Specsavers have paid England cricketer Kevin Pietersen substantial libel damages after one of their adverts implied he had tampered with his bat during the Ashes this summer.

Pietersen took the case to the High Court in London, saying the optician group had made a “serious and defamatory allegation.”

During the Ashes tournament, reports from Australia’s Channel 9 news show claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) were investigating claims that players were using tape to trick the Hot Spot technology, which can see whether the batsman had edged the ball.

Channel 9 have since apologised after their report was ridiculed, but Specsavers published an advert on their social media channels which read: “Bat tampering’ in the #Ashes? Apparently Hot Spot should’ve gone to Specsavers,” complete with a picture of Pietersen.

Specsavers have now apologised, removed the advert from circulation and agreed to pay Pietersen substantial but undisclosed damages.

Their statement read: “During the 2013 Ashes series we published a ‘Should’ve Gone to Specsavers’ advert which suggested that Kevin Pietersen may have tampered with his bat in an attempt to prevent Hot Spot technology working.

“We did not intend to imply this suggestion.

“We accept that this allegation is untrue and that Kevin Pietersen did not tamper with his bat. We apologise unreservedly for any distress and embarrassment our advert has caused to Kevin Pietersen. We have removed the advert from circulation.”

Businesses seeking to promote their brand can be picky when it comes to selecting the sport, event or particular organisation to sponsor.

This is because those gaining the biggest advantage from sports sponsorship inevitably invest considerable time and effort in selecting the right partner, devising the appropriate rights package, planning the optimal activation strategy and understanding in advance how the return on investment will be measured.

For added security, sponsors can seek legal protection in the form of performance escalators and/or disreputable behaviour clauses to ensure that their own brand is not damaged through association with behaviours or practices of their partners. While such risk can never be totally eliminated, potential harm inflicted by players boorish antics, questionable management decisions or financial scandal can at least be minimised.

Given this level of focus on brand protection, it is surprising that sponsors sometimes lose sight of the hidden danger lurking in sports sponsorship. As it is rare for a single sponsor to be granted exclusivity over an event or club, a sponsor will normally feature as part of a club’s sponsorship portfolio and as such will have little say over the composition of other member brands.

This hidden pitfall can have a serious impact on a brand’s integrity for even the most carefully positioned sponsor. For example, Newcastle United may not have gained popularity with its current secondary sponsors by signing up with Wonga.com the pay-day lender infamous for an APR often exceeding 4000%.

Similarly, what American car giant Chevrolet will make of sharing perimeter signage with Manchester United’s “official salted snack partner” Mr Potato remains to be seen. Other common areas of sensitivity are alcohol and gambling that without careful positioning can fall foul of a sponsoring company’s cherished values.

So how can a sponsor avoid the potential dangers of unwelcome brand association by default? Here are some simple preventative steps:-

– Invest the effort to identify prospective sponsorship opportunities that best fit strategically with your own business values and objectives

– Make sure you fully understand the brand acquisition strategy of the business you intend to sponsor from their own perspective and motivations

– Insist on a one-way break clause exercisable should the strategy change

– Ensure you retain right of approval for the presentation of your brand name, logo and other IP in any public media or PR exposure

– Conduct a brand audit and risk assessment of a sponsor’s partner portfolio

– Prepare a damage limitation strategy to implement should the worst happen

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About Steven Falk:

A graduate in Psychology from Manchester University, Steven started his career in the motor industry before taking an MBA at Warwick University Business School. There followed commercial roles at Astra Zeneca, United Utilities, Great Universal Stores and MBNA Bank where he worked on a range of assignments in the UK, Eastern & Western Europe, North America and Asia.

From 2001 to 2009, Steven was Marketing Director at Manchester United Football Club. Steven served as a member of the Executive Committee of Manchester United and a board director of Manchester United Foundation, the club’s charitable trading arm. In January 2010, he launched Star Sports Marketing, a specialist sports marketing consultancy.

For a confidential conversation on how Star Sports Marketing can help you to devise and implement an effective brand strategy. Visit www.starsportsmarketing.com or email  steven.falk@starsportsmarketing.co.uk

Steven Falk’s

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Iain Taker, abortion associate lawyer at Kemp Little LLP, talked to iSportconnect about the upcoming FFP rules due to be implemented by UEFA. 

Iain discusses the background to the rules giving a useful insight to rules that will shape the future economics of our game.

With clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham still buying heavily this transfer window it is important to understand the implications of the FFP and what punishments there could be for breaching them.

With big clubs such as those mentioned facing these restraints, we also take a look at what loopholes if any there could be that will have an impact.

Iain also takes a look at wether different European Leagues are at a competitive advantage compared to others.

