ATP Media announce record social media growth in 2017

ATP Media has announced a 74% increase on their social media activity in 2017 with 500,000 new fans across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube according to a Facebook report.

The growth was championed in Facebook’s series of ‘Success Stories’ case studies, which stated that the increase was the result of video-led approach to fan engagement.

Both ATP Media and LiveWire drove a video-first approach on social media for Tennis TV, the official live streaming service of the ATP World Tour.

Total interactions grew by 357% year on year with the focus on video driving engagement and generating 240 million video views, an increase of 546% when compared to 2016.

Stuart Taylor, digital director at ATP Media, said: “We’re looking forward to the next phase and continuing to develop ATP Media’s social media strategy to drive and engage audiences with the ATP World Tour live product, whether on television, digital or via social media.”

Caroline Cheese, director and co-founder of LiveWire Sport, said: “This has been an incredibly rewarding project to work on and we are absolutely delighted with the results of our partnership with ATP Media in year one. We are in the initial phase of a long-term strategy, and we’re really excited about what’s still to come.”

Ladies European Tour extends partnership with John Deere

The Ladies European Tour (LET) has renewed its partnership with John Deere as the tour’s official supplier of golf course maintenance equipment.

John Deere will provide equipment for LET tournaments – including The Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in September 2019 – as part of the deal. Deere officials will also continue to work closely with the LET’s agronomists, with the goal of helping to produce better quality playing surfaces across the continent.

LET Chairman Mark Lichtenhein said: “We are delighted that John Deere has decided to extend its relationship with the Ladies European Tour for the next two years, beyond The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.

“This is a testament to our enduring partnership since 2006 and demonstrates the alignment of our brands and our joint objective to ensure a bright future for the women’s game.”

Sales & Marketing Manager Carlos Aragones added: “We are also delighted that what has already proved to be a fruitful relationship with the Ladies European Tour is continuing to grow. The strength of the John Deere brand is based on the quality of our products and customer service, and we are very proud to be associated with both the LET and The Solheim Cup.”

MotoGP extends broadcasting partnership with MTV Finland for 2018

MotoGP has renewed its broadcasting partnership with MTV Finland for 2018.

The FIM MotoG World Championship will therefore continue to be broadcast on C More Max and other MTV channels, with every race and qualifying session of MotoG, Moto2 and Moto3 set to be shown live.

Additionally, MTV Finland will show news and highlights of the championship across all MTV channels.

Markus Autero, MTV’s head of sports, said: “We are very excited to be able to continue with one of the most exciting sports series in the world. After last year’s thrilling races, we expect to have similarly close competition also in 2018.”

Manel Arroyo, managing director at Dorna Sports, added: “We look forward to deepening our relationship with MTV this season and working closely with them to promote the Finnish elements of the Championship – paving the way for a successful Grand Prix in Finland in the future.”

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ITF and Sportradar announce Pro Circuit media platform

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has collaborated with Sportradar to launch its new media platform for the ITF Pro Circuit.

The platform aims to engage fans by allowing them to follow more than 50,000 matches a year, bringing supporters close to their favourite events and players. Pro Circuit followers will have access to live scores, streams and maps as well as news, galleries and social media updates.

In total, pver 5,000 matches will be live streamed each year while data and content from the platform will be accessible via the ITF’s official website.

ITF President, David Haggerty, said: “Our valued partnership with Sportradar has enabled us to develop the content and reach that we need in order to continue strengthening the relationship between our fans and the tennis they love to follow.

“Since 2012 we have worked on delivering more and more live data content and streams and this comprehensive Pro Circuit suite will ensure everyone can keep their fingers on the pulse of global tennis.”

Sportradar founder and CEO, Carsten Koerl, added: “Our partnership with the ITF is one of the crown jewels of Sportradar’s business.

“This long-term relationship means that our Sportradar OTT solution is delivering streamed content across thousands of Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas as well as Pro Circuit matches each year; insightful data will be accessible no matter where fans choose to access it; and our Advertising & Sponsorship team will be able to market these platforms to a whole range of potential brands and sponsors.”

World Surf League agrees ‘game-changing’ digital partnership with Facebook

The World Surf League (WSL) has named Facebook as its exclusive digital partner to livestream all the top events in surfing until 2019.

This includes all elite men’s and women’s Championship Tour events, the Qualifying Series 10,000 and Big Wave Tour events, as well as the World Junior Championships.

Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said: “Facebook fosters a global community and, as surfing is a sport that celebrates and centers around community, we are proud to announce our media rights partnership with the platform.

“This is game-changing for the sport in many ways and, with current and new fans front of mind, we can retain the free offering to fans, and it allows us to deliver the world’s best surfing to even more people on Facebook’s platform.”

Dan Reed, Facebook’s head of global sports partnerships, said: “We’re thrilled to become the exclusive home of the World Surf League’s live events for the next two years. This is a natural next step in our terrific partnership, which has steadily progressed over the years as the League has expertly used Facebook to distribute content and build community.

“This was especially true last year, when millions of fans came together on our platform to watch live surfing. We’re excited to help WSL continue to serve and grow this vibrant community and usher in a new era of surf broadcasting on Facebook Watch.”

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Formula 1 renews broadcasting partnership with Sky Italia until 2020

Formula 1 has today renewed its broadcasting partnership with Sky Italia until 2020.

Sky Italia will hold the exclusive broadcasting right of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship on TV and digital platforms in the Italian territory. The renewal also includes coverage of the three free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, qualifying sessions on Saturday afternoon and races on Sunday.

Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights, Formula 1, said: “We are very happy to have renewed our partnership with Sky Italia for a further three years. Italy is one of the most important countries in the history of Formula 1, where the passion for our sport is part of the DNA of many people, and it is very important to have reached this agreement which will ensure that all the races will be broadcast live.

“Also, it is crucial to have maintained a free-to-air package of rights, which will always include the Italian Grand Prix, part of the Formula 1 World Championship since its origins in 1950. Sky Italia has shown a great commitment to the sport and will offer the Italian fans a deeper and broader experience than ever before. More hours and more quality analysis across of Sky’s channels and platforms.”

Matteo Mammi, senior director, sport rights, programming and production, Sky Italia, said: “We are thrilled to have renewed our long-term relationship with Formula 1 for the following three years, and we are glad that, once again, Formula 1 has recognized Sky Italia as a key partner for engaging fans and maximizing exposure of F1 brand.

“The new agreement sets a new paradigm in Italy where Sky gets full exclusivity for the first time ever and will broadcast all 21 races of which 17 live on a pay TV basis only. We look very much forward to the partnership and continuing to serve Formula 1 fans in Italy by offering a broader and enriched multiplatform offer, including a multitude of contents via Sky digital and social media accounts.

“F1 is the second sport in Italy in terms of following, deeply rooted in the passion of the Italian sport fans and perfectly fits in our motor sport offer, which is the second pillar of Sky Sport portfolio. We are confident F1 will confirm itself as a mass high rating event throughout the seasons to come.”

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Seattle Seahawks and Delta Air Lines partner on continued sustainability efforts

NFL team Seattle Seahawks has extended its partnership with Delta Air Lines to continue its sustainability efforts.

Delta Air Lines, the official airline partner of the Seahwaks, has offset carbon emissions from the miles the Seahawks travelled during the 2017 season by purchasing 1,080 carbon credits from Cedar Grove Composting.

The sustainability efforts at CenturyLink Field have included a donation of 600 lbs. of food to FareStart, Food Lifeline and Salvation Army after each home game.

Tony Gonchar, Delta’s vice president – Seattle said: “Being a good steward of the environment in the communities we serve is a core value of Delta’s and is especially important to our Pacific Northwest customers.

“We are proud to deliver on this commitment through our carbon offsets program and to bring our commitment to sustainability together with our great partners at the Seahawks.”

Formula E: Mahindra Racing signs strategic partnership with Pininfarina and Tech Mahindra

Formula E team Mahindra Racing has entered into a strategic partnership with Pininfarina and Tech Mahindra.

As part of the partnership, Mahindra Racing will leverage Pininfarina’s design expertise and Tech Mahindra’s digital technology. Pininfarina will further sponsor Mahindra Racing, the only Indian team to compete in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

The partnership will help Mahindra with its ‘Race to Road’ strategy that involves the application of learnings from the race track into the development of new electric road vehicles, in due course. Mahindra Racing will also have access to Pininfarina’s testing facilities in Italy which will help the team enhance the aerodynamic efficiency of its race car.

Ruzbeh Irani, president (Group Communications & Ethics) and chief brand officer, Mahindra Group, said: “Combining their design, technology and digital skills will significantly augment Mahindra Racing’s existing capabilities and raise the bar as far as our performance is concerned.

“This strategic partnership is also aligned to Mahindra’s vision of FUTURise, a creative expression of how we are driving growth through world class innovation in all our businesses.”

Silvio Pietro Angori, CEO, Pininfarina added: “This partnership enhances Pininfarina’s passion for racing and exceptional, environmentally responsible automotive performance. We also have developed a profound know how in aerodynamics: our cars have been said to be designed by the wind.”

BBC Sport agrees deal to live stream England Hockey event

BBC Sport has agreed a deal with England Hockey to live stream the Jaffa Super 6s indoor finals.

Fans can watch the entire day’s play live on the BBC Sport website and app and can also view it via the Red Button on connected TVs.

The Jaffa Super 6s will take place at the Copper Box Arena on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with the tournament a highlight of the England Hockey domestic calendar.

England Hockey commercial director, Jon Cockcroft, said: “We are delighted to showcase the Jaffa Super 6s on the BBC, which will provide excellent exposure for domestic hockey in this country. Increased visibility and the support of major media organisations is of paramount importance.

“With a new sponsor in Jaffa on board and strong ticket sales for our first visit to the Copper Box Arena, we’re looking forward to a fantastic day of top-class hockey.”

China Open becomes second snooker event to offer prize money of £1 million prize

World Snooker has partnered with Star Xing Pai and Beijing Fuhua Culture Tourism Development Ltd. Co.in a four-year agreement which will see the China Open’s prize money hit the £1 million mark.

The only tournament which pays an equivalent is the World Championship.

The world ranking event will run from April 1 to 8 in Beijing with a top prize of £225,000 and a total prize fund of £1 million.The final of the tournament will be broadcast by CCTV, Eurosport and various other broadcasters worldwide.

World Snooker chairman, Barry Hearn, said: “This is a fantastic announcement which establishes the China Open in Beijing as the flagship tournament in Asia. It’s remarkable to think that back in 2005 when this event was first staged, the total prize fund was only £200,000 and the top prize £30,000 – that shows how far we have come in the past 13 years in terms of the growth of snooker in China.

“This is a great deal for the players whose earning opportunities have never been better, and the fans who have this superb event secured for the next four years. We look forward to working with the Star Xing Pai and Beijing Fuhua teams for many years to come.”