Thursday, 7th July 2011

BROADCAST & RIGHTS DISTRIBUTION

=>  Medge Consulting have partnered with Advisers Media International (AMI) to secure international media rights for the NHL in Europe, Africa and the Middle East over the next 5 years. The deal includes live HD broadcasting for 480 games /season including the playoffs, Stanley Cup Final and the NHL Winter Classic. It also includes highlights packages and supplementary programming. The NHL is keen to increase its international status and the deal includes strategic focus on promoting ice hockey in Europe and other parts of the world. AMI and Medge have both had successes with distributing Premier League rights in various countries.


STATS & DATA

=>  GroupM lowered its forecast for global adspend growth in 2011 from 5.8% to 4.8% as a result of economic effects of the Japanese twin disasters and political unrest in the Mid East. Japan itself has seen its forecast of 3% increase in ad spend this year revised to a 5% decline. In the Mid East, ad spend is expected to fall by $1.2 bil in 2011. GroupM estimates global adspend will reach $506 bil this year, rising 6.8% to $540.3 bil next year, driven by the Olympics and 2012 U.S. elections. Forecasts remain strong for Asia Pac, with a 6.2% growth rate and ad spend of $157 bil this year, rising 10.3% to $173.1 bil in 2012. The Mid East and Africa will slow from last year's 12% growth rate to just 2.5% this year. In 2012, GroupM sees a 7% recovery to reach $17.7 bil.


BIZ & BITES

=>  The International Olympic Committee elected PyeongChang in South Korea as host city of the Olympic Winter Games in 2018. PyeongChang won the first round of voting with 63 votes, against Munich (25 votes) and Annecy (7 votes). IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated PyeongChang for winning the vote and praised the high quality of their file and final presentation. The IOC President also thanked Munich (Germany) and Annecy (France) for their efforts and the quality of their candidatures.

=>  The World Squash Federation and Professional Squash Association have expressed delight at squash's inclusion on the shortlist for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games. Squash was one of 8 sports shortlisted by the IOC, along with baseball, karate, roller sports, softball, sports climbing, wakeboard and wushu. Four sports which failed to make the cut were bowling, dancing, netball and surfing. Despite being shortlisted for 2016 Olympic Games, squash was left out in favour of rugby sevens and golf, but the WSF and the PSA, claim to have boost its profile since, including the launch of the PSA Super Series, which attracted new sponsors and broadcasters into the fray.