npower joins Wasps and Ricoh Arena as Official Energy Partner

Wasps and npower announced a new partnership to further enhance the Ricoh Arena’s sustainable approach to energy, helping power sport, business and entertainment at the Arena.

Wasps will be generating their own electricity as well as creating heat for the stadium and the under pitch heating system, thanks to npower’s Combined Heat and Power plant.

The new partnership will see npower launch an exclusive tariff for Wasps rugby and netball fans, as well as visitors to the Ricoh Arena in 2018. Fans will also benefit from a series of exclusive customer offers, competitions and energy saving tips for their home and family.

Stuart Cain, commercial director of Wasps and the Ricoh Arena, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with npower. This is a powerful partnership for both the Club and Arena.

“npower’s technical expertise and infrastructure is a game changer in the way our Arena can power our three business drivers of sport, business and entertainment.

“npower shares Wasps’ values in the commitment to our local community and the new tariff offering will be an exciting addition for our fans. We are excited to be working with such a well-known brand and one that further enhances our growing family of blue-chip partners.”

Andy Wiggans, commercial and marketing director for npower, added: “We’re delighted to be joining the Wasps family in a partnership which will see us supply power and gas to the Ricoh Arena and partner on a number of ground-breaking energy saving measures.

“We’ll also be working alongside Wasps RFC and Netball to support the local community and give fans the chance to get even closer to their team. We can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Chelsea signs exclusive partnership with Sony Music

Chelsea Football Club today announced a new and exclusive partnership with Sony Music.

The agreement brings together the worlds of sport and music, featuring curated special playlists using input from Chelsea players.

Supporters can download the playlist here.

Chris Townsend OBE, Chelsea FC commercial director, said: “We are incredibly excited to join forces with Sony Music, one of the leading entertainment companies in the world.

“Combining some of the world’s most celebrated music artists and football stars will create innovative content and experiences for our global fan base, starting with an exciting competition for fans of football and music all over the world.”

Dusko Justic, vice president, international marketing, Sony Music International, added: “Both football and music are fuelled by passionate fans. That emotional pull makes the connection so satisfying.

“We want to combine the two and elevate the experience to new heights. Everyone here at Sony is incredibly proud and excited to work with Chelsea Football Club.”

Infront Sports & Media extends rights deal with German Ski Association

The German Ski Association (DSV)  Infront Sports & Media extended their partnership through to the 2025/26 season.

Infront, a Wanda Sports company, will remain the exclusive international media rights partner for all FIS World Cup events held in Germany for the next nine seasons.

The contract covers international media rights for all winter sports in the FIS calendar, including the popular Vierschanzentournee ski jumping events in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf and the Biathlon World Team Challenge Auf Schalke.

The DSV will continue to independently market media rights for the German market.


DSV Marketing Chief Executive Stefan Schwarzbach said: “The extended agreement with our reliable partner Infront sets the German Ski Association on a good course for the upcoming years.

“We are in the best possible position to continue developing our various disciplines and World Cup events successfully and with a future-orientated cross-federation strategy.

“Besides offering us economic planning security, the extended partnership with Infront also provides us with maximum flexibility to react in an appropriate and sustainable way to the various challenges of the elite sport as well as changes in media usage.”

Sydney FC supports Allianz Stadium rebuild

Hyundai A-League Champions Sydney FC have given their support to rebuild their home ground at Allianz Stadium and are calling for the government to prioritise it over other stadia in the greater Sydney network.

The Sky Blues are the largest tenants of the stadium and are keen for the precinct redevelopment to go ahead as soon as possible, for the benefit of their members and the wider Sydney sporting public.

Chairman Scott Barlow said: “Sydney FC is committed to Allianz Stadium and it will be our home for many years to come.

“As A-League Champions and one of the country’s fastest-growing sporting clubs, our fans and team deserve to play in a truly world-class sporting facility.

“In order to achieve this, Allianz Stadium must be rebuilt as a priority given its relative age compared with other stadiums in the network.”

Sydney FC plans the new stadium to be ready in time for the start of the Hyundai A-League 2020/21 season.

A survey of almost 200 Sydney FC members and fans conducted by the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust during Sunday’s first home fixture of the season against Wellington Phoenix, revealed 88% of Sky Blues supporters were in favour of the construction of a new facility.

The current Allianz Stadium is thirty years old.

Sydney FC is lobbying for the redevelopment to happen quickly to give clarity to the club’s players, staff, members, sponsors and fans going forward.

NBA and Kia extend partnership through multiyear agreement

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Kia Motors America, Inc. announced a new multiyear marketing partnership extension across the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League.

In addition to continuing to serve as the Official Automotive Partner across all three leagues, Kia will become more involved with the NBA Draft as an associate partner and will remain the title partner of key on-court platforms, including Kia NBA Tip-Off, Kia NBA All-Star MVP and the Kia NBA Performance Awards.

Also, the seasonlong #KiaWhoYaGot sweepstakes, which gives fans the opportunity to predict the winner of key matchups on NBA social channels, will resume during Kia NBA Tip-Off.

“The partnership between the NBA and Kia has been pivotal in increasing brand and consumer awareness and an uptick in consideration of the Kia brand, and we are excited to extend our partnership and continue connecting with the league and its passionate fans,” said Saad Chehab, VP of marketing communications at Kia Motors America.

“Both Kia and the NBA have a broad appeal across a large segment of the consumer public and through this partnership we hope to keep Kia top-of-mind among the confident, independent NBA fans and drive them, literally to Kia’s showrooms.”

Kerry Tatlock, NBA senior vice president, global partnerships, added: “Kia has been deeply integrated into the year-round NBA experience since becoming a partner in 2008.

