Facebook has launched Facebook Fantasy Games in the US and Canada on the Facebook app for iOS and Android.
Facebook Fantasy Games are free, simple prediction games that help fans enjoy sports, TV shows and pop culture content together. These games bring the social fun of traditional fantasy sports to simpler formats that are easy to play for people new to prediction games, while still engaging enough for more seasoned players.
Making it Easy to Play with Friends and Fans: Fantasy Leagues
In addition to public leaderboards, players can create their own fantasy league and compete against friends and other fans. Leagues, which can be public or private, will allow members to compare scores to others in the league and provide a place for members to share picks, reactions and comments.
Games We’re Launching This Fall
Available today, daily sports prediction game Pick & Play Sports is the first game we’re launching, in partnership with Whistle Sports. Fans will get points for correctly predicting the winner of a big game, the points scored by a top player or specific events that unfold during a match. Players can earn bonus points for building a streak of correct predictions over a series of days. In the upcoming months, we will introduce new games with TV shows like CBS’s Survivor and ABC’s The Bachelorette, sports leagues like Major League Baseball and LaLiga Santander and premier digital publishers like BuzzFeed.
Fantasy Survivor
Each week, fans will select a set of Castaways to be on their Fantasy Survivor team and answer a series of questions about the upcoming episode. Fans will then receive points based on the events that unfold in that week’s episode.
MLB Home Run Picks
For each day during the MLB Postseason, fans can pick the teams that they think will hit the most home runs during that day’s action. Fans will then earn points based on correct predictions and whether their team hits home runs or grand slams — with extra points coming for those hit late in the game.
Fantasy: “The Bachelorette”
Each week, fans will select a group from the men vying for Michelle Young’s heart to be on their Fantasy: “The Bachelorette” team and answer a series of questions about the upcoming episode. Fans will then receive points based on the actions and events involving the bachelors on their team and face off with their friends to prove who is the biggest Bachelor Nation fan of them all.
LaLiga Winning Streak
For each slate of games during the LaLiga Santander season, fans will predict a single team that will win on that day. Fans will try to build the longest streak possible of correct predictions, but they can’t pick the same team twice during a streak.
People on iOS and Android can discover Fantasy Games from the bookmark menu and in News Feed through notifications.
Suncorp will continue to support netball at all levels in Australia, recommitting as Principal Partner of Netball Australia for up to five more years.
Through the new deal, Suncorp will remain as Naming Rights Partner of the Suncorp Super Netball League and continue its support as a Major Partner of Net Set Go and the Origin Australian Diamonds.
Suncorp’s support since the beginning has helped grow the Suncorp Super Netball League into the undisputed best netball competition in the world.
Suncorp began its partnership with Netball Australia in 2017, with a shared vision to elevate netball, empower girls and maintain their participation in team sport.
Suncorp also developed Team Girls, in collaboration with Netball Australia, in response to a startling statistic that nearly 50 per cent of all girls stopped playing sport by the age of 17.
Over the past five years the Suncorp Team Girls program has worked with a range of experts including ReachOut and Sport Australia, as well as netball ambassadors and parenting experts, to develop a library of resources designed to keep girls engaged with sport.
Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan was delighted to announce Suncorp had renewed its partnership.
“As we conclude another season it is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge Suncorp’s involvement in growing the sport of netball from the grassroots level to the Suncorp Super Netball League and the Australian Diamonds,” Ryan said.
“We are delighted Suncorp is aligned with our future direction, especially as we look towards the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
“Suncorp has been a fantastic partner of Netball Australia since 2017 and we look forward to working side-by-side to continue to grow netball over the next five years.”
Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said Suncorp and Netball Australia enjoy a very successful partnership.
“It’s a privilege to support one of Australia’s most popular sports and the world’s leading netball competition,” Johnston said.
“For girls right around the country, the competition stands out as an example of teamwork, resilience and leadership.
“We are committed to backing this incredible community and women’s sport. We look forward to continuing to support the growth of netball for many more seasons to come.”
