ArkSports Limited is delighted to announce that it has been bought by Electric Word plc, the specialist information publisher, which owns SportBusiness Group plc (SBG). As well as offering research and consulting services in the areas of technology, broadcast, sponsorship and events, ArkSports publishes the highly acclaimed e-newsletter Sport and Technology which has over 6,200 subscribers within the business of sport. ArkSports also produces Sport and Technology: The Conference and runs the Sport and Technology Executive Club (STEC) which held its latest networking event on 25 January 2007 at the Houses of Parliament in London. ArkSports’ Managing Director and Editor of Sport and Technology, Rachael Church-Sanders, will join SBG as a consultant. As well as previously being a Director at SBG and Head of Reports at Financial Times Media & Telecoms, Rachael is the author of several leading industry reports such as Sport on the Internet, The Global Business of Sports Television, Bidding & Hosting: The Guide to Successful Sporting Events and The Global Business of Poker. She is also a regular speaker at conferences in the industry. Commenting on the deal, she said: “I am thrilled to be returning to SBG at a time when the company is undergoing exciting changes since its own acquisition by Electric Word. The experience and resources offered within the company can only benefit the Sport and Technology brand and products.”
Atos ahead of the Game in Rio
International information technology services provider Atos Origin has announced that the Technology Operations Centre (TOC) for the Rio 2007 XV Pan American Games is fully operational and has been delivered on time. At the heart of the whole technology operations for the Pan-American Games, the TOC demonstrates innovations that have been developed through Atos Origin’s past Olympic Games experience in Salt Lake City (2002), Athens (2004) and Torino (2006). The layout, help desk and the Video Wall stand out among such innovations. The TOC has been completed after 50 uninterrupted days of work and delivered according to the official expected schedule. At Games' time, the IT team will monitor from the TOC the IT infrastructure, systems and applications to ensure that the results and athletes information are transmitted instantly to worldwide media and the official website. During the next six months, a team of extremely high level technology professionals will work from the TOC, focusing on the Games' IT Security.
Fishy business for the Weather Channel
The Weather Channel Interactive has launched weather.com/fishing in the US which provides a combination of detailed weather data and local fish activity aimed at the 28m anglers in the country. The new section, located at www.weather.com/fishing is sponsored exclusively by Toyota and resides in the Outdoor Recreation section on weather.com. The section features an interactive graph that charts hourly fish activity for a selected location for the following 10 days, presented along with the hourly and day-part weather forecast. The graph is based on the solar and lunar events, as well as other factors that influence fish activity. Sunrise, sunset and moon phases are also available. Other features include ‘Today's Catch’, a photo gallery for anglers to submit photographic proof of their best and biggest catch.
Starting gates for Beijing
A patented starting gate design that uses Parker technology is winning recognition throughout the world of BMX bicycle racing, including the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The ProStuff Straight Eight Starting Gate has been selected as the official start gate for Olympic BMX contests. The 2008 Olympics will be the first ever held in China and will mark the debut of BMX bicycle racing as an Olympic event. Parker distributor, Barker Rockford, integrated Parker automation components to develop the patented system. The ProStuff starting gate systems are built using Parker components including a pneumatic ram, FRLs, exhaust valves, a custom accumulator constructed using Parker's rigid aluminium IPS profiled shapes, hoses and connectors and industrial grade shock absorbers. Barker has also developed proprietary electronic controls and safety hinge devices for use with the gates. Gate doors and ramps on single gate systems for individual training are framed by Parker's Industrial Profile Systems - extruded aluminium sections designed to support automated equipment in factories. Several world champions attribute their success, in part, to training with the ProStuff ProGate.
NASCAR goes iTunes
NASCAR fans are now able to download video highlights of the 2007 Daytona 500 from the iTunes Store thanks to a tie-up between the US motor racing giant and Apple. Video highlights of the race, viewable on a computer or iPod, are available as a download from iTunes for $1.99 the day after the race. The highlights are being produced by NASCAR.com, a division of Turner Sports New Media, and capture the action from green flag to chequered flag along with interviews from drivers following the action. The video download gives race fans the ability to relive the key action of races, in addition to listening in on key radio communications between drivers and crew chiefs as they battle for the 2007 title. Meanwhile, Juan Pablo Montoya, (pictured right courtesy of Getty Images Sport, photographed by Chris Trotman), the former Formula One star who is driving the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR Busch Series in 2007 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, is set to participate weekly in an exclusive interview spot heard only on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, the new 24/7 year-round radio channel dedicated to NASCAR.
New soccer analysis software launched
Virtual Spectator International has launched a system that provides broadcast-quality graphical analysis on soccer players through the launch of PlayTrac for Coaches (www.virtualspectator.com.au/playtrac_coach/), a 3D soccer statistics system. Created from the technology used to provide real time analysis for international TV networks during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, PlayTrac for Coaches provides technology that is lightweight and portable - all that is required is a laptop computer and broadband connection. Player performance can be analysed and compared with other players in different leagues and competitions worldwide instantaneously. The system was used by several broadcasters during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, including ITV in the UK, Fox in the US, SBS in Australia and Televisa in Mexico.
Ronnie O’Sullivan joins 888.com
Snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan has signed an 18-month deal with snooker sponsor 888.com. O’Sullivan has re-launched his association with 888.com that was first established in 2006 as he finds the form that saw him recently crowned Saga Insurance Masters champion and the exciting style of play that earned him the nickname of Ronnie ‘The Rocket’ O’Sullivan. The new agreement will see O’Sullivan wear an 888.com patch on his waistcoat at tournaments and will include use of his image rights plus a number of personal appearances. Sponsor 888.com wants to use these to give fans the opportunity to play snooker against O’Sullivan through winning online tournaments.
