Coca-Cola extend Hamburg deal

Coca-Cola have extended their partnership with Hamburger SV and will remain the official drinks supplier of first division club.

The agreement, buy which has existed since the 2013/14 season, will last for at least another 3 years.

Coca-Cola will continue to be the exclusive beverage dispensing and delivery rights holder for non-alcoholic drinks at the home games of the HSV in Volksparkstadion.

“HSV is one of the greatest teams in the history of the top flight German football. We are pleased to continue our successful and trustful partnership with the HSV. In addition to the beverage delivery, we will provide the fans with different actions unique football experiences. “Says Per Jensen, Director Coca-Cola North. 

“We are pleased to have extended our partnership with an outstanding brand like Coca-Cola in the long term. It is the logical outcome of a trusting and reliable cooperation that we have meanwhile successfully activated “Joachim Hilke, CMO of Hamburger SV added.

 

Insight and data experts announced for ‘Marketing the game’ panel at World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016

World Rugby has announced a strong line-up of speakers to participate in the Marketing the game – using insight to grow audiences and partnerships panel at the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016 (ConfEx) on 14-15 November at the Hilton London Metropole.

Sports data and marketing expert Aiden Cooney, asthma Chief Executive of InCrowd Sports, will take part alongside Fiona Green, Chief Executive of Winners, a CRM and business intelligence consultancy, and Matt Rogan, Chairman of data driven sports agency Two Circles.   

The panel will explore how the data generated during interactions between audiences and the teams and stars they follow can be leveraged to identify trends and insights and ultimately increase fan engagement and match attendance. They will also debate how data trends and audience insights can be used to attract and create more effective sponsorships and partnerships and improve commercial returns.

World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper said: “After a successful return to the Olympic Games and with rugby enjoying record growth around the world, this panel will explore the role of data and insight in further enhancing fan engagement, audiences and revenues. Aiden, Fiona and Matt’s extensive experience will ensure an absorbing discussion that will shed new light on how we can maximise the current opportunities.

“We are delighted with the growing list of high-calibre speakers at this year’s ConfEx. It promises to be a unique environment for members of the global rugby and wider sporting community to network, share knowledge and develop relationships while participating in fascinating plenary sessions, workshops and an exhibition.”

Under the theme The future of rugby, the event will also examine how data can be harnessed to improve player performance. It will explore the evolving entertainment market place, lead a timely discussion about protecting sport from corruption and seek to answer how rugby can make the most of its return to the Olympic programme at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Taking place ahead of the event for the first time will be the World Rugby Awards 2016. The ceremony, which will celebrate the accomplishments of players, coaches and teams from across the globe, will be hosted at the Hilton London Metropole on 13 November. Showcasing the very best in rugby from 2016, it promises to be an occasion not to be missed.

Tickets for the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016 can be purchased here www.worldrugby.org/confex.

For further information on confirmed speakers and the World Rugby Conference and Exhibition 2016 programme visit www.worldrugby.org/confex.

For enquiries on attending the World Rugby Awards 2016, click here.

Bruin Sports Capital acquires Deltatre

Bruin Sports Capital, an international media, sports, marketing and branded lifestyle company, today announced the acquisition of deltatre, one of the world’s leading sports media service companies, whose clients include global sports leaders UEFA, FIFA, the English Premier League, ATP, BBC, BT Sport and Fox.
 
Deltatre are one of the biggest players in the digital European sports market, working with UEFA on the Champions League and recently partnered with ATP Media, the broadcast arm of men’s tennis’ ATP World Tour, to redesign and relaunch ATP’s ‘TennisTV’ – an OTT service.
 
Bruin Sports Capital will look to broaden its portfolio of digital, live streaming and broadcast services, accelerate growth across Europe and Asia, and establish a meaningful presence in the United States. Deltatre joins a growing and diverse collection of innovative businesses in Bruin Sports Capital’s portfolio of companies.
 
Under this deal, Giampiero Rinaudo will continue to lead as CEO of deltatre, which includes offices in Turin, Italy, London, UK and Munich, Germany, as well as in France, Switzerland, India, Singapore, Japan and Australia, with plans to establish a meaningful presence in the U.S. Mr. Rinaudo and his co-founder, Luca Marini, will retain a significant minority investment in deltatre.
 
