Ireland bid team confident ‘Tournament Like No Other’ can secure Rugby World Cup 2023

The Ireland team bidding to host Rugby World Cup 2023 is confident that its commitment to deliver a “tournament like no other” will capture the hearts and minds of World Rugby voters.

The IRFU is set to deliver its bid presentation to the World Rugby Council next week and believe it will provide World Rugby with an unsurpassable opportunity to bring the Rugby World Cup to another new host.

Kevin Potts, IRFU COO and Bid Director, said: “This bid represents the hopes and aspirations of the entire island and is focused very firmly on the future.

“It presents World Rugby with a compelling proposition that combines all the advantages of a traditional Rugby market with the many opportunities of a new one.

“A key part of our vision is to support the growth of rugby worldwide – by using the Rugby World Cup in Ireland to connect with the wonderful support of the Irish diaspora worldwide, particularly some 40 million in North America alone.

“Through the diaspora and Ireland’s existing, proven platforms with them, this tournament will set new records for travelling fans and connect with new audiences for the game internationally.”

Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive, added: “Ireland’s commitment is underlined by the fact that Rugby World Cup 2023, from the turn of the decade, will be our sole focus in terms of a major international sporting event, ensuring no distractions for key host authorities and no competition for the attention of Irish sports fans and sponsors.

“Ireland is truly ready for the world – ready to host the world and ready to promote rugby throughout the world. This did has the total support of the Irish Governments. We can guarantee that Ireland has the capacity to deliver a wonderful Rugby World Cup in 2023 which will have the backing of people throughout the island.”

Wahoo Fitness announce official partnership with Jan Frodeno

Wahoo Fitness has announced an official partnership with Olympic champion and two-time Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno.

Given the unique, multi-sport training requirements of triathlon, the Wahoo product ecosystem is perfectly tailored to maximise efforts and enhance the performance of all triathletes, including those competing at the world’s most elite levels.

Chip Hawkins, Wahoo Fitness CEO, said: “We’re extremely proud to introduce such an incredible athlete to the ‘Wahooligan’ family.

“It’s long been Wahoo’s mission to support the performance of athletes at all levels, and our product ecosystem is uniquely positioned to provide a truly comprehensive, connected training experience for discerning weekend warriors and elite triathletes like Frodeno who demand nothing but the absolute best.”

Commenting on the partnership, Frodeno said: “I’ve always considered myself a Wahooligan, as I’ve been using Wahoo products to support my training efforts for many years, but now I’m happy to say it’s official.

“It’s very important to me that the brand cares about delivering a seamless user experience between each of its products – and Wahoo’s full ecosystem suits my training needs perfectly, enabling me to train with greater efficiency than ever before.”

Like other Wahoo athletes, including Tour de France-winning Team Sky, Frodeno will provide direct input into the design and development of future Wahoo products helping to ensure they are tailored to meet the needs of the most demanding professional athletes.

This valuable insight will help ensure Wahoo products continue to remain best-in-class for triathletes with the highest performance standards.

Wigan Warriors extend 188BET sponsorship deal

Wigan Warriors have extended their sponsorship deal with 188BET, who will remain as the club’s official main sponsor for the 2018 season.

188BET have been main sponsors of the Rugby League outfit since 2016, having previously worked with the club in 2010.

The extension means that the 188BET logo will remain on the front of Wigan’s match and replica shirts.

Wigan Warriors Executive Director, Kris Radlinski, said: “We are thrilled that 188BET will remain with us next season.

“188BET have built up a great rapport with Wigan fans with a number of initiatives that have proved really popular. They are a forward-thinking group of people who are full of ideas and it has been a pleasure to work with the team there over the last two years.

“The sponsorship landscape is such a competitive market place and over the last 18 months we have adopted a slightly different model whereby we have gone out and listened to our partners about their commercial objectives and then been creative in how we can help each other achieve our goals.

“Many Wigan fans have been encouraging us to re-sign 188BET and that shows their popularity. The engagement levels remain high and they have a great connection with our fans, long may it continue.

“We thank 188BET for their continued support and look forward to the relationship going from strength to strength.”

iSportconnect 2017 Regatta full ahead of October 6th event

Registration for iSportconnect’s 2017 Corporate Regatta is now closed as the event, which will take place in Portsmouth on October 6th, has reached full capacity.

