City Football Group Extends Global Partnership With Nissan

City Football Group and Nissan have extended their global partnership that will see the carmaker continue to be the Official Automotive Partner of the group and its football teams in the U.K, U.S. and Australia.

As part of the extended partnership, Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola has been named a Nissan ambassador. The carmaker was City Football Group’s first multi-club partner, working with Manchester City, Major League Soccer’s New York City FC, and the A-League’s Melbourne City FC.

Damian Willoughby, the group’s Senior Vice President of Partnerships said:“It was the first global business to understand our vision and our objectives and see the value of using our multi-club model as a way to engage their audience in different key markets around the world. It is a great endorsement of our partnership that we are extending our relationship and will continue to work closely together.

“Nissan is a world-class brand and has set an incredibly high standard in sports marketing. Just as Nissan stands for innovation that excites, which has run through our partnership, we are excited to see what we can create together next.”

Roel De Vries, Nissan senior vice president and global head of marketing, customer experience and brand strategy, said: “With teams all over the world, City Football Group is the perfect partner for Nissan. We share an ambition to excite people everywhere, whether it’s through world-class football or world-leading automotive technologies. Pep Guardiola’s innovative strategies have kept Manchester City at the top of their game, so he’ll be the ideal ambassador to elevate the story of our innovative Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision.”

Guardiola added: “I’m looking forward to working even more closely with Nissan. Nissan has been a great partner for Manchester City, and I know there are lots of exciting plans ahead. I’m particularly looking forward to visiting Nissan Stadium in Yokohama this Saturday.”

 

UEFA Signs Global Licensing Deal With Gillette

UEFA has signed a multi-year global licensing deal with male grooming brand Gillette.

As part of the deal, Gillette will launch a range of initiatives to complement the official licensed products, special packages including providing opportunities to win prizes and experiences.

Gary Coombe, chief executive of Gillette, said: “We are delighted and eager to discover all the ways we can celebrate what it means for men who want to be the best both on and off the pitch, creating top-notch products and winning experiences that meet the Champions League’s prestige. It is the perfect platform to connect with consumers around the world.”

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA marketing director, said: “Partnering with a global brand presents many benefits and opportunities for UEFA and we are excited to see what the next few years hold. As an industry leading company who strive to produce best in class products, we feel there is a great fit with the UEFA Champions League brand. We look forward to collaborating with them on building deeper connections with global audiences.”

LaLiga Unveils New Sound Identity Composed By Lucas Vidal

LaLiga has unveiled its new sound identity, a musical composition developed by international composer Lucas Vidal that looks to represent the sound of all football fans.

The piece was recorded in Madrid, Prague and London and saw a total of 130 musicians of 20 nationalities take part in its recording. The idea was born in the Spanish capital, where the initial demo was put together and the finishing touches added to the final piece.

The choirs were recorded at Smecky Music Studios in Prague, while the orchestral parts, played by musicians with a wealth of experience in recording film soundtracks such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park and The Avengers, were recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said: “What we’re presenting today is essential for LaLiga and will be a defining moment in LaLiga history. It’s an epic, integrating and recognisable sound that all Spanish football fans can identify with. We’ve made it with impeccable professionalism and added an international flavour, in keeping with LaLiga itself, so that supporters from all over the globe feel that the music belongs to them.”

Composer Lucas Vidal, a one-time Emmy and two-time Goya winner, admitted that taking part in this project “has been a dream come true. I was very excited to accept the role and immediately knew just what a big responsibility it was. I simply had to rise to the challenge for the fans, who have inspired me, thanks to their united chants, energy and commitment. I hope to give back to them through this music some of the passion that they feel whenever they watch a LaLiga match.”

The project, which Movistar has also been involved with through LaLiga, was hatched during a year of hard work and places its fans at its very heart. It is they who have left their mark on the competition over time, making them main pillars in the musical piece.

The start of the music involves future fans, those who were still in the womb at the time of recording and were predestined to be passionate football aficionados from birth. LaLiga put together a special initiative inviting pregnant women to have their unborn babies’ heartbeats featured in the music. Over 3,000 people took part in May and 90 were chosen, one for each year since LaLiga’s inception in 1929. The 90 heartbeats represent the fans of the future and care has been taken to incorporate them into the very heart of the music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m882BV2Uf3I

 

The second element of the composition is made up of fans applauding in a rhythmic and constant manner, a sound with which all football supporters across the globe can identify. “Heartbeats and applause are intrinsically linked and bring energy together to generate a state of collective happiness and excitement,” explained Vidal.

The third component, the melody, stands out for the way it brings wind and string instruments together and crescendos. The main melody, which is played by horns and trumpets with vocals, fluctuates between four chords that look to connect with LaLiga fans’ positive emotions. Instruments from different cultures are used in the song in a bid to give it a more universal feel.

