Lance Fensterman

I love it when I hear about two brands coming together to execute something out the box. These creative ideas are awesome. Question / How can we do the same with your brand? How can we utilize the power of sports to drive traffic towards your platforms? Let's discuss how we could impact your holiday window, positively.

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A long-planned ESPN tile on Disney+, bringing sports content to a broader set of consumers, is now set to debut Dec. 4. “In my opinion, this will be the best product the consumer has ever seen in sports,” Iger said of the streaming service, known broadly and colloquially as ESPN Flagship, in the call with industry analysts. The streaming service, long targeted for a fall 2025 debut to coincide with next year’s college and pro football seasons, stands as a critical endeavor for not only ESPN but all of Disney. Looking to navigate the broader media industry disruption that has hit the company hard, Disney intends to take ESPN’s content and combine it with a series of enhanced features, including multiscreen viewing, full integration with ESPN Bet, ticketing, merchandising, fantasy content, and advanced statistics, among others. 

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Diamond Sports Group: A New Playbook for the Digital Era? Emerging from bankruptcy with a leaner structure and a bold partnership with FanDuel, Diamond Sports is reshaping its strategy in the face of shifting viewer habits and a declining RSN market. But can this new direction sustain long-term growth in the competitive sports media and iGaming landscape? Read the full story to explore Diamond's challenges, innovations, and prospects: https://lnkd.in/d46fRT3k #SiGMANews #USMarket #SportsBetting

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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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I think every sports fan can agree that the amount services and apps needed to watch one sport has reach an extreme point of absurdity. On top of that, you can't even pay to watch all of the games for the teams you are a fan of with those services. Let the fans pick and pay for the games they want to actually watch for the teams they actual like all from ONE app instead of having us play this game of "find the needle in the haystack of services" each year. #FreeCast #NextGenStreaming #StreamingWars #NBA #NFL #NHL #MLB #MLS #NoMoreAppDiving

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Fyre Fest 2 is happening… and Billy McFarland is back at the helm. After the complete disaster of the first Fyre Fest, you’d think anyone associated with it would stay far away from organising another event. But here we are, with McFarland promising a “better” version on a private Caribbean island. The real question is: Who’s actually going to trust him with their money again? We’re talking about someone who’s already proven he can’t deliver on basic promises like food, shelter, or functioning logistics. Investors and attendees lost millions, and yet somehow, he’s back pitching this new version of Fyre Fest. So who would even buy a ticket, let alone invest in this? It’s hard to imagine serious investors getting involved after the damage done the first time around. And as for attendees, well, it’s a gamble that doesn’t seem worth taking. Trust is everything in business, and McFarland has shown time and again that he can’t be trusted. Fyre Fest 2 sounds like history waiting to repeat itself. https://lnkd.in/gNwevaiD

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As we celebrate the achievements of the recent WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) season, it's clear that women are not just making waves on the court but also revolutionizing the sports licensing sphere. Our recent event showcased the dynamic landscape of sports licensing, with a special focus on the phenomenal success of the WNBA season and the boundless potential of women's sports in the future licensing arena. Check out the video below! #licensing #license #deals #brands

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🌍 Big3’s Game-Changing Strategy 🏀 As Ice Cube's Big3 basketball league announces the sale of its first team for $10 million, it's clear we're witnessing a pivotal transformation. The shift to a city-based format, initially with a team in Los Angeles, isn't just a change of scenery—it's a forward-looking move signaling the increasing valuation of sports teams and leagues in a world more connected by streaming services and AI innovations. This evolution shows how technology not only enhances fan engagement but also fundamentally boosts the financial dynamics of sports. As streaming and AI weave into the global fabric, expect to see an upsurge in valuations, reshaping the economic landscape of sports. The future is here, and it’s digitized, personalized, and more interactive than ever. 📈 #Big3 #SportsInnovation #FutureOfSports #Streaming #AI #SportsEconomics 100xGods Ultimate Endgamers League

