Alibaba strikes deal to become presenting partner of FIFA Club World Cup

Alibaba has today agreed a deal with FIFA that will see Alibaba Cloud – the technology company’s cloud-computing arm – become a presenting partner of the FIFA Club World Cup.

The agreement starts at this year’s tournament, which kicks off on December 6 in the United Arab Emirates, and will run through until 2022.

Alibaba Cloud will design and present the Most Valuable Player award as part of the new partnership, which replaces a previous deal formed two years ago with Alibaba E-Auto.

Alibaba Cloud President, Simon Hu, said: “By becoming a major partner of the FIFA Club World Cup, we hope to show how our technology can bring new aspects of fun and enjoyment to fans of sports, including those people who might have had barriers to access or participate before.

Iain Downie, FIFA’s director of marketing sales and strategy, added: “We are aware of the substantial value that Alibaba Cloud provides to business in terms of technical support and global reaching services.

“We can only see great potential in this fresh collaboration related to the FIFA Club World Cup.”

Manchester United announce partnership with coffee brand Melitta

Premier League club Manchester United has announced a multi-year partnership with Melitta.

The coffee brand will become the club’s first-ever official coffee partner, with the agreement covering the UK, Ireland and Germany.

200 fully automatic Melitta coffee machines and makers are set to be installed within Executive Club boxes and hospitality areas around Old Trafford. In addition, Melitta played a major role in the refurbishment of the club’s Red Café at its famous Old Trafford stadium. The new offering includes a sleek coffee bar, as well as a new dining area within the main restaurant.

Manchester United’s Group Managing Director, Richard Arnold said: “Like Manchester United, Melitta is steeped in history. Established over 100 years ago, the family-run business was built on its founders’ invention of the coffee filter, a traditional way of making coffee that is still used in homes, restaurants and offices all over the world today.

“We are very proud to be partnering with this household name and look forward to working with Melitta to further enhance the experience of the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome to Old Trafford each season.”

Volker Stühmeier, Member of the Chief Corporate Management at Melitta, added: “It is a great honour to work with one of the most successful football teams in the world in such a close and trustworthy way. For over 360 days of the year, our products will be used in one of the most traditional and iconic stadiums in the world.

“We have the ability to not only serve premium quality coffee using our state-of-the-art equipment, we will also be providing a substantial amount of porcelain, accessories, multipurpose and disposable materials. Old Trafford is an extraordinary showcase for Melitta.”

Coca-Cola unveiled as official sponsor of Kentucky Derby

Coca-Cola has today been unveiled as an official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.

The soft drinks manufacturer will serve as the official and exclusive soft drinks partner of the event, which takes place at Churchill Downs, for five years.

Heather Hucks, Senior Director, Brand Marketing at Coca-Cola Consolidated, said: “Churchill Downs is one of the most iconic sports venues in the world.

“We are delighted to bring racing fans a variety of leading beverage choices throughout the year and at the Kentucky Derby. As the local bottler, we are committed to the Louisville community and are excited to grow this partnership – both on the track and off.”

Kristin Warfield, vice president of partnerships at Churchill Downs racetrack, added: “The hundreds of thousands of racing fans who come from all over the world to experience Churchill Downs’ world class horseracing and the Kentucky Derby will now be able to enjoy a broad range of Coca-Cola products and experiences.”

AS Roma announces partnership with Peroni 3.5

Italian Serie A football club AS Roma has announced a new partnership with Peroni.

Peroni 3.5 will becomes the club’s official beer and main sponsor of ‘Magica Land’ – the new innovative, interactive village dedicated to the club’s fans.

The new Fan Zone will be designed for supporters of all ages, with various entertainment activities on offer.

Luca Danovaro, CMO of AS Roma, said: “The village we are designing will be a test of the marketing strategies and the will of the club to involve more and more fans. We want it to become a true and our point of reference and meeting for our fans on the day of the game.

“Peroni 3.5, among our partners, represents a prestige agreement with a company that, in sports and in the Foro Italico Park, has already built great successes.”

