The sun is out! Well it is here where I am and I hope it is where you are too. After a loooong winter it’s great to be back out in the warm again. This week has been a busy one, hence the lack of digests, but I’ll be back on the case from now with even more great reads from around the internet. And don’t forget that next week is our next Digital Sport Manchester event! All about social media with our friends at Social Chain and Sporf (sponsored by Opta). Details here!

Today’s article choices are…

Sports teams and leagues chase online ad budgets (digiday.com)

It was great to hear that Premiership Rugby last week announced title sponsor to replace the long term deal they had with Aviva. But to make inroads into finding a new sponsor they had to change how they packaged their rights and especially the online part of it. It’s also good to hear the likes of Man United, whilst promoting their social following sizes, realise that there is little in that alone. And that brands are looking for more targeting engagement with their core audience.

How Is Deep Learning Changing The World Of Sports? (forbes.com)

This is a great overview of how AI is, and will, affect all sports. Not in a scary way, or even ways that you may have contemplated either. There are so many opportunities for its use that will compliment those working in the game both on and off the field. Enjoyed this quote from it;  “AI is like Moneyball on steroids. I mean, AI makes Moneyball look like kid’s play. Er, artificial intelligence is a true game-changer for sports.”

Podcast: Rudy Gestede: Entrepreneur, YouTuber, Striker (mrrichardclarke.com)

Rich’s podcasts are great, as you’d expect from a content expert with years of experience with Arsenal, Colorado Rapids and the Indonesian Premier League. I saw that Rudy Gestede, the currently-injured Middlesbrough striker, had launched a YouTube channel a few weeks ago and it’s fascinating to hear what he has planned for it. And also the other things he has going on that make you think twice about your stereotypical footballer.

Technology and digital communication: the new element to be synthesized (medium.com)

A look at the changes that have occurred, and are continuing to do so, within technology and sport. Some great quotes from our friend Giuliano Giorgetti, Media Content Director at Inter Milan to add into the mix as well as he reveals the thinking behind Inter Media House.

How Hope and Emotion Powered AS Roma’s Social Media to Win the Champions League Quarter-Finals (frntofficesports.com)

What more can be said about Paul Rogers and the work his team do across digital platforms, and with their social media content especially. Last week’s epic Champions League victory against the mighty Barcelona had a bit of everything, and the digital team capitalised on every part of it.

LATEST DIGITAL SPORT ROLES….

Creative Strategist – Global Sports Media Organisation