iSportconnect Host Another Hugely Impressive London Directors’ Club

iSportconnect, the world’s largest private network of sport business executives, once again staged a hugely successful and insightful Directors’ Club in London yesterday evening, with an impressive mix of panellists and delegates at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel.

As usual the event attracted a number of senior executives from within the sports industry representing sports teams, clubs, governing bodies, federations, rights holders and brands.

This included; Adidas, AEG Europe, Arsenal FC, Ascot Racecourse, Barclays, British and Irish Lions, British Olympic Association, Chelsea FC, City Football Group, ECB, ESPN, Everton FC, Formula One, HTC, ITF, JP Morgan, LTA, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, Microsoft, NBA, NFL, PGA European Tour, Premier League, PwC, Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur FC, UK Sport, WTA and many more.

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The delegates contributed to an interactive evening full of great discussions with one of our strongest panels which consisted of; Colin Graves, Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Shaun Harvey, CEO of The Football League, Erich Wolf, General Manager of the Red Bull Air Race and Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports.

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Some of the topics discussed were the power of broadcasting in sport and the influence and importance of sponsors when agreeing deals, the success of the Women’s World Cup and the opportunity for growth in women’s sport and betting in sport.

There was a good link between several of the panellists which allowed for free-flowing and engaging debates throughout the Question Time session.

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Stay tuned to iSportconnect TV to watch the highlights of the Directors’ Club soon.

An announcement of the location for the next Directors’ Club will be made on our platform in the near future.

Thank you to all of our partners, panellists and delegates for contributing to another successful iSportconnect event.

More pictures below

 

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Havas SE Make Two Senior Appointments

Havas Sports & Entertainment have announced two senior management appointments to their global team. 

Fredda Hurwitz, treat who is currently the Global VP of Strategic Planning, apoplectic Marketing & Communications for Havas SE, ed has been appointed as Global Chief Strategy Officer and Thiago Bersou has been appointed Global Creative Planning Director.

Read more HERE.

PGA Tour & Omnigon Debut New iPAD App

The PGA TOUR has today announced the release of its new iPad app in advance of this week’s World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

Developed in partnership with award-winning digital consulting firm Omnigon and POSSIBLE Mobile, medicine this immersive, stomach second-screen app includes many unique, order interactive features and live video that will greatly enhance golf fans’ experience, whether they are at a tournament, watching at home or on the go.

Unique to this app, and setting itself apart in the golf industry, is the use of real-time predictive statistics, both for individual players and the field.

These statistics, which are updated after each stroke, include average proximity to hole for approach shots, driving accuracy and distance, distance to hole and the percentage of putts made from current distance.

“We’re extremely pleased to offer this enhanced digital experience that enables golf fans to follow all the action in new and exciting ways, no matter where they are,” said Luis Goicouria, PGA TOUR Vice President of Digital Media.

“We are confident this app, with its new predictive shot, full-course view features and functionalities and live video, will keep new and current fans of all ages engaged and informed, not only during a tournament but throughout the entire season.”

Fans have three choices as to how they can follow the action:

– Track their favorite player or the leader

– Follow their favorite group

– Use the “single hole” option to watch the field play through in real time, whether teeing off on the first hole, tackling the toughest hole of the tournament, or playing the final hole.

Another innovative feature is the bird’s eye 18-hole view of the course, allowing fans to quickly see in real-time where the leaders and their favorite players are on the course, in addition to identifying which holes are playing the most difficult.

Users also have the ability to track every golf swing a player takes using shot trails and shot plots, providing fans with ball placement, shot charts and scoring from each location.

Other features of the new iPad app, which is now available at Apple’s App Store, include live streaming video, the latest news and highlights from the TOUR, player and group scorecards, up-to-the minute leaderboard and full FedEx Cup standings.

Omnigon did the design work and provided technical development around the feeds for the application. POSSIBLE provided all of the app development work.

“As part of our multi-year partnership with the PGA TOUR, we are excited to continue to deliver unique and engaging digital offerings for golf fans to stay tuned in to every shot, stat and standing no matter where they are,” said David Nugent, Chief Commercial Officer, Omnigon.

“This app builds on the success of the PGA TOUR’s redesigned website and other mobile offerings we designed, developed and launched on behalf of the TOUR previously.”

“This new iPad experience was rethought from the ground up,” said Ben Reubenstein, President of POSSIBLE. “Fans will get to experience the PGA TOUR in an entirely new way with the most detailed, interactive statistics available for the sport on iPad.”

Exclusive: England 2015 Get Reality Check From Test Event

By Christian Radnedge

The chief executive of the England 2015 Rugby World Cup has told iSportconnect that important lessons have been learned from the recent test event for the tournament.

Debbie Jevans was speaking to iSportconnect from Twickenham where she oversaw the final leg of the World Cup volunteer recruitment drive which started in June this year.

On Saturday November 22, medic England beat Samoa 28-9 in the third match of the QBE International Series. But crucially, order the event was a test for logistics and travel around an evening kick-off, like the situation next year at the opening match between England and Fiji at Twickenham for example.

