are able to experience the thrill of the game – many for the first time ever as a domestic competition.
“The Paralympics captures the attention of the nation every four years, and we want to build on the brilliance of our elite athletes to showcase wheelchair basketball more frequently. With the new Women’s Premier League, the BBC broadcast commitment will help to profile elite women’s sport and create more opportunities for people to play across all levels.
“The teams include an exciting variety of world-class, established international players and up-and- coming talent, and thanks to the support of the BBC more people than ever will be able to watch the action unfold.”
Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport said:
“This is a significant moment not just for Wheelchair Basketball but for British Paralympic sport as a whole. I’m delighted the BBC is supporting one of our most exciting and dynamic Paralympic sports and helping to showcase some of the best athletes in the world in action.
“We are on a mission to create the greatest decade of extraordinary moments; reaching, inspiring and uniting the nation and achieving that will only be possible by making Olympic and Paralympic sport more accessible to the British public more often.
“I look forward to watching the league develop and I’m sure we’ll also see the emergence of the next generation of role models who can inspire more people to take up this exciting sport.”
Fixtures and broadcast details for the British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League:
DHL andFormula E have renewed their partnership and joint commitment to promoting e-mobility, smart cities and low-carbon lifestyles.
As part of the agreement, DHL remains Official Founding and Logistics Partner to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and will continue to transport over 415 tons of the all-electric motorsport World Championship’s freight – including all race cars, batteries and charging units, and media and broadcasting equipment – helping Formula E with a tailored, multi-modal transport approach that maximizes efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions.
The renewed partnership will see on and off-track initiatives that highlight the joint DHL-Formula E commitment to environmental and social responsibility – and underscore DHL’s role as sustainability pioneer in the logistics industry.
As part of the relationship, DHL will have exclusive rights to the DHL & Formula E Together Green Award, unearthing sustainability heroes across the globe. A local hero will be recognized at each ABB Formula E race location in Season 8, while accepting global nominations from individuals and organizations throughout the season for the inaugural award.
The award winner will be announced at the end of season gala dinner in Seoul. DHL’s aim is to honor everyday sustainability heroes as global brand and sustainability ambassadors – to recognize their ability to shift attitudes through awareness, and call attention to the power of positive action, however small, in building a more sustainable future.
Arjan Sissing, Head of Global Brand Marketing at Deutsche Post DHL Group said, “Deutsche Post DHL Group will be investing 7 billion euros in clean operations and climate-neutral logistics through to 2030, which includes major investments in its fleet of e-vehicles. This – along with our goal to achieve zero-emission logistics by 2050 – is a major, industry-leading commitment on the part of DHL. But we also recognize that the small incremental developments and steps – the everyday engagement and commitment on the part of individuals and organizations around the globe – are so important to moving the needle. The DHL & Formula E Together Green Award is meant to call attention to these heroes and hopefully amplify the impact they are having.”
Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle said: “DHL have been an integral partner to Formula E from inception and we are delighted to extend and enhance our collaboration. Transporting the freight is a fundamental aspect to the running of Formula E and DHL continue to do so with a passion for driving forward new sustainable measures which have relevance throughout the logistics industry. The new DHL & Formula E Together Green Award will elevate our partnership to a new level by providing a renewed platform to showcase sustainable initiatives at every race weekend. We look forward to working with DHL to set the standard in sustainable logistics for sport and inspire fans around the world to take actions to fight climate change.”
Other joint Formula E x DHL initiatives of the enhanced partner package include DHL’s “Legacy Program” – with activities such as tree planting, a city street-art mural utilizing carbon absorbing paints, participation in community engagement at key Formula E race locations as well as DHL’s involvement in the “FIA Girls On Track” project, with on- and off-track activities to introduce young women (8 -18) to a potential career in motorsport.
In 2021, DHL delivered the most sustainable season ever in terms of Formula E logistics, using biofuel for all road and sea freight from Formula E testing in Valencia 2020 up to the final race of the Season 7 Championship in Berlin, managing to offset all emissions for Formula E’s road and ocean freight two years ahead of schedule, and offsetting 611 tons of CO2 emissions (the same as 49,000 trees).
