iSportconnect, the world’s largest private network for sport business professionals, is pleased to announce Rüdiger Müller, head of digital at FIFA and Bernd Huwe, business development director sports and entertainment at SAP as the latest panellists for the Digital Strategy Masterclass (formerly Digital Media and Technology Masterclass).

Müller and Huwe will be joining James Elliott, UFC Vice President and General Manager EMEA and Luis Goicouria, Senior Vice President of Digital Platforms and Media Strategy at the PGA TOUR whose participation at the event was previously confirmed.

The popular event will be delivered in partnership with Omnigon, the leading international digital consultancy within the sports, media and entertainment industries, at the Grange Wellington Hotel on 13^th April.

This year’s edition will be focused on encouraging participation, discussing fundamental business questions and highlighting the challenges that face rights holders in sport, as they look to create value for fans and sponsors in a digital market that is changing at lightning speed.

The evolution of the publishing model, with larger platforms such as Facebook, Twitter etc., as dominant distribution platforms, creates opportunities and problems for content owners. This will be one of the several areas that we expect will provoke lively debate, and that will be of huge value to the guests who join us at The Grange.

Rüdiger Müller took over as Head of Digital at FIFA in March 2015, having worked previously in the Content team of the department, heading up a global editorial team and being in charge of the World Cup Content for FIFA Digital.

With 20 years of experience in the digital field, Müller has worked previously for various Institutions and Media Outlets in the Sport field (i.e. UEFA.com at Euro 2000, Sky TV in Germany, Sport1)

Bernd Huwe became the Business Development Director Sports & Entertainment in 2015 and has spent over ten years at the company in various roles including solution manager.

Prior to joining SAP, Huwe worked for companies such as Deutsche Telekom and Volkswagen.

The exclusive, invitation-only Masterclass series, is a unique gathering providing sports digital media and technology executives with the chance to learn from each other, hear industry insights, join in on discussions and network in a relaxed environment.

The discussions will be held without the press and under Chatham House rules, allowing for an open and free flowing debate.

Invitation policy: The Digital Strategy Masterclass is an exclusive invite only event to Heads of Digital Media, Technology, Marketing, Media and other similar positions from rights holders, Brands and Broadcasters.

To register your interest please contact Calum Watkins at calum.watkins@isportconnect.com

Sports Agencies, professional service providers & suppliers, please contact Nick Volante at nick.volante@isportconnect.com for limited commercial opportunities.

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Broadcasters, sponsors and the RFU will be affected the most by England’s early exit from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, according to the latest discussion on iSportconnect.

With the host nation crashing out earlier than expected, viewing figures for the tournament in England are due to decrease dramatically, which will significantly affect the broadcasters for the tournament, ITV.

The channel will have been hoping for England to get as far in the tournament as possible, in order to capitalise on ratings and advertising opportunities, which is one of the reasons why Rupert Pratt, managing partner at UK marketing consultant Generate Sponsorship, believes ITV will be affected the most.

“The biggest impact will be on ITV but and indeed the press who would have been counting on the bandwagon advertisers seeking to capitalise on the increased interest as the England team progressed,” he said.

Pratt also believes the RFU will suffer as England’s group stage exit will not leave a positive legacy on the sport in England in terms of participation and he also predicts that sponsors will limit their sponsorship activations for the next year or so.

“The RFU was counting on a good performance to ensure an uplift in interest and participation in the sport as well as increased commercial investment,” he added.

“England Rugby sponsors are likely to drop their leverage around the tournament and possibly down weight any increased sponsorship activation plans for 2016 and beyond.”

Steven Falk, director of Star Sports Marketing, said that experience of behaviour following England’s exit from previous Rugby World Cups suggests that it will have huge impact in numerous areas, including media interest and merchandise sales.

“Media interest in the competition will decline substantially until the final matches. Wales, Ireland and Scotland rarely get much attention from the English press,” said Falk.

“You would think only one team plays in the Six Nations!”

“Merchandise sales will be affected. Don’t forget, stock was ordered months ago based on the expectation of success, so expect to see some heavily discounted England shirts on sale soon.”

