World Table Tennis (WTT), the commercial arm of the ITTF Group, is delighted to announce that Liebherr will again line up as a brand partner of the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships Finals.
Liebherr has partnered with the World Table Tennis Championships since 2003 and will join the prestigious event where the star-studded field featuring the world’s best players compete to lift the coveted trophies to become World Champions.
Liebherr is a globally operating family-owned technology company that offers products and services for many industries, including construction and domestic appliances. They have been a significant supporter of table tennis for over 20 years and the title sponsor for many top-tier ITTF events, including the World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany (2017), Halmstad, Sweden (2018) and Budapest, Hungary (2019).
With the 2020 World Table Tennis Championships impacted by the pandemic, fans and players await the 2021 World Championships Finals with much anticipation.
The event will occur in the Americas for the first time at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, from 23 to 29 November 2021.
It is also the first of its kind in the new format of the World Table Tennis Championships. It will feature 128 players in singles and 64 pairs in each of the doubles competitions competing in a straight knockout format for the right to be crowned world champions.
Andreas BÖHM, Managing Director of Liebherr-International AG, said: “We are delighted to be involved in sponsoring the World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Houston. The USA is an important market for Liebherr, and we look forward to seeing the best players in the world competing at the top level again as well as showcasing our brand and products through on-site and digital activations with the ITTF Group and Event Organisers.”
Jonny COWAN, Europe General Manager of World Table Tennis, said: “We are very proud of our long-term relationship with Liebherr, including the strength in brand partnership created over many years at multiple World Championships. We look forward to taking the event to the USA for the first time and activating with the Liebherr team both in-market and globally through our media, social, and digital reach.”
Odds On Compliance, the industry-leading technology and consultancy firm specializing in sports betting, iGaming and gambling compliance and regulatory frameworks in the USA and abroad, has announced the appointment of marketing expert Ashley Dabb as Director of Marketing & Business Development with immediate effect. Dabb brings over a decade of sports marketing experience to Odds On Compliance that includes eight years with MLS team the Philadelphia Union where she was Vice President, Marketing & Communications; three years as the Chief Marketing Officer with the National Lacrosse League; and two years running communications for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Dabb is currently a Professor of Sports Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and she will combine her teaching position at Saint Joseph’s University with her role with Odds On Compliance for the foreseeable future.
“I am very pleased to welcome Ashley to Odds On Compliance, bringing extensive experience, knowledge and contacts to Odds On at an exciting time of our development,” announced Eric Frank, CEO and Founder of Odds On Compliance. “Ashley is a well-respected marketing expert who will help Odds On develop our brand messaging and go-to-market promotional strategies, for both our tech arm and the consultancy service. I would like to thank Saint Joseph’s University for giving Ashley the flexibility to add Odds On to her schedule, and am looking forward to working with her and our whole team as we build out our marketing plans in more detail.
“I am delighted to be joining Odds On Compliance at such a time of critical growth for the business,” added Dabb. “Eric [Frank] and Eric Weiss (Odds On Compliance Vice President, Technical Compliance), are creating the market leading business focused on compliance and regulatory frameworks in the gaming industry, so this is an exciting time to join the Odds On team. I also want to thank Saint Joe’s for allowing me to continue to bring more real-world and industry experience to the classroom to continue to enrich the students’ learning.”
Dabb is currently a Visiting Sports Marketing Professor at Saint Joseph’s University where she teaches sports marketing, esports marketing, sports selling and sales to graduate and undergraduate students, and works with industry professionals to place Saint Joseph’s University’s best and brightest as student interns. Prior to joining Saint Joseph’s, Dabb served as the Senior Communications Manager for the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and as the Chief Marketing Officer for the National Lacrosse League (NLL). She joined the NLL after nearly a decade with the Philadelphia Union, Major League Soccer’s 16th franchise, where she served as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
A graduate of Saint Joseph’s University (B.S.), Neumann University (M.S.), and Rutgers Law School (J.D.), Dabb has been recognized for her outstanding achievements as a recipient of the Leaders 40 Under 40 Marketing and Communications award in 2017, and in 2018 was named on the Forbes list of Women to Watch.
