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Tag: FC Barcelona

  • Oppo ropes in Hrithik & Sonam as brand ambassadors for South Asia

    Oppo ropes in Hrithik & Sonam as brand ambassadors for South Asia

    MUMBAI: Smartphone brand Oppo has rung in the year 2016 by roping in Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor as its South Asia region brand ambassadors.

     

    The actors have been a part of the brand’s India journey since 2014.

     

    Oppo vice president and international mobile business managing director Sky Li said, “As Oppo celebrates its second year anniversary in India, it gives me immense pleasure to announce Hrithik and Sonam as Oppo brand ambassadors. Both Hrithik and Sonam are youth icons and are looked up to for their style and attitude, which is completely in tune with our brand philosophy, which is about young at heart and pursuing for perfection, and always be a trendsetter. We encourage consumers to be experts in photography and be trend setters like our brand ambassadors who have influenced us with their astounding pictures.”

     

    Roshan said, “I have always loved the stylish and technologically superior Oppo phones and have many cherished memories clicked with my first Oppo N1 smartphone with rotating camera. I am proud of the brand’s growth in India and am very excited to be a part of yet another successful innings of the brand in India in 2016.”

     

    Kapoor added, “My association with Oppo echoes my belief in the brand’s philosophy of marrying technology with style and elegance as a phone is increasingly becoming a lifestyle statement especially amongst the youth. I am pleased to be associated with Oppo, which caters to the consumers with exceptional products.”

     

    It may be recalled that Oppo is the Official Global Partner worldwide for the mobile phone category with International Cricket Council (ICC) for four years from 2016 – 2019. Apart from this, the brand has also inked a three-year partnership with FC Barcelona as global partner as well as with America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) Cycle 22 in 2015, to bring a range of stylish devices to the popular reality TV show.

  • We will be a significant contributor to network’s revenue in 3 years: Saugato Bhowmik

    We will be a significant contributor to network’s revenue in 3 years: Saugato Bhowmik

    MUMBAI: For a child, there are no limits to imagination. Their favourite animated characters live with them beyond the television screens or books. And following this insight, Viacom18 is strengthening its consumer products segment with two new flagship partnerships with FCBM and Rainbow International apart from its already popular merchandise. As part of these partnerships, Viacom18 consumer products has acquired the master licensing rights in India for FC Barcelona and Italian fashion brand Winx Club. 

    Says Viacom18 Media consumer products senior VP Saugato Bhowmik, “It is an exciting period for us as we are expanding our brand portfolio and all these acquisitions are in line with our growth strategy.” The network had recently inked an exclusive deal with animation and gaming firm DQ Entertainment to get the rights as a master franchise to launch the Jungle Book merchandise in India.

    The deal enables the business to design, produce and market the iconic FC Barcelona in India. Apart from this, aiming at young girls, the merchandise for Winx Club will include toys and a contemporary apparel line. Products of both will be available offline and online in the next three to four months.

    Engulfing the whole ecosystem, the consumer products segment of the network aims to contribute in double digits to the Nick’s overall revenue in India in the next three years. “Currently, I would say we are doing well and in the next couple of years we want to get in revenues in double digits by leveraging on opportunities available to us. We want to contribute significantly to network’s revenue,” says Bhowmik.

    Working with the best in the particular field of products, says Bhowmik is what has led the company to reach higher goals. “We work with over 15 licensees for different brands and have over 2000 SKUs and for each we have brought on board the best in the category. For instance, we have chosen Ballarpur Industries to present us in paper stationery partner because they are the best in that field. Similarly, we have Simba Toys, Funskool, TI Cycles etc.”

    To market the existing and upcoming merchandise, the team will leverage on the network’s offerings, both channels and digital platforms as well as create unique on-ground activities. “We will take a fashion route for Winx Club wherein you will see a fashion show which might be aired on television as well.  The blueprint is almost in place but we will create innovative methods to keep the buzz regarding our products,” he says while adding that products will be available in retails shops as well as e-commerce platforms.

    As for the future plans, the segment wants to focus on strengthening its retail space as well as market the products as it feels that it has a strong product line in the market. “We aim to double our business by next year,” he concludes.

  • Qatar Airlines Brings Light Shared Values Of Excellence, Passion, Pride And Culture

    Qatar Airlines Brings Light Shared Values Of Excellence, Passion, Pride And Culture

    Barcelona, SPAIN – Qatar Airways officially launched the start of its three year partnership with FC Barcelona at an event held today at Camp Nou.

    The airline’s partnership with FCB took effect from July 1st this year.

    In attendance were leading representatives of both organisations, the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al-Baker, the President of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell and Vice President of FC Barcelona Economic and Strategy Area, Javier Faus.

    Akbar Al Baker made the following remarks at the start of his address to the media during a press conference: “The joining of FCB and Qatar Airways is truly history in the making. It is the first time we enter into such a landmark, significant sports partnership.