“Deltatre is on the cutting-edge of media, technology and sports, globally,” said Bruin chief executive George Pyne. “From live streaming to broadcast solutions, to website and mobile app development, they are driving exceptional value for clients and delivering sport to audiences around the world.”
 
“At Bruin, we understand the importance of media and technology as tools for global engagement in sport, and believe with our experience and access to long-term flexible capital, we can help Deltatre continue to innovate and grow their business.”
 
Rinaudo added: “Celebrating our 30th anniversary, we believed there was a still a lot of potential in Deltatre, but we understood that the next level of growth needed a new partner. We found in Bruin Sports Capital the perfect partner with a strong focus on the sport business, with signinficant influence in the media, and with long term investment vision. Our clients will be the first to benefit from our new ability to make investments that will ensure they are always on the cutting-edge of product and technology.”


Jerome Champagne Confirms Candidacy for FIFA President

Former FIFA executive Jerome Champagne has officially submitted his candidacy to become the next FIFA president. 

Champagne intially signalled his intention to go up against Sepp Blatter in the FIFA election in May, but had to withdraw from the running as he didn’t receive enough nominations. 

Following the recent investigations involving Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini, which involved a payment of £1.3 million to Platini, the Frenchman has decided to have a second go at being named FIFA president.

Champagne’s announcement comes before Monday’s deadline for all candidates to formally submit their bids. He will be challenging Prince Ali bin-al Hussein of Jordan, Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa and Platini, subject to his ban being overturned before the election. 

In a letter to Fifa’s 209 member associations, Champagne said: “At a time when FIFA, our FIFA, needs more than ever an open debate about its future, its reform and the reform of football, we are witnessing the first months of the electoral campaign being dominated by controversy and deals made behind closed doors.”

“We need to save FIFA and its role of governance and redistribution, which is in danger at a time when they are needed the most.

“We must also restore FIFA’s credibility and prepare it for the challenges of an ever-evolving world.”

The FIFA presidential election will take place on 26 February.

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European Volleyball Confederation Partners With EOC Office

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) has become a partner of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) EU Office – the House of European Sport in Brussels.

The partnership was announced on Friday by EOC President Patrick Hickey and CEV President André Meyer.

Full story HERE.

IAAF and FIH Added to Panel for Digital Media & Technology Masterclass

iSportconnect, physician the world’s largest global private network of sports business executives, is delighted to announce Emanuele Perotti Nigra, Director of Technology and Information at the IAAF and Andy Oram, TV Manager at FIH (International Hockey Federation) as the latest confirmed panellists for the Digital Media & Technology Masterclass in Lausanne.

The event is in association with the ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and will be making its second appearance in the Swiss city on 28th September at the Maison du Sport International.

Mota_ThomasThe pair join previously confirmed panellists Thomas van Schaik, Manager of Marketing and Commerce at the Netherlands Olympic Committee (NOC) and Motasem El Bawab, Digital Marketing Manager at the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation).

Emanuele has spent just over 18 years at the IAAF, 16 of those as the Head of Information Technology from 1996 to 2012.

From 2013 he took up his current position as Director of Technology and Information at the organisation’s headquarters in Monaco.

In those positions, he has worked to shorten the distance and increase the delivery speed and accuracy of data between the bigger Olympic event and the sport’s professionals and the audience.

As TV Manager at FIH, Andy oversees the delivery of the TV production and content for the Federation.

He joined FIH in 2015, after working as TV & Broadcasting Director at Boxing Marketing Arm. Broadcast Production roles at Sky Sports and Manchester United also list on his CV following a career in professional cricket in both England and Australia.

Since joining FIH, Andy has been key part of the Hockey Revolution, which, amongst several other areas of the organisation, will see the television broadcasting of the sport transformed, both on the pitch and behind the scenes.

iSportconnect Chairman Michael Cunnah said: “We’re thrilled to have Emanuele and Andy on board for what is shaping up to be another exciting Masterclass in Lausanne. They will add valuable contributions to the discussions and offer really interesting perspectives.”

This Masterclass event will focus on current trends and developments within the industry, with first hand feedback from experts in the sector and discussions on the future of digital and technology within sports.

