ITV

Tag: Scotland

  • European T20 Premier League gets ICC nod

    European T20 Premier League gets ICC nod

    MUMBAI: There’s one more international T20 cricket league coming the way of fans of the willow. And it’s coming from where else, Europe, the one bunch of cricket playing nations,  that had been left out of the action. so far. 

    Called the European T20 Premier League  (ETPL) it is to be held from 15 July to 3 August 2025. The league got the sanction from cricket’s global ruling body the International Cricket Council on 4 January.

    The ETPL is a privately-owned franchise tournament with a unique twist – it is a partnership between three cricket nations – Ireland (Cricket Ireland), Scotland  (Cricket Scotland) and the Netherlands (Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond – KNCB). This collaborative approach gives the ETPL  a true European feel and will feature the best talent from those three nations playing alongside some of the best talent from around the world.

    The three cricketing boards  had tried to put together a tournament called the Euro T20 Slam in March 2019 but it had failed to take off. Not even one season was held. Hence, the trio are being a lot more careful now. They have put together an interim working group with a representative from each of them, strategic partner Rules Sport Tech, on behalf of the funding partners,  to guide decision making and oversee the  creation of a new administrative body to run the event. Cricket Ireland  chief executive Warren Deutrom has been elected chair of the interim working group. 

    Said  Deutrom:  “We are delighted to confirm the ICC sanction of the ETPL and agreements are now in place across the joint venture partners. This is an important day in the development of the event, as it effectively fires the starting pistol on work around three important areas – franchise ownership, broadcast and the player draft. These are exciting times for cricket in Europe, and for local cricket fans, as we showcase some of the best cricket talent from Europe and around the world.”

    A formal launch of the tournament and further details will be provided in due course, he added. 

  • DAN acquires stake in Scottish creative agency

    DAN acquires stake in Scottish creative agency

    MUMBAI: Multinational media and digital marketing communications company, Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired 100 per cent stake in a Scotland based creative agency, Whitespace.

    Established in 1997, with a focus on digital and brand design, Whitespace has developed into one of Scotland’s leading and most awarded creative agencies. Currently housed with a talented team of 70 and located in Edinburgh, the agency offers specialised services in brand strategy, digital production, content and integrated campaigns spanning mobile, augmented reality and virtual reality to a diverse portfolio of clients.

    Following the acquisition, Whitespace will remain a standalone agency and will add capability infill in creative services, digital and production to DAN North, in addition to making an important contribution to the Dentsu Group’s business throughout the UK.

    The impact of this transaction on Dentsu’s consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending 31 December 2018 is expected to be minimal.

    Dentsu Aegis Network, the Dentsu Group’s global business headquarters based in London, is expanding the group’s business worldwide through ten global network brands–Carat, Dentsu (Dentsu Brand Agencies), dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum–as well as through several specialist/multi-market brands.

  • Mitsubishi launches digital campaign on CNN

    Mitsubishi launches digital campaign on CNN

    MUMBAI: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has extended its commercial partnership with CNN International Commercial (CNNIC). Through this, it will sponsor a 12-week global campaign of Powering Your World, a dedicated digital series on CNNMoney.

    Starting in October, the show explores innovations that are transforming the way we create and use energy – everything from solar roadways in northern Idaho, to wind power in Scotland, to breweries powered by wastewater. The green pioneers and their projects featured in this series are creative, eco-friendly solutions that might help to save our planet.

    “We continue the digital series that shows bold green projects which can make the world more energy efficient. This campaign is a prime example of great content combined with smart use of data to deliver an innovative brand solution,” said CNN International APAC advertising sales senior VP Sunita Rajan.

    The advertising solution includes extensive Mitsubishi Heavy Industries branding on the microsite with commercial content produced by Create, CNNIC’s award-winning, in-house branded content studio. The campaign also uses CNN Audience Insight Measurement (CNN AIM) to specifically reach Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ key audience of C-suites, business decision makers, opinion leaders and affluent users.

