11/15/19: Sports Illustrated's new slate

Friday November 15, 2019

Sports Illustrated is going down to the bare minimum , not for its famed swimsuit issue, but in its publishing run. The storied magazine will now print once a month, with Yahoo breaking the news, six weeks after the magazine laid off more than 40 employees . Co-editor Stephen Cannella stated to the New York Post that the magazine would “be essentially a monthly with four season-preview issues and the SI Swimsuit for a total of 17 issues.”

PROGRAMMING

Good news for the National Women’s Hockey League , which announced that it had closed a new round of equity funding that “ensures viability and continued growth for the league for many years to come.” The financing was led by insurance and IT entrepreneur Andy Scurto, who now joins a group of more than 20 NWHL investors. “It’s a privilege for me to participate in the NWHL and to join my partners in the league in driving growth for the future,” said Scurto, who has formed NL Sports. “The NWHL is a strong league that has implemented a great model for supporting the athletes.”

Bellator is ringing in the New Year with a partnership with RIZIN , booking five cross-promotional bouts for two separate cards on Dec. 29 and New Year’s Eve at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. At Bellator Japan, powered by RIZIN, on Dec. 29, top Bellator welterweight Lorenz Larkin (21-7) will seek his fourth consecutive victory when he faces 47-fight veteran Keita Nakamura (35-10-2) inside the Bellator cage. During RIZIN.20, two additional bouts featuring Bellator and RIZIN athletes going head-to-head inside the four-sided RIZIN ring are official, when undefeated surging 135-pounder Patrick Mix (12-0) takes on former Japanese regional bantamweight champion Yuki Motoya (23-7).

FOX Sports wraps up the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series this weekend from Pomona. Final Round action starts Sunday at 3p with NHRA SUNDAY LIVE on FS1. Tony Pedregon teams with play-by-play announcer Brian Lohnes in the booth, with reporting from two-time NHRA Competition Eliminator champion Bruno Massel, Amanda Busick and Lewis Bloom.

Oracle revealed dates and locations for the Oracle Pro Series events taking place at the beginning of the 2020 season with tennis professionals set to play in more than 35 Oracle Pro Series tournaments across the country. The tournaments in the first three months of 2020 consist of a collection of men’s, women’s and combined, beginning Jan. 6 at both the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California. The Oracle Pro Series rewards success with immediate access to higher level tournaments by connecting all Oracle events into one merit-based path to the highest levels of international professional tennis.

The IOC awarded the Japan Consortium broadcast rights for the Olympic Games from 2026 through 2032 for the country. “With the eyes of the world focused on the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, we are delighted to continue and strengthen our partnership with a long-term broadcast partner which has successfully promoted the Olympic values in Japan since the last time the Olympic Games were in Tokyo, in 1964 ,” said IOC President Thomas Bach . “ Thanks to the Japan Consortium’s sports broadcasting expertise and its passion for the Olympic values, we can ensure outstanding broadcast coverage of the Olympic Games in the years to come. The Japan Consortium’s significant financial commitment over the course of our partnership is great news for the entire Olympic Movement, since the IOC distributes more than 90 per cent of the revenue generated through its commercial agreements to support athletes and develop sport worldwide.”

Save The Date!
Thursday, February 6^th at CNVS in NYC

The Cynopsis Best Of The Best Awards

Featuring Media’s Rising Stars

Join Cynopsis and your colleagues for an awards show spotlighting the very best campaigns, content and partnerships that are shaping the industry. Awards finalists & Rising Star honorees will be announced in early-December. Winners will be announced live on-stage on February 6^th.

Questions? Contact Marketing Manager Cathy Pearson for more info.

SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION

Pop-Tarts is slated to air its first Super Bowl commercial as it looks to position the breakfast pastry as a game-day snack, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. The Kellogg Co. reportedly worked with New York-based creative agency MRY on the 30-second spot, which will run right before the two-minute warning in the first half of the NFL championship game. “As a beloved brand known for bold marketing, the big game provides an opportunity for Pop-Tarts to share our story and exciting product portfolio with a massive audience,” Philipp Schaffer, senior director of marketing at Pop-Tarts, said in a statement. “Advertising during the big game is a natural next step for the Pop-Tarts brand, which is always looking for new ways (and craveable flavors) to excite our fans.”

