Shorts: Team GB, Somerset Cricket, Sport England

Little Dot Sport, the sport specialist label of UK digital content agency and media network Little Dot Studios, has been awarded a YouTube channel management and paid media contract with Team GB.

The two-year contract will see Little Dot Sport provide support on the management of the Team GB YouTube channel as well as the paid media strategy for the organisation across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Little Dot Sport will create and distribute original content for Team GB, along with a focus on community management to increase reach and engagement among younger fans in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and beyond.

Carly Hodgson, Head of Marketing for Team GB, said, “It’s so important as we prepare for Paris 2024 that we continue to maximise the impact of our athletes’ stories across our platforms, and bring new fans on board to support those athletes on their journey towards competing at an Olympic Games. We’re really excited to be working with Little Dot Sport, whose team of digital natives will help bolster our in-house efforts to refresh and grow the Team GB brand over the next two years.”

Robbie Spargo, Director of Little Dot Sport, added, “Partnering with Team GB is huge for us, not only because they are one of the most respected and recognisable brands in the world of sport, but also because of the variety of athletes that they nurture and the compelling stories each of those athletes have to tell. This will allow us to create and deliver diverse content in new and exciting ways, resonating with fans of everything from archery to taekwondo while reaching many more beyond.”

Capgemini, a worldwide partner of Rugby World Cup France 2023 and World Rugby’s digital transformation partner, has partnered with England rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson.

Wilkinson has become a global rugby ambassador for information service company Capgemini.

Wilkinson commented, “Capgemini as an organization is driven by the belief that transformation should benefit all of humanity for the long term. A view that I certainly share when it comes to personal growth, the future of sport and business as a whole.”

“Capgemini is playing an active role in helping World Rugby in its efforts to transform the sport. Whether that is through vital technological solutions at the Rugby World Cup France 2023, creating a more inclusive pathway for female leaders in rugby, or helping World Rugby to embed sustainability into its operations. I am excited to be accompanying Capgemini on the road to the Rugby World Cup and to be putting a spotlight on its groundbreaking work.”

Somerset County Cricket Club has extended its partnership with UK not-for-profit health insurer WPA Health Insurance.

This new three-year agreement, described as the biggest commercial deal in the club’s history, will see WPA remain as its principal county championship partner until at least the end of the 2025 season.

The WPA logo will feature prominently on the front of Somerset’s County Championship match shirt, as well as continuing as the official live stream partner for the LV= Insurance County Championship and the One Day Cup.

WPA branding will again appear on the Western Storm playing shirts, while continuing to back a dedicated live stream of Storm fixtures at the Cooper Associates County Ground, aiming to ‘help take coverage of the women’s game to the next level.’

SCCC Commercial Director, Caroline Herbert, said, “We have developed an excellent relationship over the last two years, and I know that we will cement this further over the next three years to support the key objectives of both of our organisations. As a local business, WPA are committed to the region and supporting their customers. Their team are exceptional, and everyone associated with the Club is thrilled that the relationship will continue into 2025 and our anniversary celebratory year.

“Local heritage, history and traditional values are the foundation of both organisations and therefore WPA are the perfect partner for the County Championship. The red-ball crown is the holy grail of County Cricket and with the continued backing of WPA, we hope that the long-standing dream of Division One glory can become a reality.”

UK sport-focused creative and social media agency Fifty Digital has announced a new partnership with the European Games. 

Run by the European Olympic Committee (EOC), the umbrella body for 50 National Olympic Committees and Europe’s branch of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the 2023 edition will take place in Krakow and the Malopolska region of Poland in June and July this year.

Fifty Digital will assist with the European Games’ ‘global positioning as they look to create an enduring legacy in European sport.’

Initially creating an audience-led editorial strategy and new social media look and feel, Fifty Digital will move into managing EOC channels, advising on local social media coverage and content creation with athletes and national governing bodies.

Fifty Digital will also manage on-the-ground activations in Krakow and the Malopolska region in general, focussing on the event itself but also on the ‘positive impact the games will have on the area.’

Sport England has appointed Ben Wilson as its new Executive Director of Digital, Marketing and Communications. 

Ben joins from the Association of British Insurers where he is the Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

Previous roles he has held include as Director of Communications and then COO of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Deputy Director of Communications at the Department for Work and Pensions and Head of Strategic Communications at the BBC.

Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth, said, “Ben brings extensive leadership experience and has a highly relevant background for this important role, having led award-winning campaigns across media, internal communications, digital and marketing. I know he is passionate about our mission to tackle inequalities so that more people than ever can be part of sport and physical activity and, having come through an extremely competitive recruitment process, he is a great addition to our team.” 

Wilson will take up the role in May.

Rugby league club Salford Red Devils has secured Selco Builders Warehouse as a sponsor for its women’s side.

The builders merchant began a three-year-deal as the front of shirt sponsor with Salford’s men team last season and now will provide the same sponsorship for the female team ahead of their first season in Super League 2. 

Salford Red Devils Women were formed at the start of last season and finished top of the Championship League, as well as winning the League Cup. 

Carine Jessamine, marketing director of Selco, said, “We are delighted to extend our involvement with Salford Red Devils to also support the women’s team ahead of a huge season. 

“We are long-term backers of rugby league and in supporting the World Cup last year, we demonstrated out commitment to helping the sport grow. 

“Salford’s women’s team had a fantastic first season in 2022 and it was a natural fit to provide our backing as they move into the second tier of women’s rugby league. 

“We wish them, and the men’s team, every success for the forthcoming season.”