Jevans revealed she was happy with how operations ran overall, but admitted that there were plans that had to be reworked.

“It went well,” she said. “We tried a number of different things which included direct buses to Waterloo, we used Kempton Park as a park and ride, there was partial closure of the A316.

“We learnt lessons. There were some angry people because things didn’t always go to plan, and that is why you have a test event. But what it did show us is that the park and ride at Kempton went really well and we will do that. We will be doing the buses to Waterloo which is another innovation.

“So we learnt a huge amount and as we speak the team is back at base doing a big debrief from it and seeing what we have to put in place for the future events that we’ll have. Overall I was pleased but one thing you can’t legislate for is the weather and it poured with rain so we even had a flood. But that itself was also a test.”

The ceo explained that people were frustrated with queuing times and that travel times to and from Waterloo, for example, were much longer than publicised. 

“Some of the times we published we missed them and we need to understand why and make sure we change that which we will do for 2015 – and that’s why you test,” Jevans said.

Conversely, the mood has been high at the volunteer tryouts which have visited every World Cup host city interviewing 6,000 potential candidates who will be known as The Pack.

The roles will be similar to those of the Games Makers seen at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics – who Jevans is familiar with having been Director of Sport for the Games organising committee.

“Of the 6,000 what is really important is we recognise the fact that people are volunteering week in-week out for sport,” she said. “It’s not just the big events that get the profile; there are hundreds and thousands of people that do volunteer at rugby clubs and other sports clubs throughout the country.

“So we wanted to first ensure we rewarded those, which is why 75 per cent of our volunteers are going to come from clubs but then equally the knowledge of what happened in 2012 we’ll have 25 per cent who are possibly new to volunteering.

“But the key thing from what you saw in 2012 was how important the volunteers are. They become, without question, the face of the event. They are the ones, be you an athlete, be you the media, spectator, your first interface is with a volunteer so it really hammered home the importance they have in event delivery.”

Even for people who missed out on being a volunteer, there is still a chance to be at the tournament despite the huge demand for tickets.

Tickets for matches still available go back on general sale on Friday, having been offered first to applicants who were unlucky in the first ballot in September.

The prices range from £7 to £715 but organisers are still confident that every match will be sold out.

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British Rowing Announce Andy Parkinson as New CEO

British Rowing has announced Andy Parkinson has been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer from January 2015.

Parkinson is currently the Chief Executive of UK Anti-Doping, shop pills he became the first appointment in that position in 2009.

“I am delighted that Andy will be joining British Rowing as our CEO,” said Annamarie Phelps, Chairman of British Rowing.

“Andy brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership capabilities in sporting governance, both national and international. He was impressive during a rigorous and competitive selection process and we very much look forward to welcoming him to British Rowing when he joins us next year.”

Andy Parkinson said: “It has been a privilege to be the first Chief Executive of UK Anti-Doping. I have had the opportunity to work with many highly skilled and committed individuals and am extremely proud of what UKAD has achieved over the past five years.

“Rowing has been one of the most successful British Olympic sports and I am very much looking forward to leading the organisation as it strives for greater success, growth and participation at every level. Now is the time for me to seek a fresh challenge and it is an honour to be joining British Rowing as Chief Executive Officer.”

British Rowing has been under the leadership of Interim CEO, Neil Chugani, since the start of the year and he will remain in charge until Andy Parkinson’s arrival in January.

Annamarie Phelps added: “British Rowing was fortunate indeed this year to be able to call upon someone of Neil’s outstanding professional experience, business acumen and personal passion for rowing, to take on the role of CEO on an interim basis.

“He has provided strong and effective leadership to the organisation during 2014, has made a significant and successful contribution to British Rowing, and I look forward to paying him a full tribute when he hands over his responsibilities.”

One of the first British Rowing activities that Parkinson will oversee in his role as CEO will be the inaugural British Rowing Indoor Championships, to be held in the former Olympic Velodrome on February 8, 2015.

Exclusive: Norwich Relegation Provides New Market Opportunities says Official Sponsor Aviva

By Steve Moorhouse

Despite being relegated from the Premier League last season, bronchi Norwich City Football Club’s main sponsor, Aviva, is confident that there will be no impact on their partnership and that playing in the Championship will actually provide the insurance firm with new market opportunities.

The Canaries were relegated from the top flight after three years in the Premier League at the end of the 2013-14 campaign and will return to English football’s second tier, the Championship.

However, despite the poor season, Louisa Cheetham, Sponsorship & CR Head at Aviva believes that their role as the club’s main sponsor will not be affected.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect TV, Cheetham said: “We have been a partner of theirs when they were in League One and the Championship and then three fantastic years in the Premier League. The basis of our partnership is now what we do with it.

“All it provides us with is different regions to go to. In the Premier League, Liverpool was a big pull for us. Now we will have Derby, Birmingham and others, which give us a different national reach.

“We still have vehemently passionate customers who are at all levels of the different leagues.”

Aviva has been a sponsor of Norwich since April 2008 and as an official club sponsor they have branding on the club’s shirts and around the stadium at Carrow Road.