    “We understand the importance of FCB to Catalonia, to Spain, and in fact – to every country around the world. It is a great honour to be standing side by side as you create and spread the excitement that this great game of football brings to fans.”

    Al Baker also spoke about the airline’s expansive communications campaign about the partnership that will cover various elements: “our aim with this new campaign is to show to the world how strongly we stand behind this new partnership, which we will share with passengers across our entire network.”

    He further described the partnership as “a fitting match for both organisations that share the same values: the pursuit of excellence, passion, pride and culture.

    The airline CEO added: “This partnership will also raise Qatar Airways and FC Barcelona to a new platform internationally, bringing the fans of FCB closer together.

    The State of Qatar’s national carrier, Qatar Airways began operating to Spain in December 2005 and currently flies 10-times-weekly to Barcelona and daily to Madrid.
    FC Barcelona football club President Sandro Rosell said: 

    “We have a long journey ahead lasting three years in which we will share experiences, with a common starting point and goals. Barça and Qatar Airways are united by many ideals, such as a passion to be better each day, the conviction that the human factor makes a difference and the integration of different cultures, but I would emphasize the desire we have to connect with people. And this desire leads us to want to be every day closer to our fans.”

    The new sports kit was first showcased during the Asia Tour earlier this month when the team travelled to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to play friendly matches in preparation for the upcoming season.

    The fans reunited with the team with great glory and the stands were filled with absolute excitement to have the likes of big players from FC Barcelona squad.

    Since its beginnings, FC Barcelona has been characterised by being not just a football organisation, but also a powerful force for globalisation, solidarity, integration and social cohesion. Qatar Airways fully identifies with these values, which is why this partnership between both organisations is much more than just a simple economic alliance. Furthermore, Qatar Airways’ partnership with FC Barcelona will help to position the airline in the world.

    Qatar Airways will work with FC Barcelona to create joint initiatives and will especially focus on connecting with the club’s fans and also with underprivileged children to spread the love of the game to all corners of the globe.

    Flying to 129 leisure and business destinations Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.

    Qatar Airways has so far launched six destinations this year – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman) and Sulaymaniyah (Iraq).

    Over the next few weeks and months, the network will expand with the addition of further destinations Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia, USA (2 April 2014).

  • FC Barcelona unveils Qatar Airways as new shirt sponsors

    MUMBAI: Spanish football club FC Barcelona has further strengthened its Qatar connection by signing a strategic sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways that sees the airline‘s brand name appear on first team shirts from the start of the 2013/14 season.

    The three-year agreement with the runaway Spanish league leaders will be effective from 1 July. The airline brand will become the club‘s Global Main Partner, signaling the first time the airline has engaged in a sponsorship with a major soccer club.

    Qatar Airways will replace current shirt sponsors Qatar Foundation who will continue its relationship with FC Barcelona as Human Development Partner.

    Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said, “The alignment with Barca is a fitting match for both organisations, which will elevate the brands to a new platform on the global stage and sharing the same values – passionate about being the best at what we do in our respective fields.”

    FC Barcelona, the reigning Copa del Rey – Spanish Cup – champions, is a club steeped in history dating back more than 100 years. Owned by the fans and by the people of Catalonia, the club is one of the richest in the world, home to world-class players, including the world‘s best player Lionel Messi.

    Club president Sandro Rosell said, “From July 1, we will be able to work with global company Qatar Airways, with whom we share many things such as the search for excellence. This sponsorship deal will bring great advantages, not just for the Club, but also for our city and our country.”

    As part of the agreement with Qatar Airways, the airline‘s name will adorn, from the start of the 2013/14 season, Barca first-team shirts at La Liga matches across Spain, Champions League matches across Europe, as well as friendly matches, including FC Barcelona‘s pre-season tours.

    The airline will be working with FC Barcelona on creating joint initiatives, centering on added value flight and holiday packages for fans globally, as well as a host of community programmes involving loyal followers across the world ensuring both brands remain at the pinnacle of their respective fields.

  • CNN to focus on racism in sport

    CNN to focus on racism in sport

    MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN International turns its attention to the global issue of Racism In Sport for a week-long series of programmes examining how some sports players from all colours and creeds are having to face hostility and violent behaviour. The series of reports and interviews, running throughout the week, concludes with a half-hour special, Playing Against Prejudice. This airs on 21 June at noon, 8 pm and on 22 June at noon.

    Football is still prone to spectators’ racist taunting and harassment. Paul Canoville was the very first black player at Chelsea Football Club in the UK more than 20 years ago. He was subjected to serious and sustained racial abuse throughout his career which scarred him for life. He tells CNN’s Don Riddell: “It was an experience that I’ll never forget and nobody else would let me forget. It was unbelievable…words that were said, you can’t forget them, I can’t forget them. I don’t think anybody who has been racially abused would forget what it’s like.”

