James Rigby

We all know that physical activity is good for us. In fact it’s been cited as a ‘miracle cure’. Sport England's new research shows the huge value that physical activity has on society and the economy, including improving our health, preventing illness and saving the NHS billions. However, in London we’re facing a physical inactivity crisis with those in the poorest communities facing the greatest challenges of inequalities and barriers to leading an active life, which has a detrimental impact on their health and well-being. We need more investment and commitment from local and national Government - as well as corporates, elite sport and others - to create more equitable access to sport and physical activity, and unlock the huge benefits for our economy, health and society.

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It's a big week...Looking forward to a couple of days at Leaders in Sport talking about how the business of sport is shaping up with Neil Daugherty #LeadersWeek #LeadersInSport #BusinessOfSport

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Smart use of fan data is essential in connecting and communicating with modern sports audiences, but many organisations are just starting to scratch the surface of what’s possible. This is a game-changer #CustomerDataPlatform #FanData #FanEngagement

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No writing is needed with this one :) https://lnkd.in/eJsnEDq6

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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

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Who else is here? A day of top level football industry talk and networking at The Etihad Stadium. Supporting the Fair Game UK cause with Niall Couper, who is on panel discussing the Football Regulator, less than a day after the second reading of the Bill in parliament. Looking forward to hearing Gareth Farrelly and Ear to the Ground amongst others. Other topics will cover Fan Engagement and Women's Football. #football #footballindustry #publicrelations #iscmanchestersummit2024

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#ThrowbackThursday Do you remember the golden days when sponsorship campaigns had healthy budgets, brands went all-in, and fans walked away with unforgettable experiences? - Yes? - No? While things have changed (especially when it comes to KPIs and sponsorship spend), there's still amazing work happening out there! But today, I’m taking a moment to reflect on one of my favourite campaigns — our Ford Champions League partnership with Prism Sport + Entertainment. Who would’ve thought that motorized, ride-on footballs racing around a Ford-logo shaped inflatable arena, bumping a 5ft ball into a massive goal, would actually work? Well, we did. And boy, did it work! Huge exposure, incredible fan experiences across Europe, and alongside a series of competitive challenges like our Speed Cages — it was an unforgettable campaign that made its mark. Check out the full case study here: - https://lnkd.in/eNmmQDeT While we continue brainstorming new, bold ideas, there's a sense that the appetite for truly unique experiences isn't as strong as it used to be. But with major sporting events growing in places like Saudi Arabia, the rise of women’s sports, and superstar player signings, there’s always hope for a resurgence of creativity, fun, and unforgettable fan experiences. Let’s start bringing back the magic. 🌟 If you’re looking to unlock new levels of creativity and deliver unforgettable events, let’s connect and chat. #sponsorship #fanexperience #creativity #sportsmarketing #eventmarketing #innovativecampaigns #brandactivations Saudi Pro League (SPL) Premiership Women's Rugby Stefanos Nicolaou Andy Walton Jamie Hosie Ford Motor Company Luke Reveruzzi Ben Harris Ollie Drew The Football Association Matthew Rooney Andrew Sparrow

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Motorsport sponsorship advice that a race driver can use is what I feature every week on The Business of Being a Race Driver and this week is no exception. You will learn about the 5 sponsorship insights that every racer needs to know, how to create a winning mindset and what the C-Suite looks at when making sponsorship decisions. All this is featured plus much more. #motorsportsponsorship #racedriverbusiness https://lnkd.in/e6zwWyxC

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The fight for clean water in sport continues to grow! Love the collaborative approach of CWSA, it’s a lesson we could all learn! We are now at the point where the outliers are those not speaking up! Ever with one eye on what is next, I do wonder why sport has not mobilised in a similar way around clean air?! Domestically Air Quality is arguably an improving situation versus water which has for a long while been deteriorating? but globally it is perhaps an even bigger issue in terms of human health impacts, most pronounced on children! Maybe domestic, local battles are easier to fight and easier to win, but we maybe need to take the example of CWSA into other areas, other challenges and other communities.

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New Post: Getting Sustainable Golf Messaging Right - https://lnkd.in/gC-94Zn7 Golf Industry FederationNorth Berwick, Scotland: To mark Sustainable Golf Week, Jonathan Smith, Founder of GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, discusses golf’s on-going sustainability drive. To commemorate Sustainable Golf Week, Jonathan Smith, a leading pioneer in the sport and sustainability movement, discusses golf’s on-going sustainability drive. Smith is Founder and Executive Director of GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, a non-profit based in North Berwick, Scotland, serving courses, tournaments, associations and people around the world for nearly 20 years. North Berwick, Scotland: Who benefits from golf? This might seem an odd question, or one with an obvious answer. Scratch a little deeper, and the question becomes more complex — and more important to the future of the sport.   Yesterday marked the beginning of Sustainable Golf Week. In a world increasingly driven by sustainability, we at GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation believe that golf needs to further strengthen and promote its social value, alongside its environmental stewardship. There is a critical connection – an inter-dependency between people, community and planet – that golf is ideally placed to demonstrate. Clearly, the 80 million golfers around the world benefit from golf. They get life-long, inter-generational physical and emotional health benefits. They relish the sometimes serious, but more often friendly competition that the game offers, with its level playing field that allows people of different abilities to compete fairly. They can stay active for longer, spending significant spells of fun, sociable time in nature. Studies have shown that golfers live longer, and participation should be considered preventative treatment, helping take pressure off health services. Beyond that? Well, many people work in the sector, even if they don’t play. There is a wealth of skilled and diverse career opportunities within a large, multi-faceted sector. Golf is an important employer and a source of inward investment for many communities and regions, particularly in rural areas. Club managers, course managers, club professionals, marketers, equipment and merchandise manufacturers and distributors, tournament teams, media, tour operators, course designers, builders and many more are directly employed in the golf industry. Indirectly, golf also supports a vast supply chain of materials and services, including food, technology, machinery, equipment, textiles, aggregates, and more. Beyond that? There are golf fans, including a number that don’t play, who are entertained, either as spectators at tournaments or as at home viewers – adding an enriching element into people’s lives.&n