Due to the huge popularity of sport in Britain and the sheer spectacle it causes when the nation hosts a major sporting event, businesses are always lining up to be a part of it.

Tom Mitchell, Director of Sportsrisq, a specialist sports finance firm based in London, says that companies who choose to get involved with sporting events must do so in a sensible manner as some have lost out over England’s failure at the Rugby World Cup.

“From Twickenham to Twitter, aggrieved fans nationwide have aired their woes on every platform but the potential cost to business hasn’t gone unnoticed,” he said.

“Citing exact sums is as speculative as the Pool of Death predictions proved to be. Figures range from £6m to £3bn, with advertisers, publicans and listed businesses all mentioned as those affected.

“Major sporting events have become an innate part of British culture and, as such, more and more companies are building them into their business plans.

“However the problem with sport is that it can go as wrong as often as it goes right; that’s why it is such a compelling spectacle but also why businesses choosing to leverage it need to do so sensibly.”

Check out our latest discussion: Who is affected most by England’s Rugby World Cup Exit?

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) presidential candidates Seb Coe and Sergey Bubka have been making their final declarations ahead of election day in Beijing on Wednesday.

The pair have once again outlined the key policies that they would implement if elected as President.

Seb Coe confirmed plans to create an Olympic Athletics Dividend that would provide a minimum $100, anabolics 000 of additional funding over a four year period for all 214 Member Federations from the funds received from the IOC.

Speaking in Beijing today, medstore  Coe said: “The Member Federations are the bedrock of our sport and the key policies that I will implement if elected aim to provide support that is better tailored to meet their specific needs and requirements at a local level. 

“The Olympic Athletics Dividend is a great example of how we can work together as the Athletics family to invest in opportunities that fit with the priorities of Member Federations and help Athletics grow globally.

“Following many months of travelling and consulting with the Member Federations I believe more than ever that by working together with a focus on innovation and engagement we can create a new and exciting golden era for Athletics.”

Bubka has reaffirmed his desire to increase the support that National Federations receive from the IAAF.

“My priority is to increase the support that National Federations receive from the IAAF. Financially I have pledged to double the administration grant to a minimum of $30,000 per year, or at least $120,000 over the four year period of the first Presidential term,” he said.

“I also intend to generate additional funding by exploring sources of revenue from governments, foundations and other bodies in order to unlock money for our sport because of the positive impact it has on health, education and social wellbeing among young people – a key objective for many of these organisations.” 

This is being viewed as one of the most important elections in the history of athletics amid allegations of doping and corruption in the sport over recent weeks, with the new president immediately being tasked with cleaning up the image of the sport ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Stay tuned to iSportconnect and iSportconnect TV for all the latest coverage on the IAAF presidential election, including live updates from Beijing on election day (Wednesday 19th August)

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By Christian Radnedge

The opening ceremony of the inaugural European Games in Baku on Friday cost $95m in total, cheao sale government officials confirmed.

Friday’s ceremony at Baku’s Olympic Stadium featured a one-song guest appearance by international popstar Lady Gaga – who according to AP hid in a hotel in the city for four days prior to her performance.

Azerbaijan Sports Minister Azad Rahimov said: “There are some invoices still to be paid, pills but the cost will be about 100 million manat ($95m).

“All the efforts which were made over the last two years have yielded good results. There has been a very positive impression in general and we are very glad”.

The cost is almost double that of the budget for the opening ceremony of the most recent Olympic Games in London which was $42m.

Along with a host of pyrotechnics and displays of Azeri culture, erectile the spectacle as a whole was praised by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach who visited the Games and also spoke highly of the “power of sport” to transcend politics.

“We see Russian athletes competing alongside Ukrainians. There are Serbian and Kosovan teams in these Games, and we see Armenian athletes alongside their hosts from Azerbaijan. All these athletes marched together at the Opening Ceremony.

“This is the power of sport to bring people together regardless of background, belief or nationality.  This is something that sport can do, and maybe something that only sport can do.”

Not in attendance were members of the media from The Guardian and German ARD television after they were barred from entering Azerbaijan.

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The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has agreed a deal with Tribe Solutions Inc. who will serve as its new exclusive global merchandising and licensing partner until 2020.

Full story HERE.