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Growth in Brand Investments Across European Football Leagues More Than Doubles in 2023-24

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Single-club partnerships dominate as 88% of brands opt for exclusive deals

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SponsorUnited, the leading global sports and entertainment intelligence platform—tracking over 386,000 brands, 2.1 million deals, and 17.6 million data points across sports, entertainment, media, and talent, today released its European Football Marketing Partnerships 2023–24 report.

Key findings include:

Significant growth in brand and sponsorship deals: The number of brand sponsors in European football grew by 22% this season, more than doubling last season’s increase. In comparison, the five major professional sports leagues in the US averaged a 10.5% increase in sponsorship deals since 2022. This impressive growth in European football was driven by a combination of new deals and improved retention of existing deals, resulting in a record-breaking total of almost 6,000 deals. This represents a 20% increase in deals from the previous season, along with an 11% decrease in churn rate of deals.

Surge in exclusive single-club partnerships: Nearly 90% of brands (88%) have signed single-club deals over multi-club partnerships, a trend evident this season with over 3,800 different brands committing to just one football club each. This is a 23% increase from last season. This trend is also led by the aforementioned categories, which together account for one third of all single-club deals. Additionally, this year Serie A and LALIGA clubs have surpassed Premier League clubs in sponsorship deals with nearly 1,500 and 1,450 deals each— emphasizing the strategic focus on deepened market penetration and fan engagement.

“The dramatic rise in European football partnerships this season underscores an evolution in the market dynamics,” said Bob Lynch, founder and CEO of SponsorUnited. “Non-traditional sectors like business services and construction are increasingly engaging with the sport, reflecting a maturation in how brands and leagues collaborate. These sectors often start with targeted, single-team investments, which can scale significantly as they realize the value of their engagements, setting the stage for long-term impacts on club and athlete partnerships.”

Most-endorsed athletes shift following major departures: With the departures of Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo from the “Big 5” leagues, the endorsement landscape for European football athletes has dramatically shifted. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa now leads with 19 endorsements; however, he is also departing the Big 5 after this season. Vinicius Junior (“Vini Jr.”) and Harry Kane follow with 17 and 16 endorsements respectively, with Vini Jr. adding the most deals (5). Son Heung-min, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, and Virgil van Dijk each have 14 endorsements. They are followed by Jack Grealish with 13 and Thomas Müller with 12.

Top growing teams showcase remarkable follower growth: The top five growing teams have significantly outpaced follower growth across all teams, with Real Madrid CF leading with an addition of 54M followers. This surge in popularity is closely tied to the presence of high-profile players such as Vini Jr., who is among the most-endorsed athletes this season. FC Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Manchester City, which have also shown substantial increases, adding 31M, 30M, and 26M followers respectively, are home to other top-endorsed athletes like Harry Kane, Virgil van Dijk, and Erling Haaland. This trend underscores the strong correlation between a team’s social media growth and the endorsement appeal of its star players. 

Coca-Cola leads sponsorship deals amid diverse brand categories: With 39 deals, Coca-Cola still leads the list of European football sponsors, followed by EA Sports (FC) (33 deals), eToro (31 deals), Sorare (25 deals), and Skechers (23 deals). When it comes to brand categories, construction remains a powerhouse with nearly 800 sponsorships—a 27% increase from last season and a 54% increase from the season before. They are followed by auto with 425 (+38%) and tech with 415 (+23%) deals.

“The increasing influence of US ownership in European football is reshaping business practices and commercial strategies across the leagues,” added Lynch. “This transatlantic investment is fostering deeper engagements with US brands, who are now more confident in entering and expanding within the European market through innovative avenues.”

View the full report here.

About SponsorUnited
Launched in 2018, SponsorUnited is the leading global sports and entertainment intelligence platform, delivering actionable data and insights to build stronger marketing partnerships. We provide unrivaled knowledge across the sponsorship and media landscape so our clients can make impactful decisions that drive business.

