Liverpool FC Names AXA As Principal Partner

Liverpool FC has named insurance brand AXA as principal partner and the club’s new official training kit partner from the 2019-20 season.

As part of the deal, AXA branding will feature on the Reds’ New Balance training apparel next term.

AXA will also continue working closely with the club’s men’s and women’s teams, managers, coaches and health professionals to support the shared goal of promoting healthy wellbeing and lifestyle.

Billy Hogan, managing director and chief commercial officer at LFC, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with AXA to see them become a principal partner and new official training kit partner. As a world-leader in its industry, AXA shares our ambitions and values, and we’ve already shared a lot of success since our partnership began in 2018. We look forward to building on our special relationship and continuing to bring to life fantastic experiences for our fans around the world.”

Thomas Büberl, CEO at AXA, added: “We’re excited by this new important step in our partnership with Liverpool Football Club that started in 2018. Featuring the AXA logo on the Liverpool FC training kit is a great symbol of our strong ambition to strengthen the AXA brand consideration globally.

“By building on our similar values and vision with Liverpool FC, we will also be able to bring to life our new brand promise to our customers on self-belief with the tagline: ‘Know You Can’.”

 

Arsenal FC Signs Content Agreement With National Geographic Partners

Arsenal FC has signed a branded content deal with National Geographic Partners.

The partnership will create new storytelling content to highlight the tourism opportunities which Arsenal’s Official Partner Visit Rwanda has to offer.

The creation of these stories will utilise National Geographic’s photographic and storytelling capabilities to tell the story of Rwanda to National Geographic’s audience around the world, which will be available on the National Geographic digital and social travel platforms.

Arsenal Commercial Director Peter Silverstone said: “We are extremely excited to work with National Geographic Partners to showcase the unique opportunities that Rwanda has to offer. For over 130 years, National Geographic has been inspiring millions of people all over the world through groundbreaking storytelling from the best and brightest scientists, explorers and photographers. This new partnership will provide the perfect platform to share Rwanda’s story, and the incredible experiences the country offers.”

Chief Tourism Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, Belise Kariza said: “Rwanda is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and we are excited about sharing our story and rich natural heritage with the global National Geographic community.  The Visit Rwanda partnership with Arsenal Football Club and the creation of this new platform will inspire more travellers and adventurers to look to Rwanda as their top travel destination. We look forward to welcoming them.”

 

YouTube Will Live-Stream MLB Games

Major League Baseball has made a groundbreaking deal with YouTube for broadcast rights.

As part of the agreement, MLB has granted the video platform exclusive rights to live-stream 13 games during the 2019 season. The games will be broadcast in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico live for free on the MLB’s official YouTube channel and on an upcoming dedicated channel on YouTube TV.

The games will be available on YouTube internationally, with the exception of 23 territories due to existing rights deal, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Germany.

YouTube’s Head of Sports and News Partnerships, Timothy Katz, said: “It’s incredible to team up with Major League Baseball for this first-of-its-kind deal together to provide both diehard baseball fans and our YouTube community with live games exclusively on YouTube and YouTube TV.

“With Major League Baseball’s expanding international fanbase, we are confident YouTube’s global audience will bring fans around the world together in one place to watch the games and teams they love.”

MLB’s Executive VP of Global Media, Chris Tully said: “YouTube is an enormously popular video platform with impressive global reach and has served as a great environment for baseball fans to consume the game they love. With the media consumption habits of our fans continuing to evolve, MLB is committed both to expanding our roster of national broadcast platforms and to presenting live games in new ways to our fans.”

 

US Open Checks In With Bermuda Tourism Authority

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has booked The Bermuda Tourism Authority as an exclusive tourism partner of the US Open Tennis Championships.

As part of the deal, Bermuda will have a significant presence at the US Open with on-court signage in Arthur Ashe Stadium, presence on US Open digital properties, social media channels and on-site activation space for consumer engagement.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority is working in conjunction with the USTA, USTA Player Development and the USTA Foundation to create a new, multifaceted event to take place in Bermuda in 2020. The event will feature a Pro-Am as well as exhibitions with tennis legends and rising American players.

Gordon Smith, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, USTA said: “The Bermuda Tourism Authority is introducing the island to a new generation of travelers who match up perfectly with our regional, national and global US Open fan base. We look forward to helping increase Bermuda’s exposure as a leading luxury travel destination through this exciting new partnership.”

Kevin Dallas, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said: “An exclusive tourism partnership with the US Open works for Bermuda on so many levels and helps set ourselves apart from our competition.The brand story of Bermuda introducing the sport of tennis to the United States is just one example of how we punch above our weight as a small island out in the middle of the Atlantic. The collaboration also puts Bermuda in the cultural conversation at one of the must-see events in New York City.

“As summer comes to a close in the city, we will leverage this platform to invite New Yorkers to extend their summer season with active adventure out here in Bermuda. The addition of a custom event to take place in Bermuda that will create direct spending and provide kids clinics for developing and exposing Bermuda’s youth to tennis greatness and opportunity is icing on the cake.”

 

PGA Tour Renews Wells Fargo Support

The PGA Tour has extended its partnership with Wells Fargo for five-years.

As part of the renewal, Wells Fargo will sponsor Wells Fargo Championship through 2024. However, because of the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in 2021, the event will move for one year to TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Washington, D.C.

Wells Fargo Championship Tournament Director Gary Sobba said: “It is also an exciting time for our 2,300 volunteers—many of whom are Wells Fargo team members. We are fortunate that our tournament has become a popular spring tradition for PGA TOUR players, our partners and fans throughout the Carolinas.”