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Ahead of tomorrow's Fair Game UK annual conference at AFC Wimbledon's stadium, we've put together a short pack explaining how LCP can help football clubs, owners, investors, governing bodies and other stakeholders in the areas of football finance and governance. Key elements of our service offering include: ⚽ In depth financial analysis of individual / multiple clubs or leagues, including transaction support  ⚽ Financial scenario analysis to assist in planning and risk management ⚽ Communicating the “financial story” to fans, potential investors or other stakeholders  ⚽ Supporting good governance and  compliance with regulatory requirements I'll be attending the Fair Game UK conference tomorrow along with LCP colleagues John Parnis England and Ashley Mould, and DEI expert Buki Mosaku. If you're at the conference, please come and say hello to us! During the Speed Meetings session at lunchtime, I will be focusing in particular on the Owners' and Directors' Test (OADT) . In this regard, two of my colleagues in our Financial Analysis team, Jonathan Wolff and Tom Gillespie, recently looked at what a more effective revamped OADT might look like under the new Independent Football Regulator - and how this could be a real gamechanger for the sustainability of English men's professional football. Their article is here: https://lnkd.in/educf5kk More details on the Fair Game UK conference can be found here: https://lnkd.in/ePsisebK #fairgameuk #financialsustainability #footballgovernance

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Sport for Business members gathered on Friday morning for the latest in our Smart Minds Series looking at Sustainability and Sport. It was a nice prelude to today's #EarthDay. The imperative to do something together is real. Sport understands time-limited actions. It is what we do, so let’s see what is possible. Friday's participants are, in the main, on the front line of addressing the challenges as they arrive, in every form from reporting and monitoring to persuading and budgeting, all the way to storytelling and keeping on top of regulation. This was a good safe space in which we could share the wins and not feel so overwhelmed by the apparent size of the challenge but also the necessity and the opportunity to step up in this area. Sport has an unmatched connection to how people feel and if we can drive initiatives that reduce our emissions and also nudge people towards changing their behaviour, that will be a win, in an area where if we lose we will lose big. We are now looking at ways in which Irish Sport can stay connected in this area. There will be a new feature and hub on the Sport for Business website which we will launch shortly as a gathering point for shared experience across the whole sector, and we are keen to do more as well. Thanks to Peter McKenna, Ashley Keating, Elizabeth Cribbin Ann Courtney, Aidan Byrne, Philip Quinn, Salina Janzan, Rob Pearson and Alan McMillan for their contributions and insight. https://lnkd.in/ev76Djjf

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There's been a lot written about Nike's drop in revenue, but Mark Ritson sums it up best. For me, the most important point is this: underestimate the importance of long-term brand building at your peril. - Performance marketing (hate that term) generates revenue today - brand marketing protects the revenue of tomorrow. In other words, go short-term AND long. https://lnkd.in/e8NcwdhQ

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World Rugby's new landmark report reveals the impacts of climate change on our sport. 🌍🏉 Packed with guidance and inspiring case studies, it’s a call to action for a sustainable future in rugby. https://lnkd.in/diMWYWFY #ClimateChange #Rugby #Sustainability

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Which sporting organisations around the world take sustainability (in all its forms) seriously? And how can they be assessed and the best recognised for what they are doing? The annual report and awards from the Global Sustainability Benchmark in Sports (GSBS) organisation try to answer these important questions, and I was delighted to be able to attend the report launch and awards ceremony at the City offices of Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) earlier this week. Christian Hartmann MBA (the CEO of GSBS) began by presenting the key features and methodology of the report, along with Lucy Webster of SPB and Daniel Barton of Alvarez & Marsal, strategic partners of GSBS. 🏆 The big awards winners were Formula E, who took 4 of the 5 main awards, with Borussia Dortmund taking the remaining Best Corporate Performance Award 🥈 There were however many other organisations who scored highly in various of the categories including: VfL Wolfsburg, Real Madrid C.F., Club Atlético de Madrid, FC Porto, Dorna Sports, Silverstone, LALIGA, FC Barcelona, VfL Bochum 1848 GmbH & Co. KGaA and Manchester City Football Club. After the awards there were two very interesting panels sessions, the first looking at how individual organisations, and the people within them, have addressed the challenges of improving the sustainability of their operations: 🪑 Matthew Bailey (head of strategy for the Desert Vipers, a newly formed franchise in the ILT20 cricket league recently launched in the UAE), Rocío Torres (head of sustainability at Club Atlético de Madrid) and Stephane Bazire (head of sustainability for the Silverstone race track) looked at how organisations with very different heritages and operating conditions deal with similar issues - a fascinating discussion chaired by Lucy Webster 🪑 Then Daniel Barton led a discussion with Christian Hartmann MBA, Steve Gibbons (Founding Director of Ergon Associates, an international consultancy focusing on business and human rights) and Lennart Lietz (Director of sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE) on some of the practical and ethical issues related to sustainability more generally. The evening ended with a networking session where I connected in particular with both Steve Gibbons and Barney Weston, co-founder of Football For Future, a non-profit organisation championing sustainability within the beautiful game. The event left my mind buzzing with ideas, about both the sustainability challenges faced by sports (and the planet more generally), and the great work being done by many organisations to help address them. So much still to do, but lots of good people trying to make a difference. #sustainability #sportssustainability #gsbs

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