For the upcoming 2022 season – the most extensive season ever, with a record 16 races, including three new cities (Vancouver, Jakarta and Seoul) – DHL looks to build on these accomplishments by gradually reducing the footprint of its air freight operations.
With its slogan “Change Accelerated”, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship promotes electric mobility as a zero-emissions alternative to combustion engines and provides a platform for automotive manufacturers to develop and test new e-mobility technologies. The Gen3 racing car, scheduled for the 2022-23 season, will be the world’s most efficient racing car and is Formula E’s fastest, lightest and most powerful car to date. It is capable of a top speed of 320 km/h and regenerative braking will produce at least 40% of the energy consumed during a race.
“Formula E is world-class racing that brings tremendous entertainment value to a very broad fan base – all while creating real value for society,” says Sissing. “It has been an incredibly exciting partnership journey so far and we look forward to joining Formula E to continue raising awareness for sustainability around the world.”
Maserati To Join Formula E In 2023
Maserati today announces the first step in its motorsport strategy and will make its debut in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2023.
With motorsport in its genes and rooted in the spirit of pure competition, Maserati is the first Italian brand to compete in Formula E. The return to the track renews the racing spirit in Maserati’s DNA.
The combination of Maserati’s unrivalled racing heritage – a brand intrinsically linked with high-performance, and its innovative attitude towards electrification – aligns perfectly with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the world’s first all-electric road-racing motorsport series.
Maserati’s commitment to electric mobility is powered by a lightning surge of new energy, now accelerating to run at top speed with Folgore, the full electric range. All new Maserati models will also be available in 100% electric solutions including Maserati Grecale, Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio and the Maserati MC20 super sportscar.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship provides Maserati with a perfect platform to showcase the unprecedented brand racing heritage and Folgore in an environment where high performance and innovation powerfully co-exist.
Maserati will debut on the grid from Season 9 with the new Gen3, the fastest, lightest, most powerful Formula E racing car ever. The Gen3 is the world’s most efficient racing car featuring a series of industry-leading design, production and technological innovations.
Since inception, Formula E’s dramatic racing on the streets of the world’s most iconic cities including New York, Monaco, Berlin, Mexico City, London and Rome has led to electric cars exported around the world today going further on every charge through increases in energy efficiency, enhancements in battery range and advances in powertrain development.
Davide Grasso, Maserati CEO, commented: “We are very proud to be back where we belong as protagonists in the world of racing. We are powered by passion and innovative by nature. We have a long history of world-class excellence in competition and we are ready to drive performance in the future.” Grasso continued: “In the race for more performance, luxury, and innovation, Folgore is irresistible and it is the purest expression of Maserati. That’s why we decided to go back to racing in the FIA Formula E World Championship, meeting our customers in the city centers of the world, taking the Trident forward into the future”.
Jean-Marc Finot, Senior VP, STELLANTIS Motorsport, added: “It is a great pleasure for STELLANTIS Motorsport to play a part in getting Maserati back in the Race. Beyond this piece of history, Maserati Formula E will be our technological laboratory to accelerate the development of high-efficiency electrified powertrains and intelligent software for our road sports cars. Formula E is the perfect Championship for this purpose and we are very proud to be the first Italian brand to join in.”
Alejandro Agag, Founder & Chairman, Formula E, said: “We are proud to welcome Maserati to their new home in world-class motorsport. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the pinnacle of electric racing. It provides the perfect environment for the most dynamic and innovative high-performance car brands to showcase their technological capabilities alongside their sporting ambitions.”
