Canadian Olympic Committee Appoints Cossette as Agency of Record

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced Cossette as their new creative agency of record to lead all marketing communication up until the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Cossette, therapy | one of Canada’s leading marketing agencies, stomach brings a bilingual, national reach, tremendous creative bench strength and executive-level Olympic experience to the COC account.  For years, Cossette has worked on numerous Olympic campaigns for clients such as Procter and Gamble, McDonald’s, and General Mills.

“Nothing rallies this nation together like the power of sport and the stories of our amazing athletes,” said Derek Kent, Chief Marketing Officer, Canadian Olympic Committee. “It’s a perfect fit for our team. With their creative horsepower, we’re confident the Cossette team will ignite the Olympic spirit in our country with breakthrough campaigns that will connect our fans, athletes and partners.”

Cossette President, English Canada, Dave Lafond believes the COC account is a match made in heaven for the agency.

“The Cossette team has been immersed in the Olympic Movement for years,” said Lafond. “The ability to work with the COC is a tremendous opportunity for us to design a campaign that touches all Canadians and also promotes our athletes on the global stage. Our team is excited to get started on the 2015 Pan Am and Rio 2016 campaigns.”

The scope of work will focus on strategy, creative and production with Cossette leading strategy, campaign development and production across various initiatives. Cossette will also work with the COC’s Foundation to support various initiatives.

The COC had previously worked with Proximity for the last two Olympic Games, delivering the award-winning Give Your Everything campaign for London 2012, and the #WEAREWINTERcampaign for Sochi 2014.  After a successful three-year partnership, Proximity and the COC mutually agreed to part ways before creative preparations for the 2015 Pan Am Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games begin.

The COC will continue to work with its other agency partners, OMD (media), Zync (Digital), and North Strategic (PR).

StubHub to Provide Secondary Ticket Marketplace to University of Oregon Athletics

StubHub, search the world’s largest ticket marketplace, viagra announced its partnership with University of Oregon Athletics to be the program’s official fan-to-fan secondary ticket marketplace.

The partnership is facilitated through StubHub’s existing relationship with Paciolan, order the leading provider of ticketing, marketing, fundraising and sales automation solutions in college athletics and IMG, the university’s multi-media rights partner.

“We are excited to partner with StubHub for secondary ticketing,” said Craig Pintens, Senior Associate Athletic Director at University of Oregon. “The experience of our fans is paramount at the University of Oregon and partnering with StubHub will provide our fans unprecedented ability to sell games they are unable to attend. We thank Paciolan and IMG for their hard work in making this investment in our fans.”

With the partnership, StubHub will be the official secondary ticket marketplace for the Ducks, providing a safe, guaranteed platform for fans to buy and sell tickets, backed by StubHub’s 100% money-back FanProtect Guarantee, in which each ticket transaction will be between fans on StubHub.com. This new partnership extends StubHub’s collegiate partnership roster to 33.

“StubHub is rooted in providing the best possible experience for fans, so we’re proud to be working with University of Oregon Athletics which has one of the most passionate collegiate fan bases in the nation,” said Greg Ivry, Business Development Director at StubHub. “From our new All-In Pricing model and Fan Rewards program to the safety and security of our fan-to-fan marketplace, we firmly believe in StubHub’s world class end-to-end experience, and we’re thrilled to introduce our offerings as we build a relationship with the University of Oregon community.”

Along with ticketing software leader Paciolan, the partnership enables barcode integration for University of Oregon Athletics ticket holders, so that they may seamlessly resell their tickets on StubHub. The ground-breaking technology also provides tickets that can be digitally delivered straight to the buyer to be printed at home. In addition, fans have access to streamlined listings to sell unused tickets.

“We are incredibly excited to extend our partnership with StubHub and the University of Oregon to provide Duck fans the ability to buy and sell fantastic seats at Oregon athletics games,” said David Butler, CEO of Paciolan. “The excitement around Oregon athletics combined with the StubHub and Paciolan partnership makes for a powerful combination for Duck fans.”

