WWE Appoints Lou Schwartz as Chief Digital Officer

WWE today announced the appointment of Lou Schwartz as the company’s Chief Digital Officer.

Schwartz, anesthetist who previously held executive level positions at UUX, clinic Piksel and Multicast, will report directly to WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon.

Schwartz will lead WWE’s Digital Media division and be a key member of the company’s senior management team.

Schwartz’s primary focus will be on expanding WWE’s digital and social media presence and profitability. He will also be responsible for developing strategic plans and initiatives for all digital platforms including WWE.com, WWE App and social media where WWE has a passionate fan base of nearly 415 million worldwide.

In addition, Schwartz will oversee product development and operations for WWE Network, the first over-the-top (OTT) 24/7 streaming network with scheduled and live programming as well as a massive video-on-demand library.

Prior to joining WWE, Schwartz was CEO of UUX, where he successfully led the merger of Totalmovie, a leading Latin American retail OTT service, with OTT Networks, a best-in-class Brazilian content management software and service company, to form the first cloud based OTT platform for next generation operators around the world.

Cardiff Replaces Newport as Snooker’s Welsh Open Host

Cardiff has been announced as the host for Snooker’s BetVictor Welsh Open world ranking event, the first time since 2004 that the city has hosted the event.

The tournament has been staged in Newport in recent years but now moves to the Motorpoint Arena in the Welsh capital and will run from February 16th to 22nd, 2015. 

The BBC Wales-televised event will be contested by 128 players, all starting in the same round, with a top prize of £60,000. 

This year’s final saw Ronnie O’Sullivan thrash Ding Junhui 9-3, making an incredible 147 maximum break in the last frame. Other winners in recent years include Stephen Maguire, Ding, John Higgins, Ali Carter, Mark Selby and Neil Robertson. 

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The BetVictor Welsh Open has grown dramatically in recent years with increased prize money, growing live attendances and a new structure. While we are grateful to the people of Newport for their support, it is time to move the event down the M4 to the capital city to allow it to continue to build momentum. 

“The Motorpoint Arena is a top class venue and a fitting stage for the world’s very best snooker players. This is a tournament with such a rich history, ever present on our calendar as a world ranking event for over 20 years. I have no doubt that the people of South Wales will be out in force to make the 2015 Welsh Open a truly spectacular week of snooker.” 

New Ownership Announced for Nottingham Rugby

A new management team stepped in and announced ownership of RFU Championship’s Nottingham Rugby. 

The management-led team bought the club from the former owners Jason Brewer and Luke Jones on Christmas Eve. 

The new owners led by existing directors Alistair Bow and Simon Beatham, are all known ‘friends’ of Nottingham Rugby, representing a significant shift from the previous ownership structure of the club. 

The deal hopes to rescue the existing state of Nottingham Rugby by funding the needs of its immediate financial demands with the hopes of securing the club’s future in the Championship. 

Alistair Bow will remain club chairman whilst existing Directors Simon Beatham and Diane Orson will also stay on the board. They are joined by Philip Barltrop, former Finance Director of Aggregate Industries UK and Chris Simon, the club’s current Operations Director. 

Existing director and Chief Executive of the new management Simon Beatham said: “”We’ve achieved our initial objective of securing immediate stability for the club, but our target is to ensure we have the mechanics in place to take us up to the end of the 2015-16 season. This is when the league structure and agreement with the RFU (Long Form Agreement) will be renegotiated. It’s extremely important that we have a position at the top table of professional rugby until at least that season.” 

Bow said: “This is good news for Nottingham Rugby, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do. We’ve been working hard for almost 12 months to secure the necessary funding to ensure the survival of one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. I’d like to welcome all of our new shareholders to Nottingham Rugby and thank them for their commitment for the next three seasons. We’re on the way to achieving the first stage of our plan, which was to stabilise the club and make sure we have a base level of funding to maintain our existence and place in the Championship at least.”

P&G Launches New Ad for Sochi 2014 & Reveals Revenue Expectations

With the Sochi WInter Olympics on the horizon, Procter & Gamble (P&G) – one of the event’s leading sponsors – has launched its latest advertising campaign while revealing it is expecting a modest revenue return for the games.

The company, which makes a number of household goods including Duracell batteries and Gillette razors, revealed in 2013 it had secured a $500 million sales boost for London 2012 but is expecting a third of that figure for the Winter Games.

“The Winter Games aren’t typically as big as the summer Games,” said Marc Pritchard (pictured), global brand-building officer for U.S.-based P&G, which joined the group of 10 leading Olympic sponsors in 2010.

The focus of the new P&G campaign, featuring clips of sports such as skating and skiing to be shown in TV commercials and online, will be on countries where winter sports have large followings, including Russia itself, China, the United States, Canada, Germany and Poland.

Their new advertisement “Pick Them Back Up” will appear in more than 20 countries across the world. The spot will be available online on P&G’s YouTube channel on January 6th and will also be aired on U.S. television, with a notable debut during the Golden Globes on January 12th. The film also features music created by the same world-renowned composer from “Best Job,” Ludovico Einaudi. Known for his emotive and effortlessly lyrical music, Einaudi’s new composition evokes the love, passion and commitment that moms have for their children.