    While things have moved on since Canoville’s era – in last month’s Champions League final, Chelsea fielded eight black players – racism is still prevalent in certain quarters.

    Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, who currently plays football for FC Barcelona, is interviewed in Playing Against Prejudice. He says, “It’s a sad situation in football. In my opinion the problem is getting bigger and the people that should come up with a solution are not doing it…racism in football exists, not only in Spain, but in many countries.” Eto’o has faced ongoing issues with monkey chants and bananas being thrown on the pitch.

    But this is not an issue unique to football. Racism in Sport takes a global perspective, looking into incidents of prejudice in cricket with an in-depth look from India; a look into rugby and race in the rainbow nation (South Africa) and also in the US, which has perhaps more successfully than any other nation managed to integrate race into sports like baseball, American Football and golf.

    However, the problems of racism in sport run far deeper than the colour of people’s skin, as demonstrated by the spate of new attacks being made on religious and ethnic grounds. CNN’s World Sport anchor Don Riddell says, “In some top-level, win-at-all-costs professional sports, it seems as though racism has almost become an acceptable barb with which to jibe your opponent. Increasingly, there are examples of racism within international cricket; India and Australia have been the latest to clash. Sledging has always been cutting and personal, but it seems in some cases that a mark is being overstepped. Or is it all just a big misunderstanding?”

    Riddell adds: “We sent our reporter to the heartland of the game, India, to see if racism really is a problem and if so, to find out what is being done. How are children being raised in the game, and are insults – of whatever nature – considered acceptable to those who will one day represent their country on the international stage?”

  • Broadcasters sign up for Fifa Club World Cup

    Broadcasters sign up for Fifa Club World Cup

    MUMBAI: Sports marketing firm iSe International Sports and Entertainment AG reached broadcasting agreements for the Fifa Club World Cup Japan 2006.

    It got deals with broadcasters for 219 territories. 199 territories broadcasted the tournament matches live. An additional 20 territories covered the event via news access.

    iSe president/CEO George Taylor says, “We are highly pleased with our achievements in selling and delivering the broadcast rights for the FIFA Club World Cup 2006 and especially with the broad coverage we could secure.

    ” For this second edition of the tournament, it was of utmost importance to again reach the broadest possible global audience to carry the 2006 edition of the tournament into the world, in order to build on the successful implementation last year and to substantially grow it for the many years to come.

    “We have again seen competitive games of highly motivated teams that have excited football fans around the world. The Final match on Sunday, which crowned Internacional Porto Alegre of Brazil as the Fifa Club World Champion 2006, was broadcasted into 219 territories.”

    iSe had concluded agreements in all continents. In the tournament hosting continent of Asia, ESPN Star Sports covered cable and satellite television in 22 territories corresponding to South Asia, South-East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. iSe had also awarded exclusive terrestrial, cable and satellite rights to ART Sports in 13 territories. Additional rights were awarded to prestigious broadcasters in individual markets, such as CCTV in China, IB Sports in Korea, ANTV in Indonesia, and others.

    In the Americas, iSe had again partnered up with Fox and TV Globo. Fox Sports International covered a total of 47 territories in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. TV Globo had acquired the exclusive broadcast rights in Brazil, the home of 2006 Copa Libertadores champions Internacional Porto Alegre who were crowned FIFA Club World Champion 2006. Televisa carried the terrestrial signal in Mexico.

    In Africa, iSe had secured major agreements for complete coverage via all types of TV transmission and languages. In addition to its coverage in Asia, ART Sports was again awarded the exclusive rights in 8 territories in North Africa. This included coverage in Egypt, the home market of CAF Champions League 2006 winner Al Ahly.

    LIM was awarded nonexclusive terrestrial rights for Africa in 37 territories, while Supersport had acquired the nonexclusive cable and satellite rights in 38 African territories. In addition, Supersport had secured exclusive rights in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho. The coverage in Africa was rounded out effectively by an agreement with Canal+. In addition to exclusive terrestrial, cable and satellite rights in France, Canal+ broadcasted the tournament in French language into 48 territories via non-exclusive terrestrial, cable and satellite transmission.

    In Europe, a major and exclusive agreement was reached with Media Pro, representing the domestic market of 2006 UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona. It broadcasted the event via La Sexta and TV3 Catalunya. Barca TV also showed highlights of the matches. In a successful market-by-market approach, iSe had secured coverage with additional prestigious broadcasters in Europe such as Sport Italia in Italy, Canal+ in France, and many more.

    The coverage was completed by various TV news access as well as radio agreements. Reuters and SNTV ensured global news access, the EBU covered prime stations in Europe. In both Spain and Brazil, iSe could sign up four radio stations each.