Here are the top China sports business news stories you need to know from this week:
Mailman Invests in Seven League
Mailman, China’s leading sports digital marketing agency, has invested into European sport specialist digital consultancy Seven League to create the world’s leading global sports digital consultancy. As market leaders, Mailman and Seven League will power the brands of the world’s most ambitious sports organisations, clubs, and athletes as part of a unique east-west partnership. Read more on Mailman’s Official Website (English) and Sports Business (English)
Mailman take: Andrew Collins, CEO of Mailman: “As major sporting codes continue to grow internationally, as team brands become more ‘brand centric’, navigating the international digital media platforms and local insights become more important. We hope to deliver a powerful position to our clients, and ensure their continued success for years to come.”
DDMC Completes Acquisition of Super Sports
Super Sports, the current broadcast rights holder of the English Premier League in Mainland China and Macau, has officially become a subsidiary of DDMC. The deal was reportedly worth $68.5 million and adds to DDMC’s growing list of media rights. Read more on Sina (Chinese)
Mailman take: Another landmark deal in what is becoming a successful year for DDMC. Having obtained both the AFC and La Liga rights earlier this year, the addition of the EPL significantly strengthens their position in China as they seek to disrupt the football rights landscape.
iQIYI Sports Completes A-Round Funding
iQIYI Sports has generated a further RMB 350 million from China Jianteng Sports Industry Fund and Yao Capital, successfully completing their A round financing. This brings their total to 850 million yuan, including an investment of RMB 500 million from IDG Capital and Huiying Borun in August. Read more on Sina (Chinese)
Skechers Sign Up Chinese Celebrity As Ambassador
American sportswear brand Skechers has signed up popular Chinese singer and actor, Huang Zitao, as brand ambassador for the Asia and Pacific region. The brand will also launch a new line of shoes, D’Lites3, with Huang. Read more on Sohu (Chinese)
RNG and TOP Sports Gaming Partner with KFC and Adobe
Following a previous successful co-operation, Chinese eSports club, RNG Sports Gaming, has signed a new sponsorship deal with KFC. This news comes in the same week as Adobe Flash Player becoming TOP Sports Gaming’s strategic partner. Read more on RNG Weibo and TOP Weibo (Chinese)
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