Al Watan Launches New Marketing Campaign with Lionel Messi

Al Watan has launched a cross-media campaign with Argentina and FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The campaign will run through the World Cup and Ramadan with editorial and commercial engagements for the audience.

The Ooredoo’s “Simply Do Wonders” campaign features a dynamic Rewardisement engaging video where the audience gets rewarded for their engagement with the ad. The campaign is making its debut with brand ambassador Leo Messi, across Asia, theMiddle East and North Africa.

It is supported by a major social media campaign, “Simply Do Wonders”, which encourages young people to upload videos of their football “street skills” to an Instagram account with the hashtag #MeetMessi.

“The new campaign marks the beginning of a new advertising age where technology is helping to reach audience on all platforms seamlessly and engage them with rewarding activities. We are proud to be part of this campaign and helping in bridging the gap between print and digital through LiveBridge and Rewardisement solutions” commented Ali Al Assam, CEO, KnowledgeView.

NASCAR Expands Teneo Strategy Partnership as VP Marcus Jadotte Departs

NASCAR announced today an expanded partnership with with Teneo Strategy, pills a strategic advisory firm, to support its public affairs activities following the departure of vice president of public affairs and multicultural development, Marcus Jadotte.

Jadotte will serve as a consultant as NASCAR continues to evolve its diversity and multicultural development initiatives throughout the organization. 

“During his nine years at NASCAR, Marcus has made a truly meaningful impact on our business,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “Thanks in large part to Marcus’ passion and leadership, we have become a leader in diversity and inclusion among the sports industry, and we will continue to deepen our commitment in the years ahead. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service to NASCAR.” 

“The NASCAR ecosystem reaches nearly every facet of the American economy, so it was particularly gratifying to have worked with leading NASCAR stakeholders and to have contributed to the sport’s development over the last nine years,” Jadotte said. “I am especially grateful for the professional support and friendship I have received from Brian France and NASCAR President Mike Helton during my tenure.” 

Among his accomplishments since joining NASCAR in March 2005, Jadotte led the development of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) and NASCAR Pit Crew Development programs. 

NASCAR D4D will continue under the leadership of Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president, racing operations (to whom Jadotte reported). The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and annual NASCAR Diversity Awards also are among a number of diversity and inclusion programs started by Jadotte that will continue at NASCAR.

Castleford Tigers Reveal Stadium Plans

English Rugby League club Castleford Tigers have revealed new plans for a new stadium.

The Super League club wants to build a 10, ailment 000-capacity stadium as part of a £135m retail development on the site of a disused colliery just off the M62 at Glasshoughton.

Developers Lateral Property Group say the structure will also feature a 50-acre country park and that as many as 2, ambulance 000 jobs would be created.

The purpose-built stadium would be designed to meet Super League requirements, doctor with a mixture of both seating and standing terraces, and it is hoped that work will begin during 2015 with a view to being ready for the 2017 season.

Castleford chairman Jack Fulton said: “Clearly this is a very exciting opportunity for Castleford Tigers to finally get a home fit for the 21st century.

“A new stadium will provide the foundations of a bright new future for the club and much-needed facilities for the wider Castleford community.

“Where previously other plans have not materialised, Castleford Tigers are confident that Lateral Property Group can deliver this new stadium for the club.”

The development is on similar lines to the one proposed for Super League neighbours Wakefield, just two junctions further along the M62.

Philip Lunn, managing director of Lateral Property Group, said: “In addition to delivering this new stadium for Castleford Tigers, the enabling retail development could bring a massive boost to the local economy.

“We have had very positive conversations with some of the biggest names in UK retail and we expect to be able to make further announcements soon.”

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to Remain on European Tour Until 2017 after New Deal

The Qatar Golf Association has renewed its partnership with the The European Tour for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to remain on the Tour schedule for a further three years. 

The Doha Golf Club will remain the host venue for the tournament which, ailment this week, capsule has been staged for the 17th consecutive year and is now firmly established as one of The European Tour’s marquee global events with a US$2.5 million prize fund.

The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has played host to many of the world’s finest players, with former winners including Thomas Björn, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson.

Hassan Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “We are delighted to extend our 17 year relationship with our sanctioning body, The European Tour, for a further three years. Our tournament has gone from strength to strength over the past years and much of that is down to the incredible support of our title sponsor, Commercial Bank of Qatar, and the technical guidance of The European Tour.”

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “This is fantastic news for the Tour, so we are delighted to extend our partnership with Qatar.

“The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters is a truly exceptional tournament, and we have to pay special thanks to the Qatar Golf Association and the Doha Golf Club for their continued support and valued friendship.

“We are also very fortunate to have such a strong title sponsor in Commercial Bank, as well as so many valuable co-sponsors, in Doha and we thank all of these partners for their continued support.

“We believe that our desert swing of events has been a key factor in the positive evolution of golf in Qatar – and throughout the Middle East – so it is great news that the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will remain on the schedule.”

Leonardo DiCaprio Launches New Formula E Team

Hollywood A-list actor Leonardo DiCaprio has agreed a partnership with Venturi Automobiles to enter a team in the new electric motorsport series, FIA Formula E Championship.

