Do big discounts lead to long term subscriptions? Vindicia Marketing Manager Mark Bishop and nScreenMedia Founder Colin Dixon discuss the research findings from the study “Keep My Customer – Why Consumers Subscribe to, Stay with, Cancel, and Come Back to Online Video Services.”

You can watch a brief clip of this discussion here: https://vimeo.com/362013778

This revealed some interesting insight into how parents, non-parents and 18-34 year-olds reacted to a variety of discounts and the differences between both the pricing and the person in relation to how much they would be interested in subscribing to an offer long-term.

View the full report here: https://bit.ly/2kVauFv

FIFA’s Football Stakeholders Committee has recommended the introduction of a cap on agents’ commissions and a limit on loans of players.

The key measures agreed on Wednesday by the Football Stakeholders Committee are the following:

Agents:

• establishment of a cap on agents’ commissions (10% of the transfer fee for agents of releasing clubs, 3% of the player’s remuneration for player agents and 3% of the player’s remuneration for agents of engaging clubs);
• limitation of multiple representation to avoid conflicts of interest.

These new measures concerning agents come on top of several proposals already endorsed last year and currently being developed by the FIFA administration, in particular:

• reintroduction of a mandatory licensing system for agents, which will include further education measures and a requirement for continuing professional development;
• all agents’ commissions to be paid via the FIFA Clearing House, which is currently being developed;
• an effective FIFA resolution system to solve disputes between agents, players and clubs.

Loans:

• to prevent player hoarding and ensure that loans have a valid sporting purpose for youth development as opposed to commercial purposes, limitations on international loans of players aged 22 and older;
• as of the 2020/2021 season, a limit of eight international loans in and out, going down to six by the 2022/2023 season, with a maximum of three loans in and three loans out between the same clubs.

The measures endorsed today by the Football Stakeholders Committee will be submitted to the FIFA Council at its next meeting on 24 October.

Following decisions by the Football Stakeholders Committee and the FIFA Council last year, several key initiatives to reform the transfer system are already being developed and will be implemented soon:

• The FIFA Clearing House will ensure automated payment of solidarity contributions and boost the amount duly paid to training clubs while improving the transparency of the whole system.
• Solidarity contributions will be paid on domestic transfers with an international dimension.

The Task Force Transfer System established by the Football Stakeholders Committee continues its work, particularly with ongoing discussions concerning training rewards, squad sizes, transfer windows, fiscal regulations and rules about minors.

Chinese multinational conglomerate Wanda Group will become the title partner of the IAAF’s Diamond League for ten years from 2020.

Wanda’s subsidiary Infront will distribute the international media rights to the elite track and field series for five seasons starting in 2025.

The new partnership also includes a 10-year international media rights agreement for a second international tour, a series of one-day meetings around the world due to be launched by the IAAF in 2020 as an upgrade of the current World Challenge series.

It marks the first time Infront will represent athletics on the international stage and expands the company’s role in the sport following the marketing rigts parthership with the Italian Atheltics Federation (FIDAL) in July 2018.

IMG has represented the Diamond League rights since 2010.

Infront President and CEO Philippe Blatter said: “With the exciting reforms presented by the IAAF, we are thrilled to play a major role in the future of athletics. The Diamond League is an exceptional platform for athletes to showcase their talent and we are confident our expertise in content delivery will match the Diamond League’s prestige and secure the global exposure it deserves. Additionally, we are delighted to partner with IAAF around the newly created international tour which will provide additional exposure and awareness for the sport.”

IAAF President Sebastian Coe said: “The IAAF and Diamond League are embarking on a new chapter in their history and I am delighted to welcome Infront on board. The organisation’s experience and passion in delivering top-quality events to a global audience is something the sport will benefit from. We look forward to working with them over the next 10 years.”

Extreme E, the pioneering new electric off-road racing series, is proud to announce that it has joined the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework as part of its commitment to climate protection.

The Sports for Climate Action initiative, led by the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), was born out of the 2015 Paris Agreement and calls on sporting organisations to acknowledge the contribution of the sports sector to climate change and their responsibility to strive towards climate neutrality for a safer planet.

Extreme E aims to utilise its position as an influential sports and entertainment platform to highlight the impact of climate change and environmental degradation in some of the planet’s most remote locations and ultimately inspire positive action. The series will revolutionise motorsport by showcasing E-SUV innovation and performance, whilst raising awareness through careful collaboration with thought leaders and experts.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Extreme E, said: “Extreme E is a sport for purpose, built entirely out of a concern for the future of the planet, so it was absolutely essential for us to be part of the UN’s Sport for Climate Action Framework.”