“We’re excited to continue to grow the partnership by building upon all of the engagement programs that connect Kia with the diverse fans across the league’s channels.”

Eurosport partners with Snapchat to engage younger audiences in the Olympic Games

Discovery Communications’ Eurosport and Snap, Inc. reached an advertising and content agreement that will deliver a new partnership for the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018.

The aim is to bring Snapchatters across Europe exciting Olympic Games action through several types of professionally curated content on Snap’s Discover platform.

This partnership marks the first time that Snap has committed to a European, multi-language deal for covering the Olympics, offering unique opportunities for more brands to engage a younger generation of fans.

The partnership will feature both daily Our Stories — which are curated stories featuring Snaps submitted by Snapchatters — and Publisher Stories — which are magazine-like Stories produced by media publishers — curated by Eurosport dedicated to the Olympic Winter Games.

“We are thrilled to bring the excitement and passion of the Olympic Games directly to Snap’s dynamic and engaged younger audience, allowing Discovery to deliver on its promise to bring the Games to more people across more screens in Europe than ever before” said Michael Lang, president, international development and digital for Discovery International.

“This partnership delivers original content, through Discovery’s unparalleled and innovative storytelling of the Olympic Games, to one of the most powerful and influential social media platforms in the world.”

Ben Schwerin, vice president of partnerships for Snap Inc., said: “Snapchat gives sports fans an unparalleled way to experience the Olympic Games and engage with their favourite athletes and teams. Discovery has already been a great collaborator for us, reimagining their iconic Shark Week franchise into a Show for Snapchat.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership to give Snapchatters across Europe the best Olympic Games experience possible.”

Pitchero becomes Football Association of Wales Official Grassroots Partner

The Football Association of Wales has signed up with Pitchero a two-year agreement to become the Official Grassroots Partner of the FAW.

The partnership allows Pitchero to support all grassroots football clubs in Wales with the delivery of its digital technology.

The collaboration will aim to increase individual club revenue and support in uncovering the next generation footballing superstars, while also providing essential training and guidance for clubs on Pitchero’s digital tools, digital marketing, revenue generation and online sponsorship.

FAW clubs will also receive workshops as well as ongoing online and telephone support from the UK-based Pitchero team.

From a coaching and development perspective, Pitchero will assist within various coaching conferences and courses, to aid the development of future talent.

Mark Fletcher, Pitchero CEO and co-founder, said: “Our partnership with Football Association of Wales further strengthens our core mission to unite and strengthen the presence of all UK grassroots sports.

“Our new supportive role in Welsh football will enable Pitchero to become a partner across Welsh football uniting a digital community of players, parents, coaches and fans.

Jonathan Ford, Football Association of Wales CEO, added: “Working alongside Pitchero, we’re relentlessly building towards a stronger future for grassroots football in Wales. The FAW is investing time and resource to creating a future generation of global superstars, made possible through this grassroots initiative.”

BT launches competition to find new ideas around sports media

BT is launching a competition aimed at entrepreneurs and start-ups to find new ideas to help BT Sport develop fan media engagement and bringing viewers closer to the action.

The winning idea in the BT Infinity Lab competition will be trialled by BT Sport and could partner with BT on ideas, original technology and improving the TV viewing experience for the public.

This is the second time BT Sport has run the BT Infinity Lab competition.

The last winners, Seenit, based in London, now contribute to the production of BT Sport’s Premier League Tonight show.

For this competition, the winner will again have the support of BT Innovation teams and BT Sport to trial their successful technology or service with BT and also receive six months membership at TechHub with access to their workspace and events.

Entries are encouraged to focus on disrupting traditional broadcast approaches, including capturing the in-venue experience, use of data and new technologies such as VR.

The deadline for entries is midday on Monday 13 November 2017.

World Rugby announces SECOM as Rugby World Cup 2019 Official Sponsor

World Rugby has announced SECOM as an Official Sponsor of the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

The security company is partnering with the showcase event for the first time but is a long-standing partner of rugby through the Japan Rugby Football Union, Sunwolves Super Rugby team and the Top League.

Under the deal, SECOM will provide security expertise to the tournament organisers to support operational delivery for the tournament that will be played across 12 host cities between 20 September and 2 November.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said:  “SECOM is a true supporter of rugby in Japan and a brand-leader, and we look forward to partnering with them to channel that passion and expertise into ensuring a spectacular Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

“The appointment of another global brand to the growing Rugby World Cup 2019 commercial portfolio, further reflects the profile and prestige of one of the world’s biggest and best-loved events.”

SECOM President, Yasuo Nakayama added: “I am excited that Rugby World Cup 2019 will be held in Japan. Sponsoring this international event, the first in Asia is a true privilege for us and we look forward to bringing our security expertise to ensure the smooth running of the tournament.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in hosting and running Rugby World Cup 2019. I wish the event a great success and the participating players all the best.”

SECOM join an already long list of sponsors for the Rugby World Cup 2019, which inludesEmirates, Heineken, Land Rover, Mastercard, Société Générale and DHL.

Movistar Plus secures NBA broadcasting rights until 2020

Movistar +, Telefónica’s television platform, will continue to be a reference for basketball in Spain, having reached an agreement to broadcast the NBA in Spain for three more seasons.

This year represents the 22nd year of the agreement between the NBA and the television platform.

Subscribers will be able to watch entire games exclusively on television, with a different content and highlights on social media.

In addition, the offer is completed with other two main competitions worldwide: Euroleague and ACB.

Movistar’s coverage will start 17 October and Wednesday 18 live from 1:30 am with the Cleveland Cavaliers facing Boston Celtics and reigning champions Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets.

Movistar Plus will continue to issue exclusive NBA programs as well, such as NBA Live, NBA in Action and NBA Generation.