LaLiga launches new global brand campaign

LaLiga has today launched a new global brand campaign entitled ‘It’s not football – It’s LaLiga.’

LaLiga is more than just a form of entertainment, it plays an essential part in people’s lives, and the campaign represents the starting point from which the organisation will reinvent a world that extends far beyond the pitch.

Through the campaign, LaLiga will show the true extent of its global reach and how they spread their brand values around the world.

The campaign is being launched in Spain but will also reach a vast international audience with as many as 182 countries set to witness the launch via 90 broadcasters, the same companies that show LaLiga matches every week.

 

Hugo Boss joins Formula E as official apparel partner

Hugo Boss has today joined Formula E as an official apparel partner of the electric street racing series.

As part of the agreement, Hugo Boss – one of the leading players in the global fashion market – will design and develop outfits specifically for Formula E series management, employees and volunteers.

The partnership see Hugo Boss add a new strand to its DNA, utilising 35-years of experience and expertise in the motorsport arena to best represent the newly-launched Formula E brand identity for season four.

Alejandro Agag, Founder & CEO of Formula E, said: “I’m delighted to welcome yet another global brand to the Formula E family, especially a respected and recognisable name in the world of fashion such as HUGO BOSS.

“This new partnership will see the team on the ground at each race dressed with a winning mindset and ready to deliver a spectacular event in cities across the world. As the first Official Apparel Partner of the series, we look forward to seeing the dynamic style and innovation on show that HUGO BOSS is renowned for.”

Hugo Boss Chief Executive Officer, Mark Langer, said: “As a fashion brand, we are always looking at innovative approaches to design and sustainability. When we first encountered Formula E, we immediately saw its potential and we are pleased to be the first apparel partner to support this exciting new motorsport series.”

The Hugo Boss brand will also be represented on the Formula E demo car and championship livery, plus trackside on the streets of some of the world’s leading cities.

Silverstone confirm three-year contract to host British MotoGP

Silverstone has today confirmed a three-year contract to host British MotoGP races.

The deal extension means the Northamptonshire venue will stage the British round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship for the next three years.

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director of Silverstone, said: “A lot of time and money has been invested in recent years to ensure MotoGP fans, teams and riders enjoy what Silverstone has to offer and we are delighted to have secured the contract to 2020.

“Two wheel racing is as much a part of Silverstone’s heritage as four wheel racing and we are looking forward to welcoming the Championship and its fans back to Silverstone next August.

“We have been working on a family friendly pricing policy, including the re-introduction of under 11 year olds go free, which we hope will be well received by fans and which will launch via the Silverstone website at 10:00 am on Monday 13 November.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports CEO added, “Silverstone is an iconic British circuit, so naturally we are pleased to be able to continue racing at this iconic circuit. The United Kingdom is an important market for Dorna and has to remain on the MotoGP calendar, especially with the introduction of the British Talent Cup next year, which we hope will inspire the next generation of young British talent.

“We look forward to giving fans more action over the British Grand Prix weekend and I’m sure fans will be as happy as we are that Silverstone remains on the calendar for the next three years.”

Intel set to bring NBA virtual reality content on TNT

Turner Sports and Intel announced a partnership NBA fans will be able to watch virtual reality content on TNT, beginning with the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.

The multi-year partnership makes Intel the exclusive provider of virtual reality for the NBA on TNT, using Intel True VR cameras to capture live game footage from multiple angles in order to allow fans to view the game from different locations throughout the arena.

With this new technology, everyday fans can experience the game sitting courtside with their feet in the hardwood.

Fans can choose to view the game from high in the stands to get a bird’s eye view of the action or take the viewpoint of the photographers sitting on the baseline with the players coming right at them.

“This is an exciting time to be a basketball fan, and we are thrilled to be working with Intel and Turner Sports to make virtual reality and 360-degree content from the NBA on TNT games available,” said Jeff Marsilio, NBA vice president, Global Media Distribution.

“We are committed to bringing the most innovative and immersive experiences possible for our fans.”

These virtual reality game experiences will be available through the forthcoming NBA on TNT VR app on Samsung GearVR and Google Daydream headsets for download via the Oculus and Google Play stores.