Ad hoc versions for specific occasions

LaLiga has developed four different versions of this musical identity, which will be used based on the setting in question:

    • A main track titled ‘Heartbeats of the future’ lasting 3:40. Its versatility means it can be used at different points of the game and/or broadcast. The music will be incorporated into every LaLiga broadcast on television and the long-term aim is for it to be used on radio broadcasts as well.
    • Underscore version: the rhythm and tone are designed for slower-paced moments.

 

  • A corporate creation: for other professional LaLiga settings (headquarters, events etc.)
  • An audio logo and closing version: to wrap up LaLiga’s range of audio-visual content (advertising campaigns, digital pieces, etc.)

 

The four versions of this musical identity take it beyond a simple anthem, elevating LaLiga as a brand and as an organisation. This is another step forward in LaLiga’s bid to be established as a major player in the entertainment industry and to provide visibility for each of its clubs on the international stage.

CrossFit Joins Forces With Kiswe Mobile To Leverage Its Broadcasting Platform

CrossFit has partnered with Kiswe Mobile to advance the new distribution model by leveraging Kiswe’s cloud-based production and broadcasting platform, CloudCast.

Furthermore, CrossFit announced the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games will be broadcast through an expansive network of amateur and professional partners. Over 30 outlets will receive an open-source feed to freely distribute the program on any platform or channel they choose.

Mike Schabel, CEO of Kiswe Mobile, said, “The live sports broadcast industry is undergoing a transformation enabled by new cloud-based technology and fueled by digital-savvy audiences that expect personalized authentic content. CrossFit is pioneering the future of sports broadcasts by enabling their community to become directly involved in the telling of their story without the expense of creating each new broadcast stream with on-site trucks and studios.”

Justin Bergh, General Manager of the CrossFit Games said: “This is a more organic approach that allows us to invite individuals and outlets from around the world to create the Games viewing experience that they would want for themselves. It creates artistic and economic opportunities for others, which is a model CrossFit can stand behind.”

 

 

 

Ab InBev Strikes Deal With Premier League And LaLiga

Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (AB InBev) global brand, Budweiser has signed multi-year partnerships with the Premier League and LaLiga.

These new partnerships will activate across five continents and in more than 20 countries including the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, India, Chile and Nigeria.

Ab InBev will launch its global ‘Be A King’ campaign in conjunction with these partnerships. Activations will include limited edition packaging showcasing the iconic league trophies, exclusive viewing parties, broadcast media assets and content partnership.

Pedro Earp, Chief Marketing Officer at AB InBev said: “We are excited to kick-off these long-term partnerships with the Premier League and LaLiga, two world-class football competitions. These partnerships will allow us to further connect with key consumers and football fans across the globe. We are passionate about football, and so are our consumers, so we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate the sport, the players, and most importantly, the fans.”

Premier League Interim Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “We are delighted to announce Budweiser as a new Premier League partner. Budweiser has a track record of innovative football sponsorships, including partnering with the FIFA World Cup over many years. We look forward to working together to bring our new partnership to life and capturing the imagination of our fans all over the world.”

LaLiga President Javier Tebas added: “We’re committed to growing the passion for football around the world. This historic partnership with Budweiser will only add to the growing excitement and anticipation for this year’s season and we’re thrilled to have them as partners. The global visibility of Spanish clubs will be strengthened thanks to this agreement.”

Golden State Warriors Agrees Exclusive Retail Partnership With Fanatics

The Golden State Warriors and Fanatics have agreed a long-term, omnichannel retail partnership.

Fanatics will become the exclusive operator of all Warriors Shop locations throughout the Bay Area, including the new, multi-level 10,000 sq. ft. flagship location at Thrive City and stores inside of the new state-of-the-art Chase Center.

Fanatics Chief Executive Officer Doug Mack said: “Given our large employee presence in the Bay Area it is a very special place for our company, which makes us all proud to be a part of the Warriors’ ambitious vision for Chase Center and Thrive City, and we look forward to innovating together to bring this next generation fan experience to life.”

Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts said: “Warriors fans around the world display their affinity for the Dubs by proudly wearing their team merchandise. This partnership with Fanatics will provide fans with an enhanced, seamless, omnichannel shopping experience including the new, world-class Warriors Shop at Thrive City, just outside the main entrance to Chase Center.”

 

IMG Signs Deal With Epic Games For Fortnite World Cup Distribution

Epic Games, the game developer and publisher of the Fortnite game franchise, has appointed IMG to produce and distribute the first Fortnite World Cup 2019.

The agreement will see IMG manage media production and distribution from 26 – 28 July, as the competition makes its debut at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Stadium in New York.

All content will be delivered via a digitally encoded stream (RTMP Feed) from IMG Studios just outside of London.  IMG’s in-flight sports channel, Sport 24 Extra will be showing Fortnite World Cup live on international flights on select airlines.

Oliver Boden, Head of eSports for Europe, IMG Media, commented: “Fortnite has become one of the largest global gaming phenomenons with guaranteed entertainment and highly competitive fast-paced action. We are delighted to be working with Epic Games to distribute The Fortnite World Cup 2019 media rights and tapping into new territories and markets worldwide.”