    “Powering Your World on CNN Money is an ideal property to align with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ new group statement “Move the world forward” that captures the unique value and vision the company brings to the world today and which can also be seen on our media offer SPECTRA,” added Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, corporate communication department and business strategy office senior general manager Keisuke Saito.

  • Mitsubishi launches digital campaign on CNN

    Mitsubishi launches digital campaign on CNN

    MUMBAI: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has extended its commercial partnership with CNN International Commercial (CNNIC). Through this, it will sponsor a 12-week global campaign of Powering Your World, a dedicated digital series on CNNMoney.

    Starting in October, the show explores innovations that are transforming the way we create and use energy – everything from solar roadways in northern Idaho, to wind power in Scotland, to breweries powered by wastewater. The green pioneers and their projects featured in this series are creative, eco-friendly solutions that might help to save our planet.

    “We continue the digital series that shows bold green projects which can make the world more energy efficient. This campaign is a prime example of great content combined with smart use of data to deliver an innovative brand solution,” said CNN International APAC advertising sales senior VP Sunita Rajan.

    The advertising solution includes extensive Mitsubishi Heavy Industries branding on the microsite with commercial content produced by Create, CNNIC’s award-winning, in-house branded content studio. The campaign also uses CNN Audience Insight Measurement (CNN AIM) to specifically reach Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ key audience of C-suites, business decision makers, opinion leaders and affluent users.

    “Powering Your World on CNN Money is an ideal property to align with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ new group statement “Move the world forward” that captures the unique value and vision the company brings to the world today and which can also be seen on our media offer SPECTRA,” added Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, corporate communication department and business strategy office senior general manager Keisuke Saito.

  • World T20 Qualifier is another boost for cricket’s global development

    World T20 Qualifier is another boost for cricket’s global development

    MUMBAI: On the eve of another exciting opportunity for the best Associate and Affiliate Members (AMs) to qualify for a major ICC event, the success of the ICC Development Programme is illustrated by the fact that there are now more people playing cricket outside the 10 full members than ever before.

     

    Indeed, the number of cricketers has increased in those countries three-fold in just the past six years. Now there are 1.4 million male and female participants currently involved in formal cricket programmes beyond the traditional boundaries.

     

    As the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, hosted by Ireland and Scotland, is set to start tomorrow, the truth is the associate game has never been so buoyant as it is today. This is due, in no small part, to the phenomenal financial investment that flows from ICC into its members, both in terms of direct funding and also opportunities afforded through high-performance programmes and tournaments.

     

    The ICC’s Development Programme was launched in 1997. Then, there were 26 Associate and 10 Affiliate Members. 17 years later, the ICC has 95 members (below the 10 full members), including 57 Affiliate and 38 Associate Members.

     

    There has been a substantial increase to the funding of the ICC Development Programme. Between 1998-2007, USD $65million was invested in the ICC Development Programme. In the recently concluded rights cycle, this was increased to USD $250million and in the next cycle approximately USD $300million will be invested.

     

    The results of this investment are evident. There were approximately 277,637 participants in countries below the Full Members in 2005. This number climbed to 410,248 at the end of 2008. At the end of 2014, the number of participants in countries below Full Members stood at 1.4million.

     

    ICC chief executive David Richardson said, “Cricket around the world is in rude health with more people playing the game outside the Full Members than ever before. This is a tribute to the hard work, passion and dedication of people within the Associate and Affiliate Members as well as the significant financial and other resources passed on from the ICC.

     

    Richardson added,  “As the final preparations are put in place for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, this is another special opportunity for those Associates to claim a place at a major ICC event. The ICC World Twenty20 2016 in India will no doubt be a spectacular tournament. No fewer than six places are available for the best sides outside of the Full Members and I know that competition will be fierce over the next three weeks or so as we determine exactly which teams will be traveling to India next year.”

     

    The ICC Development Programme is tasked with building a bigger, better global game by assisting the 95 AMs grow and improve the standard of cricket within their territories. This is done through direct funding, the funding and management of qualification pathways to major events and the provision of guidance and advice in the crucial areas of administration, domestic participation, high performance, education, fund-raising and promotion. This includes senior men’s and women’s cricket as well as the youth game.

