Panini America Brings LaLiga Cards To New Blockchain Environment

Some of the greatest players in the history of LaLiga, as well as the league’s current superstars and future stars, are the subjects of Panini America’s next Blockchain venture, 2021 LaLiga Prizm Blockchain, which launched on March 1.

This release marks the first time that Panini America has incorporated an entire football league into the Blockchain environment.

2021 LaLiga Prizm Blockchain includes 140 base cards (all 1/1s and printed using Prizm’s popular Gold Vinyl parallel) incorporating at least seven players from all 20 LaLiga Santander clubs. In addition, there are an additional 26 autograph cards featuring current LaLiga stars and all-time legends. The Week 1 lineup was headlined by autographs of Joao Felix, Mario Kempes and Javier Mascherano and 1/1 gems of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Karim Benzema.

Collectors who purchase the 2021 LaLiga Prizm Blockchain digital card on the Panini Blockchain site entitles the buyer to receive the physical version of the card free with the purchase. Cards are being released over the course of seven weeks through the Panini Blockchain site or by using the Panini Direct app. The cards are being sold in a Dutch Auction format with prices dropping incrementally until the card is sold.

By using the Panini Blockchain site, collectors are able to maintain ownership of their Blockchain digital cards and also have the ability to auction the cards securely on the Panini Blockchain to other buyers. In addition, collectors can search the Panini Blockchain site for other auctions. In the near future, the Panini Blockchain site will offer additional functionality such as personal galleries, ownership histories for individual cards and more.

Sport Buff Agrees Broadcast Partnership With Atalanta Media

Sport Buff, the company leading next generation fan engagement and gamification for sports broadcast and media has announced a partnership with Atalanta Media, covering Ata Football the global destination of women’s football.

The two will be collaborating to deliver a revolutionary broadcast experience in a multi-season deal across live, archive and shoulder content for Atalanta Media’s league partners the Barclays FA WSL, D1 Arkema and the FlyerAlarm Frauen-Bundesliga.

Sport Buff’s unique video overlay delivers fully interactive and engaging gamification experiences driving retention and education of the audience. The technology delivers real-time engagement in the form of predictions, polls, trivia and much more, letting fans play with and against their friends. Ata Football will use Sport Buff to enhance its extensive portfolio of live rights, highlights and archive content as well as produce unique original programming, including interactive coaching tutorials and immersive engagement opportunities that bring fans closer to the biggest stars.

Jonty Whitehead, President & Founder of Sport Buff said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Ata Football, the growth and interest in Women’s football has been exceptional over the last few years and Atalanta Media have positioned themselves as the market leaders in bringing that content to an expanding audience. Adding Sport Buff to their output will mean those fans will have their voices heard and make this a truly innovative place to watch your footy.”

Esmeralda Negron, GM & Co-founder of Atalanta Media said: “Ata Football’s commitment to building a community by providing access and valuable experiences to fans and young players of the game aligns well with Sport Buff’s mission to provide fans with an interactive, engaging experience. Ata Football believes that joining forces with other organizations that are driving change and delivering value aligns with its mission ‘For the Game. For the Girls. For the Globe.”

How edisn.ai Powered High Engagement For Champions Basketball Network

The Champions Basketball Network (CBN) is an online broadcasting destination where fans can embrace their #1  sport through a range of quality content.  The CBN features coverage like live college and high school games as well as professional player events via digital streaming and also features live television broadcasts. 

Increased viewership and lesser regulation has opened up newer channels of engagement and monetization.  edisn.ai started working with CBN to meet these goals. As a start, edisn.ai powers the CBN “Game of the week”, the most popular game during the week.

CHALLENGES

  • Broadcasters are facing new challenges with reduced viewer attention and competitor for screen time from other apps
  • The medium of consumption has moved from television to mobile devices and broadcasting to streaming
  • Personalisation has become the new normal with varying user interests and needs

SOLUTION

  • edisn.ai uses computer vision and AI powers to make  the videos interactive
  • edisn.ai’s player recognition makes watch a game an engaging one
  • Users can click on players on the screen and check  out statistics, bios and buy exclusive merchandise

 BENEFITS

Broadcasters and brands:

  • Popularize the event giving better returns to sponsors with greater branding opportunities  Increase merchandise and ticket sales
  • Higher fan engagement with betting and unlocking offers

Players:

  • Increase their brand awareness as an influencer with fans and sponsors   Monetise using custom merchandise 
  • Share success by promoting personal sponsors
  • Get noticed to make it to the bigger leagues

IMPACT

CBN noticed higher engagement on the edisn.ai powered games and greater view times of games!

