CRYSTAL PALACE ON TARGET IN CHINA
In an exclusive interview with China Daily arranged by SportQuake, Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander has outlined the club’s ambition to engage fans in China. Eagles sponsors Mansion Group have launched a multi-language site to host CPFC promotions and content. The Premier League’s profile in China has been further boosted by the return of EPL action to free-to-air broadcaster CCTV after more than a decade – the channel reaches 320m homes and all EPL matches are available in China via online streaming platforms. CPFC were the first English club to sign Chinese players with the 1998 arrivals of Fan Zhiyi and Sun Jihai. Club manager Alan Pardew and team captain Mile Jedinak told China Daily how the country can kick start its International team goals to host and win a World cup by improving the quality of the domestic Super League. Watch this space!
STOP YOUR MESSI-NG AROUND
It’s time to plan for the future says La Liga President Javier Tebas – as global superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could move on from Spain “within three seasons.” Tebas has put social media at the core of marketing efforts to promote La Liga as an international brand. La Liga, which will open offices in Beijing, Dubai, Jo’Burg and New York, must increase its finances to avoid being left in the Premier League’s shadow. Tebas warns the EPL’s financial dominance could lead to it becoming the ‘NBA of football’ attracting all of the world’s biggest stars. This season’s collectivisation of TV rights in Spain are a step in the EPL’s footprints, intended to increase competition & watch-ability for the league’s smaller clubs.
FANS JET IN FOR TOP FLIGHT
800,000 overseas football fans visited Britain to watch Premier League matches in 2014 – a 15% increase on the figure from 2010. The travelling supporters contributed £684m to the UK economy with Old Trafford and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium the most popular destinations. EPL Chief Exec Richard Scudamore heralded the ‘very encouraging’ growth and cited recent EPL exhibitions in Jo’burg, Mumbai and Singapore for expanding the Premier League’s global fanbase, which stands at 1.2 billion.
TWITTER TESTS NOU TECH WITH BARÇA
Barcelona, the world’s ‘most followed’ football team have agreed a partnership with Twitter which allows club sponsors to use new advertising technology on the social network. Barça’s top techie referred to the club’s “objective to integrate its digital channels & social media networks within the strategy of giving visibility to its sponsors.” Further evidence, if it was needed, that sport is the main driver of conversation and uptake of new media platforms. The first beneficiary will be sponsor Gatorade, who will target fans in Latin America. Elsewhere Chinese smartphone maker Oppo, another Barcelona partner have unveiled a limited edition FCB branded device – perfect for dropping your mates a Lionel.
FOOTBALL LEAGUE ON THE MARCH
Football League chief Shaun Harvey, speaking at Soccerex, has hinted at plans for the Football League to stream matches globally. The organisation, who are seeking new title sponsors for the Football League and League Cup from 2016/17, have technology in place at stadiums of all 72 member clubs to switch on real-time broadcasting. Fans from 247 countries registered their support for Football League clubs, including Leeds United, Nott’m Forest and Fulham, as part of the League’s recent ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’ campaign to engage international fans.
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