Geoff Kowalski

🇺🇸 You don’t have to be an avid sports fan like me to understand the value of sports fans; I think these Olympics showed that! 💡 Sharing for those curious, and especially for marketers- Here is the latest data and insights on the value of sports fans and how to leverage them to drive brand and business. 🔍 Here are just a few of my favorite stats from the article… Fans are: 🏆4x more likely to trust brands that support their teams! 🏆4x more likely to purchase from the advertiser! 🏆4x more likely to catch an advertisers spot on radio than TV! 🏆 What’s even better is that Audacy Sports advertisers see a 40% lift in brand purchase and usage! 🤗 Marketers- if you need help determining how to best apply this data to move the needle for your business or clients, LMK. I’m happy to point you in the right direction! #sportsmarketing #sportsradio #brandlift #marketingtrends #marketingresearch #paris2024 #media #strategy #influencers https://lnkd.in/gtHwDEbX

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Wrestling Predictions: Osprey vs. MJF Showdown! Join us as we dive into the thrilling world of wrestling! In this episode, we rapidly analyze wrestling matches featuring Gully, discuss the AEW Championship battle between Osprey and MJF, and share insightful betting predictions. Don't miss this action-packed wrestling breakdown! #WrestlingAnalysis #AEWChampionship #OspreyVsMJF #RapidFire #GullysWrestling #BettingInsights #WrestlingCommunity #SportsPredictions #ProWrestling #WrestlingFanatics

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Part of TNT's "Inside the NBA", Charles Barkley is retiring from television. But do you believe him? The reasons behind his decision aren't exactly clear, but one thing is: the NBA's next media rights deal is a microcosm of the shifting landscape of sports media. Money talks. His announcement comes at a particularly intriguing time for the NBA. The league is on the cusp of a monumental shift, as negotiations for its next round of media rights deals are underway. These deals, slated to begin in the 2025-26 season and boasting a record $76 billion price tag over ten years, will undoubtedly reshape the NBA landscape. Slam dunk or getting dunked? Media giants Disney/ABC/ESPN, Amazon, NBC, and Warner Bros. Discovery are all vying for a piece of this lucrative pie. But, there's a significant possibility that Warner Bros. Discovery could be left out in the cold, potentially leading to the demise of NBA games on TNT and Barkley's "Inside the NBA" program. Change...content creators are more like, "Keep the change, ya filthy animal!" The same can be said for the media industry. From newsrooms to bloggers in their garages, changes are afoot and not in a good way. For broadcasters and on-air talent, the rising cost of entry for live sporting events due to big tech and streaming services has a mixed impact. While the potential benefits from increased investment and prestige are obvious, concerns about pressure, job security, and content accessibility will go up exponentially as you add more zeroes to these media deals. With these big "show me the money" deals come with even bigger "show me the ratings" pressure. The pressure to deliver ratings and audience engagement can be immense, potentially leading to a homogenized and less critical approach to sports coverage as broadcasters prioritize entertainment over in-depth analysis. Consolidation within the industry, where fewer companies control more rights, could also impact job security for on-air talent and behind-the-scenes personnel. Calling play-by-play for dodgeball on ESPN8: The Ocho isn't a long-term gig. While Barkley doesn't fall into the group, the focus on big personalities on exclusive streaming platforms could limit opportunities for up-and-coming broadcasters. And with all this going on, there's a paradox at work. While everyone will be under pressure to deliver higher rates, content restrictions could decrease accessibility for fans without subscriptions, hurting overall viewership and public engagement with sports, which ultimately affects broadcasters who rely on larger audiences. While Barkley's retirement is a significant moment, it may simply be a temporary blip in the grand scheme of the ever-evolving sports media landscape. However, for sports fans and the industry itself, it marks a distinct turning point – a passing of the ball, whether readily embraced or not https://lnkd.in/g7wuFsA3 #charlesbarkley #espn #tnt #sports #streaming #nba #media #television #broadcasting

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We’re not there yet in the sports world but we could reach that point soon. Where “artificial intelligence could become a meaningful sponsorship category.” Just looking at this year’s MLB Playoffs, AI advertising is on full display. Terry Lefton argues that this is only the beginning and that sooner or later, AI could emerge as its own category. I’d have to agree and seeing AI’s impact all over, there’s no sign of this movement slowing down. #Advertising #Technology #AI #BusinessTransformation