Based in Monaco, the new Venturi Grand Prix Formula E Team has been co-founded by DiCaprio and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, founder of pioneering EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles, together with Bert Hedaya and Francesco Costa.

Formula E is a new FIA Championship using electric single-seater race cars capable of speeds in excess of 225km/h. The series will compete in the heart of 10 of the world’s leading cities including Beijing, Los Angeles and London. Ten teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head to create a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fan whilst accelerating the electric vehicle market and promoting sustainability.

“The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles,” DiCaprio said. “Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”

Venturi Grand Prix will now be put forward to the FIA for approval as the tenth and final team to enter the new zero emission series. They join international names from around the globe with IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, Asia’s China Racing, Super Aguri and Mahindra Racing, and European squads Drayson Racing, e.dams, Audi Sport ABT and Virgin Racing.

“Venturi has been a pioneer in electric high performance vehicles for more than a decade and Formula E gives us the fantastic opportunity to further improve our advanced technologies through motorsport, as well as compete all over the world,” said Gildo. “It also gives us the chance to be part of a new racing programme with a project that really shares Venturi’s values for clean mobility, innovation in the field of electric propulsion and energy efficiency optimisation.”

“It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Venturi Grand Prix team as the tenth and final team of the FIA Formula E Championship,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings. “Gildo is a true pioneer in electric racing. From the desert of Salt Lake to Antarctica, his passion and vision pushes forward the technology barriers of what can be done with an electric car. But Gildo is not alone in this venture. Global entrepreneurs Francesco Costa and Bert Hedaya bring great experience and energy to the team.

“And of course, I want to give a very special welcome to our Championship to Leonardo DiCaprio. Very few environmental leaders have helped more than him to spread the message of sustainability around the world. Having people like him and Richard Branson – global ambassadors for the environment – is a privilege for our Championship and will help us massively to spread the use of electric cars in cities around the planet.”

Bahrain Grand Prix Set to Host F1’s Second Night Race

The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to host Formula 1’s second night race after the construction of floodlights and their testing at the final round of the World Endurance Championship in the kingdom this weekend.

Bahrain’s suitability to host a grand prix has come into question over the past few years due to civil unrest in the wake of the Arab Spring. The protests proved to be so volatile that the race was cancelled in 2011, but since it has managed to go ahead without too many problems. Nevertheless, with attendance figures dwindling, the organizers have opted to make the grand prix a night race in 2014 to mark the tenth anniversary of the first event in Bahrain.

“This is by far the biggest development project we have ever undertaken at the BIC [Bahrain International Circuit] since the circuit was first built,” chief executive Salman bin Isa al-Khalifa explained. ”I believe that there can be no better way for us to mark our tenth anniversary in F1 by demonstrating our long term commitment to the sport through this significant investment.”

With this move, the Bahrain Grand Prix becomes the second night race on the calendar, following in the footsteps of the Singapore Grand Prix. 

{jcomments on}

 

Leeds Carnegie Added as New Franchise to British Basketball League

The British Basketball League (BBL) have announced a deal for Leeds Carnegie to join the BBL. 

The club, who are strongly linked to the Leeds Metropolitan University, have enjoyed a meteoric rise since their formation in 2006 which has seen them jump three divisions to their current home in England Basketball (EBL) Division One. 

Away from the senior men’s team, the club also operate a women’s team and have an extensive junior programme covering multiple age ranges, all driven via their vast community programme. 

Carnegie will get a taste of BBL Competition as early as January 2014 when they take on the Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy 1st round. 

Leeds Carnegie Director of Basketball and Head Coach Matt Newby said: “The BBL is the premier basketball league in the UK and is going from strength to strength. It is a great time to make the move up and it will ultimately help us achieve our goal of creating a complete performance pathway, which we have been building since 2006. It will further enhance our community focus and commitment to social agendas and ultimately we hope to inspire a new generation of basketball enthusiasts within the city of Leeds.”

Andy Webb, BBL Chief Operating Officer, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Leeds Carnegie to the BBL. Their addition will take our roster to 15 clubs for next season and will give us a 2nd club in Yorkshire. The club have a solid community base from which to grow, and we look forward to working with them to develop the club in the coming seasons.”  

Carnegie will commence participation in BBL Competitions for the 2014/15 season subject to meeting agreed criteria.

Debbie Jevans & Mike Lee to Speak at Inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced its speakers for the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in Dublin on November 18.

Debbie Jevans CBE the Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport and Mike Lee, Chairman of VERO Communications will speak at the event.

Speaking on the day one panel session entitled ‘Winning Bids and Delivering Outstanding Rugby Events’, Jevans brings with her a wealth of experience bidding for and delivering major events following on from her role as Director of Sport for the successful London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid and Organising Committee.

Jevans is now leading ER 2015, the organising committee for Rugby World Cup 2015, and has been tasked with delivering the six-week celebration of Rugby, which will include 48 matches played over 44 days, featuring 920 players and team officials.