English Premier League Renews Partnership With Infront For Sub-Saharan Africa Broadcast

Infront and the English Premier League (EPL) have prolonged their partnership for free-to-air rights (FTA) across sub-Saharan Africa until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The project will continue to be managed by Infront’s fully established Africa division based in Paris and comes four months after it announced the broadest ever coverage on free-to-air television for the EPL in the region.

Andreas Kaeshammer, Head of Football Infront, said: “This prolongation proves that despite the tumultuous year the football industry has faced, long-term partnerships bring multiple benefits for all stakeholders with the right strategy in place. The rapid increase in exposure of the EPL in this region illustrates that our solution-orientated mindset pays off and I look forward to building on that growth over the coming seasons.”

Jean-François Jeanne, Infront France Managing Director said: “Our offering for the sub-Saharan Africa FTA market goes beyond pure media rights sales and this is why it attracts premium rightsholders. Infront France provides value to the Premier League by offering a seamless coordination, quality broadcaster management and a professional development of the media market jointly with local broadcasters. Our specialised division puts us in a strong position to cater to rightsholder’s needs and expand their fanbase in Africa.”

Premier League Director of Broadcasting Paul Molnar said: “We have been very impressed with Infront’s approach to bringing the Premier League to a broader audience with free-to-air broadcasters in Sub-Saharan Africa. Infront’s excellent service is already producing results as it helps bring quality broadcast coverage of the Premier League competition to millions of fans in the region. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership as they further develop their network of partners over the coming seasons.”

Fulham FC Signs Sokin As Official Partner

Fulham Football Club has signed Sokin as an Official Partner for the next three seasons, until the end of the 2022-2023 campaign.

Sokin, a global currency account provider, focuses on creating an open and transparent payments platform for its clients. It is the only payment provider enabling global payments for a fixed monthly fee, giving consumers the power to make unlimited payments and transfers.

The three-year partnership will allow Sokin to drive awareness of the brand to a global football audience through Fulham FC’s extensive media backdrops and the Club’s social channels. During the term, the partnership will also offer Sokin the opportunity to collaborate with Fulham FC to create content featuring the first team players, as well as B2B testimonials and case studies. 

Vroon Modgill, CEO of Sokin, said: “Sokin is thrilled come onboard as an Official Partner of Fulham Football Club. We see this as a strategic partnership for both our organisations. Sokin will be able to provide a best-in-class payments platform to help enhance the clubs processes to save time and reduce charges. While Fulham FC will generate huge new engagement through their fans for our offering.”  

Jon Don-Carolis, Sales Director at Fulham Football Club, added: ‘We are delighted to welcome Sokin to our portfolio of Official Club Partners. We look forward to developing our partnership and are excited to help cultivate the Sokin brand on the global stage.” 

SPORTFIVE Acquires Esports Consulting Agency To Bolster Its Offerings

The global sports business agency SPORTFIVE announced the acquisition of Germany based esports consulting and activation agency build a rocket.

The acquisition follows SPORTFIVE’s strategy to grow its esports capabilities globally and to enhance its service offering along the entire value chain of consulting, partnership sales and activation.

Following the announcement in August 2020 that SPORTFIVE established a global esports unit headed by Eike Gyllensvärd and Moritz Altmann, the acquisition of build a rocket marks the next milestone in SPORTFIVE’s ambition to strengthen its footprint in esports. Moreover, it highlights the agency’s strategy to further invest, grow and establish this sector as one of the most important global growth horizontals within the SPORTFIVE ecosystem.

Build a rocket will remain as an independent brand in the market place and obtain the endorsement title “A SPORTFIVE Company”. Alexander Albrecht and Tobias Heim will continue to serve as Managing Directors of build a rocket and will report into Eike Gyllensvärd, Executive Vice President Global Esports Partnerships at SPORTFIVE. The existing build a rocket team of 15 employees will remain with the agency and work closely with their SPORTFIVE colleagues to operate as one team. The acquisition was signed and closed beginning of March. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction.

