Host City: What are the hot topics on the agenda at SPORTELAsia this year?

Laurent Puons: It appears that the industry is very concerned about their media rights and current developments in OTT.  We have received many requests on these topics and have worked out a very good selection of panels that will shed some light on these issues, especially concerning the Asian territories.

Host City: From your perspective, how does the sport marketing and media industry in Asia compare with that in the rest of the world, in terms of technology use and market demographics?

Laurent Puons: Asia is the home of many exciting emerging markets and leading technology providers. Sports fans across Asia have a diverse variety of platforms to consume sports content, and the fact that the majority of the world’s population lives in Asia provides international stakeholders in sport with an opportunity like no other. The challenge of unlocking the potential of Asia is knowing which specific technology is the best for each sport, in each country and its respective culture.

Host City: Some are concerned that the audience for traditional sports is ageing; what kind of sports content will become more dominant in the future?

Laurent Puons: That is a good question and difficult to answer. It all depends on the available broadcast platforms. Sports television or media is dominated by traditional sports, led by European football and of course the networks must provide content their audiences want to see and their advertisers want to invest in. As these dominated slots are becoming rare, other sport suffers and lacks visibility. Due to new technologies and OTT platforms, new and dedicated channels can be built and offer fans the opportunity to see their sports on different platforms. I believe that MMA is on the rise and eSports is returning because of these new opportunities.

Host City: Why is it so important for event rightsholders to attend major conferences in Asia?

Laurent Puons: As mentioned before, more and more Asian nations are developing more media opportunities and in result of that it is important to be present in Asia to deal and control rights directly. For this reason SPORTEL helps the industry with this spring convention, enabling the elite rights owners to deal direct with different Asian territories and build their business. SPORTEL will always be upfront and centre when it comes to building business opportunities for the sports marketing and media industry. That is what SPORTEL is historically known for.

This article follows our involvement on a panel discussing the topic of “Creating entertainment hubs and cultural meccas” at the Host City conference and exhibition in November 2017.

The debate at the conference emphasised the importance of location integrity and matching strategic local cultural goals to event goals in the creation of successful “go to” events, wherever they are located in the world.

Our experience in all we do proves these conclusions. First up, Cirque was formed from within the long-established Montreal creative street entertainment community. This gave us artistic credibility and sector integrity from day one for our Circus inspired shows. This allegiance to Montreal and the strong “alternative street-scene” there has been core to our offer as we expanded and grew.

Our Head Office is still based in Montreal. As an Englishman when visiting this HQ, it also helps when immigration officials ask, “reason for your visit”. When replying I always mention, “work with Cirque”, which causes the officials to visibly swell with pride and wave me through!

Cirque has definitely added to Montreal’s cultural reputation. It often appears on lists of ‘the World’s most reputable cities’, vying for top 10 positions with cities that are far larger.

All Canadians, (not just those handling immigration,) now see the city as what Forbes magazine has termed the “cultural epicentre of the country.”

This claim for culture may not be so easy to extend to our other important entertainment hub– Las Vegas!

We have over 3,000 staff located there, running up to eight shows more suited to the unique “local cultural goals” that only Vegas can deliver. Our ‘Michael Jackson One’ musical plays to packed houses twice a day at the Mandalay Resort & Casino.

In the decade we have been in Vegas, Cirque has definitely contributed to the city’s long established “Big Show” entertainment reputation, even if this may seem at odds with the more bohemian Montreal hub.

Another core part of the Cirque offer is our touring shows. We have between six and eight shows on the road, at any time, performing shows all over the globe.

According to our twitter feed today (January 2018) we have shows in Rio, Beijing, London, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Dubai and Panama City.  They will remain in a city for between one week and six months and continually tour the globe for up to eight years.

These are a mixture of arena-based shows, such as the Albert Hall when in London, and performances under the big top. We have recently added ice skating arenas to this roster with our newest show based on ice, “Crystal”.

Every show is a self-contained mini village – a mobile entertainment hub, if you will.

Most recently Cirque has added a new provision to our offer - one that builds on our ability to create, stage and sell entertainment that is relevant to today’s media savvy and entertainment hungry consumers.

We are developing partnerships with locations, entertainment organisations or rights holders who wish to develop their own experiences, whether branded or not.

The NFL X on Times Square in New York is our most recent example of this offer. We have developed, in close co-operation with the NFL a four story, 40,000sq foot, interactive and immersive series of exhibits. Check out https://www.nflexperience.com

NFL X confirms those panel discussion conclusions. Firstly, the importance of location integrity and secondly, matching strategic local cultural goals to event goals.

