Bayern break into US with Beckenbauer spearheading MSN content deal
April 21 – Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have agreed a new media partnership with MSN for the broadcasting and publication of the club’s content in the USA.
Football Marketing
Hat-trick of Asian deals boost Infront sales portfolio
By David Owen
April 20 – Infront Sports & Media, the Swiss-based sports marketing company recently acquired by Chinese businessman Wang Jianlin’s Dalian Wanda Group, has unveiled new deals with three Asian football associations.
FC Twente under pressure as XXImo pulls out of main sponsorship
April 16 – FC Twente and its main sponsor XXImo have reached an agreement to terminate their contract. The Dutch club is going through troubled times after losing the Dutch Cup final against PEC Zwolle.
Man City fuelled for new deal with Vivo Energy in Botswana
By Mark Baber
April 15 – Manchester City have agreed that Vivo Energy, the company that distributes and markets Shell branded fuels and lubricants across Africa, will be the Club’s Official Fuels and Lubricants partner in Botswana, extending an existing association with the company, unveiled at the end of 2014, which covered the Ivory Coast.
Cola wars: Coke fizzes to US finish line to oust Pepsi deal
April 14 – US soccer is changing its Cola brand. PepsiCo, which has been a core sponsor of the MLS since 1996, is making way for Coca-Cola who take over as the official non-alcoholic beverage of the MLS and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
FC Augsburg signs new lead sponsor in increased revenue deal
By Jaroslaw Adamowski
April 13 – German Bundesliga club FC Augsburg has secured a new sponsorship deal with Germany’s insurance group WWK Versicherungsgruppe. The insurer will tale over as the club’s main sponsor in a deal estimated to be worth €3 million per year.
Deltatre and Vizrt roll out enhanced TV graphics package to broadcast market
April 13 – Sports media services company delatratre has teamed up with TV graphics producer Vizrt to launch a new virtual sports graphics solution for broadcasters.
Twitter stats: Man Utd accelerate growth, Man City lose even more ground
By Paul Nicholson
April 9 – The trends of the previous six weeks were followed last week with no change in the Insideworldfootball table of Premier League club Twitter followers. Manchester United again surged forward to continue their standout gains against their rivals as they chase the total number of followers to overtake Arsenal and Chelsea who head them in the overall table.
Man Utd team with Aon for affinity product into Pakistan market
April 8 – Manchester United have extended their partnership with insurance giant Aon into the Pakistan market with an insurance affinity programme, the first in the region.
Twitter ranking: Man Utd on the charge with record gains over Arsenal and Chelsea
By Paul Nicholson
April 2 – In the week to March 27, Manchester United more than doubled their average weekly gain in Twitter followers over closest rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
TEAM extends exclusive UEFA club rights in 9-year deal
March 31 – UEFA has renewed its exclusive marketing deal with TEAM Marketing for a further six seasons from the end of the 2014/15 season. It has an option to extend for a further three years if it meets performance criteria.
Turkish Airlines set to land 3-year €150m Champions League sponsorship
By Mark Baber
March 27 – Turkish Airlines has announced to the Istanbul Stock Exchange that it intends to add the UEFA Champions League to its list of football sponsorships. The value of the three-year deal has not been revealed, but current Champions League sponsor packages are currently between €55-65 million per season.
Brazil World Tour kicks off on Copa90 opening new channel for rightsholders
March 26 – Copa90, the digital football network, will showcase a new broadcast distribtuion option for rightsholders and sports-sponsor brands at the Stade de France tonight when the Brazil World Tour kicks off.
Spanish clubs demand bigger share of TV cash but hold off on strike
March 26 – Spain’s 42 professional clubs have put strike plans on hold in order to give authorities more time to draw up proposals for a collective bargaining agreement for TV rights.
Man Utd march on as Twitter gap opens over Liverpool and Man City
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – Premier League Twitter stats for the week ending Friday March 20 show no change in the top five positions of clubs ranked by new followers. Manchester United continue top the table, 7,000 new followers ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea, with Liverpool fourth and Manchester City trailing in fifith.