“For winter we found that it’s best to start right after the holidays and then leading up to the Games,” Pritchard said.

The company is again using the “Thank You Mom” message that featured in its London Olympic commercials, underlining the role mothers play in bringing up successful athletes.

“Mom’s contributions to their kids’ lives are full of incredible sacrifices,” said Jodi Allen, P&G VP of North American Marketing and Brand Operations. “We’re so moved by these moms and the way they help their children overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. As athletes are named to Team USA, we celebrate the person that helped get each athlete there and who picked them up each time they fell – mom!”

The Games have focused attention on Russia’s human rights record and in particular its attitude towards homosexuality.

Pritchard believes the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will ensure the Olympics are not marred by prejudice.

“What we would expect out of the Games is that athletes should be able to compete regardless of their national origin, gender or sexual orientation,” he said.

“We’re fully confident that the IOC will ensure that these Games come … free of discrimination.” {jcomments on}

 

Sport Five to Market Team Hamburg in New Deal

Germany’s leading sports rights agency SPORT FIVE have signed an agreement with the Hamburg Foundation to continue the promotion of Team Hamburg, a group that helps generate interest in the city.

As part of the agreement, the Athletes will be supported financially on a monthly basis, in order to concentrate for the next world championships and Olympic Games to full training and competition can. Reinhard Wolf, CEO of the Foundation, hopes that the agreement a significant increase in the delivery rate.

“SPORT FIVE has proven specialists for the marketing of sports rights. The TEAM HAMBURG has already taken care of during the games in London for positive attention. We now hope that we can expand the top sports promotion in our city on through the professional marketing, “says Wolf. The management of the TEAM HAMBURG done by the Olympic base Hamburg / Schleswig-Holstein, Team

“The Olympic Games are the greatest thing a competitive athlete can achieve in amateur sport. In the future, to be able to make a contribution to bring more hamburgers to the games and if possible medals, we are particularly pleased, “said Philip Hasenbein, Managing SPORT FIVE.

BOA Announces Belo Horizonte as Pre-Olympics Base for Rio 2016

The British Olympic Association have finalised a deal with the City of Belo Horizonte and the State Government of Minas Gerais that will see Team GB train, search prepare and acclimatise in the Brazilian city in the run up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today by BOA Chairman, discount  Lord Sebastian Coe, sick Mayor of Belo Horizonte, Marcio Lacerda and State Governor of Minas Gerais, Antônio Anastasia. The agreement includes a commitment by all parties to create a programme for exchanging cultural experiences and expertise to help ensure a lasting legacy of international sporting events for the region.

The signing took place at Minas Tênis Clube – the state of the art, multi-purpose sports facility that Team GB athletes will use as their training base in the city.

Belo Horizonte is home to one of the first stadia to be ready for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and will host six matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, including a Semi-Final.

Marcio Lacerda, Mayor of Belo Horizonte, said: “We are honoured and delighted that Lord Coe and the BOA have chosen to base themselves in Belo Horizonte as they train and prepare for Rio 2016.

“Our preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup are going extremely well and today’s announcement shows that we are already planning our next steps for the benefit of the city and our people by welcoming the British Olympic Association to Belo Horizonte.

“This is a great moment for our city and we will ensure that every member of Team GB are welcomed with open arms and provided with the best facilities and support to help them prepare for the biggest moments of their sporting lives.”

Lord Sebastian Coe, BOA Chairman, said: “It is a great pleasure to be here in Belo Horizonte at Minas Tênis Clube to forge our new partnership with the club, the city and the state of Minas Gerais. We believe we have found the best possible environment for our athletes to prepare for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and all the partners have shown their commitment to understanding and meeting our needs.

“This is a very exciting day for Team GB and an important moment as we build the bridge from London 2012 to Rio 2016. A great deal of work has already gone in to get us to this stage of our planning for the Games and we are looking forward to a close working relationship with all of our local partners and friends here in Belo Horizonte.”

{jcomments on}

Global Rallycross Returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Global Rallycross (GRC) series will return to Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday, Sept. 22 to show fans a combination of the energy of motorsports and the attitude of action sports.

“We’re looking forward to bringing the excitement of the Global Rallycross series to the Dirt Track at Charlotte,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “These action sports stars really know how to put on a high-flying thrill show, and the combination of racing, drifting and jumps is sure to wow the fans at one of the world’s premier racing facilities.”

The series will compete on a custom-built course at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in conjunction with the final day of the Charlotte AutoFair. Regular Global Rallycross competitors include extreme sports stars Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan, Ken Block and Dave Mirra.

“What a difference a year makes. It’s amazing to see the growth of GRC in only its third year,” said Foust. “Last year we broke new ground with the (Speedway Motorsports, Inc.) partnership, and now international X Games and The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Who can imagine a better playground for these amazing rallycross cars?”

The special event, GRC’s eighth race of the 2013 season, will be televised live on ABC. It’s also the final race in the Sylvania Silverstar zXe GRC mini-series, in which drivers face off in a four-race points battle at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The points leader at the end of the four-race series will be awarded $20,000.

