Sports

Stagwell’s (STGW) Sport Beach to Host World-Renowned Athletes Maria Sharapova, Allyson Felix, Spencer Dinwiddie and More

Published

1 year ago

March 31, 2023

Daily News Staff

Partner with Global Brands United Airlines, Diageo, Penske Media Corporation and Axios at Cannes Lions 2023

Journalists from Amazon Prime, Axios, FOX Sports, Sportico and Others to Conduct Live Interviews at the Beach

NEW YORK and CANNES, France /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, announced today its first round of talent and brand partners to be featured at Sport Beach, the network’s flagship venue at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2023 (Cannes Lions). Built for brands, platforms and athletes to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of sport and explore the power of fandom, Sport Beach was created to be a uniquely magnetic experience that stands apart from the crowded scene at Cannes Lions.

Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues/teams, media platforms, journalists, and other potential partners.
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“We’re delighted to unveil our first round of partners at Sport Beach who share our enthusiasm for the power of sport and its ability to connect with fans, drive culture and shape worldviews,” said Stagwell Chief Brand and Communications Officer Beth Sidhu. “With their support we know Sport Beach will be a forum for a spirited exchange of ideas, proven methods of success, and ultimately, the inspiration we need to build the next generation of fans.”

Athletes

Maria Sharapova (tennis) – A former No. 1 world tennis player, Sharapova is one of 10 women to achieve a career Grand Slam, which she achieved five times before retiring in February 2020. Today, she is a polymath entrepreneur, investor, author and mother.
Allyson Felix (track and field) – Seven-time Olympic Gold Medalist and five-time Olympian, Felix is the most decorated Track & Field Olympian in history and one of the leading advocates for gender-equality and maternity protection. Before retiring in 2022, she co-founded Saysh, a community centered lifestyle brand that revolutionized footwear for women.
Spencer Dinwiddie (basketball) – An NBA star, Dinwiddie serves as guard for the Brooklyn Nets, which he rejoined in February 2023 after playing on the team from 2016-2021. Along with his business partner Solo Ceesay, Spencer is co-founder of Calaxy, a next-generation social marketplace reimagining the creator-fan relationship. The application gives creators the ultimate toolkit to interact with and reward their fans in one place, creating a fair exchange of value and facilitating unmatched community monetization.
DK Kizer (football) – Former Quarterback for the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns and the Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish, Kizer is now the Founder & CEO of a Web3 start up called One of None – a platform that helps Creators build and launch physical products backed and authenticated by digital assets.
Patrice Evra (soccer) – Former Manchester United and France National team Captain, Patrice is now a successful entrepreneur with his ‘I Love This Game’ brand, an activist, motivational speaker and a hugely influential social media personality.
Kyle Martino (soccer) – Martino has played at all levels of U.S. Soccer from youth, to college, to Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team. Today, Kyle is a commentator, entrepreneur and founder of the Over Under Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and wellness of kids by increasing access to sport in urban neighborhoods.
Diana Flores (flag football) – Star quarterback and captain of Mexico’s National Team. A World Games Gold medalist, Diana also serves as the NFL & IFAF’s Flag Football global ambassador. She was recently the Offensive Coordinator for the AFC at the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games and was the featured star in the NFL’s Super Bowl LVII advertisement, “Run With It,” the top 2 rated commercial by 2023 USA Today AdMeter.

Brand Partners

Axios, a digital media company delivering trustworthy breaking news and invaluable insights to help readers and viewers get smarter, faster across the topics reshaping our lives in politics, tech, business, media, science and the world.
Diageo, the global leader in beverage alcohol, will be the exclusive spirits partner of Sport Beach. It houses an outstanding collection of some of the biggest brands across spirits and beer including best-selling Scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker, the world’s most celebrated gin, Tanqueray, and the world’s best-selling premium distilled vodka, Smirnoff.
Penske Media Corporation, a leading global media and information services company, has been a pioneer in digital media and a platform innovator since 2004, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Sportico, and more. PMC also owns several vital cultural events such as SXSW, Latin Music Week and others.
United Airlines, one of the world’s largest airlines, will serve as the official airline of Sport Beach. Operating the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and with their new platform “Good Leads the Way,” United is committed to doing good in the air and on the ground through its investments and partnerships.

