The Subscription “Supply Chain” – A Modern Metaphor

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.

About The Author

Jack Bullock

Jack Bullock

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.

UK Sponsorship Awards 2022 – Early Bird Tickets Available Now

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 Partners With FC Porto, Famed Portuguese Football Club, To Launch PORTO Fan Tokens

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.

LDN UTD Partners With The Mayor of London And Samsung KX To Promote Health And Wellbeing

The Mayor of London is again teaming up with London-based social action esports organisation, LDN UTD, and technology pioneer Samsung KX to promote health and wellbeing across the UK, via grassroots gaming.

LDN UTD will be hosting a FIFA 22 and F1 community stream on November 13th at the 20,000-square-foot brand showcase Samsung KX in King’s Cross, London.

Gaming fans are invited to attend All Access Gaming, by registering at the Samsung KX website. At the event gamers will have access to LDN UTD talent, expert health and wellbeing advice and meet special guests. Samsung KX host Chelcee Grimes, the Vamps’ Connor Ball, hip hop/R&B artist Jords, and gaming creators Ria Bish, Sunpi, ItsHaber, Itani, and Kirbz will all be in attendance, alongside LDN UTD’s creators including Merl and Gillytho. More guests will be announced in due course.

For those unable to attend, the event will be broadcast live on LDN UTD’s Twitch page, with viewers able to interactively participate, and win prizes courtesy of Green Man Gaming and Noble Chairs.

CEO of LDN UTD Oliver Weingarten says: 

“This event will showcase both the beneficial aspects of mental and physical activity in esports, and the role tech can play in supporting this. I can think of no better partners than the Mayor of London, Samsung KX and the inspirational talent who’ll be attending, to help us get this crucial message out.”

Connor Ball says, 

“It is fantastic to be involved in LDN UTD’s event that is combining health and wellbeing with my passion for gaming. I’m excited to attend Samsung KX and showcase my skills, as well as talk about my personal journey.”

Ashrita Seshadri, Head of Marketing, Samsung KX says:

“We’re really excited to be supporting All Access Gaming in partnership with LDN UTD and the Mayor of London at Samsung KX. As a hub for innovation, we showcase how to use technology as a force for good and we’re proud to bring together a gaming community of like-minded people to showcase and educate the benefits of health and wellbeing within esports. This is another one of our great skill-sharing events to help Londoners and beyond improve their skills and nurture their passions.”

BT Sport To Remain Home Of Australia International Cricket In The UK, Will Broadcast 2021/22 Men’s And Women’s Ashes

BT Sport has renewed its UK rights deal to broadcast Australian men’s and women’s home cricket internationals until 2025, including the exclusive broadcast of four England tours over the next four years. 

Cricket fans will be able to catch England in action as they look to recapture the Ashes later this year, as well as the Dettol ODI and T20 tours scheduled for 2022.   

All four series between cricket’s biggest rivals will only be available live on BT Sport.

In addition, BT Sport will also show live coverage of all international tours of Australia. After this year’s Ashes, Australia will take on New Zealand and Sri Lanka in a white ball series.

The renewed deal with Cricket Australia builds on BT Sport’s portfolio of cricket that includes exclusive broadcast rights of West Indies men’s and women’s domestic and international cricket in the Caribbean, and New Zealand’s men’s and women’s home internationals.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said “We loved bringing the highs, lows and controversy of the Ashes to our viewers in 2017/18 and relish the opportunity to bring our viewers all the action from both a men’s and women’s Ashes in 2021/22.  BT Sport’s cricket content has continued to grow since we signed our first rights deal with Cricket Australia, and we are delighted to be bringing more world class men’s and women’s cricket from Australia to fans across the UK.”

beIN Sports Continues To Expand Women’s Sports Portfolio Globally With CAF Women’s Champions League Latest beINSPIRED Acquisition

beIN MEDIA GROUP (beIN) has continued the expansion of its women’s sports rights portfolio globally with the acquisition of exclusive rights to the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League across 37territories spanning the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), Asia-Pacific and North America. beIN’s flagship sports network, beIN SPORTS, will broadcast the women’s competition across four continents around the world, giving amazing exposure and profile to the women’s game on the leading international sports network.

The eight-team CAF tournament, which got underway on Friday, will showcase the best women’s football in Africa, with the final due to take place in Egypt on November 19th. The rights are the latest addition to beIN’s burgeoning beINSPIRED portfolio. beIN SPORTS will broadcast the tournament across the 24 countries in the MENA region, as well as Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and the US & Canada.

beIN SPORTS launched its beINSPIRED initiative in 2019, aiming to give a greater platform to under-represented sports and talent, with a particular focus on women’s sport. This was followed by beIN SPORTS’ broadcast of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ in 31 territories globally, more than any other broadcaster worldwide. beIN now holds a range of women’s sports rights across multiple territories.