Chicago Bears wins battle of the NFL sales
Super Bowl 2007 runners up, the Chicago Bears led the NFL in direct-to-consumer jersey sales in 2006, selling more than any other NFL team, including their Super Bowl vanquishers, the Indianapolis Colts, who also ranked among the top 10 in sales. In the case of the Chicago Bears, linebacker Brian Urlacher and quarterback Rex Grossman led a banner year for their team's online sales performance. Urlacher's #54 jersey was the number two seller across the entire league in 2006. Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning led his team in sales this season. League-wide, Dallas Cowboys' quarterback, Tony Romo was the 2006 leader in direct-to-consumer NFL jersey sales. GSI Commerce partners with the NFL to manage online sales through NFLShop.com, including authentic, replica and customized jerseys, hats, collectibles, tailgating products, DVDs and an assortment of other fan gear.
SPORTELAmerica keeps growing
SPORTEL has added extra exhibition space in the Miami Beach Resort and Spa to accommodate all the requests from companies that wish to exhibit at SPORTELAmerica 2007. Among the companies that will exhibit at the three-day market in Miami Beach are: AGFIS, Alfred Haber Distribution, Arqiva, Calcio Marketing SRL, CSI Sports, DFL-Deutsche Fussball Liga, EBU–Eurovision, ESPN, Eurosport, Federation Internationale de Gymnastique, Federation Internationale de Volleyball, Fox Sports International, Globo TV Sports, HBO, IEC in Sports, Major League Baseball, Matchroom Sport, Mediazone, National Basketball Association, National Football League, PA Sport, Red Bee Media, SES New Skies, SportA, SportFive Group, Sportsbrand Media Group-Europe, Stats LLC, Total Sports Asia, Traffic Sports, Ultimate Fighting Championship, Virtual Spectator, World Wrestling Entertainment, and many more. Said David Tomatis, executive vice president of SPORTEL: “We originally planned for about 50 stands but it looks as though we will need space for more than 60 stands. It’s a nice problem to have!” SPORTELAmerica 2007 will take place March 12-14, 2007 at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa on Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida.
Spinning around at Goodison
Moving media perimeter advertising systems company OMM MovingMedia (OMM) has installed 192 metres of custom-built, rotating perimeter signage to English Premier League soccer club Everton Football Club, as part of a three-year print, game operation, service and maintenance contract. The improvement to the stadium's appearance and the increased branding impact Offered by rotating signage has already attracted a new sponsor, Liverpool-based Littlewoods Football Pools, now Everton's Official Pools and Gaming Partner. OMM custom built the system to meet the specific layout And requirements of Everton's pitch at Goodison Park and also supplied additional signage throughout the stands, thus providing a consistent look and feel around the ground.
Page from ArkSports' Sport and Technology (www.sportandtechnology.com) on 2008-11-21 : News - February 2007 : http://www.sportandtechnology.com/page/0463.html
ArkSports Limited is delighted to announce that it has been bought by Electric Word plc, the specialist information publisher, which owns SportBusiness Group plc (SBG). As well as offering research and consulting services in the areas of technology, broadcast, sponsorship and events, ArkSports publishes the highly acclaimed e-newsletter Sport and Technology which has over 6,200 subscribers within the business of sport. ArkSports also produces Sport and Technology: The Conference and runs the Sport and Technology Executive Club (STEC) which held its latest networking event on 25 January 2007 at the Houses of Parliament in London. ArkSports’ Managing Director and Editor of Sport and Technology, Rachael Church-Sanders, will join SBG as a consultant. As well as previously being a Director at SBG and Head of Reports at Financial Times Media & Telecoms, Rachael is the author of several leading industry reports such as Sport on the Internet, The Global Business of Sports Television, Bidding & Hosting: The Guide to Successful Sporting Events and The Global Business of Poker. She is also a regular speaker at conferences in the industry. Commenting on the deal, she said: “I am thrilled to be returning to SBG at a time when the company is undergoing exciting changes since its own acquisition by Electric Word. The experience and resources offered within the company can only benefit the Sport and Technology brand and products.”
NASCAR fans are now able to download video highlights of the 2007 Daytona 500 from the iTunes Store thanks to a tie-up between the US motor racing giant and Apple. Video highlights of the race, viewable on a computer or iPod, are available as a download from iTunes for $1.99 the day after the race. The highlights are being produced by NASCAR.com, a division of Turner Sports New Media, and capture the action from green flag to chequered flag along with interviews from drivers following the action. The video download gives race fans the ability to relive the key action of races, in addition to listening in on key radio communications between drivers and crew chiefs as they battle for the 2007 title. Meanwhile, Juan Pablo Montoya, (pictured right courtesy of Getty Images Sport, photographed by Chris Trotman), the former Formula One star who is driving the No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup and NASCAR Busch Series in 2007 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, is set to participate weekly in an exclusive interview spot heard only on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, the new 24/7 year-round radio channel dedicated to NASCAR.
Super Bowl 2007 runners up, the Chicago Bears led the NFL in direct-to-consumer jersey sales in 2006, selling more than any other NFL team, including their Super Bowl vanquishers, the Indianapolis Colts, who also ranked among the top 10 in sales. In the case of the Chicago Bears, linebacker Brian Urlacher and quarterback Rex Grossman led a banner year for their team's online sales performance. Urlacher's #54 jersey was the number two seller across the entire league in 2006. Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning led his team in sales this season. League-wide, Dallas Cowboys' quarterback, Tony Romo was the 2006 leader in direct-to-consumer NFL jersey sales.