Teams including SAP, LaLiga and StreamAMG have signed up to seize on a compelling environment in which to do business.

The Regatta offers a unique opportunity for sports business executives to experience a taste of world-renowned Clipper Round the World yacht racing combined with networking among some of the most influential people in the sports industry.

Sree Varma, iSportconnect Founder and CEO, said: “I am very excited about this year’s Regatta. We have assembled an excellent line-up and the day is set to be an unforgettable experience for all involved.”

Participants will learn how to work together within a cohesive racing team under the guidance of Clipper’s professional skippers and mates before taking part in a series of races.

During racing, Clipper’s team will take a back seat and allow attendees to take control, while also offering strategic racing advice to ensure everyone remains safe throughout. Proceedings will come to a close with an award ceremony and reception.

For more information, please click here.

Testimonials:

Tony Scholes – CEO at Stoke City FC
“As ever iSportconnect gathered together a good range of interesting people to share knowledge and experiences with and I thoroughly enjoyed the different environment and the various challenges that it presented throughout the day.”

Rebecca Hopkins – Founder & CEO, Sports Technology Awards
“I took part in the iSportconnect Regatta last year and not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, it proved a highly useful business event.

“New client business was generated as a direct result of the day and I made two new industry contacts, both of whom have been invaluable contributors to subsequent activities my organisation has undertaken for clients.”

David Gibbs – Digital Director, Sky Sports & Sky News
“It was a fantastic day with fantastic weather and fantastic company. There was brilliant team building with a bunch of people I didn’t know very well that I now know a lot better. It was great fun, pretty hard work, but a brilliant day!”

Richard Clarke – Consulting Content Director, Indonesia Liga1
“I had a great day here at the iSportconnect Regatta. It was a good chance to break out from the office and connect with a few people I had never met before.

“You end up running a ship, racing, being competitive and having a few drinks after. It was a nice way to relax and a good way to bond and create teamwork.”

Please contact Chris Edbrook (chris@isportconnect.com) to register your interest in attending iSportconnect’s 2018 Regatta.

 

2017 Schedule:

09:00 – Delegate arrival and welcome breakfast

09:30 – Safety briefing and introduction to basic principles of sailing

10:30 – Tack, gybe and race training on the Solent

12:30 – Lunch (served on board)

13:00 – Race One

14:00 – Race Two

15:00 – Race Three

16:30 – Yachts return to Gunwharf Quays

17:00 – Awards ceremony, refreshments and event wrap up

Snack-Media signs joint venture to monetise digital fan engagement

Sports Digital Publisher & Fan engagements experts, Snack Media announced today the launch of Snack Gaming a joint venture between Jon Trigg the former founder of Fantasy sports business Silent Manager and Rupert Pratt Co-Founder of Generate Sponsorship prior to its sale to Mongoose Sports & Entertainment.

Fusing the team’s experience across sports marketing, sponsorship, digital and fan engagement Snack Gaming will work with sponsors, betting companies, rights holders and media owners internationally to acquire, engage and monetize fan bases. Snack Gaming will develop, license and commercialise digital fan engagement platforms such as fantasy sports leagues, predictor games, quizzes as well as develop and introduce new products to the market.

On the launch Jon Trigg commented: “Across our team we have developed thousands of platforms and enterprise builds in multiple languages, capable of managing over 150 million transactions. We have advised sponsors, media owners and rights holders globally and generated tens of millions of Euros in commercial income. We assist clients to acquire, engage and monetize fans and the rights we create.”

Snack Gaming will use the Snack Media network of over 20m unique users a month to inform clients on strategy and behaviours of online sports fans. Using the network, advanced data platforms and social media expertise it can market platforms for clients, driving all important traffic and engagement but also assist them monetize them.

With regards to the joint venture, Snack Media CEO and Co-Founder, Niall Coen commented: “Snack Media have 10 years experience in creating, distributing and monetizing fan content, so setting up a business specifically aimed at monetizing these tools for publishers and rights holders is a very natural progression for the Snack Media business. Our strategy across this business will be helping to create new tools, new rights and new revenues for our partners.”

