PGAs of Europe establish supplier partnership with Thomas Lyte

Thomas Lyte have today agreed a supplier partnership agreement with the PGAs of Europe to expand their support of golf, PGA Professionals and Professional Golfers Associations.

The Association will work together with the team at Thomas Lyte to introduce their corporate gifting service, as well as the creation of trophies and awards, to the network of 35 Member Country PGAs and the 21,000 PGA Professionals within the PGAs of Europe.

The PGAs of Europe will continue to access Thomas Lyte products including the Association’s annual awards that are given to individuals and organisations at the Annual Congress Gala Awards Dinner.

As official suppliers, Thomas Lyte will extend a discount for their products online to PGAs and their member professionals.

PGAs of Europe Chief Executive, Ian Randell, said: “We are delighted that Thomas Lyte have become an official supplier to the Association.

“We have enjoyed an unofficial relationship for a number of years but now the formalisation of the partnership means that we can work closely with each other for mutual benefit of both our businesses.”

Tim Munton, Commercial Director of Thomas Lyte, added: “We greatly value the relationship we have had for many years with the PGAs of Europe and it is great to formalise it by becoming Official Suppliers.

“We very much look forward to working more closely with the PGAs and their members, providing them with a range of options for their trophies, awards and gifts.”

Sodexo becomes a leading player in Sports & Leisure globally with the acquisition of Centerplate

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, and Olympus Partners have announced that Sodexo has signed an agreement to acquire Centerplate, Inc. a provider of food and beverage, merchandise and hospitality services at sports facilities, convention centers and entertainment facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Spain, for 675 million US dollars from Olympus Partners.

Tracing its roots to 1929, with executive offices in Stamford, Connecticut, Centerplate, Inc. is the fourth largest operator by revenues in the United States Sports & Leisure market, the largest market globally.

Centerplate serves stadiums and arenas, annually hosting more than 116 million guests across its portfolio of premier venues for marquee events, including 14 Super Bowls, 36 U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, All-Star and Championship games for professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, collegiate athletics, and many of North America’s largest conventions.

Centerplate’s last twelve month revenues to June 2017 were 998 million US dollars. For reference, Sodexo’s Fiscal Year 2016 revenues for the Sports & Leisure segment were 903 million euro.

This acquisition substantially strengthens Sodexo’s position in the North American market, and brings the Group’s Sports & Leisure business to scale in the region. In the UK, the acquisition supports Sodexo’s strategy to grow its stadia and cultural destination portfolio.

The acquisition also positions Sodexo as a leading player in Sports & Leisure globally, more than doubling its footprint.

The combined entity will benefit from significant synergies gradually ramping-up from the first year. The acquisition is expected to be mildly accretive to earnings from Fiscal 2018.

Chris Verros, CEO of Centerplate, will lead the new combined business in the United States. Centerplate’s European operations will be integrated into Sodexo’s existing Sports & Leisure business in the region.

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be closed by end-2017.

Pierre Henry, Vice-President of the Group Executive Committee and CEO Sports & Leisure Worldwide for Sodexo, said: “This acquisition is another step in our long-term strategy to become a leading player in every market in which we are present. Centerplate is an ideal partner with highly professional, dedicated teams who bring a wealth of industry expertise.

“We look forward to working together with Centerplate to bring exceptional Quality of Life experiences to tens of thousands of fans and spectators around the world.”

Chris Verros, Centerplate CEO said: “With Sodexo, we share the same vision to deliver a unique and memorable service for our clients and guests through our tailored food and beverage programs, unique hospitality design, rewarding event and retail services.

“Centerplate’s clients will benefit from Sodexo’s global capabilities, solution innovations, other on site services and geographic reach.”

Formula E appoints CSM Sport & Entertainment to delivery Global PR brief

Formula E – the electric street racing series – has today appointed CSM Sport & Entertainment (CSM) to handle global and local PR.

CSM will be responsible for delivering greater brand awareness for Formula E through consistent sport and lifestyle media coverage in key markets including: UK, USA, Germany, France, Italy and Brazil.

Renato Bisignani, Formula E Director of Communications said of the appointment: “Formula E is at a pivotal moment in its journey as we take it mainstream. With its global footprint I’m confident that in CSM we have a strong partner that will help us fast track the growth of the series and become an effective extension of our existing team.”

