London-based Sportacus aims to match up stadium owners around Europe together with blue chip brand owners.
Said Pearson, who has been developing the naming rights programme for Arena 2000, the new multi-purpose venue in Coventry (opening in 2002): ?The naming rights marketplace in the USA is currently a $3 billion-plus industry but under $100 million here in Europe. There are huge opportunities to build on an already proven business model in Europe, which is clearly an underdeveloped marketplace for naming rights.
?Global brands are attracted to this unique marketing opportunity and, in particular, new technology companies who are using the importance of stadia to demonstrate their products and services in a real life and exciting environment on the back of the huge media awareness these rights deals provide.
The company is already in discussion with a number of stadium owners throughout Europe, focusing initially on new stadium developments but also on developing partnerships with existing facilities.
Pearson added; ?The opportunity for naming rights will not just be developed with football stadia but will also extend to other sports such as rugby, athletics and motor racing.?
Sportacus is being backed by a number of international investors, including Rob Hersov, the founder and CEO of the pan-European Sportal network and Michael Watt, founder of CSI amongst others.
