Fan Focus- Manchester City.

With the end of the season fast approaching Total Digital Football has starting to talk to the land's biggest club's to find out about there commercial activity ahead of a busy summer, which involves two international tournaments and the stress of extensive preseason tours abroad. First up to take the challenge is Ric Turner of Manchester City fanzine Blue-Moon . With the Citizen's primed for a Premier League title decider with Manchester United on Monday we decided to quiz Ric on all things commercial, and how the Abu Dhabi millions are transforming his beloved Sky-Blues off the pitch. 

 TDF- With the impending financial fair-play rules coming up how do you think City will be looking to balance the book's?

 RT- The guidelines on FFP are still a little vague, and it is unclearer still how rigorously they will be enforced. Obviously it will impact on clubs like City, but we're heading in the right direction with a number of lucrative sponsorships, notably the deal with Etihad. In addition, regular Champion's League income will help, and we'll look to move some big earners, who are no longer part of the manager's plans, off the books this summer.

  TDF-What do you read into Man City's tour of China in Pre-season think it's worthwhile for City to go on these extensive pre-season tours?
 

RT- Pre-season trips to far off places are the norm these days, and City are no different to any other big club in this respect. The days of us having pre-season friendlies at Bury, Macclesfield and Stockport County are long gone.

  TDF-Manchester City are 11th in the Deloitte football Rich-list. Do you think you have the potential commercially to compete with the likes of Barca and cross town rivals Man United in the future?

 

RT-I don't think we'll ever match the revenues streams that the likes of Barcelona and United can generate, simply because we don't have the same global fan base. We are, however, making strides in this area. Notibly Through Link up's with key sponsors such as EA Sports and the link up with Japanese software giants MLJ

TDF-You have a number of different players who regularly tweet- how important is this in building the clubs online presence?

The club have an excellent online presence as it is, and are at the forefront of all things digital relative to other Premiership clubs. I think the players regularly using Twitter adds to this, although often their tweets are fairly banal. Vincent Kompany is a notable exception.

  TDF-Is their any specific club policy in regards to city players using Twitter? 

RT-The club seem to actively encourage the players use of Twitter, although I'm sure there's an extensive list of things they're asked not to Tweet about!

  TDF-City have a strong fan base within the Emirates, how are you exploiting this new fan-base using social media?

RT-As City continue to attract wider support worldwide, social media helps to engage these new fans and make them feel a part of what is happening at the club. Many of these people will never get to visit Eastlands, so platforms such as Facebook and Twitter provides an opportunity for them to connect. Especially commercial link up's with Etisalat who are one of the leading telecommunication companies in the world who are based in the UAE.

TDF-Finally with the big match on Monday, Do you think City can sneak it and win the league in dramatic style? 

 RT-Monday night’s derby is the biggest since, well, last season’s FA Cup semi final and I’m hoping City will prevail once more. It will be an extremely tight game, but we have home advantage and are in better form. Knowing City, we’ll beat United and lose to Newcastle.

Thanks again for Ric for the interview. You can follow all the latest updates from Blue-Moon on Twitter and of course the fanzine's website . 

Samsung Links up with Orient for new kit deal.

Samsung have announced today that they have linked up London side Leyton Orient to sponsor the League 1 side as they look to raise the brands presence in East London ahead of the Olympics which starts in 99 days time. 

The partnership, for the 2012/13 season, becomes Samsung’s third shirt sponsorship, joining the commercial packages in place at Premier League Chelsea FC and Swindon Town FC, who play in League Two of The Football League.

In addition to the Samsung deal EA sports have agreed to sponsor the East London side, in a deal that echo's the one currently being used by current League 2 leaders Swindon. The EA  logo will appear on the front of the Away shirt, and the back of the Home shirt. Whilst ore, Pro-Direct Soccer, has also agreed a sponsorship deal with Leyton Orient which will see their logo appear on the shorts of both Home and Away kits next season.