     

    Richardson stated, “The ICC is committed to growing the game beyond the historical heartlands and our Development Programme is reaping the rewards of its investment. All over the world, people are taking up cricket for the first time and, through the game’s unique spirit, lives are being changed for the better.”

     

    “While this qualifying tournament is all about Twenty20, the ICC is also working to improve the quality and depth of ODI cricket and Test cricket. Indeed, the ICC Intercontinental Cup is the clear pathway to Test cricket for the Associates and the decision to include the top Associates in the One-Day FTP with the Full Members provides a great opportunity for the best AMs to break into the hierarchy of the ODI game,” he concluded.

  • Dav Whatmore to help Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE for ICC WC 2015

    Dav Whatmore to help Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE for ICC WC 2015

    MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today announced that Dav Whatmore will help Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE prepare for the 50 over ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 (CWC) as part of the ICC High Performance Programme (HPP).

    Whatmore will begin his new role during the ICC HPP Support Staff Forum, which opens on 14 May in Scotland, where he will meet each of the teams’ coaches and start to provide tailored assistance.

     

     “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with the leading Associate and Affiliate teams during such a memorable period in world cricket.  We have seen some amazing performances recently from these teams, and, over the next 10 months, I look forward to being able to assist in honing their performances even further,” said Whatmore.

    Whatmore who in the past has coached full member teams like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will now work closely with the ICC High Performance Manager and each of the four teams in an advisory and support role as they prepare for the ICC CWC 2015. The mega sporting event will commence on 14 February 2015 in Australia and New Zealand. Whatmore is considered to have first-hand knowledge of the preparations needed to succeed on the global stage. He is best known to have coached Sri Lanka to ICC CWC glory in 1996.  

    “The ICC Cricket World Cup is the world’s biggest stage for any cricketer.  It takes hard work, dedication and motivation to succeed at such a huge global event, as well as unflinching confidence.  I hope to be able to assist on all of these fronts to ensure that Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the UAE fire on all cylinders from the moment they arrive in Australia and New Zealand next year,” he added.

    ICC chief executive David Richardson said, “We welcome Dav Whatmore to this important advisory role.  Dav’s extensive coaching experience, including leading Sri Lanka to its unforgettable ICC Cricket World Cup victory in 1996, will provide excellent support and expertise to the four qualifying teams as they put the finishing touches on their preparations for cricket’s premier one-day tournament.”

    Ireland coach and former West Indies Test player Phil Simmons, who led Ireland to a unique treble in 2013 when it became the first team to win three ICC events across three formats in one season, welcomed the appointment, saying, “Ireland is focused on making a big impact in Australia and New Zealand in 10 months’ time, and we have detailed plans in place to make sure we do just that. With Dav’s knowledge and experience, we will gain an extra edge in our preparations.”

       

    Afghanistan coach and former Pakistan bowler Kabir Khan, whose side claimed the second qualification spot at the ICC CWC 2015 after finishing behind Ireland in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Championship, said: “Afghanistan has a rigorous schedule of training and fixtures in the lead-up to its maiden appearance at the ICC Cricket World Cup.  This will be the biggest ever participated in, and the extra support from Dav Whatmore will be an excellent addition to our preparations.”  

    Aqib Javed, a member of the Pakistan side that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992 and also played in the 1996 tournament, and who coached the UAE to the final qualification spot with a second-place finish at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014, said, “We are very focused on our one-day preparations over the next 10 months, and the opportunity to work alongside Dav Whatmore as we fine-tune our programmes and training is very exciting for us.”

     

    Craig Wright, who coached Scotland to victory at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier New Zealand 2014 to seal the third qualification spot at the ICC CWC 2015, and has also captained Scotland in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 said, “Scotland performed strongly under pressure to win the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year, and with insight from someone as experienced as Dav, we have the opportunity over the coming months to not just keep up that momentum, but boost it even further.”
     