Plan for the ‘World Cup and beyond’ at Betting on Football 2018

SBC Events has lined up a full day’s track dedicated to the FIFA World Cup at Betting on Football 2018 (20-23 March), as part of a comprehensive conference agenda ahead of next year’s tournament in Russia.

Featuring eight main tracks and more than 40 sessions across Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 March, #bofcon2018 will present over 150 experts from the betting and football arenas, spanning four rooms at Stamford Bridge, home of the reigning Premier League champions.

‘Life beyond the bonus’ will kick off the ‘World Cup and beyond’ track, with a discussion around marketing ahead of Russia 2018. Among the issues addressed will be the future of customer bonusing, particularly given the rise in bonus-related disputes and the tightening of affiliate regulations.

Held in the Drake Suite at Chelsea FC, the track will continue with a closer look at engaging football customers in a live environment, before analysing the scale of the opportunity for DFS, how to prevail in the ‘Facebook and Twitter battlegrounds’, how bookmakers can work with the sport to keep out the fixers, and the hidden benefits of sponsorship.

On the same day, Betting on Football will once again underline its international credentials by delivering an extensive update on football betting markets across the globe, from tackling changing laws in Africa to assessing Italy as Europe’s new home of betting and ‘Making America great again’ through ongoing attempts to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).

The ‘Global Market Profiles’ track, held in the Harris Suite, will also assess the window of opportunity for online operators in the Spanish market and the hotbed of innovation in Scandinavia while providing updates on the regulatory situation in Eastern Europe and Asia’s status as the king of sponsors in the Premier League.

Day one also boasts ‘Betting on Innovation’ – a track focused on exciting new products in 2017 and beyond.

On the second full day of the conference, speakers will be debating issues around ‘Leadership’ and the ‘Customer Journey’.

The Leadership track will include an analysis of the philosophy of gambling, the value of investment in an increasingly consolidated market, the prospect of a regulatory backlash in established betting jurisdictions and how ‘designer’ bets are influencing trading, before a hat-trick of CEO panels focused on affiliates, innovation and opportunities at Russia 2018.

Meanwhile, the Customer Journey track will kick off with a look at customer onboarding, and whether skilled affiliates remain the best means of conversion, before moving on to fraud prevention, building the perfect user experience, beating the omnichannel challenge and improving CRM strategy. The track will conclude by assessing football’s effectiveness as a cross-selling product and how the industry can unite to increase social responsibility.

This year also sees three new exclusive elements added to the Betting on Football agenda. The AI Bootcamp, headed up by Lee-Ann Johnstone, which aims to train affiliates and affiliate managers how to better operate in today’s changing affiliate environment.

The EsportsInsider Super Forum will look at the whole of the esports business and have a dedicated exhibition area. The invite-only “SBC Sponsorship Forum” is also being held on Day 2 and will look to bring football clubs and betting brands together to discuss the opportunities provided by the global game.

Delegates who purchase tickets before 1 December will be eligible for the Super Early Bird offer with a 50% discount on ticket price. Get your tickets HERE.

Dallas Mavericks agree first-of-its-kind partnership with Favor

The Dallas Mavericks and on-demand delivery app Favor have launched a program to provide fans with on-demand access to tickets and gear.

This marks a first-of-its-kind partnership between a professional sports team and an on-demand delivery app.

Customers who download the Favor app can purchase last-minute, discounted tickets to select Mavs games, as gear from the merchandise stores and have their items delivered to their door.

Tickets to the games are available via the Favor app 48 hours prior to the start of the game.

“Partnering with Favor gives us one more way to connect with our fans,” said Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban.

“If a Mavs fan doesn’t have time to search for tickets or a chance to visit the Hangar before a game, Favor can do it for you. It’s like having your own personal assistant. We’re excited to see where this partnership takes us.”

“We are constantly seeking ways to offer our customers an on-demand experience unlike any other and our partnership with the Mavs truly delivers on that,” said Favor CEO and President Jag Bath.

“Combining the Mavs fan experience with our delivery technology and personalized service allows us to offer convenience to Dallas customers in an entirely new way.”

Eleven Sports announces partnership with ACB Liga Endesa to live stream ‘El Clasico’ on Facebook and Twitter

Global sports provider Eleven Sports has today announced a partnership with ACB Liga Endesa to live stream Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona on Facebook and Twitter this Sunday (12th November 2017).