Jamie Reigle, CEO, Formula E, said: “We are delighted Maserati will join the Gen3 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and play a defining role reimagining the future of motorsport. Formula E races in the heart of the most iconic cities in the world and is followed passionately by a progressive global audience. Our millions of fans around the world will be thrilled to see Maserati line up on the grid as one of the world’s elite electric car brands.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President: “I am delighted to welcome Maserati to Formula E for Season 9. For such an iconic manufacturer with a tremendously proud and successful heritage in motor sport to pledge its commitment to the series is testament to the overwhelming faith in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s future as we prepare to usher in the next era. The new Gen3 single-seater will represent the pinnacle of sustainability, technology and performance.”
Epson has announced a partnership with Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, across the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Russia (EMEAR) region, where Bolt will be the face of a brand awareness campaign for Epson’s cartridge-free EcoTank printers.
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist, and widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time, Bolt will promote Epson’s EcoTank range to include Outdoor, POS and Social Media.
Over 60 million EcoTank high-capacity ink tank printers have sold worldwide since their launch in 2010, saving customers up to 90% on printing costs2. The printers come with high yield ink bottles instead of cartridges. One set of ink bottles is the equivalent of up to 72 cartridges worth of ink.
Epson has recently refreshed its award-winning range of EcoTank printers enabling busy households and small offices to enjoy hassle-free printing at an ultra-low-cost per page. All Epson’s new EcoTank printers feature its Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology so users can enjoy reduced energy consumption with less need for replacement parts.
Commenting on the partnership, Mukesh Bector, Head of sales Epson East and West Africa said: “Usain is the perfect partner for us! He is one of the most recognised people in the world and his engaging character will help bring our low-cost printing solutions to life in a fun, memorable and engaging way. With more of us working from home than ever before, and modern family life getting busier, now is the right time to raise even more awareness of our EcoTank printers and the cost saving benefits they deliver.”
Bolt says: “I’m delighted to be working with Epson to help spread the word about EcoTank printers. I only partner with brands that I believe can make a real difference. EcoTank printers remove many of the frustrations that exist around printing with cartridges so anything that can help make life a little bit easier has got to be a good thing.”
“However, this partnership is about much more than that! We share many of the same values including creating better futures. For Epson, this is all about building trust through its products, products that help communities grow and prosper. And for me it’s about inspiring others to follow their dreams, regardless of how big or small they may be,” he says.
The PGA TOUR and FanDuel announced a three-year extension through 2024 to their content and marketing relationship designating FanDuel an Official Betting Operator of the PGA TOUR.
Additionally, the PGA TOUR and FanDuel will collaborate to deliver odds-based content to fans exclusively via the TOUR’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
“FanDuel is a market leader in the United States and we look forward to extending our relationship in the sports betting space for three more years,” said Norb Gambuzza, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President, Media and Gaming. “FanDuel continues to see incredible growth in its golf products and is poised for additional growth through its partnership with Jordan Spieth. Integrating FanDuel’s odds into our social content provides relevant storylines and up-to-date betting information for fans who want to get involved in sports betting in our sport.”
As part of the TOUR’s Official Betting Operator program, FanDuel will have rights in the United States to use PGA TOUR marks, rights to advertise within TOUR media and TOUR partner platforms, plus content and video rights allowing FanDuel to create pre-game and post-game betting programming, as well as distribution of highlights to FanDuel bettors and through FanDuel social media accounts.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with the PGA TOUR a partnership that has been one of our most innovative and groundbreaking since its inception,” said Mike Raffensperger, CMO FanDuel Group. “We value the TOUR’s willingness to be a first mover in bringing new features like real-time highlights into our app which enhance the entertainment experience for the TOUR’s passionate fans.”
Following the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, the TOUR instituted a robust integrity program in collaboration with Genius Sports and later that year announced a global partnership with IMG ARENA to license its official, live scoring data to betting operators around the world. The TOUR is a platinum member of the National Council on Problem Gambling and is aligned with the American Gaming Association (AGA) as a Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly public service campaign partner to educate golf fans on responsible sports betting.
FanDuel is the industry leader is promoting responsible play, as it also is aligned with the AGA’s campaign. Additionally, it is the only major operator to offer Gamban an international gambling blocking software to customers who signal they are struggling with compulsive play. Gamban’s platform blocks more than 15,000 legal and off-shore gambling sites on up to 15 different family devices.
