Ed Abis

We’ve always believed in the power of sport to change lives and to create moments and memories that can last a lifetime 👇   But now, we also have data, from Public First and Sky, that shows the impact of the sporting ecosystem and fandom on UK society.     The report shows that our nation of passionate sports fans generate £10 billion a year for the UK economy.    Plus, with UK adults spending approximately 9.1 billion hours last year watching and playing sports, the research finds that sport makes us happier, healthier and better connected.    At Sky, we’re extremely proud of our role, including our £18 billion investment in sports over the last decade.   Take a read of the full report, “Game Changing: How sport makes us happier, healthier and better connected” here: https://lnkd.in/eRgbuajR

190

8 Comments

Attention spans are decreasing, the speed of living is increasing - and new age sports fans are demanding engaging, real-time, experiences that hold their interest and fit into their busy schedules. Founded by Mo Kilany in 2020, Fanera is the world's 1st Football community powered by Web 3.0 technology. It was great to speak with Mo about his company first-hand and learn more about the technology behind the brand. By leveraging machine learning and AI, #Fanera provides a scalable, multilingual, international experience that is accessible to everyone, everywhere, anytime. Their communication pathways between Clubs, Brands, sponsors and fans, creates new sports interaction channels, encourages mass participation and potentially creates new revenue streams. As a gamified social networking platform with over 400K active users, Fanera is definitely moving in the right direction. By providing unique content that enhances the fan experience (e.g. NFTs), and enabling users to connect with each other, interact with teams, earn loyalty rewards, etc, Fanera effectively caters to new age fans and how they consume sports. It is no secret the future of sports tech lies in the fan experience, and it will be interesting to see how this develops over time as more tech startups emerge. https://www.fanera.co/ #Innovation #Startup #Sports #Technology

22

Sportz Interactive builds games, products and experiences that captivate fans and allow for new revenue and data capture opportunities. Greater fan retention opens the door to deeper insights for teams, leagues and federations bringing closer relationships with fans and personalised experiences. Sportz Interactive fuels the process for rights owners by delivering digital products, gaming and content that enhance fan experience on your platforms. We work with you to create marketing cohorts and segments that enable targeted campaigns to drive engagement, loyalty and unlock revenue. #gaming #gamification #fandata #retention #revenue We work with federations, leagues and teams at whatever stage of the journey you are on. Give us a shout.

51

What is driving the most change in sports media right now? A better understanding of #OTT's role, less fruitful media rights deals, and sports place in the entertainment mix + loads more. Here's my take in the video below as we look toward #SPMadrid in November.

20

4 Comments

Hands up, who had this on their bingo card for the week - How WWE and their marketing strategies can help golf clubs market themselves going forward. WWE’s marketing strategies are unique and highly effective, and there are several ways these strategies could be adapted to benefit golf clubs, especially in the UK. Let's take a deeper dive into how WWE’s approach can be translated into the world of golf: 1. Storytelling and Character Development WWE’s success is largely built on its ability to tell captivating stories and develop engaging characters. Each wrestler has a backstory, personality, and ongoing narrative that keeps fans invested. Application to Golf Clubs: Member Spotlights: Highlight the personal stories of club members and staff. Share their journeys, achievements, and unique experiences through interviews and feature articles. 2. Creating Spectacle and Memorable Moments WWE events are more than just matches; they are full-scale entertainment spectacles with dramatic entrances, music, and pyrotechnics. Application to Golf Clubs: Themed Events: Host themed tournaments and events that offer more than just golf. Incorporate entertainment elements such as live music, food festivals, and family-friendly activities. 3. Fan Engagement and Interaction WWE excels at engaging with its fans through social media, live events, and interactive content. Application to Golf Clubs: Social Media Presence: Increase social media activity by posting regular updates, live-streaming events, and encouraging members to share their experiences online. 4. Merchandising and Branding WWE generates significant revenue through merchandise sales, with fans proudly wearing branded apparel and accessories. Application to Golf Clubs: Branded Merchandise: Develop a line of branded merchandise, including apparel, accessories, and equipment. This not only generates revenue but also builds a sense of community and loyalty among members. 5. Leveraging Multiple Platforms WWE uses a variety of platforms to reach its audience, from TV broadcasts to online streaming and social media. Application to Golf Clubs: Content Creation: Produce a variety of content, such as instructional videos, member spotlights, and club history documentaries. Share this content across multiple platforms to reach a wider audience. 6. Building and Leveraging Brand Loyalty WWE has an incredibly loyal fanbase, built through consistent engagement and emotional connections. Application to Golf Clubs: Community Building: Foster a strong sense of community through regular communication, member events, and opportunities for members to contribute to club initiatives. The great thing about all these strategies is that they are possible and can be created by all golf clubs in the UK, this in turn will help create a more dynamic and engaging environment that appeals to a broader audience. In the process helping demystify Golf to people, thereby making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