With over 386,000 brands, 2.1 million deals, and 17.6 million data points across sports, entertainment, media, and talent, our SaaS database enables brands, rights holders, and agencies to partner more effectively. By delivering real-time trends, on-demand research, and the most comprehensive data available, we connect the entire sponsorship ecosystem and are rewriting the partnership playbook.

SponsorUnited was ranked on the Inc. 5000—the most prestigious list of the fastest-growing private companies in America—in both 2022, 2023, and 2024. Visit https://sponsorunited.com/ to learn more and discover exclusive data and insights to make intelligent partnership decisions at speed and scale.

CONTACT: Lisa Brown, lbrown@sponsorunited.com

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SOURCE SponsorUnited

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New Generation Centralized Control System Promotes “Integrated Operation Monitoring”

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BORTALA, China, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 26, personnel at the monitoring operation and maintenance center of the State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company were conducting acceptance testing for the new generation centralized control system. The company is actively promoting the application of this new system to facilitate “integrated operation monitoring” and enhance the risk management capabilities and equipment refinement levels of the power grid.

The new generation centralized control system serves as a technical support system for monitoring the operational status and fault defects of grid equipment. It acts as the “eyes” and “hands” for managing the operation of power grid equipment. Compared with the old Open3000 system, it optimizes the human-machine interface, refines system functions, and achieves comprehensive awareness of equipment status, defect detection, and proactive early warning, thereby providing efficient information processing capabilities to ensure that monitoring personnel can supervise equipment operation in real time.

During the system construction process, the company actively adapts to changes in production models, scientifically formulates project timelines, and deepens new operation and maintenance management models, such as “unattended + centralized monitoring” and “equipment owner + general practitioner.” This enhances the construction of the new centralized monitoring system and the integration of substation sites, providing comprehensive and robust monitoring support for the reliable operation of the Bortala power grid.

Up to now, the company has completed the construction of the main station of the new generation centralized control system, software and hardware debugging, graphic drawing and other tasks, as well as the station-end access of the new generation centralized control system for 54 substations, the entry of monitoring information into the database, and the forwarding of the front-end data of the new generation centralized control system within the centralized control range. The company carries out the orderly supplementation of monitoring information points for access devices and the verification of remote control information at substations.

In the next step, the company will  actively explore digital transformation, strengthen modern team construction, and innovate practices in intelligent monitoring and business collaboration, all aimed at advancing the construction of modern centralized control stations to ensure the safe and stable operation of equipment.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/new-generation-centralized-control-system-promotes-integrated-operation-monitoring-302339181.html

SOURCE State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company

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BC.GAME Launches Monkey King-Themed Slot Game Wukong

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NICOSIA, Cyprus, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BC.GAME has launched its latest slot game, Wukong, inspired by the highly acclaimed Black Myth: Wukong, a groundbreaking AAA game that has captivated players worldwide. Officially released on December 24, this 6-reel, 5-row slot game allows players to experience the essence of Wukong’s legendary journey while aiming for rewards of up to 10,000 times their bet.

The game incorporates iconic symbols and elements from Black Myth: Wukong, such as the Ruyi staff, gourd bottles, and treasure pearls, designed to recreate the mythical atmosphere of the original story. The addition of the Sticky Symbols feature enhances gameplay by keeping special symbols locked in place during free spins, significantly increasing the chances of winning and unlocking larger rewards.

Dark Visual Design and Storytelling Behind Wukong

The visual design of Wukong draws from traditional Chinese art styles, blending elements from Journey to the West. The reels are filled with recognizable symbols like the Ruyi staff, gourd bottles, and treasure pearls. These symbols immerse players in the mythical world of the story, faithfully recreating key moments from the novel, such as Sun Wukong’s havoc in Heaven and his encounters with the White Bone Demon.

The game’s background is rooted in Journey to the West, where Sun Wukong embarks on a journey with the monk Tang Seng and his companions to obtain sacred scriptures. Each detail of the game is carefully crafted to bring this legendary tale to life, offering a unique gaming experience and a tribute to Chinese culture and mythology.