Scott Branch, Head of Communications, CSM Brandsadded:
“CSM has been working with brands and teams in Formula E over its first three seasons, which have seen huge growth for the series. We are already working hand-in-hand with the in-house team to develop a season long narrative that will play out across relevant media and help turn sports enthusiasts around the world into fans of Formula E.”

The team is being led by Paul Garbett, Communications Director from CSM’s HQ in London, but extends to CSM offices across the globe.

The fourth season of the FIA Formula E Championship kicks off on 2 December in Hong Kong and sees 10 teams and 20 drivers go wheel-to-wheel in 11 cities spanning five continents.

OPRO extend partnership with Rugby Australia

Mouthguard manufacturer OPRO has today extended its partnership with Rugby Australia.

OPRO will continue as the organisation’s official mouthguard partner for a further four years, incorporating the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

OPRO Managing Director, David Allen, said: “This partnership provides OPRO with a terrific platform to grow our business on and off the pitch. We are delighted to extend our long-term relationship with Rugby Australia over the coming seasons, up to and beyond the 2019 Rugby World Cup.”

As part of the new agreement, OPRO will also be the official mouthguard supplier of the Australian women’s team – the Wallaroos – as well as the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens, the Australian Under 20s and the Australian Schoolboys.

OPRO are dedicated to providing world-class technology and safety to athletes at all levels of sport and are the official mouthguard partner of more than 60 teams including England Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, New South Wales Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and 11 AVIVA Premiership Rugby teams.

AS Roma announce Uber as mobility innovation partner

Serie A football club AS Roma has today announced Uber as their new innovation and mobility partner.

The agreement with the app, which starts immediately, will allow fans to travel to and from the Stadio Olimpico quicker and easier than ever before.

Fans travelling to the stadium will be able to hail a ride with Uber while after games the app will indicate closest pick-up locations to help ease congestion.

Supporters can also use the promo code ‘FORZAROMA’ between now and the end of the 2017/118 season to benefit from a 20% discount on all Uber rides to and from the stadium on home matchdays.

The partnership will also make it easier for tourists to attend a Serie A match. When opening the Uber app, special cards will advertise upcoming Roma fixtures, and provide a direct link to the club’s ticket office.

 

Casio and Toro Rosso agree two-year partnership extension

Casio Computer Co., Ltd. and Scuderia Toro Rosso announced the renewal of their official partnership, in a two-year agreement to start in January 2018.

Casio has been a partner with Formula One’s team Toro Rosso since 2016.

Under this partnership, Casio created a limited edition of its sports chronograph EDIFICE, which according to the Japanese manufacturer evokes the sense of velocity and energy that is found in motorsports.

With this new official partner agreement, Casio and EDIFICE logos will appear on the drivers’ racing suits, as well as on the nose sections of the team’s race cars.

Casio will leverage this partnership with Scuderia Toro Rosso to actively promote the EDIFICE brand worldwide.

Scarlets and Thomas Cook Sport sign new partnership

Thomas Cook Sport has today been unveiled as official team travel partner for reigning PRO12 champions, Scarlets.

As part of the agreement, Thomas Cook Sport will organise the senior squad’s travel and offer supporter travel.

Thomas Cook Sport has kicked off the partnership by organising the travel arrangements and logistics for Scarlets’ PRO14 double-header in South Africa against Southern Kings and Cheetahs in Rounds 9 and 10 of the newly expanded competition.

Thomas Cook Sport also plans to offer supporter travel in the future for both Scarlets’ away PRO14 and European fixtures, fans of the Welsh side can register their interest in Thomas Cook Sport Supporter Travel by heading to the Thomas Cook Sport website.

Phil Morgan, Scarlets Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Thomas Cook Sports to the Scarlets family as official team travel partner. The exciting new partnership will not only ensure the highest quality travel arrangements for the team, who next week head to South Africa for the first time in the newly expanded Guinness PRO14 championship, but will also see more opportunities for our loyal and committed supporters to follow the team at competitive prices.

“Thomas Cook Sport have an impressive portfolio and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the partnership develop and flourish.”

Andrew Boyle, Business Development Manager at Thomas Cook Sport, added: “Scarlets have proved themselves as a top side in the European game in the last few seasons. Their thrilling 46-22 win over Munster in the PRO12 final last season was an impressive statement of intent ahead of the South African teams’ introduction.