Infront Group, a Wanda Sports Group Company, has today announced personnel and structural changes within its Infront X subsidiary.
Dr. Christian Müller, CEO of Infront X, has decided to resign from his position for personal reasons. He will be released from his duties with the Infront Group but will remain in the company until 31 March 2022 to ensure a smooth handover process.
Infront’s President & CEO Philippe Blatter said: “Christian has been a fellow colleague for almost two decades and played a crucial role in Infront’s success story in various management capacities since 2006, helping Infront to develop into a leading global sports marketing company. Christian previously held roles as Senior Vice President, People, Innovation & Corporate Services and as Vice President Strategy & Business Development. We owe him considerable acknowledgement and a huge debt of gratitude for a job expertly done. Under his tenure Infront X has achieved a successful rebranding, a thorough strategy review and a substantial growth in profit.”
Dr. Christian Müller added: “My long-lasting career at the Infront Group was hugely fulfilling and truly exciting. After 16 years of growing the business and contributing to major achievements in many different areas, it is now time for a personal break before I will embrace new professional challenges. I would like to thank my entire team at Infront X and all my Infront friends and colleagues for being part of an amazing group of people and for our joint journey.”
Christian’s role as CEO of Infront X will not be replaced. Infront X’s core business will be managed by Philip Sharpe, Managing Director & COO, and CFO Krishnan Ramachandran. Both will report directly into Philippe Blatter. Infront X Lab will continue to be led by Damian Browarnik as Managing Director and integrated into the Media Sales & Operations department, led by Amikam Kranz as its Vice President. These changes will take place with immediate effect.
Team Vitality and Tezos, the world’s most advanced blockchain, are pleased to reveal a landmark technical partnership that will revolutionize the Team Vitality fan experience. Through the biggest partnership in Team Vitality history, the brands will unite to give the organization’s community world-first ways to engage with its star players, made possible by the pioneering and energy efficient open-source Tezos blockchain.
Championed across the world’s biggest games and on the biggest stages in esports, Tezos will be represented by top-performing Team Vitality rosters and star athletes and through unrivaled brand visibility across the esports ecosystem. 2022 is set to usher in a new era for Team Vitality following its commitment to the largest talent investment ever made in esports.
Spanning 2022, 2023, and 2024, this partnership, one of the biggest in European esports history, will bring Team Vitality closer to its fans than ever before, give the community unprecedented access to their favourite teams, and reward them for their support. Team Vitality will collaborate with the Tezos ecosystem on educating fans on the benefits of blockchain as part of the gaming experience and showcase the advancements of these technologies. Esports and gaming fans are some of the most tech savvy and engaged communities and through the Tezos blockchain, Team Vitality will show clearly the huge benefits of the blockchain technology and the importance of using and developing it responsibly to create an engaging fan-centric experience.
The leading European esports organization unveils its partnership with the world’s most advanced blockchain in one of the biggest European partnerships in esports, over the course of the next three years
The energy-efficient Tezos blockchain will unlock completely new ways for Team Vitality to create a new fan experience with its global community
Team Vitality rosters will represent the Tezos brand on the biggest stages in esports and gaming
This technical partnership is one of the first moves into the rapidly growing esports industry for the Tezos ecosystem. Esports and gaming are a key vertical for the blockchain world and the Tezos ecosystem is committed to supporting the growing blockchain and gaming ecosystems. The association with Team Vitality reflects the attractiveness and ability of Europe’s leading esports club to support the Tezos ecosystem in this effort.
Tezos is the world’s most advanced and energy efficient blockchain, using proof of stake technology which has a significantly lower impact on the environment than proof of work technology, used by other market-leaders. The ground-breaking partnership will aim to engage the esports and gaming communities with blockchain and promote the sustainable development and use of the technologies.