In line with the five core principles enshrined in the Framework and the aims of the Paris Agreement, Extreme E strives to:

1) Promote greater environmental responsibility
2) Reduce the overall climate impact from sports
3) Use its platform to educate for climate action
4) Promote sustainable and responsible consumption
5) Advocate for climate action through its communications

Niclas Svenningsen, Manager of Global Climate Action at UN Climate Change, said: “Due to their mass following and positioning as an entertainment platform, sports organisations are in a unique position to support the race against climate change. In Extreme E’s case, it is refreshing to see a sport being born out of a core goal to increase climate awareness and action. It is an exciting prospect and a positive indication of the times we now live in.

“We wish Alejandro Agag and the entire Extreme E organisation the very best as they build this new series, and look forward to working with them to support the shared goals of the UN Sport for Climate Change Framework.”

Launched early this year, with its inaugural season starting in early 2021, Extreme E is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, alongside ongoing legacy initiatives in each race destination, which will include Greenland (see photo), the Amazon Rainforest, the Himalayas, the desert, and a coastal location, to help protect these already damaged ecosystems.

Alejandro added: “Through our championship, working alongside the UN and together with leading scientists and our partners, we commit to the five core principles of the Framework and the Paris Agreement – playing our part in ensuring we support a low-carbon future.

“With 30 per cent of the planet’s CO2 emissions coming from transport, Extreme E aims to showcase the performance electric vehicles, using the powerful mix of thrilling sports action, scientific education and storytelling, to accelerate the adoption of e-mobility and help make the world more sustainable, faster.

“We hope Extreme E will inspire our fans, along with the communities and governments in our race locations and beyond, to raise their climate ambition in a united effort to limit global warming to 1.5oC.  This is a race we can – and must – win to avoid significantly worsening the risk of extreme heat, glacial melting, rising sea levels, droughts, flooding, and more, for hundreds of millions of people.”

Independent specialists, including scientists from Cambridge University, will ensure that thorough environmental, social and governance assessments are carried out in each location with a local third party to safeguard environmental protection, social inclusivity and fair political practices.

All freight for the series, including the vehicles, will travel by sea, aboard the RMS St. Helena. The former Royal Mail vessel, which used to deliver post and supplies to the island of St Helena, will be modernised and improved using renewable energy technologies and sustainable materials, as part of a multi-million-pound renovation project.

Additionally, organisers are in the early stages of development for plans to track and monitor teams’ emission levels in each location, with sporting and financial incentives being considered for those which achieve the lowest overall outputs. A full Life Cycle Assessment of the series’ emissions will be made public as the series develops.

Protocol Sports Marketing will handle international media rights for the 2019 and 2020 seasons of the Pro Footvolley Tour.

With roots in Brazil, Footvolley combines beach volleyball and football (soccer) to create a new and unique sport where players use a combination of their head, feet, chest and shoulders as opposed to their hands and arms.

The Pro Footvolley Tour is widely considered to be the top Footvolley league internationally, and features participating teams from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, USA and beyond; drawing top Footvolley talent from all over the world.

In addition to media rights distribution, Toronto-based Protocol Sports Marketing will also assist with sponsorship sales for the upcoming 2020 Pro Footvolley Tour.

The 2019 broadcast season, available for international broadcast now, includes 20 one-commercial-hour episodes and is televised in the USA by beIN Sports in both English and Spanish.

“The entire World loves the beach, and the Pro Footvolley Tour is a hot property right now,” stated Pro Footvolley Tour President and CEO, Sergio Menezes.  “Working with Protocol Sports Marketing, an agency with a proven track record distributing premiere sports properties to major broadcasters worldwide is the perfect fit and perfect timing.  Sports fans around the World, like in America, will get hooked on Pro Footvolley Tour.”

Protocol Sports President Lowell Conn said: “With major soccer celebrities now playing footvolley, this trending sport has tremendous potential.  Pro Footvolley Tour is the clear leader in this emerging space. As we begin licensing the 2019 Tour, and preparing for the 2020 Tour, we believe that the demand for Pro Footvolley Tour events will increase internationally.  We are excited to kick-start this expansion.”