2

3 Comments

New info from Premier League: - Clubs told the value of TV and commercial deals have risen 17%, Sky News understands - Set to generate £12.25bn from 2025 to 2028 compared to £10.5bn in the current three-year cycle - Clubs decide to establish a new in-house media operations business for broadcasting games globally - ending the existing Premier League Productions arrangement with IMG after 20 years from 2026

13

No one watches linear TV anymore.... 24m watching the UEFA Euros 2024 final last night between Spain & England, say otherwise! This is why broadcasters and rights holders need to take educated risks to move the needle with visual innovation and immersive audience experiences around these tentpole live sport events - always! Evolving TV and capturing those casual audiences in the process that think linear TV doesn't cater for them. England sadly lost, but broadcasters should be taking educated commercial and creative risks around this live sporting content EVERY TIME to win audiences longer term. Think additional wow water cooler moments using virtual production, AI and fan engagement around the live content. Last night there were not ANY creative visual risks around the live programming. The industry must do better. Hypothesis Media #Euro2024 #FanEngagement #VisualInnovation #VirtualProduction

9

1 Comment

🚀 The rise of regional sports partnerships is shaping the future of the sports industry! Brands increasingly recognize the power of connecting with fans on a local and hyperlocal level. They build more meaningful and impactful relationships with audiences by leveraging national pride and cultural nuances. Regional partnerships allow brands to allocate budgets more strategically, tailoring messaging to resonate with local cultures and preferences. 📈At EMW Global, we’ve had the privilege of working on exciting regional collaborations with some of the world’s most recognizable sports figures: ⚽ Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 x Chishuihue 🇨🇳 – tapping into the vast potential of Chinese social media. ⚽ Neymar Jr. 🇧🇷 x Mister Potato – delivering ‘The Ridiculous Kick’ campaign across Asia. ⚽ Portuguese x Argentine Football Associations 🇵🇹🇦🇷 – teaming up with Vatti and XTrend in Asia. 👉 Want to know more? Check out the link below to explore how we’ve successfully executed regional partnerships with global icons. #SportsMarketing #RegionalPartnerships #BrandStrategy #FanEngagement #EMWGlobal

1

Achieving Offensive Balance: Maximizing Success on the Field Find out how a balanced offensive approach can lead to greater success on the field. Join us as we discuss the importance of running the ball and physicality in football, using real-life examples. Don't miss out on this valuable insight! #OffensiveBalance #FootballSuccess #PhysicalityMatters #RunningGame #WinningStrategy #GridironTactics #GamePlan #TeamPerformance #FootballInsights #OnTheFieldSuccess

1

SportsPro's first-ever AI Week concludes today ahead of our inaugural SportsPro AI event in London on 23rd and 24th September. If you want to understand AI’s application in sport, its influence on the future of the industry, and how leagues and businesses are looking to capitalise, we've got you covered. Featuring insights and contributions from leading players including Stats Perform, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle, IBM, OnePlan, Genius Sports, Feldspar, Spiideo, Major League Soccer and more. https://lnkd.in/e7M5N6wN #sportsbiz #ai #artificialintelligence

10

PwC’s latest Global Sports Survey highlights both the bull and bear case for women’s sport. The pros: 85% of sports experts predict double digit growth in women’s sport. The cons: nobody has worked out the playbook to fuel that growth. Is it increased promotion (per 18% of respondents), better broadcasting (16%) or enhanced matchday experiences (13%)? That’s far from consensus on the way forward… and exactly why I think women’s sport is the most exciting opportunity in global #SportsBiz today. A chance to reimagine commercial and fan engagement strategies for a distinct / different target audience, starting from a comparatively blank canvas.

