Wednesday, 18th July 2007

HEADLINE NEWS

Reds Appoint New Commercial Director

Ian Ayre was today appointed Commercial Director at Liverpool Football Club. His appointment is a new position at the Club which will see him manage and develop commercial activity. He will report directly to CEO Rick Parry and joins the Club on 16 August. Ian's initial focus will be to work alongside Rick Parry in growing sponsorship and merchandising revenues, starting with the selection of sponsors around the Club's move to a new stadium in 2010. He will also spearhead the development of the LFC brand internationally, particularly in Asia.

It was Ian's extensive experience in new media and sponsorships which greatly impressed new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Most recently he was Chief Operating Officer of Total Sports Asia, a brand solutions business for international sports and entertainment partners aiming to develop an Asian strategy for their brands - including media distribution, live events, licensing & merchandising, and sponsorship. Ian's role focused on developing new business, defining and implementing sales strategy and marketing their partner brands across the Asian region.

Other appointments have included Managing Director of Premium TV Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTL Inc, where he worked between 2001 and 2004. Before this he was for 3 years the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Huddersfield Town FC. During his time at the club Ian developed a marketing strategy and business plan for the exploitation of the clubs rights and developed the vehicle (Premium TV) in conjunction with a major investment from NTL Inc. From 1992 to 1997 he was Regional Director & CEO (Asia) of Pace Micro Technology Plc where he worked with the company through the successful IPO of the business on the LSE and helped the company establish a major Asian business from start up.

Ian, 44, was born in Liverpool and is a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter. The appointment comes after an extensive global search in which the Club was advised by executive search firm SevenArts Consultancy.

Rick Parry, CEO of Liverpool FC, commented:

"I'm delighted Ian has agreed to join us and I look forward to him arriving in Liverpool. There couldn't be a better time to be coming to the club as we're looking at a bright future both on and off the pitch. Ian has a great track record and also understands the values which make this club so special."

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Co Chairmen of the Club said:

"We would like to welcome Ian to Liverpool Football Club. He has vast experience in an array of relevant fields for the club. In particular his marketing experience will be a great advantage as we look to grow the Liverpool brand overseas and make the club more competitive on this front. He is a strong addition to the team."

Ian Ayre said:

"Being Liverpool born and bred, this is a dream job for me. I feel that everything I've done so far – in sports marketing, media and technology – has been leading to this role. I've been away from Liverpool for many years, and I couldn't be returning at a better time. These are great times for the club, there are tremendous opportunities ahead, and I'm thrilled to be part of it." Source: Liverpool FC Official, 17th Jul 2007


THIS WEEK

Sat, 14th Jul 2007
Masters Football: London Masters

Sun, 15th Jul 2007
WWE Special: The Great American Bash, San Jose
AVP Crocs Tour: Long Beach Open, California
World Superbikes Championship 2007: Brno, Czech Republic


SPORTS SHORTS

* Ronaldinho and Kaka 's absence was barely missed in a memorable, goal-packed Copa America 2007 hosted by Venezuela. The 26 games produced 86 goals, culminating in Brazil's 3-0 win over Argentina and there was rarely a dull moment. The Copa America has struggled to be taken seriously recently, often when the competition was sandwiched between the region's marathon World Cup qualifying competition. This year's tournament provided teams with their first chance for a competitive match since the World Cup or, for those who did not go to Germany, since October 2005. Source: Reuters, 16th Jul 2007

* Recent Copa America host Venezuela could challenge Brazil for the hosting of soccer’s 2014 World Cup. Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, will reportedly meet with Sepp Blatter to discuss the proposed candidature. Deadline for submitting bids for the 2014 event was April 16, but Venezuela is hoping Fifa that will make an exception. Venezuela spent $1 billion to host the Copa America, which drew to a close on Sunday when Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in the final. Brazil is currently the only candidate and the host of the 2014 World Cup will be announced on October 30. Source: Sportcal, 17th Jul 2007

* India's Prasar Bahrati is looking at a new business model with emphasis on mobile TV technology and content to generate new streams of revenue. Currently, the service is available to subscribers within New Delhi and is based on handheld DVB-H technology in association with Nokia. DVB-H enabled mobile phones currently are priced at Rs 30,000 ($745), but the broadcaster expects prices to come down to Rs 16,000 to 18,000 ($400 to $450) soon once business picks up. Currently, they are servicing eight channels of Doordarshan, the public broadcast run by Prasar Bahrati, on the mobile TV platform, which will soon be increased to 16. Source: Entertainment Asia, 17th Jul 2007

* Specialist US cable network, The Tennis Channel, has acquired rights to broadcast the Wimbledon tennis championships for the next six years. The agreement begins next year and comprises four hours of coverage per day. Earlier this month, national television network NBC extended its long-running deal to broadcast the Wimbledon championships, albeit at a lower price than before. Cable sports broadcaster ESPN, whose four-year deal, worth $6.4 million annually, expires this year, is in the process of negotiating a contract renewal with the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Source: Sportcal, Broadcast Newsroom, 17th Jul 2007

* French pay-TV, Canal Plus, has launched a legal attack on the LFP, the French professional league, over terms of a tender issued for broadcast rights for the second-tier Ligue 2, awarded last month. The Ligue 2 rights were acquired by cable TV operator Noos-Numéricable last month in a three-year deal worth €15 million [$21 million], but Canal Plus disputes two decisions made by the LFP in relation to the deal; that the LFP invited bidders to suggest inclusions in the rights packages, and opposes LFP’s claims that it could set up its own channel to broadcast matches. Source: Sportcal, 17th Jul 2007

* The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has agreed a multi-year deal with Dorna to host the second round of the MotoGP. The deal will start with the Indianapolis Grand Prix on September 14th 2008, and will mark the first time motorcycle racing has been to the track since 1909. The Indianpolis race will follow MotoGP's US Grand Prix held at Laguna Seca, California. The new deal comes after confirmation that Formula One has withdrawn from Indianapolis for the US Grand Prix next year. Source: Sport Business, 17th Jul 2007

* Vitali Klitschko, the former WBC heavyweight boxing champion, will enter the ring for the first time in almost three years when he takes on the USA’s Jameel McCline in Munich on September 22. Klitschko has not fought since a 2004 victory over British heavyweight Danny Williams and retired due to injury in November 2005. He had hoped to take on current WBC champion Oleg Maskaev in Moscow in his comeback fight, but has stood aside to allow number one challenger Samuel Peter of Nigeria to have first crack. Klitschko’s younger brother Wladimir is the IBF heavyweight champion. Source: Sportcal, 17th Jul 2007


MORE NEWS

India/Broadcaster: Star Cricket Channel Opens with England-India Matches

ESPN Star Sports is launching its new cricket channel to coincide with the start of the test series between England and India this week. Star Cricket will begin with coverage of the first of three test matches at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, which starts on Thursday and, according to internal estimates, should increase the network’s annual advertising and distribution revenues from between Rs2.5 billion ($62 million) and Rs3 billion to Rs10 billion over the next 18 months.

In line with a new Indian law covering sporting events of national importance, ESS will share live coverage of the one-day international series against England, which follows the test matches, with state broadcaster Doordarshan. As per the legislation, Doordarshan will only have daily highlights of the test series and, as the rights holder, ESS will keep 75 per cent of the advertising revenue from the coverage of India’s tour.

ESS says that deals worth Rs4 billion are in place with leading advertisers for the matches in England and India’s tour of Australia, which begins in December. ESS will also televise the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup taking place in South Africa in September having acquired the global rights to International Cricket Council competitions until 2015 in a deal worth $1.1 billion. Source: Sportcal, 17th Jul 2007