Andy Griffiths, managing director of Samsung UK and Ireland, said: "We are delighted to add Leyton Orient to our football sponsorships in the UK.

"Samsung is committed to supporting football at every level in this country. We believe that the game can only flourish if the grassroots are properly nurtured."

The choice of side is an interesting one for the South Korean brand, who are the one of many official commercial partners for the forthcoming London games. One of the overriding themes of the games are one of regeneration for the East of London, with the deal lasting way past the 9th of September after the closing ceremony of the paralympics games. This deal ensures that the mobile phone brand will have a definitive presence in East London till May 2013. 


Speaking of the deal Orient Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are thrilled to welcome Samsung Electronics as our club sponsors for the 2012/13 season. We're really looking forward to working with them during what we are confident will be a successful season for the club.”

Orient are currently battling relegation in League 1 and our just three points away from the drop with three games to go. They entertain Yeovil at Brisbane road this Saturday.  

Barca poised for mobile expansion‏.

Barcelona is about to launch the latest addition to its mobile app range FCB Regal Shootout as it puts mobile at the core of its global expansion. The Catalan footballing giants announced the launch as it prepares to take on Chelsea in London this evening in the first leg of the UEFA Chamion’s League semi-final tie. It remains unclear as to just how FCB Regal Shootout will play out, as does the initial launch date, but the title makes it pretty clear what the theme will be. Just see below for a taster of what to expect.

 

In an interview with news site new media age  Didac Lee, Barcelona’s head of technology and member of its board of directors, said the launch was part of its ongoing FCB Apps programme.

“We have made an important commitment to becoming the leaders in the technological industry which is growing around the world of football,” he said.

“Just as Barça are a reference point on the pitch, so we want to become a technological reference point in the sporting world. That is being achieved through an ambitious programme called FCB Apps,” added Lee.

FCB Apps is open to mobile app developers who can sign up to the programme which lets them access exclusive club content – like images and updates like new club signings.

“We are very happy with the way this idea has been received: we are getting 2 to 3 proposals a day and we are sure that this will prove to be the best way to expand our catalogue of apps,” added Lee.

Apps already launched via the programme include: FC Barcelona Fantasy Manager, FCB Watch, FCB Live or FCB World Tap all of which can be downloaded from the App Store. The Champion’s League holders, who are attempting to emulate the AC Milan side of the early 90s by winning the competition in consecutive years, also sees 15% of its online traffic come from mobile phones.

The club launched its first mobile optimised site in February this year as part of a Google-led initiative ahead of the mobile industry trade conference Mobile World Congress, hosted in the city. The site itself was developed by design studio Psycle, which has offices in London and Barcelona itself, who helped launch mobile-optimised sites for over 26 different institutions around the Catalan capital.

From the usage statistics on the site which is written in three languages – Catalan, English & Spanish – it is mostly used by fiercely loyal locals. Mark Gristock, commercial director of Psycle, also told new media age that approximately 80% of the traffic to Barcelona’s mobile site came from within a 3Km radius of the club’s stadium Camp Nou. 

By Ronan Shields  

 

How about a no goal line technology?

Recently most of the footballing world has been debating the use of goal-line technology. Pundits and fan's have been in a rage about the series of incidents- notably in Sunday's FA cup semi final clash between Chelsea & Spurs.

The issue of a goal is such a crucial one, it defines a game. So when an official misses an incident and makes a wrong call undoubtedly the talk will turn to  technology and how it can be used to make the most simple of calls. I appreciate and understand the need for clarity in the game, I do. Fifa the world's governing body have already ran trials in the past, whilst there are a whole range of system's that could be used. From Adidas sponsored microchips in footballs, to the Hawk-eye system which has been used in both Tennis & International Cricket.