Ligue Nationale de Handball (LNH) and beIN SPORTS France have today extended their broadcasting agreement for 3 additional seasons. With the current deal due to expire in 2023, the new agreement means that the partnership which began in 2014 will continue until at least 2026.
As part of their agreement, beIN SPORTS and the LNH will jointly provide comprehensive coverage of all men’s professional handball competitions. beIN SPORTS will produce three games a round from the Liqui Moly StarLigue*, as well as broadcasting the matches on beIN’s premium channels.
Additionally, LNH will manage production of the remaining matches** which will be accessible via the lnh.fr platform.
News of the renewal of the agreement comes just months after the French men’s and women’s teams secured handball gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, meaning beIN SPORTS viewers will get to enjoy many of France’s Olympians in action across their platforms.
Florent Houzot, Director of Programs and On Air at beIN SPORTS France: “We are delighted to continue this emblematic partnership with the LNH until 2026. Since 2014, beIN SPORTS has been supporting the development of the clubs, league and more widely the sport across France. Together, through reflections, innovations but also realistic objectives, we have been able to enhance the championship within a long-term strategy. With qualified editorial treatment and exemplary production, but also by providing coverage of the championship to as many people as possible, we position ourselves as a true partner of the rights holder, as with each of our acquisitions. This partnership also allows beIN SPORTS to significantly consolidate its premium omnisport offering to the viewers.”
David Tebib, President of the LNH: “In a world of sport where TV rights agreements are frequently called into question, the constant scope extension of our agreements is a formidable signal. It provides professional men’s handball with the visibility it needs to continue and accelerate its development. It also reflects a mutual trust that has grown steadily since the arrival of beIN SPORTS by our side in 2014. With our official broadcaster, we can see the future in a big way, and work in close consultation on the possible creation of a common OTT offer, in order to guarantee fans an ever richer hand pro experience, adapted to changes in the consumption of sport in the media. “
This deal further strengthens beIN SPORTS’ long-term and leading position in France. beIN SPORTS’ incredible rights portfolio in France includes the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, other European leagues and African football, the FIFA World Cup 2022, Wimbledon and WTA tennis, the NBA, NFL, the rugby European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup; alongside a variety of other handball, swimming, rugby, boxing, e-sports rights and much more.
The European Tour group and DP World today jointly announced a ground-breaking evolution to their long-term partnership, with DP World becoming the new title sponsor of the group’s main tour from the start of the 2022 season.
The agreement heralds a new era in the history of the European Tour group, which, along with DP World, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022, the first season of the newly named DP World Tour.
Today’s announcement represents a significant deal in terms of global sports partnerships, with DP World’s substantial commitment dedicated to three key areas: elevating the Tour in every way, growing the game of golf globally, and driving positive community impact.
The new look DP World Tour will see total prize money break through the $200 million mark for the first time, with a new minimum prize fund of $2 million for all tournaments solely sanctioned by the DP World Tour.
In 2022, the DP World Tour will represent a truly global tour through an international schedule, that will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments in 27 different countries, including new tournaments in the UAE, Japan, South Africa and Belgium and an expanded Rolex Series comprising five events: the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, the Genesis Scottish Open, the BMW PGA Championship and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
For the first time, it will also feature three tournaments co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR – the aforementioned Genesis Scottish Open, as well as the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship taking place in the United States – as a result of the Strategic Alliance between male professional golf’s two leading Tours. To view the full 2022 schedule, please click here.
The European Tour and DP World were both established in 1972 and have since developed into global enterprises with DP World, which is headquartered in Dubai, evolving into the leading provider of global smart end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions.