With this new set-up, SPORTFIVE’s esports consulting and activation services will be delivered through build a rocket in the future. Brands and rights-holders alike will benefit from the combined industry know-how of both agencies in the field of esports & gaming, as well as the extensive partnership and sales expertise of SPORTFIVE in traditional sports that will be transcended to the esports ecosystem. The extensive experience of build a rocket as independent consulting and activation agency enables SPORTFIVE to expand its creative potential in esports and gaming for the benefit of both brands and rights-holders.

The continuous success stories of SPORTFIVE and build a rocket in esports consulting, partnership sales and activation through activities for clients such as KitKat and Tchibo in the LEC, DKB for the Prime League, the streaming event concept development and delivery for congstar, the advisory on an esports strategy for SAP and enabling Disney to reach a new target audience all underline the strong capabilities of both agencies.


Eike Gyllensvärd, Executive Vice President Global Esports Partnerships at SPORTFIVE, states: “The acquisition of build a rocket in combination with the endorsement as a SPORTFIVE company will certainly be a beneficial addition to our global esports team and ambition. build a rocket will therefore become a fully integrated part of our global esports organisation. Alexander and Tobias are true pioneers in the consulting and activation business in esports with over 30 combined years of experience. I am convinced that with their expertise, we will further enhance our capabilities and position ourselves strongly in the market. What belongs together is now growing together.”Eike Gyllensvärd, Executive Vice President Global Esports Partnerships at SPORTFIVE, states:

Alexander Albrecht, Managing Director build a rocket, adds:
”build a rocket is driven by the vision to create valuable, long-lasting partnerships between brands and esports rights-holders. The fusion of build a rocket and SPORTFIVE gives our young and hungry team the opportunity to unleash its full potential. The fact that we now have direct access to SPORTFIVE’s resources, systems and partners creates valuable synergies that benefit both – our customers and us. We see the partnership as a fertile ground for strength and, above all, sustainable growth.”

Racecourse Media Group Appoints Martin Stevenson As CEO

Martin Stevenson has been appointed CEO of Racecourse Media Group (RMG) – the media and data rights holding company for the UK and Ireland’s leading racecourses.

Stevenson has a deep and intimate knowledge and understanding of the RMG business, having joined the Group as the Finance Director of RMG in 2007.

A qualified accountant (FCCA), his previous experience includes the position of Managing Director of the Newspaper Licensing Agency and Group Financial Controller of Trinity Mirror plc.. Stevenson succeeds Richard FitzGerald, who left the post of CEO in September.

Roger Lewis, Chairman of RMG, said: “On behalf of the RMG Board, RMG’s racecourses and all the RMG staff, I am delighted to announce Martin as the new CEO of the Group.

“After an extensive and rigorous recruitment process, during which we interviewed a number of outstanding candidates, the RMG Board unanimously voted for this appointment.

“Martin’s vision for RMG is bold and imaginative. His relationship with our shareholder racecourses is very special and Martin is passionate that RMG can, and will, deliver the best returns for racing.

“The RMG business model has been severely tested during the last 12 months, but it has demonstrated great resilience, providing vital media rights income for our racecourses. This has been achieved due to the extraordinary efforts of our racecourses who have brilliantly kept horse racing running. We are proud to serve them.

“We are now slowly emerging out of the pandemic and Martin is undoubtedly the right person to lead RMG into its next phase of growth over the coming years.”

Martin Stevenson, new CEO of RMG, added: “I am extremely excited and honoured to take up the position of RMG CEO. I look forward to working even more collaboratively with our 34 racecourse shareholders, whose media interests have been entrusted to RMG.

“RMG has been a phenomenal success story since its inception as Racing UK back in 2004, having posted year-on-year increases in licence fees payable to its racecourse shareholders nearly every year of trading. It shows what can be achieved via a collective approach to commercialising our racecourses’ media and data rights.

“But RMG never stands still. We will continue to innovate with our output, as evidenced by the recent launch of the Racing TV virtual studio, which follows the introduction of the broadcast and publication of in-race timing information.

“We will also continue to be creative and forward-thinking in how best to commercialise our racecourses’ content, including building on the recent success of the Watch & Bet streaming service, which has been greatly welcomed by bookmakers, punters and race-fans alike.

“RMG has a committed, knowledgeable and loyal team, which, I have absolutely no doubt, will continue to deliver the right results for our racecourses.”