Key Features of the Wukong Slot Game:

Free Spins and Bonus Opportunities: Triggering free spins unlocks additional reward mechanisms, increasing the chances of landing big wins.

Sticky Symbols Feature: Special symbols remain in place during free spins, greatly enhancing winning potential.

Up to 10,000x Max Win: The game offers a maximum payout of up to 10,000 times the bet, providing significant winning opportunities.

“Wukong is not just about spinning reels; it’s about experiencing a rich part of Chinese culture. We’ve worked hard to ensure the game is stunning and fun and engaging for players, with layers of features that add excitement. We’re proud to offer a game that blends storytelling with gameplay, and we think players will love the journey through Wukong’s legendary world,” Jack Dorset, CEO of BC.GAME said.

About BC.GAME

BC.GAME is a leading online gaming platform that integrates blockchain technology and cryptocurrency into its casino games, by offering a secure, transparent, and decentralized experience, BC.GAME allows players to enjoy a variety of gaming options, including slots, table games, and live casino offerings. The platform is dedicated to providing players with exciting, fair, and innovative ways to engage with the world of gaming. citing, fair, and innovative ways to engage with the world of gaming.

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SOURCE BC.GAME

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Infidigit Welcomes Pinaki Gupta as an Advisor to Foster Leadership and Drive Strategic Growth

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MUMBAI, India, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Infidigit, an AI-enabled digital growth partner known for delivering exceptional results in SEO, CRO, and digital growth, welcomes Pinaki Gupta as Director – Strategy and Oversight. Pinaki’s vast experience in driving business transformation and fostering innovation will be instrumental in shaping Infidigit’s strategic direction and positioning the organisation for long-term success.

With a career spanning global enterprises such as Tata Interactive Systems and MPS Interactive and as the founder of Pisarto, a prominent home decor marketplace, Pinaki has consistently driven innovation and growth. His expertise will play a pivotal role in further scaling Infidigit’s vision and helping it explore untapped opportunities in the dynamic digital marketing ecosystem.

Sharing his thoughts, Pinaki Gupta, said, “Infidigit’s rise as a leader in digital marketing has been remarkable. Kaushal and his team have built an organisation with a strong culture of innovation and performance that truly sets them apart. I am excited to join Infidigit as an Advisor to bring a new perspective and help evaluate business opportunities and accelerate their growth journey. Together, we will focus on building strategic frameworks that ensure Infidigit continues to thrive in an evolving digital-first world.”

Kaushal Thakkar, Founder and Managing Director of Infidigit, said, “Pinaki and I share a long and fruitful professional history, during which I’ve consistently been impressed by his incisive strategic mind. His knack for challenging the status quo and driving transformative change makes him an ideal fit for Infidigit’s ambitious growth trajectory. We’re excited to leverage his mentorship as we reach new heights, fortify our leadership team, and continue delivering exceptional results for our clients.”

Infidigit, under Kaushal Thakkar’s leadership, has consistently set benchmarks in SEO, CRO, and digital growth strategies. With over 100 award-winning campaigns, Infidigit has delivered measurable results across industries. Pinaki’s addition to the leadership team further strengthens its mission of combining innovation, leadership, and performance to help businesses grow sustainably.

About Infidigit:

Infidigit, an AI-enabled digital growth partner, empowers top brands to achieve impactful results through SEO, ASO, CRO, and data-driven digital strategies. At the forefront of AI innovation in marketing, Infidigit is developing a SaaS product to further simplify SEO. With a proven track record of measurable success, Infidigit partners with startups, MSMEs, and enterprises across diverse industries, enabling them to thrive in the digital-first economy. Their commitment to excellence is underscored by over 100 award-winning campaigns recognized by prestigious platforms such as the SMX, APAC Search Awards, ET BrandEquity Shark Awards, Sparkies and Exchange4Media IDMA. Infidigit continues to set new standards in digital marketing, driving sustainable growth and unparalleled success for its clients.

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