Journalists

Erin Andrews – FOX Sports reporter, founder of top selling women’s sports-licensed apparel brand, WEAR by Erin Andrews, and co-host of the hit podcast “Calm Down,” Erin Andrews contributes exclusive interviews and sideline reports from FOX NFL’s top game each week as part of the network’s lead crew.
Sara Fischer – Axios senior media reporter, CNN media analyst, author of the must-read Axios Media Trends weekly newsletter, covering the most consequential news, companies and leaders in the media industry.
Ben Lyons – On-air host and producer of sports and entertainment content across all media. He is the Co-Executive Producer of Prime Video Sports Talk for Amazon, Co-Host of the network’s daily morning show, ‘Bonjour Sports Talk,’ and the Chief Storyteller for Revel Moments.
Eben Novy-Williams – Award-winning Sports Business Reporter for Sportico where he covers the biggest deals across the sports industry from NFL to pickleball to how NIL is changing the game.
Scott Soshnick – Editor-in-chief of Sportico, the premier digital content platform providing sports industry news, data, insights, strategies, leadership and live media for professionals in the sports industry.

Stagwell invites brands, athletes, sports leagues/teams, media platforms, journalists, and other interested parties who would like to partner on the ground to reach out to cannescomms@stagwellglobal.com for more information.

Sport Beach will be produced by TEAM Enterprises in partnership with Cheerful Twentyfirst. Stagwell’s 72andSunny, Anomaly, Allison+Partners, Assembly, Code and Theory, Doner, Forsman & Bodenfors, GALE, Instrument, National Research Group and Stagwell Marketing Cloud will drive the conversation.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

About Penske Media Corporation
Penske Media Corporation is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate audience. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Dirt, Artforum, Gold Derby, Spy.com and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several vital cultural events such as SXSW, LA3C, Life is Beautiful, Latin Music Week and ATX Television Festival. Headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, PMC believes companies should not only be profitable but also forces for good www.pmc.com.

About Axios
Axios is a digital media company delivering trustworthy breaking news and invaluable insights to help readers and viewers get smarter, faster across the topics reshaping our lives in politics, tech, business, media, science and the world. Axios was created around a simple proposition: deliver the cleanest, smartest, most efficient, and trust-worthy experience for readers and advertisers alike. www.axios.com

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

pickleball and sports exclusive

Pickleball Kingdom Coming to Canada

Published

24 hours ago

April 30, 2024

Daily News Staff

ONTARIO, Canada, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball Kingdom, the largest indoor pickleball franchise in the world continues its massive global expansion by coming to Canada. The United States based company confirmed its commitment to opening clubs in Canada, starting immediately with multiple clubs in Ontario.

Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, Ace Rodrigues, stated, “Canada gave us hockey and what a blessing that’s been. We’re excited to return the favor and export the fastest growing sport in the world, pickleball, to our neighbors in the north.”

Currently, Pickleball Kingdom has 140+ clubs built or being built out in the United States. Additionally, early this week, the company announced its agreement with Franchise India Group to open clubs in Dubai, India, and Abu Dhabi, with the rest of the UAE to follow.

The Pickleball Kingdom experience extends beyond just courts. Members and visitors can participate in a variety of activities, including lessons, leagues, tournaments, and open play sessions. On-site refreshments fuel friendly competition, while a dedicated mobile app allows for easy court reservations and even captures video highlights for players to relive their favorite on-court moments.

COO of Pickleball Kingdom, Rob Streett, added, “Canada is such a beautiful country, but its weather is not ideal to play pickleball outdoors. We’re looking forward to offering Canadians a chance to learn and play the fastest growing sport in the world all year round. Especially with their families.”

Pickleball Kingdom is now accepting inquiries from interested parties to get involved with the movement. They are seeking seasoned businesspeople who value the advantage that comes with being a first market mover. Those who desire to have a conversation with Pickleball Kingdom should submit their request through their website: www.pickleballkingdom.com/franchise.

Pickleball has seen a growth rate of over 224% over the last three years, resulting in an estimated 36.5M pickleball players in the United States alone. And remarkably, 45% of them say they plan on playing more pickleball over the next year, according to YouGov.

David Haynie, CPO of Pickleball Kingdom, commented, “Universally, the biggest complaint against pickleball is that there aren’t enough courts to meet the demand to play. Once our clubs are built throughout Canada, we will not only meet the existing needs but create an introductory path into this great sport for people who don’t currently play.”

CEO Ace Rodrigues concluded, “We’ve had people from Canada visit Pickleball Kingdom ever since we’ve opened. And we have more than a few ‘snowbirds’ as members who are Canadian residents. This overwhelming demand expedited the decision to open up the country. Soon there will be Pickleball Kingdoms all over Canada!”

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom

pickleball and sports exclusive

PickleRage Expands Reach, Bringing the Thrill of Indoor Pickleball to Jacksonville

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2024

Daily News Staff

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — PickleRage, a premier indoor pickleball club franchisor, announced its plans to open another corporate-operated club location in Jacksonville, Florida. The 30,209-square-foot club will give the community access to a state-of-the-art indoor facility where they can play pickleball year-round. PickleRage’s expansion into Jacksonville signifies another milestone in its ongoing mission to bring the joy of playing the game of pickleball to communities nationwide.