Zytara’s Digital Banking platform to expand into the European market with reigning Italian champions headquartered in global financial center.
FC Internazionale Milano, reigning 2020-2021 season football champions, and Zytara Labs announced today that the companies have signed a €85M ($100M) multi-year product partnership agreement, with support from the DigitalBits Foundation. This partnership will support Inter’s move to open up to an audience that is increasingly digital, to reach global targets and different age groups, and establish itself as an icon of culture and innovation as well as sport.
As part of this partnership, DigitalBits becomes the “Official Global Cryptocurrency” and Zytara becomes the “Official Global Digital Banking Partner” for Inter. This global partnership combining innovation and finance reflects Inter’s commitment to embody the values of the city of Milan, international spirit and the predilection for innovation and continuous change.
Zytara will work together with Inter to further develop the Inter mobile app, currently available in the Apple App store and Google Play store, with the goal of integrating Zytara’s digital-first banking technology in an immersive branded purchasing experience. This aims at enabling users globally to subscribe for banking services and seamlessly login to their Zytara account directly from within the Inter App and enable access to crypto-based products. The Inter App will become the primary way to purchase tickets to all Inter home game matches, making the app the entry point to connect for Inter fans globally.
As part of Inter’s commitment to innovation, Inter will also use the DigitalBits blockchain with a view to integrating and accepting XDB cryptocurrency for payments both in stadium and in Inter online stores and physical retail locations across Milan. The partners will also leverage this blockchain to create digital player cards and digital collectibles non-utility tokens (NFTs) for a global audience.
In addition to the above, the DigitalBits brand will become the new sleeve partner of the Nerazzurri. The cryptocurrency’s logo will appear on all Inter jerseys for both the Men’s and Women’s First Team, and for the Primavera and Youth Teams during all official domestic and international matches.
Alessandro Antonello, Corporate CEO of Inter, said: “We are proud to welcome Zytara as our new sleeve sponsor and global partner and for Inter to officially join the DigitalBits ecosystem. This agreement reflects Inter’s commitment to set the global standard for technological excellence. While digital-first experiences are vital for all sport clubs, our partnership aims higher. By leveraging Zytara digital banking and blockchain technology we will be able to enhance our global reach towards younger and digital savvy audiences.”
To commemorate the launch of this partnership and to offer Inter’s first cryptocurrency purchase experience with the XDB token, a limited edition of Nerazzurri merchandise will be made available by the end of September.
Al Burgio, Founder of Zytara and the DigitalBits blockchain, said: “This partnership with Inter, much like their heritage, is focused on excellence. Our collaboration will position Inter as one of the most technologically advanced and forward-thinking clubs in the world. We’re thrilled to partner with the reigning Italian champions and a club with such a rich history.”
IMG, a global leader in sports, events and media, has been appointed as the delivery partner of the European Solheim Cup for an initial commitment through to the end of 2038.
The joint venture between the LET and Ladies European Golf Venture Ltd, (LET JV) formed in 2020, sought to appoint an experienced partner to assist their strategic planning and delivery of future European editions of one of the world’s most exciting sporting contests to help build and grow the European Solheim Cup in the coming years. The partnership will also align the European and US editions of the Solheim Cup closer than ever before, to add further growth opportunities for the Solheim Cup.
IMG, in partnership with VisitScotland, delivered the most successful European Solheim Cup to date in 2019, seeing over 90,000 spectators attend the match at Gleneagles and millions watching the broadcast around the world. IMG’s credentials in women’s golf events are deep rooted – IMG’s global golf team currently either owns, manages or supports two LPGA Majors as well as eight LPGA regular Tour events, two of which are LET sanctioned.
This partnership will involve all aspects of delivering a minimum four editions of the Solheim Cup in Europe, starting in 2026, while the LPGA will continue to deliver the US Matches. This will include identifying and securing suitable host countries and venues, all commercial activities, licencing, operational aspects and delivery, marketing and communications and legacy initiatives in market.