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Betting Tips: Osprey vs. MJF AEW Championship Showdown! Get ready for an exhilarating analysis of the AEW Championship match featuring Osprey vs. MJF! Explore expert betting insights and predictions that could lead you to victory. Discover why Osprey is the underdog to watch in this shocking showdown! #OspreyVsMJF #AEWChampionship #WrestlingPredictions #BettingInsights #ProfessionalWrestling #UnderdogStory #SportsBetting #WrestlingAnalysis #AEW #MatchPreview

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DURING THE FALL This past week: - We found out that Streaming hit its highest share of TV viewing ever. - We learned that YouTube surpassed The Walt Disney Company as the most watched single distributor - on the TV. - And we heard from Sony’s CEO that in the next two years the Media industry is in for “chaos - mergers and bankruptcies and sales and all kinds of fun things.” “The business will be in a period of chaos for the next 18 to 24 months. Just look at all the companies with cable networks that have this albatross of cable networks around their necks that they have to figure out what to do with.” https://lnkd.in/eGmhjXya The most surprising part of all this? That the collective braintrust of the Media ecosystem acted as if all of this was somehow surprising. “Vinciquerra is certainly not the first media executive to predict more consolidation in Hollywood, but he may be the only one using the most-damning language.” - IndieWire Really IndieWire? I have been ringing the alarm bell with much stronger language FOR YEARS. I have written the phase “Media Apocalypse” more times than anyone can count. I have been urging Disney to do big things like buy Roblox. I have been calling for David Zaslav to be fired for malpractice. I have been beseeching the C-Suites, boards, and shareholders of Big Media to look beyond the models of the past, look towards Big Tech lifestyle bundles as the the future, to collaborate with their data in order to better compete with the Trillion Dollar Death Stars, to empower younger product and project managers to make the transformations they need, and to (finally) put their consumers at the center of everything they do. While some of you reading this may have listened, few (if any) in Hollywood have. To be fair, it’s hard to hear the strategic advice of an outsider when your conference rooms are packed full of Ivy League fraternity brothers harrumphing their sycophancy in your ears. And boy are those free sushi lunches on the 52nd floor hella distracting! Now, as a consequence of years of corporately delinquent negligence and continual narcissistic anal gazing, Paramount is being sold for parts, Warner Bros. Discovery has lost 71% of its value, Disney (after an historically disastrous and permanently damaging non-succession) is AGAIN looking for a successor, Fox Corporation is reenacting (verbatim) the last season of Succession, and Netflix is playing a shell game with their failing ad business. So what’s a Media business to do now? More importantly, what the fuck happens NEXT? As we embark on the fall and begin the end of 2024, here (at the link) are my TOP SIX PREDICTIONS for THE NEXT 24 MONTHS... https://lnkd.in/ea8FHD33 Have a safe fall! 💀

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💡 Ready to discover the game-changing strategies shaping sponsorships in 2024? As sponsorships continue to evolve, the latest insights from the SponsorUnited State of the Market Report 2024 are a goldmine for brands and sports property rights holders. I'm a massive proponent of what SponsorUnited does. I find it to be one of the most valuable tools on the market and when they give you data like this, it's a must-read. Whether you're in combat sports like me or any other industry, understanding these trends is crucial for staying ahead. I went deep into this 72-page report last night. Here's what if found: 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 💰 Major brands like Ticketmaster, Toyota Motor Corporation, Bud Light, and Verizon are leading with substantial investments. 🏙️ Community-focused sponsorships in cities like Austin showcase local engagement. 👩‍🎤 Women's sports sponsorships are on the rise, especially in London. 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 📊 Average deal size across major pro sports in North America is $935K. 🌍 Local vs. multinational sponsorship strategies highlighted by teams like the Las Vegas Raiders and Vegas Golden Knights. 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 🎲 Las Vegas (my stomping grounds now) and Charlotte are showing unique sponsorship trends with local and multinational dynamics. 🌐 Sphere Entertainment Co. in Las Vegas is redefining OOH advertising with significant social media impact. 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 ⚽ Apparel brands in Madrid leverage soccer players for impactful OOH advertising. 🏦 Bank of Americo gained significant exposure during the Chelsea vs. Real Madrid match in Charlotte. 🔗 Combat Sports Relevance: As we explore these sponsorship strategies, it's clear that community engagement and leveraging local heroes can create a substantial impact. This aligns with my work at Fight Capital, where connecting athletes with brands in authentic and engaging ways can drive both visibility and loyalty. Just like how MrBeast’s partnership with the Charlotte Hornets leverages his massive social media following, my takeaway is that combat sports can benefit from digital marketing and influencer partnerships. I think Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship do an amazing job of this, especially seeing how Power Slap is growing so much. 💡 Broad Perspective: The report underscores the importance of understanding local market dynamics and the rising trend of women’s sports. As combat sports continue to grow, incorporating these insights can help tailor marketing strategies to maximize impact and engagement. #sportsbusiness #marketreport #linkedinsports #sponsorships

