Shorts: Crystal Palace, Formula E, Team GB
Crystal Palace has announced Danish watch company About Vintage as its new official watch partner, with the brand set to release a specially designed Palace product.
Barry Webber, Commercial Director of Crystal Palace, said, “As part of our commitment to our supporters to bring them a broad range of quality products, we’re delighted to announce this new partnership with About Vintage. About Vintage have strived to create a stylish watch built with precision and care, to help celebrate Selhurst Park’s upcoming centenary, which is a place in the hearts and minds of all Palace supporters.”
Thomas Andersen, Co-Founder of About Vintage, said, “Our company’s purpose is to keep track of moments in time, which is why it felt so fitting to help celebrate the 100 Year anniversary of Selhurst Park. In partnership with Crystal Palace, we believe we have created a truly special timepiece to be enjoyed by dedicated fans and players alike.”
Formula E has announced that sports and entertainment production company Whisper will deliver English language live race coverage and programming for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The new partnership will see Whisper’s productions include pre- and post-race shows and live race content.
Whisper has described ‘showcasing the driver personalities, rivalries and storylines in Formula E’ as a key feature of all content.
The opening race of the season will be in Mexico City on Saturday 13th January 2024.
Aarti Dabas, Chief Media Officer of Formula E, said, “We are excited to work with Whisper who will bring to Formula E their impressive, proven credentials for creating compelling sports and entertainment broadcast content. Formula E is the most competitive motorsport world championship with unrivalled racing action, big personalities in the paddock, and genuine storylines that will capture the imagination of new and current audiences.”
Sunil Patel, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Whisper, added, “Our intention for the Formula E coverage is to deliver ‘Entertainment Electrified’. We have an exciting and updated talent line up, as well as ambitious coverage plans, as we seek to redefine the coverage with the inspiring Formula E team. This project will draw on our creative storytelling skills and our absolute passion for motorsport.”
Team GB has named GetPRO Danone UK & Ireland as its official yoghurt partner for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Over the course of the next year, GetPRO – which first launched in stores in September 2023 – will be working with Team GB to support the athletes as they prepare to compete at Paris 2024 next summer.
In addition, from February 2024, Team GB will feature on-pack across GetPRO’s yoghurt range.
Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director of Team GB, said, “At Team GB we firmly believe that our athletes can play an important role in championing the health and wellbeing of the nation, so we’re delighted to be working with GetPRO therefore, as we prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet is an essential part of our athletes’ preparation for the Olympics, and the support of GetPRO is a further demonstration of our commitment to helping athletes excel next summer.”
Tom Hickton, Category Director, Yoghurts, Danone UK & Ireland, added, “We are all extremely proud to be partnering with Team GB, and to support the athletes who will be representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. At Danone we believe in the importance of food and nutrition in maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.”
London-based sports marketing agency WeAreFearless brokered the deal.
IMG has appointed Ian Moffitt as Senior Vice President of Business Development for its studios business.
In the newly created role, Moffitt will be responsible for the growth of IMG’s production and studios business in the UK and internationally, working closely with IMG’s VP and Business Development Director, Jo Ormston.
He will be based at IMG’s studio facilities in Stockley Park, London and report directly to IMG’s Executive Vice President Studios, Barney Francis.
Moffitt previously served as Commercial Director of BBC Studios Factual Production, where he was responsible for driving the growth of the BBC’s factual unit both domestically and globally, with a focus on the US market and IP development.
Moffitt commented, “This is an incredibly exciting time to join the team at IMG, as the global appetite for sports programming and coverage continues to grow apace. I’m very much looking forward to working with the team and the opportunity to be part of the growth and expansion of one of the most innovative and respected sports producers in the world.”
Global sport and entertainment agency CSM has been appointed by The Jockey Club as its principal sales agency for commercial rights.
The move forms part of a new approach to partnerships for Britain’s largest horseracing operator whose three feature assets – The Cheltenham Festival, The Randox Grand National and The Derby Festival – all sit in the top ten most attended sporting events in the country.
The two organisation have stated that ‘work is already underway between CSM and The Jockey Club’s in-house commercial team to build an impactful go-to-market strategy.’
Mike Vandrau, CSM’s Managing Director – Rights, said, “Horseracing is amongst the most followed sports in the UK, and we are thrilled to be partnering with The Jockey Club who own the rights to some of our most historic and high-profile events. Their offering is totally unique within the sport and entertainment industry, boasting genuine gender equality, more free-to-air broadcast than any other sport and an audience demographic that is broader than any other sport we currently work in.”
Gallagher Premiership rugby union club Leicester Tigers has partnered with Pukka Pies.
The Leicestershire business will remain the official pie supplier of the Tigers and will become official partner of the Leicester Tigers Women where the Pukka logo will be adorned on the kit.
Isaac Fisher, Managing Director at Pukka, said, “The partnership between Pukka and Leicester Tigers is so natural for us, with our shared heritage, local community focus and family values, which is why we’re excited to be extending our alliance for the third year running.
“We look forward to cheering on the Tigers this season, as we bring full-on flavour to fans during matchdays and help to support the Leicester Tigers women team.”
Mark Davies, Chief Revenue Officer at Leicester Tigers, added, “I’m pleased to say that our valued partnership with Pukka continues for the upcoming season. Together, we’ll keep delivering exciting moments on the pitch and delicious moments off the pitch when supporters visit us at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”
Formation Games, developer of upcoming mobile ownership game CLUB, has announced a partnership with YouTuber Manny Brown.
In addition to investing in the studio, Manny and Formation Games will team up for a documentary on Under The Radar FC, ‘peeling back the curtain on football club ownership.’
Manny Brown, Youtuber, said, “It’s brilliant to be involved with Formation Games as they develop CLUB. Football and video games are two of my biggest passions, so being able to combine both was an easy decision.
“As someone so heavily involved in club ownership, I’m looking forward to helping shape a new football game and create content that shows what goes into club ownership at the grassroots level.”
Tom Russell, Marketing Director at Formation Games, added, “We’re really proud to welcome Manny as an investor in Formation Games and to launch our new partnership with Under The Radar FC.
“Manny understands club ownership firsthand. His knowledge will be invaluable in creating an authentic game experience that resonates with audiences around the world.”
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