103

4 Comments

FTA sport's economic benefit "An independent report commissioned by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) from Oxford Economics estimates that the economic impact of public service media (PSM) sports broadcasting contributed €4.9 billion to Europe’s GDP and supported over 60,000 jobs in 2022. The findings include direct contributions from content production and broadcasting and significant indirect and induced impacts due to supply chain spending and employees’ consumer expenditure. The study also explores wider impacts, such as the way in which PSM coverage attracts sponsorship income for sport." It's a really interesting finding. Conventional wisdom is that sports is so popular that people will pay for it, and take adverts, and so there is big incentive to keep behind a paywall. It's what still is the lynchpin for #paytv and keeps it going. That's why in the UK the Premier League is on Sky on pay-TV. In Spain La Liga is on Movistar, DAZN and Orange, Germany, DAZN Sky Deutschland etc etc. And yet, when you have big events like the World Cup both mens and womens football, the European Cup, Rugby, Cricket etc. these are on FTA, and drive much greater viewing than paytv, and even with the appeal of sports, the reach on FTA is so much greater, and it will people who wouldn't normally get involved in national events, suddenly tune in. "The report also reveals the many benefits of FTA sports broadcasting on culture and society, reinforcing the pivotal and unifying role of PSM organisations in this space. “Our analysis unveils a symbiotic relationship between free-to-air sports broadcasting and economic vitality, illustrating the far-reaching ripple effects of this dynamic industry right across the continent,” commented Doug Godden, Lead Economist at Oxford Economics and author of the report. “What’s more, providing sporting action to audiences for free has great value to the public of the countries in which EBU Members operate.”....As well as providing broader economic advantages such as leveraging additional income streams for sports through sponsorship, advertising revenue and event hosting fees (and often stimulating local tourism from visiting sports fans), FTA media exposure can also help grow and expand the fan base of ‘emerging’ sports, leading to increased gate receipts and merchandising." With the move towards #FTA #streaming i.e. #FASTchannels will we see more of a move to FTA television in the #traditionaltv sphere. Will pay-TV eventually converge with SVOD? Maintaining a paywall like this? #television #sports #livesports #football #livefootball #livetv #tvindustry #mediaindustry https://lnkd.in/eQqkibjK

6

Celebrating it's 10th anniversary, still a good 'un every single year, click below to find out why! Well done team SportBusiness Imran Yusuf Ben Stevenson Callum McCarthy Matthew Storey Maria Kholodova Ida W. Gabriela Coelho 👏 🎯 #MediaRights #SportBusiness #GlobalMediaRights #DataIntelligence #SportIndustry #SportMediaRights

19

This is a very interesting piece of an analysis by Rob Kelly and the Little Dot Sport data team - think we’re all still adjusting mindset from YouTube as a short/mid-form mobile platform to (at least in part) a long-form living room platform. This dives in to what that means for Premier League football clubs - & by extension what that means for other Sports and/or verticals. Worth a read if you’re interested in how to maximise YouTube.

12

UN-LIMITED MOTORSPORT is the perfect place to grow your business in an informal and entertaining way. The British Touring Car Championship offers an unparalleled platform for corporate engagement and relationship building. Key benefits for your customers: - Excellent circuit views - Customised entertainment programmes - Memorable experiences All in a very unique and special context. How you leverage this? - Strengthen customer relationships - Reward partners or employees  - Engage with key stakeholders - Drive sales through promotions - Create unique content Every UN-LIMITED MOTORSPORT partnership is customised to meet your individual brand goals and needs, making it a powerful tool within your marketing strategy. Whether you're in B2B or B2C, UN-LIMITED MOTORSPORT hospitality at British Touring Car Championship events offers a unique blend of excitement, exclusivity, and business opportunity. Duckhams Oils Aqua Pura Wingham Timber PMSE - Bob Sharpless Candeo Vision (UK) Limited Lashings World Colemans MOT & Tyre Centre #partnerships #b2b #b2c #networking #hospitality #uniquesetting #business #growth #exposure #branding #exciting

23

1 Comment

As #Euros2024 reach the crucial culmination of the group stages, it's been very interesting to see the different approaches that brands have taken to their marketing around the tournament... whether official or non official, local market or EMEA wide, tournament or team sponsor, endemic or not, or just a brand trying to capitalise on the summer football buzz, there's been all sort of fantastic campaigns. It will be equally fascinating to see how some approach the knock out stages too as teams are knocked out and the narrative starts to shift... #marketing #sports #advertising #campaigns #football

18

Some of the smart people at StatsBomb have been digging into the data to see how football has changed over the last few years. Some interesting stuff here: https://lnkd.in/eKXN2jiv #footballdata #soccerdata #analytics #moneyball

24