Strong support from international sport federations keen to explore opportunities in the Americas have signed up for the inaugural Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 from 10-12 December in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

International sport federations from the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, as well as ambitious international sport federations that are seeking Olympic recognition, will converge on the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center to connect with cities and regions, sports commissions, sports ministries, rights-holders, commercial entities and agencies.

Among the high-profile Olympic international sport federations to have confirmed their attendance are the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF), International Curling Federation (WCF), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Judo Federation (IJF), International Ski Federation (FIS), International Tennis Federation (ITF), International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and World Rugby.

Numerous members and representatives of ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) will be present, as well as AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations) and Associate Members.

Raffaele Chiulli, President, ARISF, GAISF and SportAccord, said: “For any proactive sports commissions, cities, regions and national organisations in North, South and Central America that have ambitions of hosting international events and developing their sport at an international scale. It is clear that Regional SportAccord will be a must-attend event, as there is simply no other gathering that will bring together so many stakeholders of the international sporting community with representatives of the business of sport in the Americas.”

Attendees will also include the international sport federations of Aikido (IAF), Amateur Sports (CSIT), American Football (IFAF), Armwrestling (WAF), Association (WAKO), Basque Pelota (FIPV), Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), Boules (CMSB), Bowling (World Bowling), Bridge (WBF), Cheer (ICU), Chess (FIDE), Cricket (ICC), Dodgeball (WDA), Dragon Boat (IDBF), Fistball (IFA), Floorball (IFF), Flying Disc (WFDF), Footgolf (FIFG), Ju-Jitsu (JJIF), Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL), Lacrosse (World Lacrosse), Life Saving (ILS), Masters Games (IMGA), Match Poker (IFMP), Military Sports (CISM), Minigolf (WMF), Muaythai (IFMA), Netball (INF), Orienteering (IOF), Powerboating (UIM), Racquetball (IRF), Sambo (FIAS), Sleddog (IFSS), Sport Chiropractic (FICS), Sport Climbing (IFSC), Sport Fishing (CIPS), Squash (WSF), Table Soccer (ITSF), Waterski & Wakeboard (IWWF) and World Olympians (WOA) with more to follow.

Jim Scherr, Chief Executive, World Lacrosse, added: “Lacrosse already has a firm foothold in the Americas, but we are always keen to investigate new openings for expansion in this exciting region, which is home to one billion-plus inhabitants, and we are looking forward to connecting with like-minded organisations in Florida.

“The fact that so many stakeholders of the international sporting community have committed to this ground-breaking event with three months still to go underlines the significant interest from international sports federations and sports organisations in exploring this gateway to the Americas.”

Numerous executives and officials from international sports federations will also participate in the event’s conference programme, with esports, governance and rebranding strategies, protecting athletes and social responsibility among the key topics under a theme of ‘A United Approach to the International Sport Landscape in the Americas’.

Click here to register for the event, hosted by SportAccord in partnership with Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sports Foundation, International Sports & Health Associates and MGO. For information about becoming an Exhibitor or Partner, request a brochure or contact the sales team via info@regionalsportaccord.sport or +1 954 204 3081.

Follow Regional SportAccord via Twitter @sportaccord using #RSA2019, or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has announced a major investment in tackling climate change issues around the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament.

UEFA will plant 50,000 trees in each of the 12 host countries of the EURO to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championships and to leave a lasting legacy from the competition.

In addition, UEFA will invest in gold standard renewable energy projects in partnership with the South Pole to offset the estimated 405,000 tonnes of carbon produced by fans and UEFA staff travelling to games in the tournament.

Announcing the plan on Tuesday in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Čeferin said: “UEFA EURO 2020 is a celebration of European football that will happen right across the continent. The nature of the tournament means there are many benefits over a traditional one. In addition to being able to take the matches to more diverse communities across Europe, there is no need either to build a host of new stadia or the transport links that they need, which carry a huge environmental cost in concrete and other resources.

“But it also has a cost – with increased travel for fans to watch their teams play. UEFA takes its responsibilities on this seriously and it is right that we offset the carbon emissions that causes. Working with South Pole will help to build gold standard renewable energy projects, which will be of lasting value to the planet.

“In addition, we wanted to celebrate the 60 years of the European Championships and combining that with an environmental legacy is a logical choice. Some 600,000 trees will be planted – 50,000 in each of the 12 host countries. I believe this will help all those communities benefit from EURO 2020 having been played there.”

UEFA is a signatory to the Sports for Climate Action Initiative.