For the first time ever the showcase ‘El Clasico’ basketball fixture will be streamed live across a number of Eleven Sports markets.

The action is set to be streamed live on Facebook in Belgium, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA while fans in Belgium and the USA will also be able to watch the action live via Twitter.

The live streams in Belgium, Italy, and the U.S. will feature local language commentary in line with Eleven’s strategy to localise content and all markets will be using their social media platforms to enhance the event experience with clips and posts for fans in each specific domestic market.

Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports, said: “We have seen some excellent results from our Ivy League Football live streams on Twitter in the US and we are delighted to strike this latest partnership to ensure we continue to deliver exciting content to fans in innovative ways.

“Our aim is to bring sport to fans everywhere in ways that they want to consume it. This partnership helps us achieve that while also providing a fantastic opportunity for Eleven Sports and the ACB to reach new, diverse audiences, including those with a low barrier to entry.”

The announcement of this agreement comes after a successful partnership with Twitter to live stream Ivy League Football in the US in October and November 2017.

Hugo Boss set to switch to Formula E from F1

German fashion brand Hugo Boss is set to end its association with Formula One from next year to move into Formula E, according to CEO Mark Langer.

Hugo Boss has been a partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team since 2015, before which it held a long-term agreement with McLaren.

But Langer has told German magazine Focus that Hugo Boss will switch to the electric-powered racing series in the search of new opportunities.

“Of course Formula One is the top class of motor racing, but Formula E is more innovative and sustainable,” Langer is quoted as saying by Focus.

“The engines, the races in major cities, that’s something a younger audience likes, which offers new opportunities.

He added: “After many years in Formula One, really since (German racing driver) Jochen Mass in the Seventies, we have been thinking what is the next thing?”

Langer also pointed out that the cost of F1 sponsorship had not played a role in the company’s decision.

DraftKings acquires Euroleague live streaming rights

DraftKings announced today its involvement in the streaming of live sports through a partnership with Euroleague Basketball. It’s the first time that a fantasy sports operator acquires live sports rights.

Customers will be able to stream select Turkish Airlines EuroLeague basketball games directly through the DraftKings mobile app and toggle between fantasy contests and live content.

“Our goal is to become the one-stop destination and mobile companion for sports fans globally. Adding a live streaming component allows us to provide the best and most seamless product for our customers. This is what the future of sports looks like,” said Jason Robins, co-founder and CEO of DraftKings.

By the first quarter of 2018, DraftKings will offer US and Canadian-based customers the opportunity to live-stream EuroLeague games on the DraftKings app.

Customers will be able to stream one free game per week or watch multiple games by playing in a $3 and above DraftKings contest. DraftKings will also create original content to support EuroLeague.

“We are proud to be breaking new ground with such a forward-thinking partner as DraftKings,” Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball president and CEO, said.

“Combining fantasy with live-streamed games is a perfect match, not only for the countless passionate EuroLeague fans we have already but for the many new ones who will now discover our unique brand of basketball through DraftKings.”

Racecourse Media Group awarded Meydan production and distribution contracts

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has today been awarded a two-year contract by Meydan Group to provide production and distribution of the full horseracing season at Meydan Racecourse, which starts today and culminates with next year’s Dubai World Cup card.

Timeline Television will provide broadcast facilities and crew to support RMG’s host production and on-course coverage to broadcast the races to audiences around the world.

RMG, which has produced and distributed horseracing from the flagship racecourse in Dubai for the previous two seasons, is offering a number of exciting broadcast rights packages for the 20-fixture season, hosted by the Dubai Racing Club.

Frank Gabriel Jr, Executive Director of Racing at Dubai Racing Club, said: “Racecourse Media Group provided first-rate production and presentation of racing from Meydan for the last two seasons and RMG also took the event to new and increased audiences via their distribution.

The 2017 Dubai World Cup was the first horse race to be broadcast live on airlines and cruise-lines via the Sport 24 channel and NBC Sports also broadcast the card in the US.”

Richard FitzGerald, CEO of RMG, added: “We are delighted that we once again can partner with Meydan and work together in successfully showcasing this world-class racing.”