Cristiano Marroni Darena, Peroni Family Marketing Manager, added: “We are very pleased with the closure of this partnership between AS Roma and Peroni 3.5. For our consumers, Rome is a key city we are investing in for the launch of this new beer.”

BT Sport announced as latest Formula E broadcaster

BT Sport has been announced as Formula E’s latest broadcaster ahead of season four.

BT Sport will air an extended highlights programme from every round of the championship alongside Formula E’s official magazine show – Street Racers – starting with December’s season opener double-header in Hong Kong.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport: “It’s great news for motorsport fans that BT Sport will continue to show even more Formula E action as we head into Season Four.”

Subscribers in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland will be able to view the action from season four and follow the first all-British driver line-up in Formula E with DS Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird and Alex Lynn.

BT Sport has broadcast Formula E since it began in 2014, with the addition of the electric racing series helping to bolster the channel’s busy broadcast repertoire, which also includes Premier League football, Rugby Union, the Ashes cricket, MotoGP, Boxing and UFC.

Broadcasting is dead – and more alive and dynamic than ever before in the digital world, but staying ahead of the curve has never been more difficult.

Click here to register your interest in iSportconnect’s Broadcast Masterclass.

FIBA launches Basketball World Cup app as Road to China 2019 tips off

With the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers tipping off this week, the free FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 app – presented by Global FIBA Partner Tissot – has been launched.

The app is the most versatile platform to follow all of the action worldwide on the Road to China 2019 – complementing all of FIBA’s digital properties – by providing a unique personalisation experience for every fan.

During both the Qualifiers and World Cup, users can select and follow up to three favourite teams and 10 favourite players. In doing so, their experience is fully customised and gives them complete control of what they want to access instantly.

Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, said: “We are excited to launch the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 app to offer the most complete experience of the Road to China 2019.

“We know how important national team pride is to fans all around the world and are convinced that millions of them will follow their respective country as they look to qualify for our sport’s biggest competition.

“This state-of-the-art digital tool is the perfect platform for them to experience the World Cup, from the opening Qualifier on November 23 and all the way to the Final on September 15, 2019.”

Italian Rugby Federation partners with Wattbike to improve players’ fitness

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) and Wattbike have today announced a new partnership, with the aim of optimising the Italian Rugby Team, Benetton Rugby and Zebre Rugby Club fitness.

Together they are aiming to develop individual protocols for those players who need to improve or maintain their fitness standards whilst reducing their training on the field.

Wattbike, a leader in developing high level indoor cycling trainers, has supplied FIR with four of its Wattbike Pro bikes and will develop the partnership by working closely with FIR and franchise staff.

Pete Atkinson, Lead of Human Performance at FIR, said: “Working with a technology partner such as Wattbike allows us the opportunity to boost the National Team and PRO14 franchise’s physical preparation.

“It helps us be efficient with players who need to offload following a matchday, or those with a background of injury, in order to maintain the highest possible level of fitness.

“The intention is to develop the partnership and use Wattbike’s bespoke knowledge to help us prescribe specific sessions to our athletes. As we develop the partnership, they will send their staff to share information with our staff on cycling and cycling fitness. It represents a great option to be smart, and more and more precise in our training.”

Richard Baker, Managing Director at Wattbike, added: “Wattbike was founded on being the world’s most accurate, reliable and measurable bike ergometer. This, combined with our unique resistance system, offers the complete off feet training tool.

“Over the past five years we have worked with top rugby players and teams from around the world to understand the best ways the Wattbike can be used to enhance player performance.

“Having the opportunity to work with the FIR and be part of their journey to develop the competitiveness of their national team is something we are very proud to be part of. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and training expertise as they seek to take the national team to the next level.”

iSportconnect announces Nielsen Sports as Dubai Summit event partner

iSportconnect is delighted to announce Nielsen Sports as an official event partner for the Dubai Summit.

Sree Varma, founder and CEO of iSportconnect, said: “I am delighted to have Nielsen’s expertise on board for such an important event on iSportconnect’s global calendar.

“I look forward to working with Jon and his team as our wider network of members and partners get their first official glimpse of the Middle East market and learn more about the abundance of opportunities available in the region.”