All of which could be the solution to the age old question of "did that ball cross that line" which has been plaguing the beautiful game for years and years. From the Wonder of Tofik Bahramov (That Russian linesman in the 66 final) to the heartache of  Frank Lampard's disallowed effort in South Africa 2010 (you can see that tear jerking moment just below). Football is full of incident and intrigue which provides the discourse of debate which makes Football so unique.  


Across the world there is no sport that can provide the unlimited conversation topics that football can. That's thanks in part to media blanket media coverage and particularly the rise of Twitter, which is explained so elloquently by Henry Winter in his column yesterday. 

We have radio station's dedicated to the ramblings of the impassioned football fan. Be they delighted or incandescent with rage over the latest incident. From diving, goal line technology and star strikers spending 5 months in Argentina and then subsequently returning. Would some of this debate be lost if we had just the mere introduction of goal-line technology?   

I fear for the rugbyization of football. If goal-line decisions are introduced where do you stop? Would borderline offside decisions be next? Then it surely would lead to video scrutiny on off the ball incidents. The call for video technology would be widespread and unrelenting until every shred of doubt would be taken away. Leaving the game simply black and white starving the game of those shades of grey, splurges of red mist and green's of envy that brightens football. 


So why not a turn away from technology, and an embrace to enjoy the game for what it is warts and all.  If mistakes are made who cares? Afterall it's the passionate arguments down the pub/ radio/ television that makes football full of life.  

Premier League readies app to celebrate 20 years of the Premiership.

  
The app provides football fans around the world with a great new way to watch some of the most memorable moments from the Premier League’s history. Each of the 100 one-minute clips features a memorable highlight, including the first ever goal in the top flight, scored by Sheffield United's Brian Deane playing against Manchester United at the start of the 1992/93 season, and Wayne Rooney’s acrobatic overhead kick against Manchester City in the 2010/11 season. Other highlights include David Beckham’s famous goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996/97, Alan Shearer being recognised as the Premier League’s Player of the Decade in 2002. Total Digital Football also trawled Youtube for their favorite moments, the top 3 all available for your viewing pleasure. 


The app features at least five clips from every Premier League season. Each of the clips are also accompanied by a quiz question via an interactive ‘q’ button, as well as an opportunity to win Premier League prizes via competitions within the app. The launch of the app precedes the Premier League’s 20 Season Awards, the shortlist of which will be announced in mid-April, with an award ceremony at the end of the Premier League season in May. 


The Premier League 20 Seasons App was produced by the Premier League’s production partner IMG Media, part of IMG Worldwide and developed by Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), a Velti Company, a global mobile and technology solutions company. In November 2011 MIG was acquired by Velti, to create the world's leading mobile marketing and advertising company. 


Showing (some) bias Robin Van Persie's screamer against Charlton has to make the list. Superb technique and a outrageous shot, Hopefullly these should be in the App. 




Gurnsey's greatest footballer score's a absolute beauty against Blackburn, skillfully beating a few players before unleasing a 35 yard belting shot that nestles delightfully in the top corner.




Paulo Di Canio is currently making waves as manager of Swindon in League 2. But Back in 2000 his classy volley won the prestigious Match of the Day goal of the Season and cemented his reputation in Irons folklore.

Arsenal Looking to hit 10million Online Fan Target.

Arsenal FC have announced from yesterday a brand new competition   as they aim to become the second Premier League team to have over 10million fans on their Facebook fan-page. 


The announcement on Arsenal.com late last night came as the page has changed to embrace the recent timeline feature, highlighting the clubs history. "Stretching from our origins as Dial Square right up to the modern era, the timeline provides a fascinating look into how Arsenal became the club it is today, illustrated with some fantastic photographs from the last 125 years."


The competition, which encourages fans to log into the clubs  team of 10million facebook app, includes the change to win matchday tickets and signed shirts. In terms of overall fans Arsenal are currently second behind Manchester United who have just over 23million fans on the social networking site. With both Chelsea and Liverpool in third and fourth place with just under 9million and 8million fans respectively. 


