SportAccord 2018 ‘great honour to host world class event in Bangkok’

Recent Thai radio coverage and television news bulletins focused on the upcoming SportAccord have confirmed it is ‘a big opportunity and great honour to host the world class event in Bangkok.’

It is the first time SportAccord will take place in Thailand providing a prestigious platform, as well as easy-access for Thai organisations and those in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, to become involved in the business of sport and take advantage of the many opportunities the event has to offer.

SportAccord is the only annual sports business event attended by all the international sports federations within GAISF, and provides unique access to numerous networking events and high-profile attendees throughout the week.

These include around 1,500 delegates representing industry, cities/regions, legal and health teams, inventors, sports sponsors, providers and rights holders, subject matter experts, as well as newsmakers, to name a few.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord said: “Final preparations are well underway ahead of SportAccord in April. We have just returned from another series of very successful coordination meetings with the Thai Ministry and their teams in Bangkok.

“There is a lot of focused and dedicated work going on behind the scenes to ensure that the next SportAccord will be an outstanding success for everyone involved.

“If you have not already done so, I would encourage anyone involved in the business of sport, to register and take part.”

Speaking of the great honour in hosting SportAccord, Col. Ruj of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) revealed to news channels: “Thailand has gained confidence from SportAccord.

“This also comes from the hard work undertaken by the Thai team over the last 6 months, with a bit left to do over the next 2 months to achieve where we would like to be.”

As part of the Official Schedule, SportAccord will host well over 20 networking events, a 3-day Exhibition as well as an extensive Conference programme to include: the Summit (Plenary), CityAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord and HealthAccord.

Goodform continues to drive engagement for NatWest 6 Nations

Sports-focused data and insight agency Goodform has been retained to deliver a CRM programme for the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations, and the Women’s Six Nations, which both got off to thrilling starts at the weekend.

Goodform has been official CRM agency since 2012, playing a key role in increasing fan engagement, driving traffic to the official website, encouraging mobile App downloads, and participation in the Fantasy Game.

All campaigns are driven by in-depth data insights and key learnings from engagement across previous campaigns, which has also seen impressive results for key partners
throughout the last six years.

Michael Jones, Goodform’s Managing Director, said: “The NatWest 6 Nations is internationally renowned as Rugby’s Greatest Championship and continues to go from strength to strength both on and off the field.

“Goodform is proud to have played a key role in driving data growth and increased fan engagement over the course of the last six years, and we are focused on ensuring that we build on these successes in 2018 and beyond.”

The NatWest 6 Nations is part of Goodform’s impressive client list which includes EFL, British Athletics, Silverstone, Premiership Rugby, and British Cycling. The agency’s core services focus on the use of data and insight to drive tangible growth – whether in revenue, participation or membership – or all three at the same time.

The range of Goodform services can be viewed here.

Fnatic appoint Nick Fry as new Head of Commercial Strategy

Major esports brand FNATIC has appointed Nick Fry as its new Head of Commercial Strategy.

The former CEO of the Mercedes AMG Formula One Team will provide strategic and advisory input as FNATIC looks to build the company’s global footprint.

Fry said of his appointment: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining such a forward-thinking company like FNATIC. As it stands, FNATIC is widely recognised among the biggest brand holders in sports, music and entertainment, and my role is to not only strengthen that position but also build on it.

“With esports in 2017 drawing 258 million unique viewers globally last year, the world’s biggest brands have started to take notice and want to be part of the action. FNATIC is leading the way for non-endemic and global brands to create a route towards the opportunities that esports is presenting.”

Wouter Sleijffers, CEO of Fnatic, said: “Having someone of Nick’s experience and stature is of significant value for FNATIC and esports as a whole.

“When it comes to esports, we’re in the forefront in terms of innovation and delivering value for the brands, leagues and partners we work with. Now is the time to build on the momentum we’ve created – Nick has experience that will aid us in doing exactly that.”

RMG and SIS extend partnership to include direct-to-home and streaming rights

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Sports Information Services (SIS) have extended their relationship to encompass direct-to-home (DTH) and streaming rights to all 26 Irish racecourses, plus Chelmsford City in the UK.

RMG manages the rights of many of the leading British racecourses, while SIS holds the horseracing rights to all Irish racecourses, via an agreement with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR).

The new agreement will run until the end of 2023.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “This deal is a very positive one and is in the best commercial interests of Irish racing. It secures income streams for media rights for the next six years and aligns all of our rights across all platforms with the same strong partners.

“The bulk of those income streams will go to racecourses with the balance going to Horse Racing Ireland – but all of the income will go back into Irish racing. The benefits of this deal will be seen across the entire industry

“This deal means we have moved from a situation of uncertainty in relation to direct to home, streaming and international rights, to arrangements that now have been agreed and locked down until the end of 2023.”

RMG Chief Executive, Richard FitzGerald, added: “This agreement means for the first time, viewers can enjoy the major storylines of both Jumps and Flat seasons in Ireland and Great Britain on one HD channel.

“Our 50,000 members and 6,000 pubs and clubs in Great Britain and Ireland will also enjoy the increasingly popular racing from Chelmsford City, which continues to grow in quality and consistently attracts the best horsemen.

“A package of all Irish racing, Chelmsford City and RMG’s horseracing rights will also prove a popular proposition for our streaming bookmaker partners and international broadcast partners worldwide.”

Sign up to iSportconnect’s Broadcast Masterclass now. Panel discussions topics include the new generation of video platforms, OTT. rights competition and deepening audience engagement.

Premier League confirms winter break is under discussion

The Premier League has confirmed that it is considering the introduction of a winter break, which will bring England’s top tier in line with other major European divisions.

Competitions in Italy, France, Spain and Germany all take time out mid-season, easing fixture congestion and giving players an extended rest.

