Shorts: Soccer Aid, Nike, Two Circles
Soccer Aid for UNICEF has announced that it will partner with Disney for the 2022 version of the charity football game. Thew new agreement marks the fifth time that Disney will with Soccer Aid for UNICEF. As part of the new partnership, Disney will help to generate awareness and engagement for the charity football match through upcoming movie releases Ms. Marvel, Lightyear and Thor: Love and Thunder.
Additionally, Soccer Aid for UNICEF stars will attend a star-studded premiere this month for the new Lightyear film, while Disney will run a series of activations during training week. In addition, the Lightyear logo will feature on the official training kits for both teams this year, as well as the sleeve of the Soccer Aid World XI FC matchday shirt.
The match takes place on Sunday 12th June at the London Stadium, broadcasted live on ITV and STV.
London-based marketing agency Two Circles has been chosen by Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies to sell the team’s jersey patch. The deal will see Two Circles use its unique data-driven approach to sign a brand partner to appear on the Phillies jersey beginning with the 2023 season.
Jackie Cuddeback, Vice President, Partnership Sales & Corporate Marketing at the Phillies, added, “Two Circles has a proven track record bringing new brands into sports, and a strong pedigree driving sponsorship revenue for some of the world’s biggest sports teams. We’re looking forward to collaborating on this new brand proposition.”
ukactive and Nike have launched the Open Doors blueprint, a new guide which aims to unlock the UK’s school sport facilities, giving every child and young person access to activities and food outside of school hours. The blueprint is based on the Open Doors programme, which was designed with Nike and forms part of ukactive’s Schools As Community Hubs policy.
The document is a practical resource aimed at schools, local authorities, activity delivery partners and funding organisations, offering best-in-class guidance from the Open Doors programme, which has proved successful in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. It introduces the essential components of the Open Doors model and provides advice on mentoring and coaching; food provision; and funding models, as well as testimony from young people and parents.
Publication of the blueprint comes as ukactive and Nike finalise preparations for this summer’s Open Doors programme across the four cities.
Matthew Brooke has been announced as the new Managing director of Tough Mudder and Spartan in Europe. This follows a successful period as Managing Director for Spartan and Tough Mudder UK.
Brooke will be responsible for all the business operations within Western Europe and the UK, including the management of all Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Spartan Trail, and Deka products. The position follows the welcoming of Xchange Sport and Event AG into the Spartan Group family, which will establish a more connected European team to maximise efficiency and ultimately support future growth and enhanced racer opportunities across the European region.
WWE has announced that Catherine Newman will become its new Executive Vice President and Head of Marketing, leaving her role as Chief Marketing Officer at Premier League club Manchester United.
Newman has also held senior positions at The Times of London and Financial Times, leading global marketing initiatives, developing strategic partnerships, and boosting subscription growth across various products. As part of WWE’s senior leadership team, Newman’s oversight will include Marketing, Brand, Community Relations, Entertainment Relations, Creative Services and Photography.
Glasgow-based creative marketing agency Material has welcomed a string of new appointments, building on its expertise in digital design, sponsorship and partnerships, experiential and sustainability.
Colin Banks, previously OVO Energy’s Head of Sponsorships & Partnerships, will work with the agency to offer experienced rights and partnerships consultancy. Andy Brown also returns to the team to assume a new role as Head of Digital Design having joined from Trespass – the outdoor apparel giant Brown left Material for in 2018.