Jon Long, Nielsen Sports’ Managing Director in the Middle East, added: “Nielsen has a strong network of offices throughout the region through which we provide sports measurement and insight to a growing network of local and global clients.

“We are delighted to be an official partner of the Dubai Summit and look forward to the combination of learning and networking for our experienced Middle East-based team and many of our valued clients.”

The event will be held in the lavish surroundings of Address Boulevard – the newest lifestyle address located in the prestigious Downtown Dubai area – on November 29, 2017.

Ample break-out sessions on the day will give an intimate capacity of 150 top-tier executives an opportunity to take part in captivating conversations, build new relationships and – crucially – discover the local market.

About Nielsen Sports

Our Dubai-based team of sports and entertainment specialists analyse TV, social media and consumer data on all of the major sports in the region – including football, Formula 1, golf, cricket, cycling, horse racing and martial arts – and many of the leading events and entertainment properties.

We are proud to bring our global best practice to the growing sports and entertainment industry in the region. Nielsen has a strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa and our integration is enabling us to provide deeper and more actionable local insights than ever before.

There is limited space for this exclusive event so please email Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to confirm your interest in attending.

ECB announces new six-year media rights deal with beIN Media Group

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced a new six-year broadcast rights agreement with beIN Media Group for international and domestic cricket coverage in the Middle East and North Africa.

The deal will give beIN Media Group rights to screen coverage from all ECB’s home international men’s and women’s series as well as its domestic competitions from next summer through to the end of the 2024 season.

The new deal will also include next summer’s tours by India and Pakistan as well as the next home Ashes series against Australia in 2019 plus action from the T20 Blast, Royal London One-Day Cup, the Specsavers County Championship and the ECB’s new eight-team T20 competition which launches in 2020.

As part of the agreement, beIN Media Group has announced plans to introduce a dedicated beIN SPORTS cricket channel in the MENA region in 2018. The channel will screen the broadcaster’s portfolio of premium international and domestic cricket, including ECB and Cricket Australia content, as well as original programming, documentaries and magazine shows.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison, CEO of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome beIN MediaGroup to our broader family of broadcast partners and excited by their plans to create their own dedicated cricket channel for the first time.

“Our international and domestic teams are attracting an ever-expanding global audience and this new partnership will give even more cricket fans worldwide an opportunity to follow all the action and excitement from our game.

“With the 2019 home men’s and women’s Ashes series and India’s next tour to England among the highlights viewers can look forward to in the next two years – this is a comprehensive and compelling package of rights which will help give cricket excellent exposure in the MENA region.”

Yousef Al-Obaidly, Deputy CEO, beIN Media Group, added: “Today’s announcement strengthens beIN Media Group’s sports portfolio, bringing more of the world’s best cricket to fans across the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are thrilled to partner with the ECB at such an exciting time for English cricket, building on a similar agreement signed this month with Cricket Australia. Together, these acquisitions and the upcoming launch of our dedicated cricket channel will deliver high quality, in-depth cricket coverage to the rapidly growing audience in the MENA region.

“These agreements are the latest in our ambitious plans to deliver more sports coverage across the region and further enhance our position as the undisputed first choice sports and entertainment broadcaster.”

Vauxhall retains title sponsorship of 2018 international North West 200

Northern Ireland’s International North West 200 motorcycle race has retained the support of Vauxhall for the 2018 event.

“Vauxhall is delighted to return as title sponsor for a sixth year,” said Simon Oldfield, Vauxhall’s Marketing Director. “We are very much looking forward to reaching out to thousands of motorcycle fans through our sponsorship of this great event.”

The securing of the car giant’s continued sponsorship is a huge boost for Event Director, Mervyn Whyte and his North West 200 team as the event moves toward its 90th birthday celebrations.

“We are delighted to have Vauxhall’s support once again as we approach this landmark occasion in the International North West 200’s history,” Whyte said.

“The support we receive from Vauxhall is vital in running an international event which attracts the best road racers in the world each year. The 2017 races culminated in a fantastic superbike race battle between Glenn Irwin and Alastair Seeley that will still be fresh in every fan’s memory.

“With Vauxhall behind us we will be aiming to hit those same spectacular heights next May.”