“Everyone at Sylvania Automotive is so happy to team with Charlotte Motor Speedway and GRC to bring these high performance cars and skilled drivers to the fans,” said Joe Verbanic, Sylvania Automotive Marketing Manager. “Nothing matches the edge-of-your-seat GRC racing for full course action, and our customers really encouraged us to be a part of GRC again this year. Charlotte becomes an extra-special event as we will award $20,000 to the driver racking up the most points in the Sylvania Silverstar zXe GRC mini-series.”

The 600-horsepower, all-wheel drive, turbocharged compact cars go from 0 to 60 in less than two seconds as drivers steer through hairpin turns, across jumps, over walls and through a series of chicanes and water features designed to test every driver’s focus and control. Each event features timed heats to set the lineup for a final winner-take-all feature race.

“Global Rallycross is excited to be racing in Charlotte at The Dirt Track,” said Colin Dyne, Global Rallycross CEO. “It is going to make for an exciting show for the fans as we continue to build on the momentum of Global Rallycross.”

At last year’s season-opening event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Marcus Gronholm ran away with the victory over Foust.

“Charlotte is one of the few GRC venues we are coming back to this year so I’m looking forward to bringing Rallycross back for all the new fans we made last year,” Foust said.

KPMG to Present Economic Impact Study of Golf in Scotland

KPMG Golf Business Advisory is compiling a study on the economic impact of golf in Scotland, which will be presented at the 10th annual Golf Business Forum in St Andrews on June 3-5, 2013.

Commissioned by the Scottish Golf Union (SGU), working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland, the research will also provide analysis of the value of golf to Scotland and the country’s future growth potential, as expected by industry stakeholders.

Gordon Todd of Scottish Enterprise commented: “Over the years there have been a number of studies into the economic impact of golf tourism and its associated benefits, but to date there has been no single overview of the wider golf industry in Scotland and its associated economic benefits.   The aim of this latest research, therefore, is to create the first comprehensive and definitive baseline study of the whole golf industry in Scotland.  Assessing the overall value & growth prospects of the industry will be key to understanding how we can unlock its undoubted potential for growth by building on the strength of Scotland’s golf product.”

The findings will contain an overview of six areas within the Scottish golf market and be presented on four measures of economic activity: Revenue, Contribution to Gross Value Added (GVA), Employment/Total Jobs and Wage income.

Commenting on the research Hamish Grey, CEO of the Scottish Golf Union said, “The cooperative approach taken across all organisations to undertake this important research is very welcome.  All involved in Scottish golf and the Scottish Government will benefit from better understanding the value of golf, current and potential, to Scotland.”
Commenting on the research Hamish Grey, CEO of the Scottish Golf Union said, “The cooperative approach taken across all organisations to undertake this important research is very welcome.  All involved in Scottish golf and the Scottish Government will benefit from better understanding the value of golf, current and potential, to Scotland.”

Ecclestone Unaware with Austrian GP Rumours, Turkey Still Likely to Plug Calendar Gap

Turkey remains the favourite to plug the hole on the Formula One 2013 calendar according to Bernie Ecclestone despite Red Bull putting forward a revised Austrian GP.

With the inaugural New Jersey grand prix having previously been put back 12 months to 2014, the FIA revealed last week that an unnamed European event had been pencilled in to take its place on next season’s schedule, with the German GP moved forward by a week to the start of July to accommodate what would be the 20th event.

Although this was initially expected to be the return of the Turkish GP at Istanbul Park, those hopes appeared to take a blow when the country’s sports minister denied the government was set to provide funds to stage the race.

An alternative solution, however, appeared when Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko told the Austrian press that the energy drinks company had offered their own circuit, the former A1 Ring, to the FIA to take the 20th event.

However, speaking to the local media himself on Wednesday, Ecclestone claimed talk of a return to Austria had come as news to him.

“I have as of today spoken to no one about it,” he told Kleine Zeitung.

“At the moment I’m thinking more on Turkey and a return to Istanbul.”

The F1 supremo added that the hotel situation in surrounding Spielberg remained a “disaster” since the sport’s last visit there in 2003.

In any case, Ecclestone suggested that as things stood 19 races was looking more likely anyway.

“Right now I’m thinking that next year we will go with only 19 races. That wouldn’t be a big problem for Formula 1,” he said.

The 82-year-old added that he expected a final decision on whether or not a 20th race would be held “by the beginning of next week”.

NBA Agrees India Broadcasting Deal

The NBA has signed a three-year exclusive broadcasting deal in India with MSM’s sports channel Sony Six, which launched in April.

ESPN Star Sports was the NBA’s broadcast partner in India until 2010. After that agreement expired, the NBA split the rights between Taj Television’s Ten Sports and MSM’s Sony Pix.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Sony Six will broadcast live games on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, with 72 season games and 18 playoffs being aired, as well as the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, the NBA Finals and NBA All-Star events, including the All-Star Game, All-Star Saturday Night and the Rising Stars competition.

NBA and Sony Six will also produce India-specific programming and host local basketball tournaments.{jcomments on}