Alexandra Armas, Chief Executive of the Ladies European Tour, representing the LET JV, commented, “In our opinion, no other commercial organisation understands the global landscape of women’s golf better than IMG. We were incredibly impressed with IMG’s leadership and organisational efforts, together with our partners VisitScotland, on the 2019 Solheim Cup – everything from the initial planning to the final delivery was carefully planned and executed and the final presentation was undoubtably our strongest to date. We feel sure that in forming this partnership, with an aligned vision and mission, we are securing the future and growth of the Solheim Cup and ensuring that it will continue to be one of the most important events on the international sport calendar.”
Ross Hallett, SVP and Head of Golf, EMEA at IMG, commented, “We are delighted to be given this opportunity by the LET JV. We are great believers in the power of women’s sport and we are excited to draw on our 50 years of experience in women’s golf to continue building upon the Solheim Cup’s legacy. We thank both the LET and LPGA for placing this valuable event in our hands and we are excited about shortly launching our search for future host venues and partners to align with our vision.”
Therabody has announced its first collegiate partnership with Notre Dame Global Partnerships, becoming Notre Dame Athletics Official Recovery Partner. Notre Dame student-athletes and athletic staff will have access to Therabody’s ecosystem of recovery, performance and wellness products; education via Therabody University; and the Therabody mobile app to help the student-athletes realize the benefits of Therabody’s products on their own. Notre Dame will incorporate Theragun percussive and vibrating roller devices, RecoveryAir pneumatic compression boots, and PowerDot electrical muscle stimulators into their training routines.
“As a world-class athletic organization, we are committed to providing our student-athletes with the best devices and training methods – and Therabody completely embodies that philosophy,” says University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly. “I’m pleased that our entire student-athlete population and training staff will be able to train, recover, and learn how to optimize performance with Therabody.”
Therabody’s Special Edition 24K Gold PRO devices will be available on the sidelines at home and away football games, and in the Athletic Department’s facilities around campus. The partnership is an extension of the role the global wellness innovator played as the presenting sponsor of Notre Dame’s Pro Day in March, showcasing the University’s football players ahead of the professional league draft.
While the partnership between Therabody and the Fighting Irish formally began more recently, the athletic program has incorporated the wellness innovator’s solutions into its training programs for many years. “I first started using Theragun when I was introduced to it at Notre Dame. After a couple of hard days at training camp, it was a lifesaver for us,” reflects professional football player and Notre Dame alumni Chase Claypool. “The resources that Notre Dame gave us in terms of recovery products really helped my transition into the league. They set me up for success and I’m so thankful I have this knowledge of recovery as a young professional player.” Claypool is also a Therabody Athlete.
Student-athletes at Notre Dame, which is recognized globally for its prominent athletic program, are fortunate to have resources and training staff to help them prioritize whole-body wellness in such formative years of their athletic careers. Training staff will participate in customized programming with performance and wellness experts from Therabody University, the company’s educational division, to optimize the student-athletes’ and their own use of Therabody’s cutting-edge wellness technologies.
“Notre Dame has one of the strongest athletic programs in the country, and it’s clear the department’s commitment to prioritizing performance and recovery technology for its student-athletes contributes to that success,” says Dr. Jason Wersland, Founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Therabody. “Making this partnership with the Fighting Irish our first venture into collegiate sports is particularly exciting because we get to make our mark on these student-athletes’ whole-body wellness routines early in their life and careers. We’re excited to share the knowledge Therabody can provide to help make their futures bright.”
Vindicia’s Chief Revenue Officer Jack Bullock looks at why Olympic viewership was down in 2021 and what subscription models can learn from it going forward.
We all knew that this year’s Olympic Games were going to be…different.
The Games were canceled only three times in history, because of world wars, no less. Then came 2020, and the Olympics were postponed for the first time ever. Next, there was the ban on live spectators. Even through the unprecedented confusion, optimism reigned. Surely after a year of lockdowns, people worldwide would be hungry for solid sports entertainment that only the Olympics can deliver, right? Viewership was predicted to soar.
