Fluendo, shop an expert in video analysis and multimedia, online was presented with the first annual “Best of SPROCKIT” award as a favorite startup at the 2015 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show.

At NAB Show, SPROCKIT showcased 30 emerging companies that were hand-selected by industry experts because of their potential to disrupt the media and entertainment industry.

SPROCKIT gives startups the opportunity to meet on equal ground with executives at leading media and entertainment companies to discuss new technology or creative solutions to solving the industry’s biggest challenges.

The first annual “Best of SPROCKIT” awards recognize five exceptional SPROCKIT companies for their outstanding products and solutions, as voted by NAB Show attendees.

During NAB Show, Fluendo was one of 30 SPROCKIT startups presenting their company’s products and solutions in a five minute pitch session, followed by a brief Q&A open to all NAB Show attendees.

Attendees were encouraged to cast their vote for the most outstanding SPROCKIT company via an online and SMS voting platform powered by 2014 SPROCKIT startup, ExciteM. 

Fluendo was among the five startups with the highest number of votes and was honored at a SPROCKIT VIP Reception and Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as an outstanding company with exceptional products by SPROCKIT and NAB Show attendees,” said Muriel Moscardini, CEO, Fluendo.

“As a growing company introducing our new products, LongoMatch and Tagtics, along with our existing ONEPLAY multimedia suite, it is terrific to get positive feedback and validation from our industry peers.

“We want to thank Harry Glazer and his wonderful SPROCKIT team, together with the NAB for this award and the opportunity to participate alongside these game-changing entrepreneurs.”

Gordon Smith, president and CEO, NAB, presented the awards during the industry convention, alongside Harry Glazer, CEO and founder of SPROCKIT, and SPROCKIT corporate members Roger Keating, senior vice president of digital media at Hearst Television, and Kevin Cuddihy, president of local media at Univision.

The World Karate Federation have added events in Brazil and Egypt for the first time after revealing the 2015 Karate1 Premier League calendar.

Full story HERE.

Directors’ Club London at Dentons LLP on 27 November

All spaces filled

The latest instalment of the iSportconnect Directors’ Club is only one week away and we can confirm there are no remaining spaces available.

Hosted at Dentons LLP on 27 November, iSportconnect Directors’ Club London is an invitation only event open exclusively for director-level executives in governing bodies, sports teams and sponsorship brands to share market insight and best practice. It features a panel of high-profile sport business executives who participate in a Question Time format Q&A session, as well as excellent networking opportunities.

On the panel for the latest event is David Bernstein, former chairman of The Football Association, Wembley Stadium and Manchester City, Patrick Louis, CEO of the Lotus F1 Team, Nick Blofeld, CEO of Bath Rugby and Greg Thomas the CEO and President of PrivatAir.

Michael Cunnah, iSportconnect Chairman commented: “We are all really looking forward to next week’s Directors’ Club, an event that I am sure will be our best yet.

“The quality of the panel is first-class, which is highlighted by the very limited space that is left for delegates. We look forward to seeing you all in one week!”

Invitation Policy: iSportconnect Directors’ Club is an invitation only event open exclusively for chief executives, chairmen and director level executives from governing bodies, sports teams and sponsorship brands.

Sports Agencies, professional service providers & suppliers, please contact us for sponsorship opportunities.

To register interest, please email:  matthias.moulin@isportconnect.com

Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 League has been made defunct after franchise holders defaulted thereby failing to guarantee player salaries.

The Twenty20 league had its inaugural season last August even managing to recruit a handful of big-name international players, including the West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Pakistani player Shahid Afridi.

Sri Lanken Cricket removed the seven franchise holders who failed to fulfil their roles and additionally cancelled the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL).

SLPL Director Ajit Jayasekera said: “We will not have the tournament this year because the seven Indian franchise holders did not pay despite verbal and sometimes written assurances that they will,” Jayasekera said. “We could not go on indefinitely.”

The seven franchises, all held by Indian companies, failed to meet several deadlines to pay nearly $3 million. The firms’ financial statuses are not known and it is unclear why they had not made the payments.

“We had to decide. And we have decided to terminate franchise agreements and not have the tournament this year,” he said.

Sri Lanka Cricket released a brief one-paragraph statement which read: “the Mahindra SLPL 2013 will not take place”.

Jayasekera commented that the sport authority hopes to create a new model for the Twenty20 tournament next year.

The Detroit Lions and Big Ten Conference announced a six-year partnership for a bowl game to be played at Ford Field starting in 2014.

Sponsorships agreements are still pending and so the game has yet to be officially named; however, symptoms it has been tentatively scheduled – TV broadcast schedule permitting – for 30 December, physician 2014.

The Big Ten and a yet-to-be-named conference will determine their team representatives after the best possible matchup are chosen by bowl and conference officials.

Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany said of the partnership: “We are pleased to join with the Detroit Lions in creating this new postseason bowl game in Detroit. The city of Detroit has played host to as many big-time sporting events as any other major city in America… The support of the business and community leaders of Detroit coupled with a world-class facility in Ford Field and Detroit Lions’ management of the game will result in a meaningful experience for Big Ten teams and their fans.”

The Detroit Lions are only the second NFL team to officially host and operate a college football bowl game after the Houston Texans in 2006; however, salve the team’s entertainment division, DLI Entertainment, has promoted multiple large scale events in the past both in sport and music.

“We are thrilled to be hosting a new bowl game in Detroit that will be anchored by an annual commitment from the Big Ten,” said Detroit Lions Team President Tom Lewand. “In addition to showcasing our city and its rich football tradition, this game will be an opportunity for fans to enjoy a postseason matchup featuring one of college football’s best conferences.”

The Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, unhealthy where Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis trains, capsule is to be redeveloped as a ‘sports and wellbeing park.’

The move has been described as the ‘biggest Olympic legacy project outside of London, cough ’ by the former sports minister Richard Caborn.

Plans include venues for rugby and gymnastics, but athletics will move to the Woodbourn Road stadium.

Caborn said: “This is the result of intensive work by a small group of significant organisations in the Sheffield City Region to consider a future for the Don Valley Stadium footprint.

“In effect it becomes an advanced sports and wellbeing park giving a comprehensive delivery of the Olympic legacy that we promised in Singapore in 2005.”

Carbon also said that funding had been secured and plans include new homes for the rugby league and union teams Sheffield Eagles and Titans.

The new National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine will also be built on site with a technical college.

Sheffield City Council had previously said that the stadium would close, in a bid to cut costs.

Audi Canada has announced a new strategic marketing partnership with Major League Soccer in Canada.

The deal makes Audi Canada the Official Automotive Partner of Major League Soccer in Canada. 

Audi Canada already benefits from broadcast presence during the MLS season. 

“Audi is a major supporter of soccer around the world, so this opportunity makes perfect sense for the brand in Canada,” said Daniel Weissland, President, Audi Canada. “Audi Canada and our national network of dealers will work hard to bring Canada, the United States’ top soccer league and its talented players closer to Canadian soccer fans through contests, premium fan experiences and other activities.”

“Major League Soccer is thrilled to extend Audi’s partnership with the league into Canada,” said Jennifer Cramer, Vice President of Partnership Marketing for Soccer United Marketing. “Audi is committed to growing the sport of soccer across North America and around the globe, so it is only natural that we join together at this critical time for our sport. We will lean on Audi’s commitment to innovation, technology, and advancement to take our sport to new heights.”

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Location: Mumbai, ambulance India

Closing date: 5th December 2016

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage in-language social accounts in line with overall WWE social strategy, branding, and voice.
• Drive traffic to all social platforms and digital properties, emphasizing audience growth and engagement with content.
• Work closely supporting stakeholders within WWE India, including agencies/freelancers, marketers in region, WWE digital content editors and social media team
• Provide social and digital support for television broadcasts specific to the Indian market, including, but not limited to show times, special events, live events, and Superstar appearances.
• Maintain the brand voice within WWE India by generating social content following WWE storyline and objectives
• Work with marketing to transform promotional messaging into engaging content
• Provide on-the-ground social support for regional marketing activations
• Project manage social support and take part in content creation for WWE’s international tours and talent visits to regions.

Essential:

• 5+ years of experience in social media with a major brand or agency, with significant work on international accounts and projects
• Extensive experience posting and creating photo and short video content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social platforms.
• Working knowledge of WWE TV shows, talent, and storylines a plus
• Strong organizational and communications skills (both verbal and written)
• Able to translate data into easy-to-understand insights
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-up skills
• Passion for emerging media trends and technology, and knowledge of how different countries use social media.
• Able to work as needed on evenings and/or weekends, and ability to schedule calls in various time zones
• Fluent in English and Hindi
• Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent in relevant study

WWE is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer and is subject to federal regulations pertaining to employment. WWE does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. WWE also provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state or local laws.

Please click here to apply

Nigerian beer brand Star, have announced agreed a multi-year partnership with football sides, Manchester City and Arsenal

The Manchester City partnership, sees Star become City’s “Official Beer Partner” in the Nigerian territory. The agreement is one of Star’s recent partnerships with leading European football clubs as the brand continues to showcase its commitment to support the growing passion its consumers in Nigeria have for football.

The Arsenal deal will see Star Lager Beer’s customers and Arsenal fans in Nigeria will be offered a range of club-related benefits, including official merchandise and match tickets to see the team in action at Emirates Stadium.

Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries PLC, Franco Maria- Maggi described the Manchester partnership as a latent need for newness.

“Even though we are Nigeria’s foremost beer brand, we continue to refresh the Star brand to keep it refreshingly new. That is what Manchester City is also bringing to football. They bring a freshness and new level of excitement to the established football order, and have carved a reputation for themselves in a few short years.”