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The National Football League (NFL) and Sony have announced a partnership naming the latter as an official technology partner and the new official headphones of the former. Commenting on the association, Gary Brantley, Chief Information Officer at the NFL, said, “Building upon a long-established relationship, the NFL looks forward to embracing prominent industry leader, Sony, as an official technology partner. Advancing technology on and off the field is a top priority for the NFL, and this partnership will fortify Sony’s role in the NFL’s ever-growing technology ecosystem, elevating various dimensions of our sport and bringing fans closer to game-day action. From broadening Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology within the game to utilizing Sony’s suite of advanced imaging products, to the deployment of new coaches’ headsets in 2025, the NFL will harness Sony’s expertise to drive innovation and further solidify the league’s status as a premier sports organization.” Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics North America, added, “We are committed to creating the future of sports with technology, and constantly driving innovation to positively impact the world of athletics for players, coaches and fans alike. From best-in-class professional photography and the broadcast capture of the game to some of the world’s most advanced line-to-gain optical tracking, to upgraded in-stadium experiences and more, we remain focused on this commitment. This partnership stems from years of integration into the NFL across these many different areas, and we are excited to officially join forces and pursue our passions together with one of the largest sports organizations in the world.” #sportsbiz #sportstech #sportsmanagement #sony #nfl https://lnkd.in/d2EQVZPH

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Dreaming of a stylized branded Airstream to engage audiences at SXSW? Or a colorful converted food truck to turn heads at The Grove in LA? Mobile retail allows brands to reach new audiences and explore new messages or product categories, but choosing the right vehicle matters. 🚌 Here are the questions to consider before you hit the road 👇

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Here's my 2024 LinkedIn Rewind, by Coauthor: 2024 confirmed what I've been saying: legacy isn't enough anymore. Leagues and broadcasters must innovate or risk becoming irrelevant. This year reinforced this perspective through new adventures: • Joined Psyched4 as EVP Golf Partnerships • Expanded advisory work with Play Anywhere and ReSpo.Vision • Continued guiding organizations through digital transformation at Ateme, HYPE Sports Innovation, and Decyfr Sport Three observations that particularly resonated with our industry: On immersive technology: Despite early Vision Pro limitations, the potential for transforming fan experiences remains massive. "I still believe that immersive tech will ultimately help save live sports broadcasting" https://lnkd.in/eswp-KqJ On live sports innovation: Paris Basketball showed how European sports can innovate when focusing on fan experience first. "Last night was maybe the first time I felt I was attending an NBA Game without actually... being at an NBA Game" https://lnkd.in/eCqc3vUg On distribution strategy: "D2C is not a magical tool to print money" - The future isn't about choosing between traditional and digital, but building hybrid approaches that prioritize reach and fan engagement. https://lnkd.in/eXh9xrpM Looking to 2025: Sports properties face unprecedented challenges in fan engagement and monetization. Success won't come from choosing between tradition and innovation, but from understanding how to leverage both. To rights owners considering their next move: Stop asking younger demographics to adopt older generations' consumption habits. Sport doesn't have a GenZ problem - it has a talent problem related to dealing with challenges brought by younger demographics' consumer habits. The future belongs to those who can bridge the best of both worlds while putting fan experience first. -- Get your 2024 LinkedIn Rewind! Go to coauthor [dot] studio in your browser

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SPORTS ALERT: Why Copa America Matters Copa America kicks off this Thursday! It’s more than just a soccer tournament—it’s a cultural celebration that resonates deeply with U.S. Hispanics. Here’s why our Tech and Gaming Partners like Samsung, Meta, Apple, Amazon and Activision/Blizzard are part of the excitement and for those of you that aren’t part of the excitement here’s why you should take notice: 1.         Cultural Pride and Passion: Soccer is more than a game; it’s a shared passion that unites millions of Hispanics across borders. Copa America brings together national teams from Latin America, allowing fans to cheer for their home countries while embracing their American identity. 2.         Engagement Goldmine: Advertisers seeking to connect with this vibrant community should want to be a part of Copa America. TU’s coverage draws enthusiastic viewers and ratings.  Soccer provides brands a unique opportunity to engage authentically. 3.         Brand Affinity and Loyalty: Aligning with Copa America builds brand affinity. When brands celebrate Hispanic culture, they earn loyalty and respect. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about becoming part of the cultural fabric. So, marketers, gear up! Copa America isn’t just about goals; it’s about connecting hearts, minds, and brands. 🌟⚽🎉

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