The British & Irish Lions Signs Royal London As Official Life Insurance Partner

The British & Irish Lions has announced Royal London as the official pensions, investment and life insurance partner of the Castle Lager Lions Series.

The new agreement sees the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company offer the Lions Tour its support during the uncertain climate presented by COVID-19.

As a ‘global partner’ Royal London will receive a comprehensive range of in-stadia rights, including ticketing, hospitality and pitch branding, as well as kit branding rights, and access to Springbok and Lions players and coaches.

In addition, Royal London will benefit from a suite of digital and social media rights, access to the Lions’ events programme, and the option to create bespoke content using Lions archive and on-tour footage.

The announcement also sees Royal London become ‘principal partner’ of the Women’s Lions programme. The partnership commits Royal London to fund a study which will examine whether a Lions women’s team could be formed.

Through the partnership Royal London is investing in the future of women’s rugby in the UK and Ireland by supporting research and analysis that could help it continue to grow.

“We are very excited to have agreed a partnership with a brand of the calibre of Royal London,” said British & Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley.

“Like the Lions, Royal London is a purpose-driven organisation which aims to bring people together and build relationships. What’s more, we have joined forces with a company known for its innovative and engaging approach to sponsorship who I am sure will add enormous value to the Series.

“The feasibility study is an important first step in determining whether a women’s Lions could be established, and we are very grateful to have Royal London’s support and investment.”

Commenting on the partnership, Susie Logan, group chief marketing officer at Royal London, said: “Sport has been impacted by COVID-19 and it’s fantastic to be able to support the Lions in the commitment to deliver the Castle Lager Lions Series. The Lions is a unique sporting event that unites rugby fans across the UK and Ireland and inspires the next generation of sports people. That’s why, despite the uncertainty currently faced by the tour we believe it’s important to provide support.

“As a modern mutual, we believe in the power of acting in collective interests and that’s why it’s fantastic that we can use the combined power of the Lions and Royal London to explore whether a Lions women’s team could be established. Through our partnership we aim to make a positive impact on the continued success of women’s rugby.”

Barwa To Title Sponsor Grand Prix Of Qatar

Dorna Sports has announced Barwa as the title sponsor for the 2021 Grand Prix of Qatar.

The event takes place at Losail International Circuit from the 26th to the 28th of March and will be officially named the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar. 

Founded in 2005, Barwa is the largest listed real estate company in Qatar in terms of development and has become a key contributor to the stratospheric growth of the country. Barwa’s commitment to the development of Qatar makes the company a perfect partner for one of the country’s best established international sporting events: MotoGP™.

Pau Serracanta, Managing Director of Dorna Sports: “I’m very happy to announce that Barwa will take top billing at the first Grand Prix of the season. Qatar is a spectacular place to race and welcoming a new title partner is great news for both parties, further cementing MotoGP as a key international sporting event in the country and region.”

Infront Acquires Media Rights To Cover UCI World Tour Until 2024

Infront has added cycling’s Tour de Pologne to its growing summer sports media rights portfolio after reaching an agreement with the event’s rights holder National Polish Television (TVP).

The deal includes the global media rights for the UCI WorldTour stage race from 2021 to 2024, excluding free-to-air broadcast rights in Poland which will remain with TVP.

The Tour de Pologne takes place every August and consists of seven stages across Poland, covering approximately 1,200 km over seven days.

Julien Ternisien, Infront Senior Vice President Summer Sports said: “We are proud to continue building Infront’s cycling portfolio through this partnership with one of the UCI WorldTour’s most popular stage races, the Tour de Pologne. We are looking forward to using our expertise to become a key driver of the race’s future success and popularity on the international stage.”

Marek Szkolnikowski, Head of TVP Sport said: “Tour de Pologne is a showcase of our country and promotes it excellently. In addition to the fierce competition on the course, spectators can admire the beautiful landscapes and hidden gems of Poland. It is no coincidence that our national race has several times been chosen as the best sporting event of the year in Poland, and it receives the highest marks in the official UCI summaries.

The high level of the production provided by Telewizja Polska is also widely appreciated. Following the example of grand tours, the international signal is prepared with high quality from the first to the last kilometer of each stage. The production involves over 100 top class specialists with over a dozen years of experience in producing not only cycling races but also other sport events of high rank broadcasted all over the world.”