StubHub marketing assets will be highly visible across football and basketball properties for the University, including field level and courtside signage, in game promotions, radio elements and online placements on the Ducks’ official website and throughout social media.

New York Rangers Sign Affiliate Deal with ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors

NHL’s New York Rangers have renewed their affiliation agreement with ECHL’s Greenville Road Warriors through the 2015-16 season.

The Road Warriors have been the primary “AA” affiliate of the New York Rangers since 2010.

“We are excited to continue our affiliation with Greenville for the next two seasons and look forward to working with Dean Stork and his staff as they help us develop our prospects for the NHL,” Rangers Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld said. 

Road Warriors General Manager Chris Lewis continued, “We are extremely pleased to be continuing our partnership with the New York Rangers and look forward to providing a tremendous environment for the development of our prospects.”

Jockey Club Reveal Record Profits

The largest commercial organisation in British horseracing, The Jockey Club, have announced record turnover, operating profits and contribution to prize-money in their annual review for 2013.

Last year marked the fifth consecutive year of record group turnover, which increased 11% to £166.9 million while operating profits grew by the same amount to £22 million.

The group also contributed £18.24 million towards prize-money in 2013 with the total on offer at Jockey Club Racecourses totalling £41.6 million.

Group chief executive Simon Bazalgette said in the report: “I am delighted to report we grew our turnover as a Group in 2013. We also increased operating profits year on-year by 11 percent to a record £22 million.

“This performance not only exceeded UK economic growth of 1.9 percent in 2013, but also bettered the 8% turnover and 3% operating profit growth we were able to deliver in 2012.

“This was the fifth consecutive year of business growth for the Group with our racing festivals, media incomes and ‘racing plus music’ events continuing to be particularly important.”

The Jockey Club are investing heavily in a £45 million redevelopment of Cheltenham Racecourse, which is being partly funded by a retail bond which raised nearly £25 million last year.

UCI Pleased with Enhanced Broadcast Coverage for 2014 UCI Women Road World Cup

Women’s cycling is set to increase in pupularity after all nine races in the UCI Women Road World Cup will be broadcast to cycling fans worldwide in 2014.

The packages, viagra produced by UK-based VSquared TV Limited, viagra have already attracted high profile takers such as the BBC (United Kingdom), cialis RAI Sports (Italy), NOS (the Netherlands) and Canal+ (France) and positive discussions are ongoing with a range of other broadcasters across the globe. Coverage will also be available for the internet, including on the UCI YouTube channel.

In welcoming this important step to increase the visibility of women’s cycling, UCI President Brian Cookson praised the organisers of the nine rounds of the 2014 UCI Women Road World Cup: “We are extremely fortunate to have the support of the race organisers for this initiative,” said Mr Cookson. “Their dedication and incredible work has already had a large part to play in the growing success and popularity of women’s cycling. By staging exciting and high-level events, they are improving its image and generating more interest from the fans.”

He added: “This is an exciting and positive year for women’s cycling. With the launch in 2014 of La Course by Le Tour de France on the last day of the Tour de France and now this increased visibility of our leading professional women’s cycling series, it is clear that real momentum is building.”

Bayern Munich President Admits Tax Fraud as Trial Begins

On the first day of his trial for tax fraud, ambulance Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness admitted he hid millions of Euros more than authorities had first thought.

In a surprise twist, unhealthy defence lawyer Hanns Feigen said that Hoeness cheated the taxman out of €18.5m (£15.4m/$25m) – vastly more than the €3.5m listed in the prosecution brief.

Hoeness told the Munich court that he stashed away the money in a secret Swiss bank account during years of obsessive stock “gambling”.

“I am glad that everything is now transparent and on the table,” the 62-year-old, who now faces a possible jail term, said on the first day of his trial.

“I deeply regret my misbehaviour. I will do everything to ensure that this distressing chapter closes.”

“I have evaded taxes,” a rueful Hoeness told the packed court. “I am aware that turning myself in to the authorities does not change that. I was hoping to escape criminal charges with a voluntary disclosure.”

Hoeness faces a possible jail term if found guilty by the court, which has scheduled a four-day trial with a verdict expected Thursday.