DP World’s association with the European Tour spans more than a decade, first becoming a presenting partner of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in its inaugural year in 2009, before the Rolex Series event was renamed the DP World Tour Championship in 2012. It was in this year that DP World became the tournament’s title partner.
DP World then became an Official Partner of the European Tour in 2015, and they will now become the Official Title Partner of the Tour from the start of the 2022 season, which begins with the Joburg Open in South Africa, from November 22-25.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said: “Today’s announcement is undoubtedly a momentous one in the proud history of our Tour. The launch of the DP World Tour in 2022, coinciding with both of our 50th anniversaries, will herald a new era in global golf, and crucially it will benefit everybody involved – all our players, caddies, fans and partners – as well as making an important contribution to wider society.
“The entire ecosystem of our Tour will be strengthened because of this hugely significant deal, and that was essential to us and to DP World, who have been an incredible supporter of our Tour as well as golf more widely, from grassroots through to the elite professional game.
“The DP World Tour is, therefore, a natural evolution of our decade-long partnership, and the presence of ‘World’ in our new title better reflects our global reach.”
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “DP World has been a partner of the European Tour for over a decade. Our long-standing partnership has provided an excellent platform to engage with customers, prospects, and stakeholders, and build our brand. We have relished the opportunity to support the Tour in growing the game of golf and improving access to the sport at all levels. The key to this success has been and will continue to be the shared vision and values that underpin the partnership.
“We both have a global mindset, are committed to inclusivity, and invest in new technologies to stay competitive – attributes which today become the fundamental principles of the DP World Tour. As the leading provider of smart logistics solutions worldwide, we will use our people, assets, and connectivity to help grow the Tour further and change what’s possible in golf.”
Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR and Board Member of the European Tour, added; “Thanks to the support of long-standing partner DP World, today’s announcement significantly elevates the European Tour on a global basis. We are excited for the continued growth and evolution of the European Tour, as well as the momentum this provides toward our Strategic Alliance. I’ve said before that our respective Tours are positioned to grow – together – over the next 10 years faster than we ever have at any point in our existence, and today’s announcement is another point of proof in those efforts.”
The XFL and its ownership group, consisting of Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and RedBird Capital Partners, are excited to announce the addition of nine executive hires as the league prepares for its highly anticipated return to the field in 2023. Joining and returning to the league are:
Russ Brandon, President, League and Football Operations
Rob Gerbe, Chief Financial Officer
Jordan Schlachter, Chief Business Officer
Janet Duch, Chief Marketing and Content Officer
Marc Ross, Executive Vice President, Football Operations
Doug Whaley, Senior Vice President, Player Personnel
Scott Harniman, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Technology
Jay Rothman, Senior Vice President, Broadcast Operations
Cindy Wagner, Senior Vice President, People Operations
“These exceptional and talented executives encompass a deep skill set that aligns with our commitment to delivering an exceptional football universe experience, as well as our shared passion for bringing the XFL back stronger than before,” said Dany Garcia, XFL Chairwoman and Co-Owner. “Our team’s experience across varying professional sports leagues and brands will enable us to deliver an experience for our fans, athletes and partners that represents today’s evolution of ‘best-in-class’. A tremendous amount of work has already been done with more exciting news to come as we prepare for 2023.”
Brief bios of the executives can be found below:
Russ Brandon is a longtime NFL veteran, holding various positions within the Bills organization for over 20 years. Before joining the XFL, Russ worked as an executive advisor to RedBird Capital Partners for its investment in the XFL. Prior to that, Russ was most recently Managing Partner and President of the Buffalo Bills, President and Alternate Governor on the Sabres and COO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), managing all aspects of the day-to-day business and administrative operations of the three entities. In his new role as President, Russ will manage day-to-day operations of the league while directing strategic planning for business and football operations on both the league and team levels.