The NFL X adds to the Times Square integrity by adding to its status as a “must-see” destination within one of the World’s most famous cities. It also fits within New York’s unique cultural offer – being brash, loud and original.

Nick Prichard is part of the Cirque du Soleil Global Alliances team. He is currently developing the new Experiential provision with a number of Host Cities, Sports Rights Holders and Brands. To find out more please contact him on nick.prichard@cirquedusoleil.com

[Source: WAoS] The proposed programme is aimed at anyone interested in international sports management and innovation, and is intended to be delivered through the University of London’s distance and flexible learning offer. The distance learning section of the University has 51,000 students studying in 180 countries on more than 100 study programmes, and with a further 1.4 million learners on its MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), making it the world’s largest classroom.  

Dr Mary Stiasny OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) University of London, said: “We are delighted to be working with the World Academy of Sport which, like the University, has a global reach. Our work together aims to provide access to training opportunities for those in the industry as well as for those wishing to enter the sporting profession and related fields. The University prides itself in continuously innovating and delivering programmes that are in demand from both its students and employers alike.

“We appreciate the significance and the growth of this global sporting industry, which has an estimated value of some US$600 billion per annum, making it one of the most successful sectors in the world,” she added.

WAoS specialises in providing customised education to the world’s sporting community and its International Advisory Board Chairman, Francois Carrard, said: “Our work with the University follows a successful pilot with Royal Holloway, University of London. I thank Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway, for the smooth transition to the University of London, and the opportunity to explore making high quality training available across the world. This move will allow us to continue to grow and support the international sporting industry. With many changes taking place in the sporting sector from media convergence to e-gaming and social media, provision that focuses on ‘international sport management and innovation’ will be very welcome.”

Chris Solly, Director of WAoS, stressed the importance of combining a local sporting context with the global picture in all aspects of sports management. He added: “Local partnerships with communities and, most importantly, with youth are critical to the long-term growth and future success of the global sport and major events industry. We are therefore delighted that the University of London has agreed to work with WAoS to develop this important provision.”

Further details on this unique development will be provided in October 2018.

At the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, the presidents of the organising committee and the International Olympic Committee joined in presenting Korea’s first Winter Games as bringer of peace.

Following the procession of athletes that culminated with the combined teams of Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Lee Hee-Beom, president of the PyeongChang Olympic Committee of the Olympic Games (POCOG) said the event “ushers in the Olympics Asia era”, pointing to the upcoming 2020 and 2022 Games in Tokyo and Beijing.

“Now we are facing the historic moments in our lifetime,” he said.

“Sport has a great power to unite people.

“PyeongChang will provide a light of hope for all citizens yearning for peace.”

He described the 2018 Games as “a festival of peace and harmony”, reminding athletes that it is “not the winning but the taking part; not the triumph but the struggle”.

IOC President Thomas Bach addressed the athletes by saying “You will inspire us all to live together in peace and harmony… You can only enjoy your Olympic performance if you respect the rules and stay clean.

“While you compete with each other, you live peacefully together in the Olympic village. In sport we are all equal.

“A great example of this unifying power is the joint march of the two teams of the republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We all join and support you in your message of peace.”

“United in our diversity we are stronger than all the forces that want to divide us.

“Two years ago in Rio with the first Refugee Olympic Team, the IOC sent a powerful message of hope.

“Now we send a powerful message of peace to the world.”

The speeches were followed by a rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine featuring traditional Korean folk instruments.

[Source: Glasgow 2018] Already an Official Timing, Scoring and Results (TSR) Provider and Proud Supporter of the Championships, Atos will also help deliver a robust digital presence for the event following a competitive tendering process.

Atos will be working in partnership with Edinburgh-based agency Signal to design and develop the Glasgow 2018 and European Championships websites.

Atos will also be responsible for processing and distributing live results for all seven sports across Glasgow and Berlin and delivering live schedule and results pages to help sports fans and attendees access up-to-date information on the Championships.

A 2018 European Championships mobile application will also be created. Available from summer 2018, the ‘app’ will give fans access to medal tables, news and live schedules and results.

Atos and Signal previously combined their expertise and experience to ensure the digital success of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

To be staged every four years, the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon, along with a new Golf Team Championships and Athletics staged in Berlin.

