[b]Media[/b]
Perform Group has launched omnisport.tv, the world’s first fully produced multi-platform daily sports bulletin, available in multiple formats for daily distribution across scheduled TV channels, broadband TV services, mobile TV, video on demand and MP4. “Every year, we produce and distribute over 10,000 live sports events and 35,000 highlight clips online, on mobile, and on TV for a variety of clients and services,” said Andrew Croker, executive chairman, Perform.
UK-based broadcast services frim, Arqiva, has signed a new contract with Motors TV, the international motor sports TV channel, to support its live broadcasts of worldwide sports competitions from February to December 2008. During that period, Arqiva will be delivering 350 hours of international sports events to its Television Playout Centre in Paris.
[b]Marketing[/b]
Research firm, Sport + Markt has reported that Barcelona has the most fans in Europe with 50.3 million, followed by Real Madrid with 45.9 million. Manchester United (32.8 million) and Arsenal (22.9 million) make up third and fourth places. Chelsea FC ranked in seventh place in front of Liverpool. Sport + Markt surveyed around 9,600 football fans in 16 European markets with an average of 600 respondents per country.
Associative marketing and sponsorship agency brandRapport has been appointed by the University of Surrey to develop a sponsorship strategy for the university’s new Surrey Centre for Sport - a new £33 million sports complex due for completion by the end of 2009.
Dunlop Slazenger International has signed a new five year agreement with the World Squash Federation (WSF) to be the 'Official Ball' of the WSF. This agreement sees the continuation of the partnership between Dunlop and the WSF that has existed since 1991. The new agreement sees this extended until 2012.
The UK Government has pulled the plug on its controversial supercasino plans, citing ‘uncertainty of the risks involved’. The U-turn means that Sportcity in the Beswick area, close to the City of Manchester Stadium, will no longer be the site of the UK’s first Las Vegas-style gambling venue.
[b]Events[/b]
The Premier League has delayed a meeting with football's world governing body, FIFA, over its controversial proposals to play a round of matches abroad. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudmore had planned to go Zurich this week to champion the merits of the '39th game' vision. But in a statement the Premier League said: “We will conduct further internal studies and consultation before seeking the advice of FIFA.”
Christian Milz, director general of European Athletics and Etienne Thobois, CEO of France 2007 Rugby World Cup Organising Committee are amongst the latest high profile names from European Sport to commit to speaking at the prestigious UKT&I conference, Winning Beyond 2012 on April 1, 2008 in Manchester. For event enquiries please call +44 (0) 20 7034 3295 or email winningbeyond2012@innovision.eu.
The 36th IAAF Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh on March 30 could host a record number of teams for the event. The preliminary entry for Edinburgh is 79, which would beat the previous record of 76 in Vilamoura, Portugal in 2000.
[b]Finance[/b]
Lord's, the headquarters of English cricket, has announced plans for a £200 million redevelopment scheme in a bid to secure its two Test matches each year. The plans include increasing capacity to 38,500, building a new academy and installing retractable floodlights. A luxury hotel, residential development and improvements to the ground's library and museum were also included.
Liverpool FC co-owner Tom Hicks' has strenuously denied claims that he plans to sell his 50 per cent holding. "Reports in the UK media that I am about to sell my stake in the Liverpool Football Club, or to invite DIC to examine the Club's books in preparation for such a sale are absolutely and categorically false,” he said.
[b]Recruitment[/b]
STATS LLC, the sports information provider, has named the UK’s Roy Clements as managing director of STATS Europe. STATS announced the formation of STATS Europe last August in an effort to enhance the company’s global footprint. The joint venture was formed in partnership with Warner Leach and JHB Publications.