Rob Gerbe joins the XFL as Chief Financial Officer, where he will oversee financial operations of the league and its teams to provide strategic financial insights on all facets of the business. Rob will lead all financial and accounting matters, including reporting, planning and forecasting, to drive analytical decision making, support revenue growth, cost management and profitability metrics. Rob joins the XFL most recently from the NBA, where he served as Senior Vice President, Team & Labor Finance. Rob will report to Russ Brandon.
Jordan Schlachter is returning to the XFL as Chief Business Officer, overseeing business partnerships, sponsorship revenue and relationships, licensing, merchandising distribution, and media partner business and sales. Schlachter joined the XFL in April 2019, where he served as the Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. In this role, he managed nearly all revenue sources (non-ticketing), marketing functions and communications for the league and its eight teams. He negotiated the league’s most significant partnerships, including those with Bud Light Seltzer and Progressive Insurance, created the first-ever football helmet sticker sponsor program. Jordan will report to Russ Brandon.
Janet Duch returns to the XFL as the league’s Chief Marketing and Content Officer where she will lead marketing, digital and business intelligence functions. She is responsible for the development of campaigns, content and experiences across all platforms and the data insights used to enhance fan engagement and maximize opportunities for business growth. Additionally, Duch oversees the XFL’s ticketing strategy and gameday operations across each team market, while also building out the league’s team services function. Janet joined the XFL in 2019 as the President of the New York Guardians, while also overseeing performance marketing for the league and its 8 teams. Janet will report to Russ Brandon.
Marc Ross joins the XFL as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, where he is responsible for all aspects of football operations, including rules and gameplay, logistics and league planning, as well as innovation, data and analytics. Marc has over 20 years of professional football experience working across both league and team levels within the NFL. He is also a current analyst on NFL Network. Marc will report to Russ Brandon.
Doug Whaley returns to the XFL as Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, where he will oversee player scouting, recruiting, compensation, growth and career development. Doug first joined the XFL in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Football Operations, where he assisted in the all aspects of creating of the eight-team spring football league and rules innovation. Doug brings over 20 years of NFL player personnel and football executive experience. Doug will report to Marc Ross.
Scott Harniman returns to the XFL as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Technology and is responsible for all functions of Information Technology and overseeing the XFL’s technology strategy, infrastructure buildout and delivering best-in-class systems to support the entire league. In addition, Scott will shape the football technology program by promoting innovation across emerging platforms. Scott will report to Russ Brandon.
Jay Rothman joins the XFL as Senior Vice President, Broadcast Operations where he will oversee all broadcast operations with our partners, administration and game productions including, original programming, studio production and event coverage. He brings over 30 years of live event and studio production experience to the league, most recently working at ESPN as Vice President of Production. Jay will report to Russ Brandon.
Cindy Wagner returns to the XFL as Senior Vice President, People Operations where she is responsible for establishing Human Resources and administrative functions while also providing strategic leadership to develop a world-class organization that promotes a culture of inclusivity, growth and innovation. She first joined the league in 2019 as Senior Director of People and Culture, Cindy will report to Russ Brandon.
UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and The Memento Group (TMG), a global leader in sports memorabilia and licensed products, today announced a multi-year partnership in which TMG will become the global distributor of officially licensed UFC memorabilia. The agreement was brokered by UFC’s licensing agency IMG.
Under the terms of the agreement, TMG will offer fans access to exclusive, limited edition and rare pieces of UFC event memorabilia, from fight-worn gloves and fight kits, to fight night posters and photographs signed by their favorite UFC athletes. Items will be hologramed, registered digitally, and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity as confirmation of their source. All products will be contained within premium packaging for the ultimate customer experience.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Memento Group as our new global memorabilia partner,” said Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President, UFC Global Consumer Products. “The memorabilia business is a priority because these products are such authentic touch points for fans to stay connected to UFC and truly own the moment. With TMG’s expertise in this space, we are confident fans will appreciate the quality, authenticity and value of each piece of UFC memorabilia that TMG offers.”