“We are happy to partner with the club as we both want the same things; to excite football fans and give them memorable, unforgettable moments. It is what Star has always done and this is yet another way to demonstrate our commitment to creating exciting moments for our consumers”.

On the Arsenal deal:

“We are very happy and proud to make this announcement.  Arsenal belong to a unique circle of premium football clubs and are probably the most exciting in terms of the quality of football they play; so this partnership is a perfect fit.  Star Lager Beer is all about premium quality and fun and this partnership is all about adding more excitement to the lives of our consumers and football lovers across the country.”

Nick Pinder, Head of Partnerships Marketing EMEA at City Football Group:

“We are delighted to partner with an exciting brand like Star who share Manchester City’s passion for creativity and innovation. We have a rapidly growing fan base in Nigeria and by partnering with Star we have a unique opportunity to connect with our fans in a more meaningful way. Together, we look forward to ensuring our fans in Nigeria are a part of our journey, on and off the pitch, as we provide them with exclusive access, unforgettable memories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”

Arsenal’s Vinai Venkatesham,  Chief Commercial Officer, said:  “We are delighted to be partnering with Star Lager Beer, one of Nigeria’s most iconic brands.  Arsenal has a huge fan base in Nigeria and this partnership really underlines our commitment to these loyal supporters. We look forward to developing a number of exciting initiatives together for both Arsenal and football fans across Nigeria.”

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“Trump presidency would not hurt Los Angeles 2024 Olympic bid” – Michael Johnson

US four-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson has told iSportconnect that Los Angeles’ bid to host the 2024 Games will not be affected by the possibility of Donald Trump becoming the country’s president later this year.

Johnson was speaking after a LA2024 press conference featuring mayor Eric Garcetti at Rio 2016’s Olympic park in Barra when he dismissed any concern about a new president’s involvement in the bid process.

Numerous concerns have been raised by the international community about the possibility of Trump entering the White House, not least because of his controversial stance on a number of foreign policy issues.

But Johnson, himself an ambassador for the LA’s bid to host the Games for a third time, said that US president’s have historically not been involved in bids anyway.

Read his thoughts HERE.

Quotas on women in sports business should be “sledgehammer last resort”

Quotas on women in prominent roles in sports business should be “sledgehammer last resort”, one of the senior figures from Ernst and Young has told iSportconnect.

EY’s global vice chair of public policy Beth Brooke-Marciniak was speaking to iSC at the company’s ‘Women. Fast forward’ event at the World Olympians Association house in Rio de Janeiro, where International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach was also in attendance, recognizing the achievements of women in sport.

There has been debate among the sports business world for some time now whether quotas should be brought in to ensure greater equality at board level. Some fear that it may prevent meritocracy, while others point to surveys taken in European countries showing that national corporate quotas are increasing the number of women in boardrooms.There has been debate among the sports business world for some time now whether quotas should be brought in to ensure greater equality at board level. Some fear that it may prevent meritocracy, while others point to surveys taken in European countries showing that national corporate quotas are increasing the number of women in boardrooms.

Read the full article HERE

World Rugby CEO “confident” of Olympic return

The CEO of World Rugby has told iSportconnect that he is “confident” rugby sevens can retain a place in the Olympic Games after what he declared a successful inaugural competition at Rio 2016.

Rugby returned the Olympic fold this year in its shortened sevens format after a 92-year absence, and Brett Gosper spoke to iSportconnect after the competition finished at Rio’s Deodoro Stadium last week. Australia won gold in the women’s event and Fiji won their first ever Olympic medal by triumphing in the men’s edition.

Having witnessed history being made in the first South American Games, Gosper said that World Rugby was very pleased with how the competition went in Rio despite a few early concerns.

Read more HERE

EXCLUSIVE: Volleyball Must Improve on Fan Engagement and Entertainment at Olympics – FIVB Secretary General

The secretary general of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has told iSportconnect that if the sport is to continue to grow following Rio 2016, it must improve on fan engagement.

Fernando Lima was speaking to iSportconnect as both the beach volleyball and volleyball tournaments were building to their climactic finals at the Games in Rio.

Beach volleyball has been one of the standout events at Rio 2016, with the games being played on the stunning setting of Copacabana beach.

Read Fernando Lime’s thoughts HERE

Rio Mayor says he “wouldn’t change anything” about Olympics delivery

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has said that he wouldn’t do anything different in the staging of the 2016 Games were he to go through it all again.

Paes was speaking to reporters at the Rio media centre alongside Brazil’s presidential chief of staff Eliseu Padilha on the success of the Olympic Games which closed on Sunday.

The buildup to the Games was fraught with negative stories about, amongst other things, construction delays, health fears over Zika, safety issues in Rio and the failure of the state government to clean up the polluted Guanabara Bay by 80 per cent.

Find out more HERE.

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