Glasgow 2018 Championships Director Colin Hartley, said: “There are now less than 200 days to go until the biggest sporting event since the Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow, and Scotland. The first ever European Championships will be a new highlight in the global events calendar.

“Atos has an established track record in delivering digital services to large scale multi-sport events. The integrated online platforms they produce will allow people to keep up to date with the latest action and engage with the Championships, ensuring we deliver a must attend, must watch event.”

Gavin Thomson, Senior Vice President for Big Data and Security UK&I, Scotland, Ireland and Wales at Atos, said: “We are delighted to play a leading role in delivering the 2018 European Championships, having successfully provided leading edge IT solutions for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games for over 20 years.

“We warmly welcome the opportunity to be part of this new global sporting event and the digital transformation challenge of bringing the Championships to a multi-platform, digital-first worldwide audience. Our bespoke real-time service will enable fans to keep up to date with scores and results from anywhere in the world.”

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events - Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon – while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships.

Attendances of up to 250,000 are expected at venues across Glasgow and Scotland, with a potential TV audience of up to 1.03billion.

[Source: SportAccord] Attended by international sports federations, cities/regions as well as organising committees, the World Sport & Business Summit attracts delegates across the sports business community at the highest levels.

This year’s SportAccord Bronze Partners include:

• Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance: Canada offers a variety of world-class facilities, is host to three Olympic Games and hundreds of international and continental sporting events
• FIBA (International Basketball Federation): the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world and recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• Finnish Olympic Committee: Finnish host cities have a wealth of experience in hosting international sport events and congresses with more than 20 major international sporting events organised in Finland annually
• Melbourne - Visit Victoria: Victoria’s tourism and events company, responsible for tourism marketing and event attraction

Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord said, “It’s a great pleasure to welcome back these Bronze Partners who were with us in Aarhus, Denmark last year. Their continued support and presence brings more opportunities to delegates and confirms the value these partnerships bring by being part of SportAccord. We appreciate their commitment and loyalty and wish them a successful time in Bangkok.”

With over 135 cities/regions in attendance at last year’s event, the SportAccord 6-day Summit is a unique opportunity for delegates to network and get in front of the key decision-makers involved in the business of sport by registering at www.sportaccord.com.

Organisations looking for opportunities to increase their visibility at this prestigious global gathering and take advantage of the opportunities associated with becoming an Exhibitor or Partner, should contact the sales team: sales@sportaccord.com or phone +41 (0)79 126 08 42.

As part of the Official Schedule, SportAccord will host well over 20 networking events, a 3-day Exhibition as well as an extensive Conference programme to include: the Summit (Plenary), CityAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord and HealthAccord.

Other key features include: Speakers’ Corner, the Thai Pavilion, the Opening Ceremony and Closing Event.

[Source: SportAccord Convention] SportAccord will be held from 15 – 20 April 2018 at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, Thailand.

“We have an amazing SportAccord lined up for 2018, across the conference, the exhibition and the many programmes and events that comprise SportAccord, said Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to experience many new elements this year, most notably the new HealthAccord conference stream, additional events, hospitality and networking areas, as well as the unique Thai Pavilion. We’re looking forward to hosting the most prestigious annual sports business event for sport and industry, towards creating a better future for the global sports community and citizens worldwide.”

This year’s SportAccord Summit (Plenary) is focused on "Uniting A Global Audience: Marketing and Sponsorship for the Future." Continuing the theme of ‘sponsorship and marketing’ throughout the conference programme, speakers will be representing organisations across the entire sports business landscape including industry, international sports federations, cities and regions, as well as legal and medical experts. Confirmed speakers include:

• Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand
• Adolfo Bara, Managing Director Sales & Marketing, La Liga
• Caroline Baxter Tresise, International Consultant, Social and Human Resources, UNESCO
• Charmaine Crooks C.M. Olympic Medalist, President, NGU Consultants
• Craig Howe, CEO & Founder, Rebel Ventures
• David Eades, Journalist and Anchor, BBC World
• David Simon, President, Los Angeles Sports Council
• Frederique Reynertz, Director of Legal and Business Affairs Department, IAAF
• Giles D. Morgan, Independent Advisor and Former Global Head of Sponsorship & Events, HSBC Holdings PLC
• Guy Port, Managing Director Asia, Nielsen Sports
• Hayden Opie, Senior Fellow (Melbourne Law Masters), University of Melbourne
• James Pearce, Sports Broadcaster, BBC
• Jeff Benz, CEDS, JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator and former General Counsel of the United States Olympic Committee
• Kim Andersen, President, World Sailing
• Laurie Cavan, GM Parks, Recreation & Culture, City of Surrey, BC, Canada
• Margo Mountjoy, Chair, ASOIF Medical + Scientific Consultative Group, IOC Medical + Scientific Commission-Games Group FINA Bureau
• Matteo Vitello, Business Relations Manager, Technogym SPA
• Matthieu Reeb, Secretary General, Court of Arbitration for Sport
• Melanie Duparc, Coordinator, Smart Cities & Sport
• Michael Lenard, Vice President, ICAS
• Prof. Fabio Pigozzi, President, FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine) & Member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission – Medical and Scientific Group
• Stephen Townley, Chairman, Active Rights Management Ltd
• Thomas Lund, Secretary General, Badminton World Federation
• Troy Pugmire, Managing Director, Gramercy Global Media