“This is truly a game changing partnership for Vitality, which feels appropriate given 2022 is set to be the biggest year in our history. The opportunities Tezos can bring to strengthen the relationship between us and our fans is incredibly exciting, and we’re immensely proud to have Tezos join us on this journey.” said Nicolas Maurer, CEO, Team Vitality.
“This is a significant step forward for Europe’s leading esports team as the blockchain and gaming industries continue to build a fan and player-centric future for esports. The decision from Team Vitality to choose the energy-efficient Tezos blockchain as a technical partner is another signal to the established and growing gaming vertical that low gas fees, forkless upgradability, and ease-of-use are the key factors driving the next wave of adoption for blockchain technologies. I’m thrilled to see Team Vitality join the Tezos community.” – Mason Edwards, Chief of Staff, Tezos Foundation
It’s a new year and ‘all change’ at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as the team today welcomes Sara Sutcliffe MBE as the organisation’s new Chief Executive.
Sara spent her formative years working in the City at leading global law firm Baker & McKenzie. With a keen interest in sport, she later took the opportunity to join the British Olympic Association (BOA) developing her legal and management skills and attended four Olympic Games as General Counsel to Team GB. She was also instrumental in the London 2012 bid, working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Mayor of London to secure the hosting of the Games.
Following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Sara joined Table Tennis England as CEO where she has overseen considerable sustained improvements in governance, performance and participation of the sport as well as leading the bid to host the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in London.
Sara joins the RYA at a time when it is seeking to protect boating from the wide-ranging impacts of the global pandemic, whilst also accelerating its work on diversity and inclusion, sustainability and digital transformation.
Commenting on her arrival at the RYA, Sara said: “It is an honour to play my part in the distinguished history of the RYA, to lead it on the next chapter in its journey, and I am grateful to the Board, Senior Management Team, Committees, Volunteers and the whole RYA team for the warm welcome I’ve received. I’m very much looking forward to getting out and about and meeting everyone in person as soon as possible.
“It’s important that we make boating relevant and attractive to all generations, while we also help boating recover from the many impacts of the pandemic and adapt to new normal. The importance of sport in the community has never been more significant and we must embrace the ability for boating to act as a catalyst in education and character development in young people as well as providing opportunities and positive experiences for everyone.”
Chris Preston, RYA Chair, commented: “With over 20 years’ experience in the sports sector Sara brings with her a wealth of knowledge, expertise and passion that will be a true asset to the RYA.
“I would like to express our thanks to Dave Strain on behalf of the Board, the staff and from me personally for his work, dedication and commitment to the RYA during his tenure as Interim Chief Executive. We are delighted that Dave will now resume his role within the Association as Finance Director and Company Secretary,” Chris concluded.
Sara and her family are all keen boaters and enjoy family sailing holidays and her children are currently on the RYA learning pathway.
ATPI Sports Events, an international leader in sports event management, has announced the appointment of Niels Grevenstuk as its new commercial head of global sports business.
Grevenstuk joins ATPI with extensive experience in the sports and events sector, having previously worked for world-renowned football club AFC Ajax as head of international brand partnerships, and formerly as global sponsorship manager Heineken International. With Heineken International, he collaborated with ATPI on several projects, including the activation of the UEFA Champions League and the organisation of the Holland Heineken House in Sochi and Rio de Janeiro during the Winter and Summer Olympics respectively.
At ATPI, together with commercial colleagues in the UK, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Dubai, the Netherlands and South Africa, Grevenstuk will focus on further expanding ATPI Sport Events’ already impressive international portfolio.
On his appointment, Grevenstuk comments:
“ATPI is a wonderful company with a great customer portfolio and a rich history when it comes to organising and facilitating major sporting events. I am very excited to continue building business innovations, sustainable services and international growth for partners in competitions, tournaments and events with the team.”
The ATPI Group operates from 100+ offices worldwide, and has successful operations in corporate travel, corporate event management, online travel technology and specialist travel management for a number of key industries including the energy and shipping sectors.
For further information on the ATPI Group, please visit www.atpi.com.