“The 2021 Olympics broadcast ratings were among the lowest ever recorded. What on Earth happened?”
But it wasn’t to be. The 2021 Olympics broadcast ratings were among the lowest ever recorded, down an average of 45% compared to the 2016 games. What on Earth happened?
Confusion wins the gold medal
First, let’s set the scene. The 2021 Games were a different kind of viewing experience than before. The NBCUniversal network, which owns the broadcast rights to the Olympics, provided a variety of channels to view the games, including broadcast cable, online streaming, and its digital Peacock app.
But this created a huge problem. With so many platforms in play, NBC seems to have failed to create a smooth, enjoyable viewing experience. While users could access certain sports for free, others came with an additional fee, and the opening ceremony was not streamed at all on Peacock. According to credit analyst Patrice Cucinello, “The viewing experience needs to be streamlined…It’s confusing from a user experience, to go: ‘Wait a second. Do I have to watch it on the NBC app? Can I watch it on Peacock? When am I going to watch it? Why can’t I watch it on demand?’ You need a simplified user experience or people get frustrated.”
TV ratings aren’t what they used to be
Bad user experience notwithstanding, the ratings drop can also be considered as part of a broader trend away from traditional TV viewing habits. It’s not just the Games – audience ratings are down across all broadcast TV entertainment.
“Media technology has been shifting fast and people’s behaviors and tastes are moving with it.”
Any analysis of media consumption trends and patterns in the last few years will clearly need to take the pandemic into account. But it’s not just about that. Media technology has been shifting fast and people’s behaviors and tastes are moving with it. Ten years ago, the smartphone was a great way to check email and take photos. Now it’s a mini-entertainment system in every pocket, with streaming platforms providing on-demand channels for all the viewing they want.
The availability of different devices, platforms and channels means that there is no uniform way that people consume media. Subscription video on demand is exploding, with 1.1 billion subscriptions in 2020, up from 642 million in 2019. The industry is meeting the demand head on, with huge increases in spending on production and content creation. Each individual can craft the viewing habits and routines that best suit them. And this is a big headache for a particular group of professionals in the business: CROs.
How to make order out of the chaos
One of the ways to process all this is by looking at it from a generational perspective and seeing the broad preferences across age groups.
“Millennials and Gen X reduced their online media consumption between April and December 2020, with rises only in podcasts and books.”
For instance, Gen Z, the youngest adult generation, significantly increased digital media consumption over the last year, especially online videos, online TV/video streaming and podcasts. Interestingly, Millennials and Gen X reduced their online media consumption between April and December 2020, with rises only in podcasts and books (yes, printed books!), while Boomers actually increased their consumption of online videos.
There’s a lot to process here and that’s where it can get very tricky for CROs who are tasked with keeping customers satisfied and engaged.
CROs: dive deep
Generational studies of media consumption trends and habits are important, but it will only take the CRO so far. With such a variety of customers, behavioral patterns, preferences and needs, across different generations and geo locations, CROs need a smarter way to slice and dice their customer experience and make sense of it. How? With smarter data analysis.
“Different buyers behave differently, and this is all mapped out with subscription intelligence.”
Based on 15 years of subscription data collection and analysis Vindicia subscription intelligenceis a powerful tool that makes order out of all the confusion. It provides detailed, accurate and coherent data about user behaviors and offers CROs a data-driven method of predicting what customers want next. Different buyers behave differently, and this is all mapped out with subscription intelligence. There’s no need to rely on broad, prescriptive generalizations about users based on statistical surveys or generational analysis. Now you can access focused data on actual users and their behaviors and preferences in real-time.
