Premier League Champions Manchester City have boosted their digital offerings by launching their new official iPad App.

Designed for City fans, online the City App iPad Edition is the latest addition to the Club’s ever expanding digital portfolio.

The app includes a new ‘match hub’ feature which aggregates all news, health photos and videos related to each match so a fan can view the build-up article, link pre-match press conference, match highlights, match report, post-match player reactions, and more – all in one convenient location.

Through the new iPad Edition app, City fans will also be able to browse and buy tickets and official club merchandise.

Diego Gigliani, Director of Marketing, Media & Fan Development, said: “Manchester City prides itself in actively seeking new ways to engage with our fans around the world. By embracing technology and digital media, we’re able to create new and innovative products, like the new City App iPad Edition, which brings the club’s matches, players, and content closer to our fans, wherever they may be.

“iPad has become an increasingly popular device over the last four years. We’ve looked carefully at how people use their tablet; in what environments, how they consume content, what apps they enjoy the most and we quickly recognised that users interact with this device in a different way from their smartphone or desktop PC. That’s why we’ve launched City App iPad Edition with a completely redesigned user experience full of rich video and imagery, smart gesturing, social sharing and more.”

The Federation of International Motorcycling (FIM) have appointed Ignacio Verneda as the Chief Executive Officer.

Ignacio Verneda has been involved with motorcycling throughout his life, ailment starting at a young age as a volunteer and later on a professional basis. At the age of 16 and together with a group of friends he founded the Moto Club Cingles de Berti.

In 2006, he joined the FIM as Sports Director, and was promoted to Executive Director Sports in 2010. In this capacity, Ignacio had oversight the Sports Commissions as well as the International Medical and Technical Commissions. He was also the FIM representative in the Grand Prix, Superbike and Speedway Grand Prix Commissions.

The FIM President Vito Ippolito said of this appointment: “We have carried out a global recruitment process including an approach to our Federations. The role of Ignacio within the FIM Interim Collegial Body over the past ten months has reinforced his competences to take up this challenge. I am very satisfied with this decision which will bolster the stability of the Federation. I wish him every success in this new stage of his career.”

“I would like to thank the FIM President and the Board of Directors for their confidence”, said the new FIM CEO, Ignacio Verneda. “Becoming CEO is an honour and I am looking to everyone for support. The Federations and the volunteers are essential to the FIM and I would like to offer them the best service through the FIM Administration.”

{jcomments on}

Manchester United’s star forward Wayne Rooney has agreed a deal to endorse Samsung in its new advertising campaign for the South Korean’s Galaxy branded products.

As part of the deal, Rooney will wear Samsung shirt as he battles in a virtual football match against alien invaders as part of efforts to save the planet.

Commenting on his signing Rooney said: “It’s a great honour to be selected for the team alongside some of the world’s greatest football players. Hopefully I’ll be able to bring my qualities and English spirit to the team and 2014 is going to be a huge year for me with club, country and now the GALAXY 11, so keep watching.”

Andy Griffiths managing director at Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, said: “We are excited to welcome Wayne Rooney to the GALAXY 11 team, and are proud to have him join this epic campaign,” said. “One of the top football talents in the UK, Rooney’s football skills and inspirational spirit made him a logical choice for this campaign and the Samsung brand. We encourage all of Rooney’s fans to follow the journey of GALAXY 11 as they will be asked to play an even larger role in supporting the team along the way.”

The Galaxy 11 team currently includes FIFA Ballon d’Or holder Lionel Messi (Captain), Real Madrid and Spain shot stopper Iker Casillas, Bayern Munich and Germany star Mario Götze, Italy and AC Milan striker El Shaarawy, Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar, Nigerian international Victor Moses, Shanghai East Asia and China Midfielder Wu Lei, Bolton Wanderers and South Korea Midfielder Lee Chung-Yong and Monaco goal scorer Radamel Falcao.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected locally-based On Ideas, Inc as the NFL team’s marketing and advertising agency.

The scope of work will include marketing strategy, branding, creative services and PR/community relations support.

On Ideas’ first assignment with the Jaguars is the home game against the Houston Texans on Thursday, December 5, 2013. The agency is developing a game plan including events and promotions that will energize and unite fans, and create buzz across Jacksonville for this nationally broadcast primetime game live on the NFL Network.