Premier League phenomena

Although Cheetham was positive despite the club’s relegation, she did admit that sponsoring a team in the Premier League was a huge help to Avia.

“You have 620 million people who are watching the Premier League on a daily basis and we got our slice of that particular pie,” commented Cheetham.

“We are in 17 countries internationally so it helps us in Singapore, China or back here in the UK.

“The Premier League is a phenomena in terms of how it is supported, both here where it is based and internationally.”

You can read the full interview with Louisa Cheetham here and watch the BIG Interview on iSportconnect TV below.

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Dorna Officials to Visit Monza Circuit to Make Recommendations for 2015 Return

Dorna officials will visit the Monza Circuit in December to recommend changes needed for a return to the World Superbike Championships (WSBK) schedule for the historic circuit in 2015.

Monza has been a main-stay in the WSBK calendar for many years but will not be a part of the 2014 schedule having failed to gain FIM homologation.

After a meeting between Dorna and SIAS who manage the circuit, buy it was agreed that Dorna would inspect the circuit before the end of 2013.

If approved Monza will have to wait until 2015 to return to the WSBK calendar, but Italy will still host two rounds in 2014 – Imola and Misano.

Bernie Ecclestone’s F1 Future to be Decided by High Court Case

Bernie Ecclestone’s future as Formula One’s chief executive will be decided by a High Court trial that begins in London tomorrow.

The 83-year-old has overseen F1 for almost 40 years. He now faces allegations that his Bambino family trust paid a bribe worth $44m to Gerhard Gribkowsky, former chief risk officer of the German bank BayernLB. The bribe is claimed to have been to direct the sale of the bank’s 47.2% stake in F1 to CVC, the private equity firm that currently own it.

Gribkowsky was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison last year for receiving the alleged bribe. The charges against him have now led to Ecclestone’s subsequent legal issues.

German media firm Constantin Medien has accused both Eccleston and Gribkowsky of conspiring to undervalue F1 by engineering CVC’s purchase. Constantin sold its own 16.7% stake in F1 to BayernLB in 2003 for $11.6m. The sale was at a loss to Constantin, though on the condition that it would receive a 10% sgare of any additional proceeds if the bank then sold the stake for more than $1.1 billion.

As CVC purchased the bank’s stake for $814m, Constantin did not receive any addition proceeds and is now suing Ecclestone, Gribkowsky and its former legal adviser for $171m in damages. The media group’s lawsuit values the BayernLB holding i January 2006 at “at least $2.8 billion”. It goes on to state: “had it not been for the unlawful conduct, the BayernLB holding would have been sold to CVC or another purchaser for full value in or about January 2006”.

Ecclestone admits paying Gribkowsky, but denies that it was as a bribe. The billionaire argues that Gribkowsky had threatened to tell HM Revenue & Customs that he actually controlled the Bambino trust fund if he did not receive the money. The F1 supremo says he paid the money to Gribkowsky to avoid long and costly legal proceedings.

The case begins tomorrow.

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PERFORM Partner with FIBA and Euroleague Basketball for Live Streaming Service

Digital sports media company PERFORM has partnered with FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and Euroleague Basketball to provide a live streaming service for global basketball. 

Livebasketball.TV will unite the formerly separate FIBA/FIBA Zone and Euroleague.TV platforms to provide subscribers with a comprehensive service, offering more live basketball than ever before. The new service will also feature more than 300 games from the 2013 national teams calendar, including the 2013 FIBA Asia, FIBA Americas, AfroBasket and EuroBasket Championships and the upcoming Turkish Airlines Euroleague season. Users will have full access to on-demand highlights, top play clips and an extensive archive of classic matches.

All 256 Turkish Airlines Euroleague games will be available on Livebasketball.TV, beginning from October 16th. In addition, there will be coverage of major FIBA championships and a range of the best leagues around the world.

The platform was launched in June 2013 and is avaliable on desktops, tablets and mobile devices.

Frank Leenders, General Director of FIBA Media and Marketing Services, commented: “Livebasketball.TV provides a single destination for subscribers to watch their favourite club and international teams. FIBA is pleased to further develop our relationship to bring the basketball family together and to create a destination for basketball fans worldwide.”

Andrea Bassani, Chief Television & New Media Officer, Euroleague Basketball, added: “Uniting forces with FIBA and PERFORM is great news for basketball fans around the globe. They will now be able to watch their beloved sport almost 24/7 on their computer, smartphone or tablet. We are also delighted to be able to take advantage of PERFORM’s knowledge and experience in delivering high quality live online sports events to bring European basketball fans all the very best action from the forthcoming season.”

Simon Denyer, Joint CEO at PERFORM, also commented: “Having previously operated separate FIBA and FIBA Zone TV and Euroleague TV platforms, alongside other channels from smaller leagues, the new agreement brings this content together on one portal to become the ultimate destination for global basketball fans. We are looking forward to building upon our successful coverage of the summer FIBA and FIBA Zone Championships on Livebasketball.TV to provide subscribers with the value and quality that they crave.”