Building next-gen subscription models
A large volume of subscribers – including Millennials, Gen Z and up-and-coming generations – are digitally oriented. And media companies are going to have to provide the next-gen subscription models that will provide them with satisfying journeys and experiences. With tools such as MarketONE, CROs can position themselves to power smarter subscriptions, delivering personalized bundles, customized promos and offers, and crafting different buyer journeys that deliver excitement and satisfaction for specific users. All this is the key to adding value along the entire lifetime of the subscription relationship, and it correlates directly to increased revenue – the ultimate goal of the CRO.
People consume media differently
It’s up to CROs to meet subscribers where they are. Advanced subscription data is the only way to truly understand subscribers, what they need and want, as individuals, beyond generation, gender, industry, or geography. That’s what it means to power smarter subscriptions. In doing so, CROs can create rich, seamless, and inviting user journeys and subscription experiences that drive revenue.
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.
DAZN is changing its monthly subscription fee for new and existing customers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland as it broadcasts more live events and produces more original content.
Founded on the principle of increasing access of premium sports to fans, DAZN is adding more rights and programmes for viewers in the UK and Ireland.
That includes an exclusive event on September 4, with Katie Taylor, Josh Warrington and Conor Benn in action, and more to come.
DAZN has now acquired the rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League and new boxing events, and the introductory offer of £1.99 UK / €1.99 per month will be replaced for new customers on August 31 with a new £7.99 / €7.99 pm price point. Existing UK & Ireland subscribers will be moved to £7.99 / €7.99 pm following a migration period from September 30, completed by November 6.
The new price covers 32+ Fight Nights Annually, including 16 Matchroom fights (subject to availability) and other original boxing content, and 61 UWCL games between now and 2023 (subject to availability). There’s also a growing line-up of original programming such as Ronaldo: El Presidente, La Guerra Civil, Canelo: The Greatest Athlete You’ve Never Seen, Club Ibiza, as well as new original series to be announced shortly.
Since launching in December 2020, DAZN has shown fights featuring Canelo Alvarez, Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Ryan Garcia and this summer broadcast the unmissable Fight Camp series.
BCCI announces release of tender to own and operate IPL team
The Governing Council of the IPL invites bids to acquire the right to own and operate 1 (one) of the 2 (two) new teams proposed to be introduced to take part in the Indian Premier League from the IPL 2022 season, through a tender process.
The detailed terms and conditions governing the submission and evaluation of bids including eligibility requirements, process for submissions of bids, proposed new teams’ rights, and obligations, etc. are contained in the ‘Invitation to Tender’ (“ITT”) which will be made available on receipt of payment of non-refundable fee of INR 10,00,000 (Rupees Ten Lakhs Only) plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax. The ITT will be available for purchase till October 5, 2021.
Interested parties are requested to email at ittipl2021@bcci.tv to get further details for purchasing the ITT. The email requesting the ITT should have the subject line “ITT for the Right to Own and Operate One of Two Proposed New IPL Teams”. Any interested party wishing to submit a bid is required to purchase the ITT. However, only those satisfying the eligibility criteria set out in the ITT and subject to the other terms and conditions set out therein, shall be eligible to bid. It is clarified that merely purchasing this ITT does not entitle any person to bid.
BCCI reserves the right to cancel or amend the bidding process at any stage in any manner without providing any reason.
League of Legends has announced that Amazon will be the Naming Partner of the European Masters this Summer 2021, and for the year 2022.
Amazon will work with European Masters to create a unified shopping experience for EU Masters fans, and will explore how to make Amazon the go-to e-commerce destination for viewers willing to express their fandom of the tournament and its participating teams. As part of the collaboration, the European Masters will be renamed the Amazon European Masters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Amazon to EU Masters, the home of high level competition between the European Regional Leagues that shine the spotlight on the rising stars across the region”, said Zeynep Gencaga, Senior Manager, Business Development Riot Games Europe & MENA. “We couldn’t be more excited for a global brand like Amazon to be our very first Naming Partner for our European competition.