Rupert Pratt added: “With digital advertising spend and fan engagement overtaking traditional, the questions to ask yourself is what proportion of my sports marketing inventory is digital?

“Do I have the right tools in place to engage and acquire fans, secure sponsors and advertisers? Snack Gaming has been formed to address that balance for sponsors, betting companies, rights holders, publishers & broadcasters alike.”

Everton sign sleeve sponsorship deal with Rovio Entertainment

Everton Football Club has signed a sleeve sponsorship deal with Rovio Entertainment – the gaming giant behind the popular Angry Birds franchise.

The Angry Birds logo debuted on the left sleeve of the Premier League club’s jersey during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The partnership is set to give both parties an opportunity to create innovative branded content using the team’s crest, players and stadium.

Everton’s CEO Robert Elstone said: “We’re delighted that Rovio Entertainment has become Everton’s first shirt sleeve partner.

“Angry Birds is one of the best-selling game apps of all time and is also a remarkable success story in terms of the way in which the brand has crossed over from gaming to become part of popular culture. Everyone here is excited about being able to work with such a creative, dynamic and ambitious brand.”

Alan McTavish, Head of Commercial at Everton, commented: “Rovio Entertainment recognise the global reach that Everton can deliver through its international fanbase and the global exposure of the Premier League.

“In return, working with Rovio and the Angry Birds brand gives Everton exposure in key international markets through their breadth of digital channels in gaming and animation, as well as a wide range of co-branded merchandise.

“We look forward to working together to deliver some innovative and exciting worldwide activations in what I’m sure will be a long and successful partnership.”

Ville Heijari, CMO of games at Rovio Entertainment, added: “We are excited to bring Angry Birds into the top flight of English football in partnership with Everton.

“In Everton, we have found a partner who shares our values of putting the fans first, and creating a long-lasting legacy for our community of players. This is Rovio’s first partnership in the most watched sports league in the world, and a logical continuation of our global Angry Birds brand partnerships.”

‘Hawk-Eye Live’ set to launch at Next Gen ATP Finals

In a world-first, the 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan will feature live Electronic Line Calling on all lines on court during the tournament. The launch of ‘Hawk-Eye Live’ marks the latest in several innovations being trialled at the inaugural tournament, and means the Chair Umpire will be the only match official on court during the event.

Ground-breaking new technology, pioneered by Hawk-Eye Innovations, will be used to deliver ‘Hawk-Eye Live’ on all lines throughout all points. When triggered, the new system will make an instant automated ‘OUT’ call.

By default, given that each call will be final, the Electronic Review ‘Challenge’ system will not feature, however, all close calls will be accompanied with visualisation of the ‘OUT’ call on video screens around the stadium. Foot-faults will be determined by a Review Official who will be monitoring via cameras placed on the base and centre lines.

“This could be a landmark moment for officiating in our sport,” said Gayle David Bradshaw, Executive Vice President, Rules and Competition, ATP. “Our athletes work incredibly hard and they deserve the very best and most accurate officiating we can offer.

“The technology is now in a place where we feel comfortable trialling this new system in a real tournament environment. The Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan is the perfect place to do this, and we look forward to monitoring the results and assessing the merits of this new system.”

The launch of Hawk-Eye Live at the Next Gen ATP Finals adds further weight to the tournament’s mission of trialling innovation and new technology in men’s professional tennis. The technology behind ‘Hawk-Eye Live’ has been comprehensively tested and developed by Hawk-Eye Innovations over the past 18 months, in close co-operation with the ATP.

“The Next Gen ATP Finals provides a fantastic platform to showcase the Hawk-Eye Live technology, which we see as the future of tennis officiating,” said Sam Green, Director of Tennis, ELC at Hawk-Eye.

“Working with the ATP has allowed us to refine the system to not only improve the quality of line calling, but the overall fan experience.”

World Rowing mobile app launched ahead of Marquee Regatta

To keep thousands of spectators informed about everything happening at the 2017 World Rowing Championships, the event’s local organizing committee has launched a mobile app, powered by Yapp.

“This mobile app is a one stop shop for everything related to the event,” said Meredith Scerba, the executive director of the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

“The app gives us the ability to communicate directly with spectators from around the world.”

