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Specialty Program Group Elevates its Sports and Entertainment Portfolio with the Acquisition of the Assets of Insurance Allies LLC

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CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — Specialty Program Group LLC (SPG), a leading operator of specialty insurance brokerages and underwriting facilities, announced that it has acquired the assets of Insurance Allies LLC (Insurance Allies), an industry leader in the axe throwing and sports and entertainment industry operating the website AxeThrowingInsurance.com. Insurance Allies proudly services approximately 700 entertainment venues including numerous mobile-only venues across the United States. In addition, Insurance Allies has expanded coverages and services to numerous other sports and recreational industries, including pickleball, haunted houses, smash rooms, go-kart venues, escape rooms, laser tag and many others. Insurance Allies offers a level of expertise and tailored coverage that is unmatched in the industry. This move is a testament to SPG’s commitment to strengthen their expertise in sports and entertainment field with industry-leading specialists.

SPG President & CEO, Christopher Treanor, expressed his enthusiasm for this strategic addition to the SPG family, saying, “At SPG, we are continually seeking opportunities to innovate and broaden our offerings. Insurance Allies and AxeThrowingInsurance.com perfectly align with our vision to provide specialized insurance solutions in the sports and entertainment sectors. We are thrilled to have Brett join our leadership team. He is a fantastic leader who will help us grow this specialty area.”

Insurance Allies has gained significant prominence in the industry under the dynamic leadership of President, Brett Pollak. Known for his hands-on approach to meeting clients’ needs, Brett has steered Insurance Allies to its success. His strategic marketing efforts to showcase his industry expertise, combined with his unique blend of innovative solutions and unwavering dedication to client satisfaction, have set a high industry standard.

Brett Pollak, President of Insurance Allies, is equally enthusiastic about this partnership. He stated, “Joining forces with Specialty Program Group is a significant milestone for Insurance Allies and AxeThrowingInsurance.com. It allows us to tap into greater resources, expand our reach, and continue delivering top-tier insurance solutions to our clients. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to being an integral part of SPG’s growth in the sports and entertainment sector.”

About Specialty Program Group

Specialty Program Group LLC (SPG) is a leading specialty platform headquartered in Chicago, IL, with a diverse portfolio of specialty insurance operations spanning underwriting management, digital solutions, wholesale and specialty retail brokerage, and insurance services. SPG has a track record of scaling industry leading businesses by providing access to business resources, technology and process efficiency, capital and investment, deep carrier relationships, and a broad distribution network. Visit specialtyprogramgroup.com to learn more about how SPG can help you scale your specialty business.

About Insurance Allies

Insurance Allies is a fast-growing technology and service driven enterprise founded by Brett Pollak. Since its inception in 2019 specializing in axe throwing insurance, assisted by its AxeThrowingInsurance.com branding, Pollak has expanded the business to become a prominent and leading expert to provide unique tailored coverages for numerous other sports and entertainment venues. Pollak’s unique hands-on service approach to educate their clients has enabled it to expand into the broader entertainment industry to include coverage for business interest such as restaurants, bars, haunted houses, go-kart venues, escape rooms, laser tag, and many others. Notably, with the rise of pickleball’s popularity, Insurance Allies’s pickleball insurance website, PickleballInsurance.com, the agency is poised to continue its explosive growth.

SOURCE Specialty Program Group

Beverages

PEPSI® ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL STAR JACK GREALISH AS GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR IN MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

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  • The star takes center stage in upcoming football campaign as Pepsi® continues to unlock enjoyment for fans
  • Jack joins Pepsi’s star-studded group of global brand ambassadors, including Vini Jr., Son Heung-min and Leah Williamson

LONDON, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pepsi has today unveiled the signing of its latest global brand ambassador, Jack Grealish, on a multi-year deal.

Jack will take centre stage in Pepsi’s soon-to-be-announced global football campaign. The campaign will build on Pepsi’s signature approach to football by creating unexpected and unrivalled football experiences for worldwide fans seeking to enjoy more of the beautiful game.

Jack Grealish joins Pepsi’s incredible roster of globally recognised talent, which already includes winger Vinicius Jr., Son Heung-min, and Leah Williamson.

All four players are set to appear in Pepsi’s forthcoming global advertising campaign, battling it out for street football supremacy. Jack and Pepsi have many plans in store that will bring the joy of football to fans throughout the year focused on the pleasure he takes from playing the beautiful game.

Jack Grealish, said: “I’m buzzing to partner with Pepsi as a global brand ambassador. Pepsi has a great heritage working with the biggest names in world football, and I’m excited to join their mission to unlock enjoyment for football fans around the world and encourage everyone to play the beautiful game!”

Eric Melis, VP of Global Brand Marketing, Carbonated Soft Drinks at PepsiCo, said: “Jack is renowned worldwide for his incredible football skills and the enjoyment he takes from the game. We celebrate those who personify our attitude on and off the pitch and can’t wait for him to support us in bringing more enjoyment to football fans around the world as part of the Pepsi family.”