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Say hello to Exerp GO – the all-in-one platform that’s reshaping club management. Imagine a dashboard that lets you track sales, check-ins, and capacity, all from your phone. Front desk access? Customizable scheduling? Streamlined subscription sales? Exerp GO delivers it all for the modern fitness operator. Learn more about the key features now:

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Why are sports rights getting more expensive, even as many bidders are strapped for cash? Because they satisfy a perfect storm of needs shared by both networks and streamers. 1. They're unique: everyone has high profile originals now. But there's only one NBA or NFL or MLS. In Hub Entertainment Research's new sports survey, 81% of fans said they would sign up for a new subscription if they needed it to watch their favorite sport 2. Sports deliver more time on platform: for $500 million a year, Netflix gets about 150 hours of WWE RAW. The "Rebel Moon" movies cost $166 million, for 5 hours of content. 3. ROI that is predictable and reliable: Live sports don't get derailed by Rotten Tomatoes - fans will tune in every time under almost any circumstances. In fact our survey found 79% of fans care more about their favorite sport than anything else they watch. For more, Kayla Cobb wrote a great article in TheWrap about the high stakes battle for the National Basketball Association (NBA) TV rights: https://lnkd.in/demtu-u9

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PENN Entertainment, Inc has announced that ESPN Bet will soon be seamlessly integrated into the ESPN and theScore apps across North America. This development means users will be able to track their bets, including all legs of parlays, live within these popular media platforms. The integration also includes personalized betting offers, real-time odds updates, and various wagering options, all designed to enhance the overall user experience. https://lnkd.in/eDWnHXrj Personalization is becoming increasingly important for betting platforms to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. If you're looking to elevate your sports betting platform, check out my recent article where I discuss strategies for creating a standout user experience: https://lnkd.in/eWXPqMkJ #DataArt #DataArtMedia #sportsbetting #bettingnews #sportsbusiness #sportsbiz 

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We are currently in the migration phase from network television to streaming. It’s not a quick process, but the momentum is real. I think the next phase we will see run concurrently will be the broadcast and engagement innovation phase as platforms and brands will take advantage of this new frontier where “network television” fuses with social media. A great example of that is what YouTube recently announced with their Sunday Ticket product allowing people with Yahoo Fantasy sports accounts to link directly to their Sunday Ticket account. This up-to-the-second player performance aggregator along with customizable multiview tiles is a huge step towards the fusion of broadcast sports and social media.    I can’t help but wonder how something like this would apply to NASCAR on the Peacock platform…seems like a natural progression and a win for everyone. LINK: https://lnkd.in/enXFECVY #sportsbiz #motorsports #streaming #innovation

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🌟 Thrilled to see the impact JAMX.AI is making! 🌟 When we started JAMX.AI, our mission was clear: empower publishers and podcasters to grow, connect, and monetize in ways that truly move the needle. Hearing feedback like this from Ben Koo, CEO & EIC of Comeback Media, validates why we do what we do: “The JamX player has allowed us to introduce our portfolio of podcasts to our large readership and has significantly accelerated our listenership. The benefits to our business are very notable as the player itself, the added listenership, and the increased time spent on our site, all help us increase monetization. From a publisher perspective, this has been a great solution for us.” Podcasts are more than just content—they’re an incredible medium for deep engagement and storytelling. By integrating audio seamlessly into their digital ecosystems, publishers like Comeback Media are not just reaching more people but are also creating richer user experiences and unlocking new revenue streams. To every publisher and podcaster out there: whether you're looking to grow your audience, enhance your engagement, or monetize smarter—JAMX.AI is here to help you level up. This is just the beginning. 🚀 #PodcastGrowth #DigitalPublishing #Monetization #JAMXAI

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