The app will give users the ability to view:

• Schedule of events and competition
• News and updates
• Venue map
• Deals and promotions
• 2017 World Rowing Championships Twitter feed
• A link to World Rowing tickets and merchandise
• A link to competition results

In addition, users will be able to upload their own photos into a social feed.

From September 23-October 1, 2017, the World Rowing Championships, an international rowing regatta organized by FISA (the International Rowing Federation), will be held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, the only Grade A course in the United States.

In the 48 years of the event’s existence, the United States has hosted only one other World Championships, in 1994 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This week-long event is held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer. In non-Olympic years, it is the highlight of the international rowing calendar. Rowing takes place in 21 different boat classes for both men and women.

Our goal is to attract athletes, family, friends and fans from around the United States and the world, to attend this world-class event, and grow the following of rowing in the US.

Final Shortlist announced and voting is now open for the TV Sports Awards 2017

It is now time to cast your vote for who you think deserves to win at the 2017 TV Sports Awards (TVSA). The TVSA will showcase some of the most successful achievements from the sport media industry over the past year and will be held on 23rd October at the Salle Des Etoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Over thirty nominees have been shortlisted across 9 categories for their outstanding contributions to the sports media industry over the past year.

Also included, are three renowned and inspiring world-class athletes who are up for the Play for Change Award, these athletes are responsible for delivering extraordinary social responsibility work.

Choose your favourite from each category, register through the links below and cast your vote until the 13th October 2017 at: www.tvsportsawards.org/vote

The event will welcome sporting legends and high-profile guests from the world of sports, entertainment and media, government delegates and valued contributors to this global initiative.

Marc Edwards, presenter of TVSA 2017, said: “I’m delighted to be hosting such an important and prestigious event as the TV Sports Awards which recognise the outstanding achievements by colleagues within the sports media industry.”

The gala dinner will feature live music, performances and an auction offering exceptional experiences and unique items.

TVSA will also be exclusively featuring, for the second time, the Golden Boy Award to celebrate the top young European footballer, last year’s winner was Bayern Munich’s midfielder Renato Sanchez.

TVSA is in aid of Play for Change, which relies on raising valuable funds to be able to deliver it’s highly commended sport and education programmes. The replication of the Khelaun Khelaun programme in Nepal into a new district called Lalitpur was made possible by funds raised at the 2016 TV Sports Awards, making further positive impacts to the communities.

Please visit www.tvsportsawards.org or contact info@tvsportsawards.org for more information.

PGA Tour and Intel agree partnership to expand live virtual reality coverage

The PGA TOUR and Intel announced an exclusive relationship to produce and globally distribute live virtual reality (VR) and live 360 video at six PGA TOUR events in 2017 and 2018, beginning with the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta from September 21st-24th, as well as the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, from September 28th-October 1st.

Intel will produce the live VR experience with Intel True VR technology, providing unprecedented access to areas on the course that can’t be experienced – even by fans on-site. Intel True VR uses panoramic, stereoscopic camera pods to create a more natural and realistic view from any direction for a more immersive VR environment.

“After two years of experimenting with virtual reality on the PGA TOUR, we are very excited by the viewer experience that Intel produces,” said PGA TOUR Chief Media Officer Rick Anderson.

“From the TOUR’s perspective, our goal with VR is to create an experience that is completely different than what you can get as a fan at our events or by viewers of our traditional media platforms.

“We are confident that Intel’s True VR technology allows us to achieve this goal. The exclusive partnership with Intel furthers our mission of creating a total fan experience that showcases our product on a global stage.”

James Carwana, general manager of Intel Sports, said: “We’re thrilled to be continuing and expanding our work with the PGA TOUR into a broader VR partnership.

“Intel True VR was there to capture an historic hole-in-one from the iconic 17th green at THE PLAYERS Championship earlier this year, and we look forward to the amazing experiences we will bring to golf fans next.”

Beginning with the TOUR Championship, the live VR experience can be viewed on Samsung Gear VR headsets on a global basis through the ‘PGA TOUR VR Live’ app available for free on the Oculus store.

The full VR experience will also be available on demand in the app following each event. For fans who don’t have a Gear VR headset, the 360 video stream will be available via Twitter and Periscope, the exclusive social platform to distribute this coverage during the deal term.