A January break has been under discussion in England which – if agreed – would not impact on the popular schedule over Christmas and New Year.

An official statement read: “The Premier League has been in discussions with the FA and EFL for several months regarding the challenges of the increasingly congested English football calendar and ways in which we can work together to ease fixture congestion while also giving players a mid-season break.

“Provided space can be found in the calendar, we are open to this in principle and will continue constructive discussions with our football stakeholders to seek a workable solution.”

Meanwhile, an announcement on the next Premier League TV rights is expected later this month.

READ MORE: The rise of betting partnerships in the Premier League

Formula E names CBMM Niobium as title sponsor of Punta and Rome races

Formula E has today announced that CBMM Niobium has acquired the naming rights to the organisation’s races in Punta del Este and Rome.

Sponsoring Formula E will provide opportunities for CBMM Niobium to work with leading developers from the electric vehicle industry and help promote the contribution which Niobium Materials Technology is making to the creation of a more sustainable world.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “The importance of implementing technologies such as Niobium is crucial to the continual development in the automotive sector and the push for electrification, especially as the demand for producing battery and electric motor components accelerates further.

“Therefore, we’re pleased to again welcome CBMM and help expand the awareness of Niobium technologies to the world through its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.”

Eduardo Ribeiro, CEO of CBMM Niobium, added: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with Formula E. The championship has been a successful platform for CBMM to improve awareness of Niobium technology and enable knowledge sharing about new applications to address complex challenges.

“Being title sponsor is an exciting opportunity for us to show the huge variety of Niobium Materials Technologies and we look forward to communicating our plans for the Punta del Este and Rome E-Prix.”

Toyota announces partnership with Team GB and Paralympics GB

Toyota GB has announced an official partnership with Team GB (the British Olympic Association) and ParalympicsGB (the British Paralympic Association).

The eight-year agreement will extend from this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang through to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in the summer of 2020, plus the Beijing 2022 Winter Games and Paris 2024 Summer Games.

Andrew Cullis, Toyota GB Marketing Director, said: “Toyota wants to make sustainable mobility accessible for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability. This mission to deliver ever-better mobility for all is at the heart of our brand and resonates with the way in which athletes can inspire people to go further and realise their dreams.

“It is an honour for us to support our national teams as their Official Mobility Partner over a period in which they will be working with utmost commitment and pride to excel in successive winter and summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Toyota GB’s support for the GB teams links to the spirit of ‘Start Your Impossible’, Toyota’s global theme for inspiring the world to move in its role as the Worldwide Mobility Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The concept will be central to the organisation’s marketing campaign supporting its Olympic and Paralympic partnership, which will include original activity and content across TV, print, digital and sponsorships.

Swansea City become first Premier League club to produce commemorative shirt for Chinese New Year

Swansea City have become the first Premier League club to produce a commemorative shirt to celebrate Chinese New Year 2018.

The special jersey, which the Welsh club has worked on alongside shirt sponsor LeTou, features Chinese characters and will be worn by Carlos Carvalhal’s first-team during Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Burnley.

Letou CEO, Paul Fox, said: “I have experienced first-hand the passion of the fans in Asia and by working closely together, LeTou and Swansea are embracing Chinese culture to reach one of the fastest growing fanbases in the world.”

Swansea’s Chief Operating Officer, Chris Pearlman, added: “We have spoken before about the importance of Asia as a key market for Swansea and indeed other Premier League clubs.

“We’re delighted to have worked with LeTou to commemorate Chinese New Year with a special shirt which embraces the language of that great nation and which we hope to repeat in years to come.”

China represents a key audience for Premier League clubs, with hundreds of millions of fans tuning into games every week. NBA sides have previously designed kit with Chinese imagery and lettering, but Swansea’s move represents a Premier League first.

Olympic Channel agrees deal to broadcast PyeongChang 2018 across India and sub-continent

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has today announced that the Olympic Channel will live stream the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 across India and the sub-continent, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The announcement means that the Olympic Channel will air coverage live for the first time on its global digital platform at olympicchannel.com and mobile app.

Furthermore, the IOC will also work with Indian mobile network operator Reliance-Jio to provide comprehensive live coverage on its JioTV app. The ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) has acquired FTA rights in Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, said: “This is an important step for the Olympic Channel as it broadcasts live Olympic Games coverage for the first time ever on the digital platform.

“Through the Olympic Channel and the additional broadcast on Reliance-Jio’s and the relevant ABU members’ platforms, we are able to offer comprehensive coverage across the region and ensure fans will be able to follow all the action from PyeongChang 2018.”

ECB announce new T20 partnership with Vitality

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today announced a new partnership with Vitality.

The health and life insurance company has signed a four-year deal to sponsor ECB’s domestic T20 Blast as well as key grassroots T20 tournaments – plus a two-year agreement to be the title sponsor of all England’s home international T20 series, both women’s and men’s.

The new partnership will give Vitality full competition naming rights, in-ground advertising and hospitality rights as well as access to England players.

ECB Commercial Director, Rob Calder, said: “We’re excited to be working with a partner who shares our enthusiasm and passion for T20 cricket. It’s the fastest growing format of the game, an integral part of ECB’s long-term strategy and has a critical role to play in bringing new people to the sport.

“Vitality are an established brand in the sports marketplace with a proven track record of using sponsorship successfully to grow fan-bases and improve participation levels. They’re a natural fit for a partnership to drive interest and engagement in all our different T20 competitions at every level.”

Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the ECB for T20 cricket. T20 is a brilliant innovation that’s revolutionising the sport around the world.

“This new sponsorship aligns with our own vibrant brand and fits with our desire to increase awareness and engagement among families and across all levels of the game while at the same time telling more people about Vitality.”