In addition to the newly announced CAF Women’s Champions League, beIN is also the official broadcaster of: the UEFA Women’s Champions League; the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022; the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Paris 2024 Summer Olympics; every women’s tennis Grand Slam (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon & the US Open) and the WTA Tour all across MENA; the Billie Jean King Cup 2021 – the World Cup of Women’s Tennis – in Australia, France and MENA; the W Series in the US, Canada and MENA, a range of Paris Saint-Germain Féminine games in various markets; as well as key women’s events from handball, basketball and swimming, to name just a few.

Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA said: “We are pleased to have secured the rights to broadcast the CAF Women’s Champions League across 37 countries worldwide. 2021 has been a successful year for beINSPIRED, where we’ve broadcast the UEFA Women’s Champions League; the 2020 Tokyo Olympic; the best of women’s tennis – including the WTA Tour, all Grand Slams and the BJK Cup; W Series; and much more to millions of fans around the world. beINSPIRED is a core part of our Group’s efforts to shine a light on under-represented sports and inspire the next generation of athletes and fans – regardless of gender, race or background. We are proud that this initiative continues to grow.”

Global Sports Leaders Urged To Collaborate On Post-Tokyo 2020 Momentum At Virtual IF Forum

The international sports movement can emerge from the pandemic in stronger shape if International Federations (IFs) continue to work together to build on the momentum of Tokyo 2020, delegates heard at today’s Virtual IF Forum.

More than 400 sports leaders from over 125 IFs gathered for the virtual, invitation-only event, which was organised by SportAccord under the theme of ‘Tokyo 2020 – Learnings and Take-Aways for the Future’.

With the IF Forum’s programme driven by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the packed agenda featured key contributions from a range of expert speakers.

Delegates heard from IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell, who highlighted key learnings from Tokyo 2020, while Dr. Pau Mota, the IOC’s Senior Manager, Medical and Scientific Department, discussed a number of medical issues that emerged in relation to this year’s Olympic Games.

World Archery Secretary General Tom Dielen and International Golf Federation Executive Director Antony Scanlon also offered engaging insights into the experiences of Tokyo 2020 from the perspectives of IFs.

“I truly believe that if we build on this togetherness and sense of community, sport will accelerate its development to emerge even stronger in the years ahead,” said Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, the President of SportAccord and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), who provided the IF Forum’s welcome and closing addresses.

“Let us continue to make progress as a sports movement, focusing on every level of participation for the sake of a healthy future. Of course, there will always be changes, as this is how sport continues to innovate and improve. Our challenge is to work together to ensure that these innovations bring the best out of sport and encourage participation at all levels.”

Dr. Raffaele Chiulli also expressed his hope that the essential take-aways will help to set the broader agenda for further discussions with a wider pool of influential decision-makers at the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2022 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

IF Forum 2021 Host City partners are: City of Lausanne and Canton de Vaud and the Official Partners are: City of London, Marsh, OnePlan, Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Deportivo and Sport Event Denmark.

SportAccord 2022, which will take place from 15-20 May 2022, will reunite the global sports movement, allowing all of the industry’s leading figures and stakeholders to gather in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Ooredoo Signs Up As Regional Supporter Of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ And FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™

Telecommunications company Ooredoo has been unveiled as the Official Middle East & Africa Telecommunications Operator of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™.

The Qatari operator’s agreement strengthens the company’s long-standing commitment to FIFA’s leading events. Ooredoo was also a National Supporter of the 2019 and 2020 editions of the FIFA Club World Cup™ in Qatar.

Nick Brown, FIFA’s Director of Commercial Revenue, said: “We are delighted that Ooredoo has returned, this time as a Regional Supporter, for these two amazing tournaments in Qatar. With Ooredoo by our side, we are looking forward to hosting memorable events that will connect followers of the beautiful game in Qatar and across the globe.”

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, the Chief Commercial Officer at Ooredoo, said: “We are beyond proud to be working with FIFA again, this time as a key supporter of the biggest sporting event in the world and of the biggest football event in the region.”

“All eyes will be on Qatar over the next couple of months and in 2022 as our country is propelled onto the global sporting stage. This is an opportunity for Ooredoo to cement our leadership in innovation and telecommunications, promote our country as a major sporting hub, and celebrate football, the most popular sport in the world,” he added.

“We are honoured to be supporting our country in providing an unrivalled fan experience for all, and we look forward with great excitement to some incredible football.”