Alongside Jevans, the IRB has also announced that Minister Leo Varadkar will feature on the high-level panel. Varadkar, the youngest member of the Irish Government and Foundation Board member of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA), will outline why governments back major sports events and how to maximise the potential socio-economic benefits that hosting the world’s most prestigious events can deliver.

Jevans and Varadkar will also be joined on the panel by Kit McConnell, IRB Head of Rugby World Cup, who will draw upon more than 15 years of experience delivering major international sporting events including several summer and winter Olympics and record-breaking Rugby World Cups in France in 2007 and New Zealand in 2011.

The final member of the panel is Mike Lee OBE, Chairman of VERO Communications, who has worked on several successful campaigns including Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and PyeongChang’s 2018 Winter Games bid, as well as the Rugby Sevens campaign for inclusion onto the Olympic programme. Most recently, he worked at the centre of Brian Cookson’s successful campaign to become President of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

On the panel, Lee will explore why cities and countries bid to host major international sporting events as well as what makes a winning major event strategy.

Brett Gosper, IRB Chief Executive, said, “I am delighted that Debbie, Leo, Kit and Mike will speak at the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition on what I am sure will be an engaging and entertaining discussion on the future of major Rugby events.”

“With what is shaping up to be an insightful and thought-provoking agenda that will explore a range of topics currently facing Rugby and world sport, I look forward to welcoming representatives from around the world to what I am sure will be a must-attend event for the global Rugby family and wider international sporting community.”

Former NFL Star Jerome Bettis Becomes Latest Pizza Hut Franchisee

Legendary NFL running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis has been revealed as the latest franchisee of Papa John’s, ed the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, now owning three restaurants in Pittsburgh.

“Papa John’s is the recognized leader in quality, which extends from our superior pizza to our leading-quality franchisees,” said John Schnatter, Papa John’s founder, chairman and CEO. “Having Jerome as a franchisee is huge for the Papa John’s brand and for our customers in Pittsburgh. After getting to know him over the years I have no doubt that he will be able to replicate his success on the field at the restaurants.”

Bettis purchased his Papa John’s restaurants through a partnership with Bajco Group, which currently owns 12 restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. The partnership plans to open additional restaurants in the Pittsburgh area over the next couple of years.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jerome to purchase these restaurants,” said Nadeem Bajwa, CEO of Bajco Group. “Jerome is a fierce competitor with high integrity, and I’m proud to be his business partner. He is an iconic figure in Pittsburgh and I have no doubt these restaurants will do very well.”

Bettis’ involvement with Papa John’s dates to 2011, when he was featured in Papa John’s Super Bowl XLVI Coin Toss commercial with Schnatter and Denver Broncos quarterback and fellow Papa John’s franchisee, Peyton Manning.

“I’ve been a fan of Papa John’s for a long time and am excited to be a part of the team,” said Bettis. “I’ve always been a part of winning organizations and Papa John’s is no exception. I’m particularly impressed with the brand’s focus on quality and drive to be the best. I’m also impressed with John’s passion to continue growing the brand around the world.”

Myanmar to Stage Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Festival in 2013

The ITF announced today that it has appointed the Tennis Federation of Myanmar as host of the 2013 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Asia/Oceania Zone Group III and IV events. The two events will be held in consecutive weeks at the Thein Byu Tennis Stadium, erectile the national tennis centre in Yangon, cialis between 22 April and 5 May.

The fact that the events are being staged in back-to-back weeks at the same venue means that there will be a two-week tennis festival at the ten-court facility with a total of 19 nations set to take part.

The first week will see eight nations, order Cambodia, Hong Kong China, Iran, Malaysia, Oman, Pacific Oceania, UAE and Vietnam, contest Asia/Oceania Zone Group III, with Cambodia looking to build on its historic Davis Cup debut in 2012 when it won promotion from the Asia/Oceania Zone Group IV event staged in Doha in April.

The following week sees 11 teams take part in Asia/Oceania Zone IV, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iraq, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkmenistan and Yemen.

The staging of Davis Cup is part of a series of projects undertaken by the Tennis Federation of Myanmar (TFM) to build a strong base of new tennis teachers and players. The TFM took the first step towards widespread improvements at the end of 2011 when it hired Robert Davis as head coach and technical expert, and the federation is now focusing on coach education, talent identification and development, officiating and attracting international tournaments to Myanmar.

This week the TFM is hosting the Myanmar International Tennis Project at Thein Byu Tennis Centre, which previously hosted the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group IV event in 2005 and 2007. The national tennis centre has received support from both the ITF and the Grand Slam Development Fund.

“The Davis Cup is a very prestigious event and for the nation of Myanmar we are extremely proud of this honour to be host nation,” said U Aung Maw Thein, President of the Tennis Federation of Myanmar. “Myanmar tennis just took a giant step forward. Because of the Davis Cup this will be a catalyst for developing the tennis at all levels throughout the country. New courts have to be built, teachers and referees educated and our players trained. The Tennis Federation of Myanmar is most grateful to the ITF for giving us this responsibility.”