The move marks a busy period for the North London club, having just confirmed a string of preseason games in the Far-East & Nigeria as the club aim's to appeal to a growing world fanbase. The far eastern tour will take in China, Hong Kong & Malaysia (Picture above) in late July and will include a match with rivals Manchester City. Whilst plans are also provincially in place to tour Nigeria later on in August.


The move away from the clubs traditional pre season of the Emirates Cup, which has been postponed due to the olympics being held in London. This is the second preseason in which the Gunners have visited the Far East in a row, as the club look's to create new commercial deal's with some of the Far East's big brands. 


Give the Arsenal Facebook account a "like" for the chance to win some prizes.

Mobile round up- Euro 2012 official phone application & NFC Phone technology.

European football’s governing body UEFA is working on its official mobile app for this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament as part of the mobile operator’s sponsorship package of the tournament hosted in Poland and the Ukraine. 

The app is likely to be co-branded and will contain functions, such as group tables and match dates, that will prove useful to both fans attending the tournament and those watching it from home.Orange, an official sponsor of Euro 2012 and is present in 11 markets across the continent, has confirmed that it is developing the app on behalf of UEFA although no launch date has been officially set.

However, with a little over 60 days until the tournament kicks-off a launch date can’t be far off as the mobile operator has already raised the curtain on its sponsorship activity in the UK through joint exercises with the relaunched Sony Mobile. Sony Mobile has been named as Orange’s ‘global handset partner’ for Euro 2012 and from next month the two will use their combined web properties get fans to interact about the tournament when online. This will include a co-branded Facebook game, Orange Golden Goal, to win smartphones and tickets to the tournament through events such as the Orange Supporters’ Cup game. 

Earlier this year, Orange sponsored the African Cup of Nations tournament, hosted in Equitorial Guinea and Gabon, following a similar deal it struck with the Confederation of African Football. The sponsorship packages from the mobile operator are aimed at bolstering awareness of its customer base in developing markets, it counts millions in Europe but only 150,000 in Africa, according to official statistics. 

Although, no official details of the app have been released yet, Total Digital Football did check out an O2 and Adidas sponsored event hosted in London recently where the brands encouraged programmers to develop sport-themed mobile apps using NFC phones. Although NFC phones, devices that can communicate data without contact using the tech standards, similar to Oyster cards, are still niche they are expected to be rolled out massively in the next year.

Adidas’ prize, tickets to a Champion’s League game, was awarded to a developer team that produced an app called ‘Total Event’ which encouraged attendees of football games to check-in to the ground using their NFC smartphones, both at the turnstiles and when at their seats. Theoretically, the app could be used as part of a digital season-ticket and users of the app  can share their photos of the action on the pitch with others in the stadium. Fellow supporters can then see how certain incidents appeared from their side of the stadium by looking at another pictures taken from opposing stands. 

Although the app is unlikely to be launched any time soon, the app does demonstrate some of the possibilities posed by technology and digital media which brands, such as Adidas, are currently looking at to augment crowd participation in the game. Previously, Manchester City kit-manufacturer Umbro has encouraged users of mobile social network Foursquare to ‘check-in’ to the club’s Eastlands stadium using Foursquare in a bid to get supporters to interact while at the ground. 

By Ronan Shields

Women's Super League lead the way with "digital ambassadors"

Finally it seem's that the FA have made one decision that could greatly benefit that could enhance the beautiful game. It comes as they have announced three "Digital ambassdors." who will represent their teams via the medium of Twitter. Amongst the players are Arsenal midfielder Steph Houghton, Bristol Academy's goalkeeper  Siobhan Chamberlain & Everton Mildfielder Jill Scott. 


The selected players will all have their accounts printed onto the sleeves of there teams respective football shirt. The move is an intelligent one by the league, As they look to build up a interest in the Women's game in the UK.Last year's Women's World Cup final was one of the most tweeted events of 2011 with 7,196 tweets per second.