Philip Danglidis, Commercial Director of The Memento Group, commented: “UFC is a truly global sporting phenomenon, and we are delighted to be embarking with them on this exciting new journey – one that will bring fans even closer to the sport they love via the opportunity to own certified and authenticated memorabilia. Our proven track record not only assures customers that they are getting the genuine article, but with our guaranteed methods of authentication, we also help to protect their investment.
“UFC has a worldwide fanbase estimated at more than 625 million people, and it’s now clearly one of the Big Four in terms of popularity in the U.S. The appeal of UFC is growing year on year. As such, the potential for this partnership is colossal. This announcement is only the beginning of what’s to come, and we look forward to revealing more in 2022 and beyond.”
On January 1, 2022, UFC and TMG will launch an online store that will serve as a dedicated marketplace for UFC fans to shop hundreds of ready-to-buy items or trade unique UFC-licensed products, providing a secure, trustworthy platform for buyers. The website will also allow fans to bid for UFC memorabilia by auction. The website, which will be built and managed by TMG, will provide a single point solution for all UFC official memorabilia.
CBS Sports will be the official U.S. home of Barclays FA Women’s Super League. CBS Sports and the English Football Association announced a multiyear deal for CBS Sports to become the exclusive U.S. English-language rights holder of the FAWSL. Matches will appear across Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, with coverage during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 WSL seasons beginning in the summer of 2022.
Fans will be able to watch 57 WSL matches during both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. CBS Sports Network will air a select number of those matches exclusively, with the majority streaming on Paramount+.
“The Barclays FA Women’s Super League features some of the most recognizable soccer brands in the world and is an excellent addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We look forward to bringing the exciting action of the BFAWSL to fans across Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. With our wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage, we are a must-have for soccer fans.”
The Barclays FA Women’s Super League was launched in 2011 as an eight team, semi-professional competition. Over the past decade the league has become fully professional and is now home to 12 clubs, and features stars from across the globe.
U.S. Women’s National midfielder Tobin Heath currently plays with Arsenal, and Australian star forward Sam Kerr, the all-time leading scorer in NWSL history, is playing with Chelsea. The WSL campaign runs from September through May, with Chelsea the current league title holders. Within the ten previous seasons, Chelsea have won the league title four times, Arsenal three times, Liverpool twice and Manchester City once.
“We are delighted to be partnering with CBS Sports for the next two seasons and are looking forward to the coverage they beam to households across the United States,” said James Ralley, The Football Association’s Head of Broadcast and Media Rights. “Their delivery of soccer, whether men’s or women’s, is of the highest quality and their reputation within the industry is one that is growing rapidly. We look forward to working with them over the next few years.”
Also home to the National Women’s Soccer League, the Barclays FA Women’s Super League is just the latest edition to women’s soccer programming available on CBS Sports platforms. CBS audiences and subscribers can access UEFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying, NWSL, The Women’s Cup, Concacaf women’s World Cup Qualifiers and women’s Nations League, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup — which also serves as qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup.
Vindicia’s Chief Revenue Officer Jack Bullock provides a look into how subscriptions can be compared to a supply chain.
A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When there are multiple weak links, the consequences are dire. Just take a look at the global supply chain today.
A supply chain is hugely complex, involving numerous players, with many parts moving finely in sync. When the supply chain is well oiled and smooth, the consumer doesn’t have to think about everything that went on behind the scenes to ensure the product is right there on the shelf, when they want it. But when the supply chain is under stress, empty shelves are an undeniable, uncomfortable fact of life.
“Much like a supply chain that flows from point A to point Z, the new subscription is horizontal, made up of the many organic moments the user experiences with the brand.”
Similarly, a subscription service is its own kind of “supply chain.” From brand to consumer, a satisfying subscription experience relies on smooth, uninterrupted, and reliable processes that ensure the product or service is there, always ready on the “shelf” so to speak, when the user wants and expects it. Any disruptions? The subscription is much less than it could be, the consumer is disappointed and may even churn. And revenue? We all know the answer to that.