“On Ideas is a great fit for the Jaguars,” said Mark Lamping, President of the Jaguars. “Shad Khan has a bold vision for the Jaguars. Partnering with On Ideas at this juncture will provide the fresh thinking necessary to make Shad’s vision a reality.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to align with the Jaguars. Mr. Khan is a one-of-a-kind owner and we intend to create marketing initiatives that are indicative of his high energy and high standards,” said West Herford, partner and managing director at On Ideas. “We are Jaguars fans to the bone, and embrace the opportunity to reconnect the team with the fans and the Jacksonville community in meaningful ways.”

The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced they may soon have new scoreboards and other stadium improvements at EverBank Field after tentatively agreeing a funding deal with the City of Jacksonville.

Under the new funding plan, drugs which will be formally introduced to City Council later today, unhealthy the Jaguars will contribute an estimated $20 million toward the stadium improvements. The City will pay its estimated $43 million share through existing revenue sources already being directed to the stadium. As a result, the City’s financial contribution will not affect the general fund budget that pays for important services like public safety, parks, and libraries.

“EverBank Field is one of Jacksonville’s most important economic development assets,” said Mayor Alvin Brown. “This agreement will make our National Football League stadium a world-class facility. It will enhance the fan experience for those who cheer on the Jaguars and come here for the Florida-Georgia game, Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl and other major events. It will attract new customers to the sports complex. It will help revitalize Downtown. This is an important step forward for Jacksonville.”

“Everyone who attends an event at EverBank Field is going to fall in love with these improvements,” said team president Mark Lamping.  “We owe our fans nothing less than the very best in-stadium experience. This up-to-date stadium technology will give fans the best in video quality, real-time content, out-of-town game action, fantasy football statistics, multiple-angle replays and create a personality for EverBank Field which is distinctly Jacksonville. These upgrades will also enhance the fan experience of the Florida-Georgia game, the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl, and will put EverBank Field in a position to attract additional major events to Northeast Florida.”

“The upgrades to EverBank Field will significantly strengthen the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl’s profile within the college bowl system and position Jacksonville very favorably in the discussion of future sites for college playoff football games,” said Rick Catlett, president and CEO of the Gator Bowl Association.  “This is a game-changer for Jacksonville and we should all commend the Jaguars, Mayor Brown and the City Council for having the confidence and dedication to seeing this through.”

In 2010, through Ordinance 2010-493, City Council adopted legislation allowing the Jaguars to utilize part of the hotel tax revenues as reimbursement for annual stadium enhancements. For each of the last two years, the City has reimbursed the Jaguars approximately $3.5 million. Through this agreement, the City will now use funds previously utilized for stadium reimbursement to pay for its share of the stadium improvement project.

“In these challenging fiscal times, I was determined to find a funding source that would not increase the burden on Jacksonville taxpayers or impact our general fund budget, which pays for critical priorities like public safety, parks, and libraries,” said Mayor Brown. “With this agreement, we have achieved both goals. The City has long collected this revenue from guests at Jacksonville hotels. It was already going to stadium upgrades. Now it will be invested in one of the most significant enhancements in the history of EverBank Field.”

If the proposed funding plan receives formal Council approval, construction of the new project will begin in January 2014 and finish by mid-July 2014.

{jcomments on}

Assen in Netherlands have secured a long-term contract with MotoGP’s rights holder, Dorna Sports taking their deal to the 2021 season.

With 2013 already marking the 65th anniversary that the motorcycle world championship has been held at the iconic track, it is a welcome move that the popular track should remain part of the series’ itinerary. The contract had already been confirmed until 2017, yet with the track’s rich history and its widespread recognition with riders and fans alike, an extension was the natural continuation.

Dorna Sports CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta commented: “There’s a reason why Assen is the longest serving track on the calendar. It’s fast nature and excellent layout make it ideal not only for MotoGP™ bikes and their support classes, but also for the vast number of spectators that turn out every year. The contract was already signed until 2017, yet we felt the time was right to really cement it on the calendar and keep the pinnacle of motorcycle racing at the Cathedral for many years to come.”

Arjan Boss, President TT Assen, added: “The unique status of the Dutch TT (since 1925) is confirmed by the extension of the contract. MotoGP has its home base in ‘The Cahtedral of speed’ and for young riders it`s always an honour to ride and win in the footsteps of the greatest of the world. This new contract gives us the opportunity for a long term investment.”

{jcomments on}