 Now from regularly staring at twitter during a televised game male star players regularly appear in the trending topics in the UK, so through active promotion of the respected accounts should lead to heightened interactivity and growth within the women's game. Which can only be good for the long term grass roots development of the game, ultimately leading to the women's national team winning the European and World cup's that have eluded them in the past.


It's not the first time that team's have turned toTwitter to promote themselves. Only this season Valencia printed their official Twitter account onto their shirts whilst against Barcelona, along with the sustained use of Twitter & search functions by both Manchester City & Arsenal to be accessed by fans across the world have lead to #askvincent and #arsenallive to be popular trends online. 


The next step should be taken by the sponsors of the Premier League to promote their brand via twitter. Even if a brief sponsored hash-tag appeared on the Saturday they have the potential to be seen by 4.7 billion people, who watch the Premier League. Even from a basic tweet-to-win hash-tag would become a worldwide trending topic within seconds. It's only a matter of time before it's used.

Orange and Carlsberg announce official mobile applications for Euro 2012.

The race for the most desirable Euro 2012 mobile application hotted up today with the announcement of two official mobile applications from two principle sponsors of the tournament.

Both Carlsberg & Orange today announced the launch of official applications as they bid to appeal to the masses ahead of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine which kicks of in 66 days time. Carlsberg announced that their app which will me made available for free across both Itunes and the updated  Google Play Shop.

It will include exclusive content in the build up to and during the tournament, this will come in the form of the latest news, live match commentary along with exclusive content from former Manchester United & Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. (See the video below!). The drinks manufacturer is also promising special content for the England national team who they are also an official sponsor for, which should include official Uk brand Ambassador Gareth Southgate. He should be at the tournament as his role as a pundit for ITV.

French telecoms group Orange announced an official tie up with mobile phone manufacturer Sony mobile, as they look to create a number of bespoke products linked to the tournament. Linked to this will be the official Euro 2012 smart phone application. Which would include cross promotion competitions to win both Sony smartphones & tournament tickets. Currently there is no word on the price of the application, however expect a clamber from developers to create the most desirable free App, similar to a raft of apps created during the World Cup in 2010.

Both sponsor's will be looking to appeal to the raft of supporters expected to visit both Poland and Ukraine, when the tournament kicks off on the 8th of June. Co-host's Poland entertain Greece on the opening game of the tournament.

Toffeemen's deal with Nike can only be good for the peoples club.

Last week Everton announced a new three year sponsorship with sportswear giant Nike. The deal seem's ideal for both sides for a number of reasons. Firstly Nike where on the look out for a new sponsorship deal after Aston Villa signed a new deal with Italian sports brand Macron. Whilst Everton represent a solid brand to associate with for the American giants.

With a longstanding coaching setup , a loyal and passionate fan base, and importantly a brand presence aliening the Liverpool side as "The peoples club" is a great choice for Nike. These are certainly the views held by Everton blogger Adam Partlington. "It's a great move for the club, in the past we have had problems getting our merchandise out in the past, so a deal with Nike put's up right there with Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal, all in all a great commercial deal for the club."

A link up with the largest sport's kit manufacturers will quite obviously promote the club further, but i feel the club with certainly benefit in Thailand thanks to the existing long term deal with one of the country's most popular beer's Chang. Both Manchester United & Chelsea are both linked with Singha beer. So a tie up with Nike, coupled with a tie up with a popular beer brand would lead to a heightened presence in a country which is passionate for the Premier League.

While the issue of the clubs finances is still strongly debated between fans, this could certainly serve raise the profile of the club for any potential investors, and potentially lead to a move away from Goodison park. For now the deal can only benefit the club, who are currently above local rivals Liverpool, and are on the course for Uefa cup football after impressive victories against Manchester City and Chelsea already this season.

You can watch some of Adam's Talking Toffee episode's from his Youtube channel.