Quail Hollow Club President Johnny Harris said, “Today’s announcement is special for Quail Hollow Club members and staff. From the beginning, our goal was to create an exciting environment for the players, patrons, and partners as we gather to celebrate the game of golf and incorporate the tremendous support of the community.

“We are so honored by the success of this annual event and are grateful for all who have helped us along the way. We have been fortunate to host the best players in the world and are looking forward to welcoming them back for years to come.”

FIM Speedway Grand Prix To Time With Aztorin

The FIM Speedway Grand Prix has named watch brand Aztorin as official timing partner ahead of qualifying revolution for SGP 2019.

As part of the agreement, all SGP bikes will be fitted with transponders for the first time. Aztorin also continues as official SGP watch partner, as well as being title sponsor of this year’s German FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Teterow.

BSI Speedway Managing Director Torben Olsen said: “Bringing effective timing technology into the SGP series and making Friday’s practice session even more meaningful have been important goals for us, and it’s great to work with Aztorin to make this happen. In the tests we carried out last season, riders were truly fascinated by the times they clocked and what this meant for them. So I have no doubt the Friday qualifying sessions will add even more drama to an SGP weekend.

“The FIM Speedway World Championship may still be won on points, but recording some rapid lap times will certainly help riders achieve their goals. I’m sure fans will watch the sessions with interest.”

 

Manchester City Women’s Team Renews Deal With Pioneer Group

Manchester City’s women’s team has extended its partnership with Pioneer Group.

As part of the renewal, Pioneer Group will continue to deliver the audio visual and perimeter LED support elements at the Academy Stadium and  will present Manchester City’s women’s team end of season awards on May 9 at the Etihad Stadium’s Tunnel Club venue.

Pioneer Group will further present the Moment of the Match across City’s social media platforms for every women’s game.

Gavin Makel, Head of Women’s Football at Manchester City, said:“We are delighted that Pioneer Group will remain an official partner of the women’s team. Since 2016, we have worked together to develop the matchday experience for our supporters and to deliver memorable events. Our end of season awards are another fantastic opportunity for us to collaborate on an exciting experience for our supporters to enjoy.”

Chris Appleyard, Group Director of Pioneer Group, added: “As a Manchester-based company we are incredibly proud of the work Manchester City has done to promote the women’s game, both regionally and nationally. Everyone at Pioneer Group is excited to continue our partnership with Manchester City and to be the headline sponsor of their end of season awards. We look forward to working together and to further enhancing the matchday experience at the Academy Stadium.”

 

Dream11 Unveils Ad-Free Aggregator Platform For India

Indian online gaming platform Dream11 has unveiled an ad-free multi-sport aggregator platform called Fancode. The new platform will offer content, commerce (sports merchandise) and community engagement.

Fancode will be led by former NBA India MD Yannick Colaco and Prasana Krishnan, former Executive VP and Business Head (Sports) of Sony Pictures Network India.

FanCode offers a personalised, ad-free, curated sports experience across news, live match scores, research-based insights, fantasy sports statistics, expert fantasy tips, game analysis and access to engage with other sports fans.

Colaco said: “India has over 300 million online sports fans, of which over 60 million use fantasy sports as their primary tool for engagement with their favourite sport. In all likelihood, the next wave of growth in sports consumption will mainly be driven by fantasy sports and sports content platforms. FanCode is a futuristic project with great potential.”

Harsh Jain, Chief Xxecutive and Co-Founder of Dream11, said: “It has been fascinating to witness the evolving landscape of Indian sports and the rapid rise of fan engagement. Our latest offering, FanCode, aims to be the single aggregator platform that will connect the evolved sports audience with relevant sports products and services. Under the capable leadership of Yannick and Prasana, we can expect to see FanCode changing the way an Indian sports fan consumes sports online.”

 

 

 

Major League Soccer Renews Twitter Content Deal

Major League Soccer has extended its content partnership with Twitter.

As part of the renewal, MLS will continue to provide Twitter with a package of live and on-demand content each week, including every goal of the MLS season.

MLS and Twitter will further collaborate on initiatives throughout like the digital SLR camera the league installed last season for a Heineken Rivalry Week match between the LA Galaxy and LAFC.

TJ Adeshola, Head of US Sports Partnerships at Twitter, said. “The LIVE match day action along with commentary and highlights have been a huge success – now, the community will get to watch LIVE programming around the Playoffs and the MLS Cup on Twitter!”

Chris Schlosser, SVP Media at MLS,  said: “Our collaboration with Twitter has proven to be a highly effective vehicle to connecting with fans in innovative ways and bringing our teams and world-class athletes to new audiences. We are excited to extend our partnership and look forward to working with Twitter and Univision on creative executions during live matches and at our big events.”

 

ICC Uncorks Partnership With Veuve Clicquot

The International Cricket Council has named French champagne brand Veuve Clicquot as an official partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.

Veuve Clicquot, a part of the Moet Hennessy stable of products, will be the exclusive champagne for the 10-team tournament being played across 11 venues in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.

ICC General Manager – Commercial Campbell Jamieson, said: “We welcome Veuve Clicquot as a partner for the Cricket World Cup, one of the most eagerly awaited sports events of the year.

“Veuve Clicquot is a premium brand and this association is appropriate since the 46-day event will see the cream of cricketing talent converge in the United Kingdom for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. We are pleased to have them as partners and I am sure they see great value in this association.”