“We’re delighted to add them to our growing Rugby Union & team travel portfolio.

“We are looking forward to contributing as much as we can to the team’s continued success by delivering our best in class team travel service for the Scarlets squad and offering excellent travel options for their passionate supporters later in the season.”

Atletico Madrid and Plus500 renew partnership until 2021

LaLiga club Atletico Madrid has today renewed its commercial partnership with Plus500 until the 2020/21 season.

The online brokerage company will continue to serve as the team’s front-of-shirt sponsor for a further three campaigns, having first become a sponsor in 2015.

Enrique Cerezo, Atletico President, said: “We’re very proud to announce that Atlético de Madrid have renewed with Plus500 for the next three seasons.”

Asaf Elimelech, CEO of Plus 500, added: “There was no hesitation when we decided to continue our partnership as Atletico’s main sponsor. We are proud to be aligned with such a famous football club.”

Miguel Ángel Gil, CEO of Atletico, said: “We want to thank Plus500 for supporting and trusting our team. Thanks to them, the team keeps on growing.”

 

iSportconnect announces 2018 Broadcast Masterclass

iSportconnect is delighted to announce that we will be staging a Broadcast Masterclass on February 28, 2018.

The event will bring together industry thought leaders to focus on new ways for media companies, rights owners and technology partners to prosper, thrive and grow as the digital revolution continues to disrupt the sports broadcasting market.

Broadcasting is dead – and more alive and dynamic than ever before in the digital world. Television and video content is everywhere, with multiple platforms and devices available at billions of fingertips around the globe.

But staying ahead of the curve has never been more difficult, with business models often running to catch up to ever-changing technology and new opportunities coming online every single day.

Peter Hutton – CEO of Eurosport – has been confirmed as a guest speaker and is set to bring significant value to the panel-themed content programme, having been charged with strengthening and localising the broadcaster’s brand worldwide since his appointment in 2015.

Hutton also oversees Eurosport.com – Europe’s most visited online sports destination – and is responsible for growing Eurosport Player, a premium live and on demand OTT service.

An array of well-respected speakers and high-ranking delegates will debate a number of crunch topics, including the future of the broadcast rights landscape, while a series of networking sessions will ensure those in attendance are able to share experiences and forge new relationships.

No agencies or press will be in attendance and, as we follow Chatham House Rules, all panel discussions will remain confidential.

A venue and full speaker lineup for the event will be confirmed in due course. Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest in attending.

LawAccord and CityAccord to run joint workshop on legal risks and business implications for Host City agreements

SportAccord Convention is delighted to reveal an inaugural joint workshop between LawAccord and CityAccord focused on Host City Agreements during the Convention.

International sports federations, cities, legal teams and stakeholders, will have the opportunity to hear from leading experts, as well as discuss the legal risks and business implications when it comes to hosting major global sports events.

Set to take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 April 2018 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre, Steve Townley (LawAccord) and David Simon (CityAccord) who are co-hosting the workshop session said: “This workshop collaboration is a first at SportAccord Convention and enables international sports federations and cities to work through Host City Agreements from every angle.

“Delegates will be able to examine the issues and challenges everyone is facing – including stakeholders – and in turn provide a sound basis for lawyers to meet client expectations too.

“Getting the hosting agreement right from the outset also means both international sports federations and cities are in a much better position to mitigate risks and disputes, and ultimately deliver a successful event.”

The workshop topics will address: areas of potential conflict; the most frequent disputes arising from hosting major events; risk responsibility, key drafting issues for lawyers; criminal law and anti-corruption regimes; mitigation against litigation risks; and the role of insurance and self-insurance.

Commenting on the importance of this workshop, Craig McLatchey OAM, Lagardère Sports/EKS, a specialist consultancy supporting the technical delivery of major sporting events and who provide strategic guidance, event planning, production services and operational expertise said: “It is great to be involved in the LawAccord and CityAccord joint workshop focused on Host City Agreements.

“I have had a deep involvement for many years in different capacities working for event owners, bidders and hosts – from the Olympic Games to other major global events.

“Understanding how both international sports federations and cities can identify and address risk within the framework of legal and business issues is a key step forward in the successful bidding and organising of a great event.”
Find further details of the LawAccord Conference Programme and SAC2018 including registration, on the website.