NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and Mazda North American Operations are unleashing a new multimedia advertising campaign that will introduce the Mazda CX-5 to US Hispanic audiences through “Al Bate!”– an eight episode, documentary style mini-series featuring former MLB player Ramiro Pena. The campaign was preceded by a series of Mazda media assets that ran in Japanese to generate curiosity and buzz among Hispanic audiences who are used to Spanish messaging on Telemundo’s digital platforms, including TelemundoDeportes.com, Telemundo’s Novelas App, and the network’s Facebook pages. The series debuts today on TelemundoDeportes.com.
UFC entered into a new, multi-year global licensing agreement with Dyaco International that will begin in 2018. The partnership, negotiated by IMG, grants the rights to manufacture and distribute UFC branded combat and fitness equipment in both professional and retail markets worldwide, excluding China.
CLEAR, described as an “identity platform that transforms biometrics into a universal ID for secure, frictionless access,” announced its launch at Comerica Park in Detroit. Using CLEAR, Tigers fans will now be able to enter the park at Gate A with the touch of a finger. The service is a free benefit for fans who enroll on-site at the venue.
The Esports Integrity Coalition wrapped up its survey canvassing community opinion on the appropriate sanctions for those caught cheating in esports with the results prompting ESL to align with the ESIC’s recommendation. Tournament rules for all events in IEM, ESL One, ESL Pro League series, as well as the ESEA Leagues and amateur competitions, will be updated to reflect ESIC’s recommendation, effective Aug. 1. Additionally, all indefinite match-fixing bans placed on players before February 15, 2015, have been lifted, including bans placed on ex-IBUYPOWER players. “We believe that integrity and fair play are of the utmost importance in esports, and our updated catalogue of sanctions reflects that commitment”, said Ulrich Schulze, Senior Vice President Product at ESL. “All of these adjustments do not apply to bans and punishments issued by Valve directly though, which will still be in place for all Valve sponsored tournaments run by ESL, such as Majors.”
Gfinity continues to shore up its ranks as an esports heavyweight, announcing plans to acquire CEVO Inc., an American provider of technology and services to the global esports market, for a total of $2.7 million. CEVO’s proprietary tournament platform includes a tournament management system, an anti-cheat system and dynamic broadcast software.
FIFA announced plans to launch the first Interactive Club World Cup competition in London on Aug. 5. Overall, 24 players from 19 professional football clubs will take part in the tournament. First six teams were revealed, and include Brondby IF (Denmark); Manchester City (England); Paris Saint-Germain (France); Schalke 04 (Germany); Sampdoria (Italy); Valencia (Spain).
Bleacher Report named Howard Mittman as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, reporting directly to Bleacher Report founder and CEO Dave Finocchio. Mittman joins from Conde Nast and will be responsible for Bleacher Report’s entire revenue generation process and all aspects of its marketing strategy.
The Frisco Bowl hired Sean Johnson to serve as its executive director. Johnson has more than 20 years of experience in sports sponsorship and media sales with the Dallas Cowboys, Host Communications, IMG College and the University of New Mexico and joins from Fox Sports Southwest.
White Sox/Cubs on MLB Network at 2p.