The announcement marks another milestone for Amazon in the gaming and esports industries, which has previously included working with Riot to give away League of Legends skin shards through Prime Gaming, as well as supporting the development of grassroots university esports competitions throughout the UK and Europe. We’re excited to be working alongside Amazon in esports, and we can’t wait to reveal even more ways our work with Amazon will improve the EU Masters experience for fans.
Pringles and WD_Black Join as Event Partners for Amazon EU Masters
The competition has also revealed an extended partnership with Pringles, along with a brand new sponsorship with Western Digital’s WD_BLACK™ gaming brand for European Masters Summer 2021!
Pringles sponsored the LEC Spring and Summer Finals back in 2020, and we are thrilled to welcome them back for yet another season in partnership. Their return to the LoL EU esports ecosystem marks a great step forward for our relationship with the brand, and that their slogan is true even for us – once you pop, you just can’t stop!
We also welcome a brand new event sponsor, Western Digital’s gaming brand, WD_BLACK™. The WD_BLACK portfolio is a premium storage expansion brand for gamers. The incredible performance of WD_BLACK storage means that competitive gamers can, in their words, “get in fast and take them out faster”, which encapsulates the high-stakes nature of the EU Masters. WD_BLACK is also teaming up with EU Masters Naming Partner Amazon to provide joint experiences for fans – we’ll share more about these experiences in the future!
Andreas Billker, Senior Market Activation Manager at Pringles, says “the Sponsoring of EU Masters is a logical next step in our esports engagement strategy. One Pillar is supporting the grassroot segment and upcoming esports talents.”
“We are thrilled to announce these sponsors, and are proud to be strengthening our relationships with these two brands,” says Zeynep Gencaga, Senior Manager, Business Development and Partnerships Europe and MENA, “It’s great to welcome Pringles back as an Event Partner once again, and we hope this engagement will also build a lasting connection with WD_BLACK brand who come to us fresh this season.”
AC Milan is delighted to announce a new partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai that will see the next World Expo become an Official Partner of the Rossoneri.
Expo 2020 will take place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and will be the first World Expo to ever be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. The event is set to be the largest ever staged in the Arab World and will be welcoming more than 200 participants, including 191 countries, providing a platform to foster creativity, innovation and collaboration under the event’s theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”
AC Milan is committed to utilising the appeal and popularity of its iconic brand, which boasts a fanbase of more than 500 million fans internationally, to amplify the Expo messaging through unique content pieces created with the Rossoneri players and ambassadors of the Club. AC Milan will also be physically present at the event and will bring its heritage and vision to promote the fundamental values of sport and inspire positive change through football.
Through the partnership with Expo 2020, AC Milan aims to strengthen its presence in the Middle East, a key market for the Rossoneri, where the Club has been active for many years. Besides playing in the region in the past, AC Milan also boasts a number of local partnerships, which help the Rossoneri connect with their solid fanbase in the market, including a long-standing partnership with Emirates – an AC Milan partner since 2007 as well as a Premier Partner and Official Airline Partner of Expo 2020.
Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer of AC Milan, said, “As a Club based in Milan, a city that hosted the most recent World Expo in 2015, we know that Expo 2020 is a special moment in history that sees the world comes together to unlock its potential.
“That is why it is truly an honour for AC Milan to partner with such an iconic and extraordinary event. Expo 2020 Dubai will remain in history, not just as the first World Expo to be held in the region, but also as an inspiring event that strives to inspire people to build a better world and shape the future.”
Sholto Douglas-Home, Chief Sales & Marcomms Officer, said: “Expo 2020 is delighted to be partnering with a Club as internationally renowned and respected as AC Milan. With its passionate global fanbase and glorious history spanning 122 years, AC Milan has been a pivotal and inventive force in the world of football.
“Expo 2020’s values are very much aligned with those of AC Milan where we share a belief in empowering people to be the best version of themselves – ambitious, tenacious, creative and forward-thinking. We also recognise the unique power of sport to bring together people, communities and nations through collaboration and innovation, and we look forward to working with AC Milan in delivering our Programme for People and Planet.”