Subscriptions: a horizontal journey
Much like a supply chain that flows from point A to point Z, the new subscription is horizontal, made up of the many organic moments the user experiences with the brand.
The subscription tech that supports the horizontal flow is comprised of many parts too, from bundling that promotes user engagement, to personalized user journeys based on individual interests and preferences, and churn prevention tools that ensure efficient, frictionless payments on a recurring basis – and all this underscored by subscription intelligence, Vindicia’s 18+ years of subscription data, prepped to support smarter horizontal subscription “supply chains.”
Consumers: creatures of habit
Humans are creatures of habit, and no less when it comes to our consumer habits. These habits change over time, adapting to different circumstances. Sometimes the changes are fast and radical, like the stark shift to digital during the COVID pandemic. Other times, habits change slowly and surely, such as media subscription services, now growing at a rate 5-8 times faster than traditional businesses.
“The most important thing is to identify the gaps and the weak links and develop the stop gaps and reinforcements you need to restore the smooth flow of horizontal experiences.”
Feeding habits is one of the reasons why subscriptions are so popular. Consumers get what they want, when they want it, filling their need with minimal effort or forethought. But there’s a downside to that – when there is a disruption, the user’s habitual behavior is broken, and that can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and even painful. Not a good look for a brand serious about satisfying its subscribers.
Subscription disrupted: learning in a crisis
Every crisis is also a learning experience, though, and should be viewed as such. Whether caught in the maelstrom of the 2021 supply chain crisis, or facing a delay or disruption in subscription operations, the most important thing is to identify the gaps and the weak links and develop the stop gaps and reinforcements you need to restore the smooth flow of horizontal experiences.
This is what we do at Vindicia. We know that it’s the small offerings that link together to create a full subscription experience. When each part of the subscription is data driven and optimized, the sum of the parts will ensure a much more satisfying whole, and that is what drives recurring customers and the revenue stream every CRO dreams about.
Jack brings 25 years of sales and sales management experience to Vindicia. Prior to joining Vindicia, he was senior vice president of digital commerce sales for Pitney Bowes, where his responsibilities included overall management of the global sales organization. Jack has extensive experience in enterprise software, including senior management positions with Infor and Vitria. Jack began his career at Oracle and has also held sales and sales management positions at Forte Software. Jack holds a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Colorado and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from Missouri State University.
The UK Sponsorship Awards, the annual showcase for the sponsorship sector, are going to be taking place on the 29th of March 2022.
The UK Sponsorship Awards (UKSA) organising team is delighted to announce the official launch of its 2022 edition. Brands, agencies, rights holders, charities and other sponsorship stakeholders are now able to enter the Awards via the UKSA website. At time of writing, the firm plan is to revert to a physical edition of the industry-leading gala event, to be held in March 2022.
“While Covid-19 continues to be a concern for many in sponsorship, March 2022 currently looks like an opportune time to hold a bricks and mortar event,” said UKSA CEO Rosie Sarginson. “Sponsorship is a people business which thrives on face to face interaction. So we are looking forward to hosting a live celebration that can bring so many of our friends and colleagues back together under one roof.”
Many of the usual categories are available for entry – across arts, sport, media and digital. But as usual UKSA 2022 is leading the way with its category innovations. “We have already set out our stall on sustainability,” said Sarginson, “but in addition there will be special categories for Olympics/Paralympics sponsors and arts sponsors. The arts sector has done a magnificent job of reinventing itself over the last decade so we will acknowledge that fact through a one-off Award for the Best Arts Sponsorship since 2010. 2022 will also see the reboot of the Spotlight Award, targeted this year at financial services firms.”
Company and People Awards are an important component of the UKSA line-up – and this year is no exception. Rights holders and consultancies will have their own categories, and there will be new additions to our Champions of Sponsorship Hall of Fame. Not to be overlooked is the Barrie Gill Award for Most Promising Young Sponsorship Executive – a signpost towards the sector’s bright future.