PickleRage’s Newest Corporate-Operated Club Coming to Jacksonville, Florida.

Located at Avenues Walk near I-95, I-295, and Philips Highway, PickleRage at Avenues Walk is set to redefine the local pickleball scene with its cutting-edge smart courts and premium amenities. With its plan to feature 9 joint-friendly CushionX courts, superior visibility and lighting, and perfect year-round temperature and humidity, the club promises unparalleled playing conditions for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels.

“We’re thrilled to expand our footprint in Jacksonville and introduce PickleRage to this vibrant community,” said Chris Daiss, vp of real estate and construction. “With our advanced facilities and commitment to excellence, we aim to become the go-to destination for pickleball enthusiasts of all levels.”

More than just a pickleball club, PickleRage at Avenues Walk aims to foster a lively community hub. The club will give players of all skill levels the opportunity to connect while improving their gameplay through lessons, tournaments, and leagues. Alongside its top-tier programming, PickleRage at Avenues Walk will feature a court-side lounge where players can unwind and socialize post-game.

Strategically situated alongside prominent retailers including Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Haverty’s at Philips Highway & Southside Blvd, the club benefits from high visibility and accessibility. It is adjacent to the 372-unit Bainbridge Avenues Walk multifamily project and lies in close proximity to the Avenues Mall.

PickleRage is one of America’s fastest growing indoor pickleball franchisors that gives novice & advanced players alike a place to play and connect. With world-class social, tournament, and instructional programing, you can see why pickleball players across the US are calling PickleRage clubs “Pickle-rageous!” With more than 500 locations planned over the next 5 years, PickleRage is set to take the pickleball-world by storm. For more information, visit: www.picklerage.com.

SOURCE PickleRage

pickleball and sports exclusive

Boston Pickle Club Opens First Facility in Hyde Park

Local residents gain access to a new category of pickleball facility centered on inclusiveness and community

Published

3 days ago

April 28, 2024

Daily News Staff

BOSTON /PRNewswire/ — The city of Boston welcomes a game-changing addition to its sports and recreation landscape with the grand opening of indoor pickleball facility, Boston Pickle Club. As pickleball surges in popularity, the state-of-the-art facility will cater to the growing demand in the Greater Boston area.

Located at 91 Sprague St in Hyde Park, the 20,000 square foot facility boasts cutting-edge amenities for players including seven indoor courts, state-of-the-art lighting and premium court surfaces. Co-founded by esteemed platform tennis professionals Johan du Randt and Stephen Mitchell, and entrepreneur Steven Hauck, the trio brought Boston Pickle Club to life with the goal of creating an inclusive environment that is the ultimate destination for pickleball aficionados.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of our inaugural indoor pickleball facility in Boston,” said Steven Hauck. “Pickleball is a sport that brings people together and fosters a sense of community. With the Boston Pickle Club, we introduce a new category: a membership-based club with diverse programming for all levels and ages and the best pros in the region.”

The facility opened its doors at the end of February and the activity is growing daily. There will be a ribbon cutting event held on Saturday, April 27 at 5 p.m. ET. The event will feature local Boston and Hyde Park officials and will be followed by a professional exhibition, where attendees can enjoy impressive matches with top-ranked professional players in Boston. Sponsors Skechers and Joola will be in attendance and all proceeds from the sale of Boston Pickle Club merchandise will be donated to Good Sports, a Massachusetts nonprofit that drives equitable access to youth sports and healthy physical activity.

Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for competitive play or a beginner looking to make friends and get a sweat, there is programming for you at the Boston Pickle Club.

Players enjoy:

Two membership tiers for individuals and families featuring benefits that include advanced court booking, league play, club championships, contract court time and members only events.
Private lessons with top professionals.
Level-based DUPR Open Play.
After-school junior classes for age groups ranging from 5-14+.
Clinics for varying experience levels designed to develop your skills.
League play for those eager to take on some serious competition.
Additional programming includes round robins, tournaments, camps, special events and more!

For more information about Boston Pickle Club and its opening, visit www.bostonpickleclub.com.

About Boston Pickle Club:
Boston Pickle Club is the premier indoor pickleball facility in Boston, located at 91 Sprague Street in Hyde Park. Outfitted with seven premium indoor courts featuring state of the art lighting and court surfaces, we provide our members an unrivaled pickleball environment. Open daily from 6 AM – 10 PM ET. Learn more at www.bostonpickleclub.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE Boston Pickle Club