Minor League Baseball announced the continued long-term commitment to its US Hispanic fans and communities with the return of the 2020 Copa de la Diversion campaign and event series. Each of the 92 participating MiLB teams covering 34 U.S. states will transform its on-field brand to a culturally-relevant Hispanic persona, representing an extension of the team’s and community’s identity. MiLB’s Copa-specific website features each team’s unique identity, including the story behind its Hispanic on-field persona, and links for fans to purchase available apparel for select Copa teams

DIGITAL, DATA & TECH

NASCAR and NBC Sports are partnering up to launch TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold, a new streaming product that will launch in early December. Offering fans more exclusive live motorsports events and an extensive library of archived documentaries and films, the platform will offer exclusive live viewing of a multitude of motorsports, including American Flat Track, select ARCA Menards Series events, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and tentpole grassroots racing events, as well as NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying sessions (NBC Sports’ half of the schedule only). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) enthusiasts are also covered.

ESPORTS

The Houston Outlaws finally have a new owner, as Immortals Gaming Club announced the sale of the Overwatch League franchise to Beasley Media Group. “The acquisition of the Houston Outlaws significantly expands our growing esports platform,” said Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer. “The Houston Outlaws represent a rare investment opportunity, as there are only 20 Overwatch League teams in the world, and the transaction partners Beasley with Blizzard Entertainment and its parent company, Activision Blizzard, a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services.”

Another celebrity investor for ReKTGlobal, parent company for Rogue and the upcoming London Royal Ravens, which announced that NFL safety Landon Collins of the Redskins signed on as an investor, joining the likes of Nicky Romero, Lex Borrero, members of Imagine Dragons, and Steve Aoki. “Esports is one of the most lucrative industries right now and its future is bright,” said Collins. “As a professional athlete and a passionate gamer, I understand and appreciate what ReKTGlobal is doing to further connect the worlds of traditional sports and esports. I love competition and the competitive nature of the gaming industry and I’m excited to enter a new realm of competition through my investment with ReKTGlobal and Rogue.”

Popular streamer Ewok, a member of FaZe Clan, announced that she was moving her streams exclusively to Mixer, joining other recent names that include Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins and Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek.

Performance sponsorship data platform FanAI closed of its $8 million Series A funding round led by Japanese business conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation, in a move to support FanAI’s expansion and growth. The latest injection, which also saw participation from Allectus Capital, CRCM Ventures, Courtside Ventures, GC Tracker Fund, M Ventures, Sterling VC, and GFR Fund, brings the total raised capital to over $12.5 million for the Santa Monica-based data analytics firm.

The NBA 2K League continues to spread its wings, announcing the debut of the NBA 2K League European Invitational, the league’s first-ever qualifying event in Europe, running Dec. 13-14 in London. The two-day event is designed to identify elite players from the continent who will become eligible for the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft. The event will feature 20 players from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the U.K. competing across two days of gameplay, including scrimmages and a double-elimination tournament, and participating in interviews with league representatives and team managers.

INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES

TickPick hired Michele Rusnak as its chief financial officer . Rusnak will oversee TickPick’s business and administrative operations and lead efforts to bolster the infrastructure of the company.

THE MAIN EVENT

Catch the crowning of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion from Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday at 3p on NBC.

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ON THIS DAY in 1980
Dale Earnhardt wins his first Winston Cup.

In the Know
What is the name of the mascot for the Utah Jazz? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your company and city).

Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
Actor Carl Weathers was once a linebacker for which NFL team? Answer: Oakland Raiders. Kudos: Bob Dudelson-Leverage Agency/NY; Michael Ritz-Northwestern Mutual/NY; Mike May-PHIT America/Wellington; Rick Rosenfelt-New York Red Bulls/Harrison; Allison Weiner-MMSI/Warwick; Gregg Hess-Ampersand/Atlanta; John Kukla-DFW/KDFI/Dallas; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station; Bill Robertson-WCHA/Bloomington; Greg Moloznik-GLM Media/Scottsdale; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Lawrence Fan-San Jose State University Athletics/San Jose; John Whitlock-Fox Soul/LA

Later – Chris

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Job of the day

MANAGER, AD SALES MARKETING
Crown Media Networks
NYC
Responsible for developing 360-degree advertiser-driven marketing programs while ensuring that our brand value proposition, network voice and programming priorities anchor every proposal. 3-5 yrs exp Ad Sales Marketing or related field
Full info HERE

MARKETING MGR, MKTG SOLUTIONS >>
Clear Channel Outdoor/NYC: Dvlp strategic & compelling advertising pitches to address client challenges. Drive a collaborative partnership w/Nat’l Sales Group & Clients Solutions Team. 5+ yrs sales or ad mktg exp media sales or ad tech org. Full info HERE (12/3)