The maximum punishment for major tax fraud under German law is 10 years jail, but shorter terms, which can be suspended, are more commonly handed down.

Despite widespread criticism of Hoeness, his initial offer to resign from Bayern Munich last May was rejected by the supervisory board of the European champions club.

Hoeness has stayed on so far as president, amid expressions of loyalty from fans and players, and support from corporate sponsors such as Adidas, Audi, VW and Deutsche Telekom.

“I can only hope that it turns out well for him and the court shows its human side,” said honorary club president Franz Beckenbauer on Sky TV on Sunday.

Rugby World Cup 2015 Selects Official Publishing Licensee

Rugby World Cup 2015 have partnered with the UK Publisher Sport Media who are part of the Trinity Mirror Group. 

The partnership will see Sport Media become the Official Match Day programme as well as the Pre-Tournament Magazine Licensee for Rugby World Cup 2015 in England. 

The terms of the deal will mean that Sport Media will print and distribute all 48 Match Day Programmes and Official Pre-Tournament Magazine in print and electronic format. It will also promote and market the tournament using its leading media news titles. 

Sport Media have partnered with some of UK’s biggest sporting brands including English Premier League football clubs Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal amongst many others. 

Trinity Mirror Chief Executive Simon Fox said: “Trinity Mirror is delighted to have won this important digital and print publishing contract and we look forward to playing our part in delivering a successful Rugby World Cup in 2015.” 

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset commented: “The appointment of a publisher with significant digital and print reach is great news for the tournament and for Rugby fans in the UK and beyond.”

World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman Dies Aged 82

The World Boxing Council have announced President Jose Sulaiman has died following a long illness. 

The 82-year-old Mexican had been in intensive care at the University of California Hospital in Los Angeles since undergoing heart bypass surgery last October.

The son of a Syrian mother and a Lebanese father, Sulaiman boxed as an amateur before switching to a career as a referee, trainer and boxing promoter.

He took over the presidency of the governing body in December 1975, was voted into boxing’s Hall of Fame in 2006 and in November of last year was named ‘President For Life’ by the WBC at its convention in Bangkok.

In a statement, the WBC said: “We deeply regret to inform the passing away of our dearest president Don Jose Sulaiman, may he rest in peace.

“Jose will be remembered as a man of integrity, honorability and pure heart. Inspired by his heroes, believed in unbreakable values and principles and lived a life to the fullest.

“Many call him the father of boxing; he certainly treated all fighters as his sons and daughters, he suffered from their problems and worked every single day of his life to try to make boxing better and safer.”

On behalf of the global boxing family and the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Dr Ching-Kuo Wu stated: “I would like to send to his family our sincere condolences for the sudden death of one of the most important figures in our sport worldwide, Don José Sulaimán Chagnón.

“Though we had different approaches to develop our sport in the past, the development of boxing for the best interests of boxers and coaches has always been our mutual common goal.

“Therefore, I believe his lifetime contribution and dedication to the development of boxing will be left in the hearts of the global boxing family and recognized as our sport expands continuously.”

Sulaiman’s son Mauricio, who joined the WBC as public relations director in 1992, is widely expected to succeed his father as president.

Molston Coors Sells Minority Stake in Colorado Rockies

North American brewing company Molston Coors has ended its 22-year association as equity owner of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies.

Molson Coors have sold the company’s 14.5 percent stake to Arizona developer Jay Stein, according to the SportsBusiness Journal. The brewer has held its stake in the Rockies since the team’s 1991 inception.

The sale, however, will not affect the name of the ballpark, which will remain Coors Field.

Coors played a pivotal investment role in establishing the Rockies franchise more than two decades ago. The company, which merged with Molson in 2005, remained tied to the Rockies ever since and in 1995 agreed to the ballpark naming rights in a $15 million deal over an “indefinite period.”

“Molson Coors is proud of the role we played in bringing a Major League Baseball team to Denver and remains highly supportive of the Colorado Rockies,” Molson Coors wrote in a statement to SportsBusiness Journal. “However, we have decided to sell our 14.5 percent stake in the team so that we can focus our resources more fully on building our global beer business. This transaction has no impact on the naming rights for the stadium, which will remain Coors Field.”

