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Posts tagged ‘rugby league’

May 22

Fred’s Done It

Super League and Betfred have today announced the biggest commercial deal in the history of the competition by extending their partnership for a further two seasons. 

The multi-million-pound investment by Betfred, owned by Rugby League fan and Salfordian Fred Done, will see the current three-year partnership extended until the end of the 2021 season.

News of the record-breaking deal comes at a time when Betfred Super League is enjoying huge popularity. Last weekend saw the record attendance for a Super League fixture broken when 31,555 people saw the Catalans Dragons defeat Wigan Warriors in a historic first ever Rugby League game at the iconic Nou Camp in Barcelona. This followed a record-breaking aggregate round attendance over the Easter Weekend, when 78,917 fans attended Super League Round 11 fixtures.

Since the Betfred title sponsorship began at the start of the 2017 season, there have been some memorable moments in the competition. The 2017 season saw the Wigan Warriors beat the Cronulla Sharks in the World Club Challenge, Castleford Tigers overcome St Helens in golden point drama to reach the Grand Final, which saw Leeds Rhinos crowned Champions. The 2018 season saw Shaun Wane bow out of his reign as Head Coach of Wigan Warriors with a Grand Final victory at Old Trafford, overcoming Warrington Wolves, who had beaten favourites St Helens in a semi-final.

Robert Elstone, Chief Executive Super League, said, “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Betfred who have become synonymous with Super League. They have been a vital part of our journey over the last three years and we look forward to working with them in what is a hugely exciting time for Super League and the sport. To have the support of someone like Fred who is so passionate about Super League and who shares our vision for its future is fantastic.”

Rhodri Jones, Chief Commercial Officer Super League said, “This is a historic and ground-breaking deal for the sport and shows a huge commitment from Fred, his senior management team, and all his staff who are so passionate about Super League. It is a significant increase on previous sponsorships and reflects the growing popularity and value of the Super League brand.”

Fred Done, the Boss of Betfred, added, “The real passion for this game shown by the players, the media and, most importantly, the fans, is for me the main reason why this has proved to be such a great sponsorship for us. Therefore, I had no hesitation in extending the deal for a further two years and Betfred look forward to working with Super League to help grow the terrific game of rugby league.”

The announcement follows recent title sponsorship deals between Betfred and other major sports competition brands including the British Masters Golf, World Snooker Championship and the World Matchplay Darts in Blackpool.

Interested in getting involved in this sport and its success stories: contact for informal chat on opportunities. adrian.stores@salfordreddevils.net

Dec 21

What’s up your sleeve?

As we rapidly approach the New Year and dawn of 2019, marketers are considering optimum approaches for lead generation, new business and methods to raise brand awareness.  At ACROBAT FCSM we have long seen the benefits of carefully structured partnerships with sports clubs.  Nothing is prescriptive, but service level agreements established with structured activation tactics and measurable returns.

Much publicity was given when the Premier League in football announced in 2017 that clubs were allowed an additional sponsor name on the left sleeve of the shirts. In terms of brand recognition, casual sporting fans or supporters and viewers of this sport may well recall Western Union (Liverpool), Angry Birds (Everton), Nexen Tire (Manchester City) and Rwanda (Arsenal) etc.

In other sports, the prominence, visually, in associating a brand with a sports club can be a welcome addition to the marketing tactics employed in plans and strategies for trading over a predetermined timespan.  Naturally, we advocate a coherent ‘package’ of benefits to ensure the sponsor has maximum value as well as strategic outcomes.

Presently, an opportunity has arisen, at short notice but affording extremely good value and clear, tangible returns to enhance any sales and marketing plans for the New Year.

Alongside, credible blue chip clients including Mitsubishi, Lowry Outlet Centre, Kingsland Drinks, Bet Fred – the new Season’s terrific kits manufactured by Kappa for Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club has an opportunity for a sleeve sponsorship arrangement.

Naturally, any interested party can contact Adrian Stores immediately on either adrian.stores@salfordreddevils.net  or adrian.stores@acrobatfcsm.com.  Just an informal, no obligation chat guaranteed – with awaiting video showing ‘Why Salford’, metrics and digital reach, corporate brochure and rates card, and community benefits alongside any arrangement.

Have a great festive break and wishing you a prosperous New Year.  But just think “What have you got up your sleeve?” to start the future with the extra push a partnership with this Super League Club could bring?

Mar 2

Devils and Wolves

With ACROBAT | FCSM undertaking more and more work in rugby (both codes – RL and RU!), it is with great pleasure that we share, courtesy of leading accountants and business advisors, SEDULO, the following article related to two of its RL clientele. Interestingly the latter was introduced to them by us and former is a brand that we have pleasure in working for at the moment with its impressive ‘Club13’ sports and commerce forum.

“With the recent World Cup occupying the minds of rugby league fans over the close season, as well as England’s brave attempt to conquer the southern hemisphere just falling short in the final against the Aussies, attention now turns to the start of the domestic season.

Salford Red Devils had an impressive season last time out, in what proved to be the last under owner, Marwan Koukash. The season saw a run to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup, only to suffer a narrow defeat to Wigan and the club holding 4th place at the end of the regular season. Unfortunately, Salford ran out of steam and a disappointing Super 8 stage saw the club slide from the last play-off spot to finish 7th. Now under fan ownership, and numerous ins and outs, a transitional season is beckoning, though the signing of Jack Littlejohn from the NRL could prove shrewd business if preseason form is anything to go off.

Success this year is likely to be proving the bookmakers wrong though with a top 8 finish and avoiding the dreaded Qualifiers. That is exactly where the Toronto Wolfpack intend to be come September however. After expectedly sweeping all before them in their debut season in League 1, a sterner challenge awaits the Wolfpack in an increasingly international Championship. Their match against Toulouse has been added to the Super League magic weekend – the first time a Championship fixture has appeared at the annual rugby league extravaganza. Playing all 11 away games back to back in the first half of the season will be demanding, but anything other than a top 4 finish and a shot at promotion to Super League will be seen as a failure for the ambitious Canadian outfit.

With Leigh Centurions and London Broncos looking to bounce back to the top division and clubs such as Featherstone and Halifax eyeing another top 4 finish, they won’t have it all their own way. Could this be the year more than one club earn promotion in what is likely to be a very competitive round of end of season qualifiers? What odds on the ‘Million Pound’ game promotion shoot out being held in North America come October – the RFL certainly hope so for interest across the Atlantic. The Wolfpack have other ideas and will be aiming to secure promotion before then, with the opening game trip to Leigh will give us an early indication.”

Any one interested in sport and business would be most welcome to attend the ‘go to’ forum that is Club13. It promises to be the premier networking lunch and knowledge exchange . More information and booking form from adrian.stores@club13.biz