Ooredoo delivers mobile, fixed and broadband internet services that are tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses. As a community-focused company, Ooredoo is guided by its vision of enriching people’s lives and its belief that it can stimulate human growth by leveraging communications to help people achieve their full potential.

The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 will feature 16 of the region’s top national teams from 30 November to 18 December 2021 and will serve as a dress rehearsal for next year’s FIFA World Cup™, which will take place from 21 November to 18 December 2022. Read more about both events on FIFA.com.

Konietzko Elected New President Of ICF

Germany’s Thomas Konietzko has been voted the new president of the International Canoe Federation, receiving more than 90 per cent of the vote on the day he also celebrated his 58th birthday.

Mr Konietzko defeated Russia’s Evgenii Arkhipov in the hybrid congress vote, attracting the support of 94 per cent of delegates. He replaces Spain’s Jose Perurena, who is standing down after 13 years as ICF president. Congress overwhelmingly supported a motion to appoint Mr Perurena an honorary ICF President.

In his acceptance speech Mr Konietzko praised the work of the outgoing president, and pledged to build on Mr Perurena’s legacy.

But he also warned not all expectations will be possible.

“You leave a great legacy, and for many years your name will be associated with the most successful period of the International Canoe Federation,” Mr Konietzko said of the outgoing president.

“I already know we cannot meet all our expectations, because there are so many different interests in our federation. The diversity of our disciplines is our greatest strength.

“But our diversity is also our biggest challenge, because so many different interests have to be taken into account, and that is why we all have to stand united. My vision for the future of our federation is to achieve together the best for our sport, united in our vision. For this we need all our stakeholders, we need all of you.

“We don’t need a revolution to make our federation fit for the future, but we need evolution.”

In other election results, Argentina’s Cecila Farias, China’s Aijie Liu and Spain’s Lluis Rabaneda were elected vice-presidents, while Italy’s Luciano Buonfiglio won a hotly contested vote to remain as the ICF’s treasurer.

Japan’s Toshi Furuya was elected the new chair of the canoe sprint committee, France’s Jean-Michel Prono was re-elected chair of the canoe slalom committee, while Germany’s Manuela Gawehn will be the new head of wildwater canoeing.

Dutchman Ruud Heiljselaar will be the new chair of canoe marathon, Great Britain’s Greg Smale retains his role as head of canoe polo, and fellow Brit Terry Best will take over as head of canoe freestyle.

South Africa’s Colin Simpkins will pilot canoe ocean racing, Canada’s John Edwards was successfully re-elected as chair of paracanoe, while New Zealand’s Tim Brabants is the new chair of the ICF’s medical and anti-doping committee.

Congress also recognised the work of three long-term supporters of canoeing, with special awards to Germany’s Juergen Konrad and Australia’s Helen Brownlee, and a posthumous award for Denmark’s Jorn Cronberg.

Watch: How ImagineAR’s Technology Can Help Your Fan Engagement

ImagineAR an Augmented Reality Company that enables sports teams, brands and businesses to instantly create their own mobile phone immersive AR campaigns.

Through this new video you are able to see how the integration of their technology has been benefitting one of Brazilian football’s biggest clubs in order to enhance the engagement of their fanbase.

Felipe Ribbe de Vasconcellos takes you through how they have been utilising the technology in order to get positive results in this new video cast study.

He shares the goals they were looking to achieve by using ImagineAR, how they planned and executed campaigns. Felipe also showcases the user experience for fans and the results they have been able to achieve and what their future plans are.

If you would like to find out more about ImagineAR, email David Fowler at david@isportconnect.com

ImagineAR Selected by the STA Group as one of the 2021 STA Startups Category Stage Winners for Sports Fan Engagement

ImagineAR was also this week selected by the STA Group, headquartered in London, as one of the 2021 STA Startups Category Stage Winners for Fan Engagement.

“To be selected as a 2021 STA Startup Category Stage Winner for Fan Engagement is truly an honor and further positions our company as one of the up-and-coming global sports tech leaders,” said Alen Paul Silverrstieen, CEO and President of Imagine AR, “This STA selection can open up new sales and partnership  opportunities for ImagineAR as well throughout the world”.

Mr. Silverrstieen continued, “We are excited to compete against other global winners for the overall 2021 Startup of the Year Award in the near future.”

STA Category Stage Winners compete in a two-stage process; first, the STA Group scrutinizes the international sports tech market to establish winners in individual categories. These are based on the stage of business – super-early, early, established and scale up – along with the sports sector in which they operate. Each category winner, including ImagineAR in the Fan Engagement category for early-stage startups, is invited to then pitch head-to-head in a bid to become The STA Startup of the Year.