As for the buyer, Stein is a president of Sandor Development in Scottsdale, Ariz. He previously held a similar ownership role with the Padres, forming part of Jeff Moorad’s ownership group in 2009. Moorad sold those shares last year to San Diego’s current owners.

The Denver Post had also recently been attempting to sell its 7.3 percent stake in the Rockies, though the Post has reportedly taken its offer off the market for the time being. Colorado’s principal ownership group consists of the Monfort brothers, Dick and Charlie, who are part of the organization’s original ownership.

Charlotte Knobloch erhält DOSB-Ehrenmedaille

Charlotte Knobloch wird für ihren Einsatz für den Sport sowie ihre Verdienste um die Versöhnung zwischen Juden und Deutschen mit der Ehrenmedaille des DOSB ausgezeichnet. Die Präsidentin der Israelitischen Kultusgemeinde München und Oberbayern und Vorsitzende des Zentralrates der Juden a. D. erhält die vom Künstler Markus Lüpertz gestaltet Ehrenmedaille am Freitagabend aus den Händen von DOSB-Präsident Thomas Bach. “Wir sind Frau Knobloch dankbar, pill dass Sie in ihrem menschlichen und politischen Wirken immer auch die Werte und positiven Funktionen des Sports heraushebt”, sagt Bach.

Die Auszeichnung erfolgt beim Empfang für die Delegierten der 8. DOSB-Mitgliederversammlung im Neuen Schloss in Stuttgart. Der DOSB ist das Dach des deutschen Sports und vereint 98 Mitgliedsorganisationen mit 91.000 Vereinen sowie rund 27,8 Millionen Mitgliedschaften. Damit ist der organisierte Sport die größte Bürgerbewegung des Landes.

Der Einsatz von Frau Knobloch für die Versöhnung durch Sport ist vielfältig. So besuchte Frau Knobloch, die in der Nazi-Zeit ihre geliebte Großmutter und weitere Mitglieder ihrer Familie verlor, vor wenigen Wochen mehrere Eliteschulen des Sports. “Seien Sie ruhig stolz auf sich und Ihre Heimat! Singen Sie von Herzen die Nationalhymne mit! Nehmen Sie sich das Selbstbewusstsein, um Großes zu leisten! Aber bitte engagieren Sie sich auch für Ihr Land”, sagte Frau Knobloch bei dieser Gelegenheit. “Die menschliche Größe, die hinter dieser Botschaft steckt, verleiht ihr eine unvergleichliche Wucht”, erklärt Thomas Bach.

Frau Knobloch hatte sich auch für die Olympiabewerbung München 2018 eingesetzt – trotz des Attentats auf die israelischen Sportler bei den Spielen 1972, bei dem elf Athleten und ein deutscher Polizist getötet worden waren. Frau Knobloch habe stets die Möglichkeiten des Sports, für Integration, Verantwortung und Fairness zu wirken, betont, hebt Bach hervor: “Dies war und ist nicht selbstverständlich gerade angesichts des feigen Attentats auf die israelische Olympiamannschaft in München 1972.”

Der DOSB verleiht die Ehrenmedaille an Persönlichkeiten oder Organisationen aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Kultur, Medien und weiteren gesellschaftlichen Bereichen, die sich herausragende Verdienste um die Förderung und Entwicklung des Sports erworben haben. Sie wurde vom Künstler Markus Lüpertz gestaltet und 2008 erstmals vergeben.

Die Ehrenmedaille wurde bisher verliehen an:

– 2012 – Charlotte Knobloch, Präsidentin der Israelitischen

Kultusgemeinde München und Oberbayern und Vorsitzende des

Zentralrates der Juden a. D.

– 2011 – Christian Wulff, Bundespräsident

– 2010 – Richard von Weizsäcker, Bundespräsident a. D.

– 2009 – Wolfgang Schäuble, Bundesfinanzminister und

Bundesinnenminister a. D.

– 2008 – Horst Köhler, Bundespräsident