The SportAccord 2018 conference programme comprises five key streams including: The Summit, CityAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord and HealthAccord. The conference programme, exhibition, networking and cultural events can be attended by delegates who register at www.sportaccord.com.

Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord using #sportaccord, as well as LinkedIn and on Facebook.

[Source: Aggreko] The new company starts trading immediately as Shanghai Yude AggrekoEnergy Equipment Rental Co Ltd. The move is part of Aggreko’s long-term strategy to grow its business in China with an experienced and respected local partner.
Aggreko takes 21.5 percent equity in the new company and operations will be managed by Shanghai Yude in line with Aggreko’s class-leading standards and procedures. 
Aggreko is the global leader in mobile, modular power and heating and cooling, and will initially provide diesel generators and associated range of ancillaries to supplement Shanghai Yude existing power equipment and UPS rental business.
“This mutually beneficial partnership with Shanghai Yude means we can bring reliable power and joint expertise to a rapidly growing market,” said Stephen Beynon, Managing Director, Aggreko Power Solutions.
“The UK and China have strong commercial ties that go way back, and we are delighted to be able to work with a local partner that has extensive local experience and expertise. We look forward to continuing to provide reliable, uninterrupted and cost-effective power to China in collaboration with a company that shares our values of making a difference and supporting growth in communities and industries across the globe.”
Yude was established in Shanghai in 2005 and has 45 employees. The company currently has more than 40 MW of power generation capacity and supports local industries, including events and construction. Aggreko is based in UK and has more than 7,300 employees globally. It has been operating in China since 2008, and has a depot, and offices in Shanghai, which will be one of two facilities supporting the new company.
China currently is the world’s largest producer and consumer of electrical power.
The Yude Aggreko joint venture will initially provide power generation equipment in Shanghai, with scope to provide loadbank equipment and services as demand increases.
 

Host City: what role can China’s cities play in terms of getting citizens involved in sport?

Yang Yang: In cities, they are encouraging people to participate in sports. After Beijing won the bid, the education bureau from Beijing launched the policy encouraging every student to participate in one snow sport or ice sport. That has become a very major programme in the education system.

I live in Shanghai, so I have my skating club and I work with 26 schools. Through this programme their P.E. classes come from Monday to Friday in the morning and afternoon, at which time the club would otherwise be nearly empty. Since Beijing won the bid, that’s the way we are reaching the goal of 300 million people in China to participate.

Host City: How important is sports infrastructure in China reaching this goal?

Yang Yang: It’s very important that we need infrastructure; we need to build ice rinks, we need to build snow venues, which is on the way.

I was involved in the bidding committee. At that time, we barely found 13 rinks in Beijing, even including small ones. But now the number is going to be 72 in the next three years. I believe there will one day be more than a hundred rinks in Beijing.

Host City: And is the number of Championship events increasing in China?

As the host city of the 2022 Olympic Games we will have lots of test events, starting from 2020. Then all kind of winter sports will come to China before the Games. Of course, we also have some traditional events. For example, we have hosted the short track World Cup for 17 years in China – in Harbin and Changchun – and the last five to seven years in Shanghai. We have a Cup of China Figure Skating Grand Prix hosted every year in Beijing as well.

On top of that the new sports are also coming as well.

Host City: As an Olympic medallist, what do you think Beijing 2022 will do to develop your sport?

Yang Yang: China has so far won nine gold medals in short speed skating, but this is not enough. We hope Beijing 2022 is an opportunity to increase our standing.

Beijing 2022 is a great foundation for sports development in China that is market oriented.

This interview took place at WWSE and first appeared in the Winter 2017 edition of Host City magazine