While most industry sectors are now finding solutions to the Covid-19 challenge, there’s no question it continues to impact people-facing business like sponsorship. For this reason, there will be a Rising To The Covid Challenge Award – rewarding companies that have found creative and effective strategies and activations to combat the pandemic. “Hopefully,” said Sarginson, “entries in this category can provide best practice insights and ideas about how to bounce back.”
2022 will also see the return of the 20/20 Vision Award, a celebration of craft and creativity. Like last year, judges will be on the hunt for outstanding executions where sublime craft has brought an exceptional creative idea to life. The category is open to every area of the sponsorship sector and will focus on areas such as design, craft, artistry, technique, expertise, talent, vision and iconic imagery. It runs alongside UKSA’s innovation award, which is concentrated more on the use of future-facing, game-changing or unorthodox technology.
“More details will be provided on this year’s categories and criteria in the run up to our early bird deadline of December 1 2021,” said Sarginson, “At UKSA, we’re looking forward to showcasing the industry’s creativity, innovation and effectiveness when we meet on March 29 2022.”
For more details on categories, criteria, entering and UKSA’s renewed commitment to sustainability, please explore their site. And keep your eyes open for new editorial insights over the coming weeks.
Binance is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with renowned football club, FC Porto. Binance will become the Official Fan Token Partner for FC Porto – also known as Dragões. The agreement will also see Binance appearing as a back of shirt sponsor for FC Porto in the first season and sleeve sponsor in the following seasons.
By partnering with Binance, PORTO Fan Token will be issued via the Binance Launchpad to take the club’s brand to the next level, and to create a more meaningful fan engagement experience for the club’s supporters-through unique and engagement-based rewards, interactivity, gamification, and more.
FC Porto, the famous Azuis e brancos, was founded in 1893 and is one of the biggest football clubs in Portugal, having won 79 major trophies, including 29 Primeira Liga titles. FC Porto is also the most decorated Portuguese club on the international competition stage. They won the European Cup/UEFA Champions League in 1987 and 2004, the UEFA Super Cup in 1987, and both the UEFA Cup/Europa League and the Intercontinental Cup twice, respectively. Over the years, the club has featured many world-famous players, including Vitor Baía, James Rodriguez, Ricardo Quaresma, Radamel Falcao, Hulk, and Deco. The club is managed by Sérgio Conceição and includes prolific international players such as Pepe, Luis Díaz, Otávio, Mehdi Taremi and Matheus Uribe. FC Porto currently boasts more than 8.2 million followers across its social networks.
Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, President of FC Porto, is responsible for a remarkable turn of the page in the history of the club, catapulting it to Europe, making it, today, the most internationally titled Portuguese club, while becoming the most titled President in the history of world soccer. He commented: “It’s another established partnership that helps us keep up with the evolution of today’s world, to leverage digital assets, and, above all, to be closer to our fans and their interests. This is an agreement that values FC Porto and the partner, which is something we seek in every partnership we establish and also in our day-to-day work. Those who join FC Porto know that they are associating with a club that wants to be first in everything.”
Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, CEO and co-founder of Binance, commented: “Binance Fan Tokens are a new and exciting way for supporters to engage with their favorite teams. FC Porto is not only one of the most established football clubs in Europe, but it is also one of the most innovative. With the FC Porto Fan Token, fans can collect rare NFTs, participate in exclusive polls, and unlock one-of-a-kind Fan Badges and rewards based on their level of engagement. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with FC Porto.”
The official FC Porto Fan Token (PORTO) is a utility token providing fans with revolutionary new ways to engage with their favorite club. PORTO will be available for all Binance users via the Launchpad from today and later via Spot, bank card purchases and P2P.
For more information on the PORTO Fan Token Launchpad and future team listings, visit the Binance Fan Token Platform.