  • Sony Six to broadcast 2014 six nations rugby

    Sony Six to broadcast 2014 six nations rugby

    ?MUMBAI: SONY SIX, India’s premier sports and entertainment channel has won the exclusive broadcast rights to the RBS 6 Nations Rugby tournament which commences on 1stFebruary. Taking on its global viewing spectrum, the 2014 edition of the RBS 6 Nation’s Rugby tournament will be shown on aprime time slot between 8.00pm to 11.00pm on Sony Six and Sony Six HD for Indian audiences.

    The 2014 RBS 6 Nation’s Rugby tournament beginson 1stFebruary and will conclude on 15thMarch. The tournament consists of a league of 6 European nations – England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy and France. Each teamplays every other team once, with home field advantage alternating from one year to the next. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Defending Champions Wales take on Italy in the opening game.

    The Six Nations is the successor to the Five Nations Championship (1910–31 and 1947–99) which in turn succeeded the Home Nations Championship (1883–1909 and 1932–39). The Home Nations Championship, played between teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, was the first international rugby union tournament.

    Sony SIX has also has broadcast rights to other premier rugby tournaments such as the Super Rugby League and the Rugby Championship.

     

  • Discovery channel takes viewers on a driving challenge

    Discovery channel takes viewers on a driving challenge

    MUMBAI:  Who doesn’t like to be in-charge of the steering wheel? Discovery Channel will do so by transporting viewers to the world’s most extreme environments in an all new series, World’s Toughest Driving Tests.

     

    On the driver’s seat will be actor, Will Mellor and comedian, Kirsten O’Brien, both of whom have swapped their safe rides and suburban streets in a bid to discover ‘who is the better driver’.

     

    In this action-packed thriller, Mellor and O’Brien will maneuver army tanks in Romania, amphibious rescue vehicles in Canada, gravity defying snow groomers in France and, among other tricky vehicles, they will tackle massive dump trucks in Scotland. The pair must compete in a series of tantalizing and terrifying challenges and the one who has lived and breathed the vehicle. Who has learnt from the locals and shown nerves of steel despite the odds, will be crowned the winner.

     

    The show starts from 2 December, and will be aired every Monday to Friday at 10:00 pm.

  • Three Indian films to screen at Barbara International Film Festival

    Three Indian films to screen at Barbara International Film Festival

    MUMBAI: Three films from India would grace the 28th Barbara International Film Festival that will be held from 24 January to 3 February.

    While Anurag Kashyap‘s Gangs of Wasseypur has been selected for the competition section, Manjeet Singh‘s Mumbai Cha Raja and Suman Ghosh‘s Shyamal Uncle Turns Off the Lights will be screened in Pan Asia section.

    A co-production, Blood Brother (India, USA) by Steve Hoover will compete in Documentary section. The film chronicles the story of a man-dissatisfied with his life in America-who decides to move to India and restart his life among children living at an orphanage for those infected with HIV.

    Another film concerning India is One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das by Jeremy Frindel, that will be showcased in the Cinesonic section. The film tells the story of Jeffrey Kagel who sold allhis possessions and moved from suburban Long Island halfway across the world to India, where he studied under Neem Karoli Baba. He later emerged as Krishna Das and became a world-renowned chant master and spiritual leader, helping to bring what he had learned to the West.

  • Gangs of Wasseypur to screen at Glasgow film fest

    Gangs of Wasseypur to screen at Glasgow film fest

    MUMBAI: Anurag Kashyap‘s Gangs of Wasseypur will be screened at the Glasgow Film Festival in Scotland to be held from 14 to 24 February.

    Writes the festival website about the film, “Acclaimed as India‘s The Godfather, Gangs of Wasseypur was one of the discoveries of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Director Anurag Kashyap blends the ferocious energy of South Indian action movies with the sweep, scope and richness of a gangster epic by Sergio Leone or Martin Scorsese.”

    Both the parts of the film will be screened on 23 and 24 of next month.

    Another Indian film, Vanishing Point, a short film by Abhijit Mazumdar will compete in Adrift: International Competition section of the Festival. It tells the story of a location scouting trip that falls into disarray.

    The Glasgow Film Festival, that was launched in 2005, is known as one of the fastest growing festivals in the UK.