New ESPN Football Brand Launched
ESPN has announced the full launch of its multi-platform, multi-language and multi-country global football brand, ESPNFC. Initially launched as a preview in April for Euro 2012, ESPNFC officially debuts ahead of the start of the Barclays Premier League, covering all major leagues and competitions worldwide for the first time and expanding to TV and mobile in the UK.
Arne Rees, vice president of international digital media for ESPN International, said: ‘ESPN is making a big statement with today’s launch of ESPNFC. We are committed to the global game with a global, cross-media brand to cover it 24/7. ESPNFC aims to serve fans by being the leading destination for definitive football coverage worldwide and year-round whenever and wherever fans want it.’
From today, ESPNFC makes its full debut online and on mobile and appears on TV in the UK for the first time.
ESPNFC succeeds ESPNsoccernet as the sports media company’s global football brand, bringing together all of ESPN’s global football coverage and housing them under a single multimedia brand.
On mobile, a new ESPNFC app launches giving fans access to its content on Apple, Windows Phone and Android handsets.
Key features of the new ESPNFC application include personalisation, allowing football fans to personalise the app by their favourite leagues, teams and tournaments and access exclusive video and audio from ESPN’s various studio-based discussion and analysis shows.
On TV, its football debate and discussion show ESPNsoccernet PressPass becomes ESPNFC PressPass.
The football discussion show that looks, daily, at the global game with a global perspective, the show features panellists and contributors from around the world of football – including Shaka Hislop, Robbie Mustoe, Steve Nicol, Frank LeBoeuf and Jorge Ramos.
ESPNFC is also developing a network of correspondents who will cover the latest news and stories from key football regions, initially including Spain, Italy and cities such as Manchester and London.
Furthermore, fans can access a line-up of new big-name writers across multiple-platforms, including Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Steve Nicol, Roger Bennett and Gabriele Marcotti.