COORDINATOR, AD SALES MARKETING >>
Crown Media Networks/NYC: Responsible for supporting the Ad Sales team with client communication materials, event coordination, advertiser sponsorship opportunities, premiums and promotions. Min 2 yrs exp marketing or advertising at an entertainment co. Full info HERE (11/28)

MANAGER, AD SALES MARKETING >>
Crown Media Networks/NYC: Responsible for developing 360-degree advertiser-driven marketing programs while ensuring that our brand value proposition, network voice and programming priorities anchor every proposal. 3-5y rs exp Ad Sales Marketing or related field. Full info HERE ( 11/28)

CREATIVE DIRECTOR >>
UNC TV/RTP NC: Lead the creative dvlpmnt process from setting clear goals, managing capacity of designers & assigning projects accordingly, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget, and inspiring the team to produce dynamic content that connects with our diverse audience. Full info HERE (11/28)

PR ASST./COORDINATOR >>
BABYGRANDE PR/SANTA MONICA: Support senior team at boutique PR firm; work daily with entertainment & corporate clients and press. Looking for detail-oriented, motivated self-starter for high-paced, fun environment. 1-3 years exp. in PR. Full info HERE (11/27)

PRE/POST GAME PRODUCER >>
NBC Sports Bay Area/San Francisco CA: Build & execute pregame, postgame and digital formats at a high level. Min 3+ yrs exp producer role in top 10 TV market. Full info HERE (11/27)

VP, PROCUREMENT >>
A+E/NY : Build best-in-class procurement capabilities. Lead function to create value, drive improvement, & provide realized savings. Lead strategic sourcing process while developing appropriate risk mgmt strategies. YOU NEED: BA/BS, MBA preferred. 10+ yrs relevant strategic/operational exp in a procurement org. CPM/CPSM/CSCP cert preferred. Full info HERE (11/26)

MANAGING EDITOR >>
KNBC/LA: Exp’d, creative and motivated leader w/10 yrs newsroom exp to partner with the Vice President of News to manage aspects of the station’s News department including daily coverage, long and short-range planning. 5+ yrs exp req’d in mngng role. Full info HERE (11/22)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR >>
Skycastle Digital Studio/NYC: Specialize in ideating and articulating content strategies in response to client RFPs.Min BA deg & 3+ yrs paid content creation exp or journalism exp, ideally in a full-time writing or editing position with a news publisher or agency. Full info HERE (11/22)

DIRECTOR, SPORTS INSIGHTS & POSITIONING >>
NBCU/NYC: Drive research innovation, measurement opportunities and forward-thinking sales solutions for NBC Sports properties. 7+ yrs of exp rsrch, measurement or insights within the media industry, ideally with direct exp in linear TV. Full info HERE (11/21)

INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY ENGINEER >>

A+E/NY : Evaluate existing security infrastructure & propose changes that reduce the company’s risk level. Dvlp security standards, procedures & processes. A BS in computer science or IT, 5+ yrs exp in cyber security plus 3+ yrs exp in ntwk & platform security, exp w/firewall design & configuration. Apply HERE (11/20)

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE >>
Tennis Channel/Santa Monica: Maintains existing and forges new relationships with agencies and clients to maximize revenue for the network. Minimum 5-7 yrs advertising sales experience, preferably in the cable or sports television arena . Full info HERE (11/19)

DIR OF INTEGRATED MARKETING >>
REVOLT TV/NY: Seeking candidate to support Ad Sales Integrated Mktg teams in NY. Must be able to creatively write sls deck’s/mktg presentations. Manage execution of sold campaigns from launch to completion. Min of 3.5 yrs Sr Mngr/Dir level exp with a strong affinity/passion for Hip Hop Culture. Full info HERE (11/19)

DIR OF AUDIENCE INSIGHTS >>

POP TV/LA: Seeking self-starter with the ability to initiate and supervise multiple projects as well as collaborate with other team members on day to day operations. Min 7 yrs exp at a network, studio or agency and must be proficiency with Nielsen systems. Full info HERE (11/19)

SR. ANALYST, CROSS-PLATFORM RESEARCH >>
A+E Networks/NY: Provide analysis, insights & reporting to the A+E Distribution Sales and Marketing teams with the goal of maximizing A+E subscribers across traditional and emerging Pay TV platforms. Full info HERE (11/19)

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