Recently-retired Ronaldinho has launched a cryptocurrency, RSC, as part of a broad-based world football business. RSC and the associated business is the largest-scale effort by a global soccer superstar in the crypto world, and could serve as a model for others to tap into the sport’s estimated 3.5 billion fans.
With World Cup now completed, it’s baseball’s turn to show off its Latino stars in the All-Star Game and associated activities this week in Washington, D.C. Baseball’s Latino numbers are higher than ever, and companies are figuring out the best ways to transfer that star power to marketing strength.
Lizzie Seedhouse, SVP of Digital for USL, and Josh Keller, VP of Business Development for the USL, talked to Portada about the relevance of video to connect with fans and leverage brands’ sponsorships.
Mitú has carved out a niche in the social space, helping brands leverage the World Cup to engage millennial Latinos. The example set by Mitú at World Cup can serve as a template or at least a starting point for brands to connect with Hispanics through grand-scale sporting events.
love.fútbol is a non-profit that mobilizes and engages communities to plan, build, manage, activate and redefine their own football pitches as sustainable platforms for social change. World Cup is the perfect time for organizations like love.fútbol to connect with global brands to spread their messages and maximize their visibility.
Wells Fargo’s campaign featuring Landon Donovan supporting Team Mexico in the World Cup has gained some attention amid some “controversy” regarding the spots. Marketers can use the window of Mexico’s success and popularity with an American figure who can transcend cultures and casual fans to draw needed awareness here.
Comcast this week announced a bilingual video experience integrating Fox and Telemundo World Cup coverage. This will be a great test for soccer fans who may have had to turn down the volume and follow their favorite brands when the language, especially Spanish, did not fit the household.
James Borrego has been named head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. The hiring of Borrego may signal a stronger push
towards attracting the Latino fan base, which already has numerous superstars of Hispanic heritage to root for.
Teams are finding ways to engage more authentically with their Latino fan bases. This growing demographic is critical to franchises and brands, and the more ingrained they are in the community, the more effective their marketing can be.
The Association soccer league has created a new, athletics-based way of networking in Los Angeles. Big brands like SpaceX and Beats by Dre are already on board in this opportunity for multicultural connections in the diverse Los Angeles market.
Panini’s Jason Howarth, Las Vegas Lights’ Steve Pastorino and the L.A. Galaxy’s Brendan Hannan weigh in on the importance of the Latino market at World Cup this summer. Resetting from a U.S.-Canada focus to Latino fandom is critical for brands with World Cup ties.
N.Y. Cosmos owner Rocco Commisso has put forth a US $500 million plan (half of which would be his own investment) for an American soccer entity to rival MLS and boost U.S. Soccer. A push to host a future FIFA World Cup, providing a major boost to the sport in North America, would be helped by an even stronger, more unified pro base.
Combate Americas drew strong ratings on its two live April broadcasts, “Combate Estrellas I” and “Combate Estrellas II” on Univision and Univision Deportes, as well as in Mexico on Azteca 7. Combate Americas is positioning itself as a premier destination for Hispanic MMA fans, and advertisers have followed.
The Miami Heat’s manager of corporate partnership sales, Anthony Perez, talked to Portada about the NBA culture in the area. The Heat have a tremendous reach into Hispanic homes in South Florida, making partners’ efforts to gain market share there fruitful.
The U.S. Polo Association held its largest event this month, the U.S. Open Polo Championships, culminating in last Sunday’s finals. Polo has strong roots in the U.S. and Latin America, particularly Argentina, and is making a move towards growth beyond the traditional “upper crust.”
Former Golden State Warriors president and current Miami Marlins president of business operations Chip Bowers discussed the team’s challenges with Scout Sports managing partner Michael Neuman at Portada Miami last week. The Marlins are facing a huge rebuild, and have decided to look outside of baseball for a blueprint.
Latino Outdoors is a unique Latino-led organization working to create a national community of leaders in conservation and outdoor education. While strides have been made, organizations like Latino Outdoors are needed as strong advocates for the community and as providers of opportunities that have led to significant brand and event partnerships.
Both Gerard Piqué and Alex Rodriguez have been in the news lately for bold and successful business ventures. These athletes are paving the way for other Latin and Hispanic athletes to recognize that they too can find financial success outside of their sport both during and after their playing days.
South Florida based eSports leader Ben Spoont will speak at Portada Miami. The Miami Heat partner will discuss how eSports is bringing value to existing traditional professional sports teams.
Fox Sports Latin America will air Spanish and Portuguese language coverage of races at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth this weekend. These broadcasts are part of NASCAR’s goal of engaging the growing number of Spanish speaking fans in the U.S. and abroad.