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter)InstagramFacebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

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documentaries

‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’ – Witness the Rise of a Global Phenomenon

Experience the triumphs and trials of pickleball’s rise in ‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’ – a captivating documentary featuring Mike Sleeves Sliwa.

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An illustration of people playing pickleball, a paddle sport, with the ball in mid-air.


At TNC Network, we have been working on two major projects starting in 2022. STM Daily News and Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report (Sleeve’s SPR), and it’s been one heck of a journey.

Both projects have been progressing nicely, but there is some exciting news on the Sleeve’s SPR side. In late ’22, Mike Sleeves Sliwa was approached by Ashley Underwood via email and asked if he would participate in her upcoming documentary. Mike, after a phone conversation with Ashley, said yes. A year and a half later, the project is about to hit the festival circuit.

Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story, the documentary, was filmed for a tumultuous span of two years, documenting the transformation of America’s fastest-growing sport, from retirement communities to the New York Stock Exchange. This cinematic piece provides an intimate glimpse into the pioneers who pioneered a fresh professional sport. Amidst the ensuing frenzied competition, a fierce rivalry arises to claim dominance in this novel sporting domain. As the ego and ambition of warring Texas billionaires collide, the pickleball pros find themselves entangled, witnessing the shattering of bonds and the betrayal of friends.

The story depicted in “Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story” is distinctly American, as it forces us to grapple with the best and worst of capitalism’s role in sports and in our collective pursuit of the American Dream. The film’s runtime is set at 88 minutes, directed by Ashley Underwood, Seth Porges, and Mary Pilon.

Mike Sleeves Sliwa has indeed reached a significant milestone with his involvement in the development of the Sleeve’s SPR channel and podcast. His dedication and commitment to pickleball are highlighted in his participation in the documentary. We congratulate Mike on this remarkable achievement and look forward to the release of Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story to witness his contributions and the captivating journey it portrays.

If you would like to know more about ‘Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story’, please visit the website: https://watch.eventive.org/sfdocfest2024/play/6620f254a0b34b0058b26d1b

https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
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News

Pickleball Kingdom: Conquering the World, One Court at a Time

Pickleball Kingdom sets its sights on global dominance, partnering with Franchise India Group to expand into the Middle East. #PickleballPower

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In 2024, the world of sports was on the cusp of witnessing a new era unfold. Pickleball, regarded as the fastest-growing sport in America, was set to take the global stage with Pickleball Kingdom at the helm. Breaking new ground, the premier indoor pickleball facility announced a groundbreaking partnership with Franchise India Group, paving the way for its expansion into the Middle East.

"Photo: A group of enthusiastic pickleball players in action at Pickleball Kingdom indoor facility."
Pickleball Kingdom in Arizona

The Global Ambition:
Ace Rodrigues, the Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm about this international expansion. His longstanding vision of taking the sport to a worldwide audience was finally becoming a reality. With 140 locations already in queue across the United States, the deal with Franchise India Group would double that number almost overnight.

A Strategic Partnership:
Franchise India Group Chairman, Gaurav Marya, shared in the excitement about partnering with Pickleball Kingdom. Recognizing the sport’s immense popularity and exponential growth, he hailed Pickleball Kingdom as the leader of the movement. Together, they would spearhead the international expansion of pickleball, promising to revolutionize the sport as we know it.

Franchise Opportunities:
Franchise India Group wasted no time in accepting applications from interested parties seeking to become franchisees of Pickleball Kingdom. They sought experienced entrepreneurs who understood the value of being pioneers in this global movement. With key stakeholders established for each territory, Pickleball Kingdom’s expansion would be well-supported.

Explosive Growth:
Pickleball had experienced an impressive growth rate of over 224% in the past three years, resulting in an astounding 36.5 million players in the United States alone. However, the demand for courts had outpaced supply. This is where Pickleball Kingdom’s franchise model created a winning solution. Their climate-controlled indoor facilities not only provided courts but also offered lessons, leagues, tournaments, parties, team-building events, and refreshments.

Strategic Expansion Plans:
Rob Streett, COO of Pickleball Kingdom, highlighted the strategic importance of partnering with Franchise India Group. The collaboration marked only the initial phase of the brand’s expansion plan, focusing on establishing a strong presence in the Middle East. This strategic move would ensure that the sport’s popularity and impact would be maximized in this new region.

Ambitions and Dreams:
Filled with enthusiasm and ambition, Ace Rodrigues declared that the time had come for pickleball to conquer the international stage. The goal was to establish a presence in every country within five years. As he looked ahead, he eagerly anticipated a world where the words “Welcome to the Kingdom!” would be uttered in every language spoken around the globe.


The stage was set, and the world was about to witness the rise of pickleball to unprecedented heights. With Pickleball Kingdom leading the charge and supported by a strategic partnership with Franchise India Group, pickleball was poised to become the first global powerhouse in the sport. From a grassroots phenomenon to an international sensation, pickleball has truly become the sport of choice for millions worldwide. The journey ahead promised excitement, growth, and the universal language of friendly competition: pickleball.

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