Watch part 1

Watch part 2

The Football Association (FA) is to be the subject of a vote of no confidence in the British Parliament, after failing to reform in the desired direction.

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee will examine whether the FA can “comply fully with its duties”, with a ruling due on February 9.

Committee chairman Damian Collins MP revealed on Friday that the FA had been given six months to meet the government guidance on best practice for sports governance but had failed to do so.

The lack of modernisation in the Football Association is expected to be addressed, with new legislation to be drawn up if required.

Location: New York, USA

Closing Date: Open until filled

Overview: 

The Partnership Marketing Manager will be responsible for managing a growing portfolio of brands associated with New York City FC and City Football Group.  The ideal candidate will be able to build strong relationships and quickly move from basic account management and rights delivery to helping ensure Partners maximize the use of contractual rights and benefits to drive their brand and business objectives.

The Partnerships Marketing Manager will work closely with senior functional leads to deliver and optimize Partner rights including immersive experiences, digital content, player appearances, branding, tickets, hospitality and merchandise.  They will also support the broader City Football Group Commercial Partnerships team in the packaging of Club assets linked to Partner renewals and new business pitches.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Deliver best-in-class management of New York City FC and City Football Group Partners, including:

• Building strong relationships with Partners and their agency teams
• Understanding the brand and business objectives of each Partner
• Proactive development of marketing concepts and ideas for Partners which leverage Club assets
• Offering fan insights and advice to help Partners build successful campaigns
• Ensuring Partner initiatives adhere to the brand standards and guidelines of the Club
• Identifying integration opportunities for Partners in the Marketing initiatives of the Club
• Developing reporting procedures to help Partners optimize the impact of their activations
• Event management and hosting of guests on match days and non-soccer events
• Tracking and delivery of contractual rights and benefits
• Coordination of Partner communications from New York City FC and City Football Group

Enable the commercial objectives of New York City FC and City Football Group by:

• Supporting renewal discussions with existing Partners
• Drafting case studies of impactful Partner activations
• Researching marketing strategies and leading ideation sessions for potential Partners
• Creating, packaging and tracking Club assets
• Helping articulate the City Football Group story through visual and data-driven presentations

REQUIREMENTS/CHARACTERISTICS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Sports Management or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in Marketing or Account Management
• Sound knowledge of the global and United States soccer landscape
• Familiarity with sports sponsorship contracts and rights packages
• Above average knowledge of Microsoft Programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong work ethic and team-oriented attitude
• Flexible and comfortable in a fast-paced working environment
• Self-sufficient and proactive
• Skilled in all aspects of Partner/client service
• Broad commercial acumen
• Excellent communication skills
• Well organized with consistent attention to detail
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary
• Ability to travel as required
• Ability to speak a second language preferred

How to apply: visit http://mls.teamworkonline.com/teamwork/jobs/jobskey.cfm?s=New+York+City+FC#106937

In a ground-breaking new milestone for Eventica Sport’s annual football industry event, we are excited to announce that the World Football Forum 2017 will take place in the Chinese city of Changsha on 18-21 May. The World Football Forum’s move to China in 2017 is the culmination of a five-year project to build the event into the meeting place for the people who shape the future of the sport. The event in 2017 will be the first ever edition to take place outside of Europe, and will bring the global football industry to the heart of football’s ‘new geography’ – to one of the sport’s most exciting and fast-growing new markets. China’s football-loving President Xi has prioritized the development of the domestic game, unlocking a vast new market which is leading the pack of emerging football powerhouses of the 21st Century. Changsha, capital city of Hunan Province in south central China, epitomises the new generation of rapidly rising urban centres in the world’s most populous nation. With a population of approaching 10m, and an ambitious plan for sports infrastructure development, Changsha is emerging as one of the cities to watch in a country where football is driving development on a nationwide scale. With a recently opened state-of-the-art international conference centre and the fantastic He Long stadium, in the centre of the city, Changsha is well equipped to stage this year’s event. The World Football Forum will give the international football ecosystem – governing bodies, clubs, and the suppliers and services providers which surround them – a deep understanding of the huge opportunities in this and football’s other ‘emerging markets’, and it will be an ideal platform for learning more about the latest trends in and around the global football industry, direct from internationally recognised leaders. Director of Changsha Sports Bureau, the government agency responsible for sports development, management and promotion, Ms. Li Ping commented: “We are very excited that Changsha will be hosting the World Football Forum – we have developed a football development plan for the city, and the Forum will help us in our aim towards the internationalisation of Changsha sports.” Edward Cowell, WFF Director, said: “This is a very important year for the World Football Forum as we move the discussion to football’s biggest new hub. There is so much to talk about as football takes root and evolves in Asia – and there is no better place to sense this than in China, where the development of the sport in recent years has already had such a huge impact on the game worldwide.” The geography of football is changing fast – and the World Football Forum will chart the opportunities and the challenges ahead. The 5th annual World Football Forum in Changsha will be the key event for the key players of the global football industry: the personalities who guide, influence and govern the world’s game.