Invitation policy: An exclusive invite only event to Heads of Digital Media and Technology from International Federations, Governing Bodies, Teams/Clubs, Brands and other similar positions.

To register your interest please contact Sylvia-Line Lamaro at sylvia-line@isportconnect.com.

In Association with:

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Event Partners:

SevenLeague_Logo      VindiciaLogo       Omnigon2015

Exponential_Logo        Beemray_NewLogo

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Shortlisted Sports Stepping up Efforts for Inclusion into Tokyo 2020 Olympics

With Olympic Agenda 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made a landmark ruling which allowed Olympic host nations to make proposals for the inclusion of one or more additional sports onto the Olympic programme.

Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympic Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games to fulfil this.

In June, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee shortlisted eight IOC-recognised International Federations (IFs) to be considered for inclusion at the 2020 Olympic Games.

The shortlisted IFs are:

– World Baseball Softball Confederation – WBSC

– World Bowling – WB

– World Karate Federation – WKF

– International Roller Sports Federation – FIRS

– International Federation of Sport Climbing – IFSC

– World Squash Federation – WSF

– International Surfing Association – ISA

– International Wushu Federation – IWUF

All eight shortlisted IFs attended Tokyo for two-day interviews recently (7-8th August) with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to bring their cases forward for why they should be included.

Steve Wilson, Chief Olympic Correspondent for the Associated Press (AP), told iSportconnect that popularity of these sports in Japan will play a big part in the decision and therefore expects baseball and softball to be one of the sports selected.

“Number one is the popularity of the sport in Japan, they want to appeal to the home audience and clearly baseball and softball would be number one on the list,” said Wilson

“It’s a national sport in Japan and it would be very surprising if those two sports were not on the list to be put forward by Tokyo.”

JapanBaseball

Wilson also said other criteria for the IOC will be sports that appeal to youth as the organisation wants to make a big effort to connect more with youth through sports.

“The IOC has repeatedly said, ‘we want sports that appeal to youth, we need to connect with youth’, this is the other driving force behind present box presence and we’ll have to see what sport fits that bill the best,” added Wilson.

“There are sports such as roller-skating, skateboarding, these type of events are in the mix, but there are more established ones as well such as squash, karate, all these factors will have to be taken into account but the IOC stresses that there must be a youth component to these.

“It must appeal to the youth, so we’ll see how those sports sell their programme to the IOC, to the organisers that’s the key thing right now.”

As the top sport in Japan in terms of youth participation, infrastructure, media coverage and fan-following, Baseball and Softball appears to have the upper hand among the sports vying for a place in the 2020 Olympics.

Following their two-day interview in Tokyo recently, WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: “Given our sport’s footprint in Japan and worldwide, WBSC and our global partners hoped to have shown during the interview in Tokyo that staging Olympic baseball and softball in 2020 would be easily accommodated – fully in the spirit of Olympic Agenda 2020 – and the added value as well as the historic value would be a ‘home run’ for Tokyo 2020, the Olympic Movement and our sport.”

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will make a decision on the sports it will propose for inclusion to the IOC by 30th September, with the final decision, in line with the Olympic Charter, to be made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

Los Angeles to Prepare Budget of 4.5bn Dollars to Host 2024 Olympics

Los Angeles is prepared to spend up to $4.5 billion if it is selected by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as its candidate city to host the 2024 Olympic Games, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.

The reports, cited L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti, also report that there will be a $400m contingency, around $200m of which will be used to cover financial overruns,

The position opened up after Boston pulled out of the bidding process last month and speaking to the L.A. Times, Garcetti said the city is working hard to secure a deal with USOC to become the preferred candidate city for the U.S.

“I think it is right for this city. I think it’s who we are,” said Garcetti. “I think we benefit from it economically, socially.” 

Garcetti admits that he can’t promise there won’t be any risks with the bid for L.A., but believes the benefits outweigh this.

“I cannot eliminate risk,” he added.

“On the one-to-five hot scale, one being the coldest, my personal assessment, for what it’s worth, is about a one.”

USOC will have to make a decision in mid-September and Garcetti is confident that L.A. will secure the backing from USOC as talks continue.

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