Shorts: Img Arena, Itv, Revolution

Global sports and entertainment company Endeavor has integrated its global sports betting and data businesses, OpenBet and IMG ARENA, under the OpenBet banner.

The integrated entity will see OpenBet’s betting technology, content and services merge with IMG ARENA’s data rights end-to-end sports data, technology and content ecosystem for betting operators and rightsholders.  

The combined business will be led by Jordan Levin, CEO, OpenBet, reporting to Endeavor President & COO Mark Shapiro.

Former IMG ARENA President Freddie Longe will remain with the company as a Strategic Advisor to the OpenBet organization, during the transition period.

Shapiro commented, “When we acquired OpenBet in 2022, we envisioned a holistic integration with IMG ARENA that would create a leader in the global betting, sports data and technology industry.

“Today is the culmination of that ambition. Leveraging Endeavor’s complementary sports and entertainment capabilities, we will unlock meaningful value for the sports rights and IP of our owned and operated properties, and most importantly, for our partners. As we make this transition, I would like to recognize Freddie Longe’s vision and leadership of the IMG ARENA business. We are pleased that he will remain with the company in an advisory role.”

ITV has confirmed that used car marketplace Motorway will sponsor its coverage of the Guinness Six Nations for the third consecutive year.

The sponsorship agreement, brokered by Motorway’s media agency MG OMD, will span 10 live games across ITV’s coverage of the 2024 Six Nations tournament.

The sponsorship kicks off with the first Six Nations game, France v Ireland, on Friday 2^nd February. 

Rachael Halliday, Brand Director of Motorway, said. “We’re proud to be sponsoring ITV’s coverage of the Guinness Six Nations for the third consecutive year. As one of the most watched and talked about sports fixtures in the UK, it’s a prime spot for Motorway to continue driving awareness of our platform to a huge audience, ultimately providing our dealer partners with even greater access than ever to the best private used car stock, all in one place.”

Global sports marketing agency rEvolution has opened a new UK office in Reading.

The investment in Reading delivers the agency its second UK-based office alongside rEvolution’s international HQ in central London.

The Reading office opens one year after the acquisition of Henley-on-Thames-based public relations and communications agency Sine Qua Non (SQN). The expansion, which strengthened rEvolution’s expertise in technology, motorsports, and automotive, ‘necessitated an additional office to accommodate a growing international team.’

John Rowady, founder and CEO of rEvolution, said, “With a global integrated sports marketing legacy anchored in North America, Europe and Asia, we’re excited to bolster rEvolution’s presence in the Thames Valley. Global sports marketing is vibrant throughout the United Kingdom and we are further motivated to now have a permanent home in Reading to represent our brand clients.”

Ten Toes Media has signed tennis player Ons Jabeur to the agency.

The Tunisian, who is currently the world’s sixth-ranked female player and a two-time Wimbledon finalist, joins Ten Toes’ roster of talent ahead of the upcoming Abu Dhabi Open.

Working alongside the tennis player’s management, AASolutions, Ten Toes will look to ‘grow Ons’ profile further through strategic consultation and direction, support with media, content and PR and by creating commercial opportunities for the tennis star.

Ben Weisfeld, Ten Toes founder and CEO, said, “”We are delighted that Ons has partnered with Ten Toes at such an exciting time in her career.

“Ons has an incredible story to tell. Her warmth and personality make her a fan favourite not only in the MENA region as the first Arab and African player to reach a Grand Slam Final, but also on a global stage.

“We are hugely looking forward to beginning our work with Ons and her team.”

UK betting platform Unibet has signed 12-month sponsorship agreements with the boxing trio Raven Chapman, Ellie Scotney and Nina Hughes.

Chapman, signed to Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions, is the WBC International Champion. Scotney is part of Shane McGuigan’s stable of fighters and recently became the IBF World Super-Bantamweight Champion with a victory over Cherneka Johnson. Hughes has held the WBA Bantamweight world title since July 2022.

The deal is the largest ambassador deal agreed with active female boxers in the UK, outstripping any similar commercial agreement made by a UK company regarding