Industry Shorts: We Are Social, Ladies European Tour
We Are Social has promoted Gareth Leeding to Executive Creative Director in the UK.
Leeding was the first creative to be hired by the socially-led creative agency in 2012. Two years ago, he co-founded We Are Social Sport, the division which the agency says now accounts for 30% of its overall revenue and counts clients such as Guinness, MLB and Pepsi.
Former Ladies European Tour (LET) Acting CEO, Alexandra Armas, has been confirmed in the role on a permanent basis.
Armas became Acting CEO in October 2019. Since then, she has overseen the completion of the 2019 season and the confirmation of the 2020 schedule, which will be announced this month. She was also in the role when a joint-venture between the LPGA and LET was approved by the European Tour and the R&A.
A former player with four years’ playing experience on the tour, she had previously held the position of LET Executive Director from August 2008 to December 2012. She will now report to the LPGA-LET Joint Venture Board of Directors, chaired by LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan.
Sportradar has extended its partnership with Tennis Australia.
The sport data services provider will leverage the federation’s AV and data content as well as providing it with integrity services to protect matches.
After a competitive tender process held last year, won by Sportradar, the deal will now include the provision of Sportradar’s Server Slide Ad Insertion (SSAI), a dynamic automated IP-based advertising insertion tool allowing Tennis Australia and its broadcasters to commercialise online video streams.
Virgin Money has appointed former CAA Account Director Ali O’Reilly as Senior Manager – Sponsorship, Partnerships & Events.
The Sport Industry NextGen Leader 2018 was CAA’s youngest Account Director when she was appointed in 2013 and spent seven years at the agency.
London-based Equestrian sports network Horse & Country TV (H&C TV) has announced the acquisition of the US equestrian streaming provider, EQ Sports Net.
The acquisition will see H&C TV expand EQ Sports Net’s live streaming content to 220 days, plus 1,500 hours of VOD. H&C meanwhile, is currently available on more than 30 platforms in the UK.
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has appointed Mark Spincer as Managing Director its Racing Division.
Spincer, who will begin with immediate effect, will have overall responsibility of ARC’s 16 racecourses and four greyhound stadia. He has been ARC Group Operations Director since 2015, with roles as Executive Director of Newcastle and Doncaster Racecourses on his CV.
ARC, meanwhile, has also appointed former Liam Johnson as Executive Director of Bath Racecourse. Johnson had previously worked for Jockey Club Racecourses – the racecourse arm of The Jockey Club – where he was General Manager of Huntingdon Racecourse.
Skateboard England has announced dates for 2020 UK National Championship, which will be held in Manchester on 28-29th March.
The event will form one of a series of Olympic qualifying events in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020, where the sport will be on the programme for the very first time.