To find out more about joining the World Football Forum 2017, contact us in London on+44 20 7183 2560, or by email to info@worldfootballforum.org

The Rugby Football League (RFL) has revealed that 10 parties have signalled an interest in creating a new club in Bradford.

Championship club Bradford Bulls went into liquidation earlier this week, denture after administrators were unable to find a suitable buyer for the Yorkshire outfit.

The RFL has announced that any newly-formed club in the city would replace Bradford Bulls in the Championship, generic albeit with a substantial 12-point penalty. Interested parties have until January 9 to confirm their offers, with the February 5 fixture against Hull KR tentative expected to be fulfilled.

Bradford Bulls won their last Super League title in 2005.

Eleven Sports Network has today signed a multi-year agreement with Insight Media to bring Chelsea TV to fans in Singapore.

Building on Eleven’s recent announcement of LFCTV rights for all its markets, football fans in Singapore will now be able to view up to six hours of Chelsea TV programming every week on TV, online and mobile via the Eleven SPORTS platform.

Chelsea supporters will be treated to delayed matches from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and other competitive matches in which the club participates, plus additional programming as selected by Chelsea Football Club.

The agreement adds to ELEVEN’s comprehensive football offering in Singapore, which includes LFCTV and live action from every major league and cup competition in England, including the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup, English Football League, EFL Cup, and FA Community Shield. 

“ELEVEN is the home of English football in Singapore, and the addition of Chelsea TV further expands our already impressive offering there,” said Danny Menken, Group Managing Director, Eleven Sports Network. “Chelsea are one of the biggest football clubs in the world, so it is fantastic for us to partner with them and bring their official club content to the many passionate Premier League fans in Singapore.”

In addition to the above major football properties, ELEVEN SPORTS NETWORK shows LIVE action from Serie A TIM, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Scottish Professional Football League, CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup Russia qualifiers, and Singapore and England international home friendlies, as well as the NBA, badminton, baseball, squash, swimming, table tennis and tennis events from around the world.

The EFL and Carabao have announced a three-year deal seeing them become the Official Title Sponsor of the EFL Cup and Official EFL partner.

The exclusive partnership will see the competition become known as the ‘Carabao Cup’ from the start of the 2017/18 season, anabolics with the deal running until 2020.

The growing global appeal of the EFL Cup was pivotal to securing the sponsorship and it is anticipated that the Carabao relationship will provide the EFL with a platform to reach new audiences in the ASEAN region and support additional growth of the competition. 

As Official Title Sponsor and EFL partner, drugs Carabao will receive an impressive series of domestic and international commercial rights that will form a major part of the brand’s growth strategy in targeted markets at home and abroad.

This will include the company’s colours adorning the ribbons of the trophy, the match ball, perimeter boards, backdrops for every pre and post-match interview as well as Carabao branding featuring in stadia at every match – including at the world famous Wembley Stadium on ‘Carabao Cup’ final day. 

The new deal is also set to benefit the game at all levels with significant funds being invested into community and grass roots football via the EFL Trust.

The title sponsorship is the latest in a series of high-profile football partnerships for the brand. Carabao has recently announced a new three-year principal partnership deal with Sky Bet Championship club Reading, which includes home and away kit sponsorship. In addition, Carabao is a principal commercial sponsor of Chelsea in the Premier League.

Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive, said: “This is a significant agreement for both parties and I’m delighted to welcome Carabao on board as an official title sponsor of the EFL Cup. We are equally as pleased that in a tough and competitive sponsorship marketplace we have managed to agree on a deal that meets with our valuation of the property. 

“As a well-established brand in football, Carabao is a perfect fit for the EFL and I have no doubt that throughout its duration, this partnership will prove mutually beneficial as we collectively look to boost our profile and exposure in local and international markets.”

Pairoj Piempongsant, Chairman of Intercarabao, stated: “The EFL Cup embodies the very essence of British football consciousness. All 92 clubs in the country competing in the first major cup competition of the season, culminating in the final at Wembley.

“The EFL Carabao partnership represents a unique platform to expand the Carabao brand nationally and globally; and thus leveraging the universal “fighting spirit” of football with a truly powerful global platform that will bring new awareness to the EFL internationally, while also establishing Carabao as a major player in the global Energy Drinks market.”

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