Marcus Luer, CEO and Founder, Total Sports Asia, talks in the first part about the business of sports marketing and management in terms of its financials, shareholdings, staff strength, intellectual property and value. He also spends a little time talking about what Malaysia needs to do to create world-class athletes.
This extraordinary man visionary works will come to live for the first time in Malaysia. From life-size replicated inventions like the helicopter to a 3m copy of the Mona Lisa Tickets are going to be on sale soon at the National Science Centre in Mont Kiara.
Tickets are going to be on sale soon at the National Science Centre in Mont Kiara.
Ticket Prices are:
1.RM 25 for Adults (18-55 yrs old)
2.RM 20 for Children (7-17 yrs old)
3.RM 70 for Family of 2 Adults and 2 Children
4.RM 13 for Senior Citizens
5.Free with Pension Card
Don’t miss out!
By James White, VP Sales & Business Development
On my recent trip to Manila for Max Entertainment’s production of the Globetrotters in Manila, I was surprised to see that the team had not been to Manila in over 20 years! To me, it was something that was long overdue. Max parntered with Solar Entertainment locally–which provided a great combination of ticket sales leveraging alongside event managment. The result was encouraging wtih the Globetrotters leaving town very happy and asking when to come back while fans and sponsors were also laughing on the way out wondering when they could bring the rest of their family/friends to the next tour!
The show itself was very cool. Whether you’re a basketball expert (and appreciate the technical wizardry) or simply like to laugh (and enjoy the frequent stops in action for comedy), there is something for everybody. I watched 3 shows in 2 days and thought I would get board (I also ran a Globetrotters tour of Indonesia in 1996). But not only were there new plays, jokes, shots, etc. since 1996, but each of the 3 performances were different from each other! This proves that the team itself is aware that each show must be unique in order to keep people coming back.
We will need to get creative as to any further activities with the Globetrotters in the Philippines so that we keep it fresh in any one city (probably take them also to non-Manila destinations in the future), and come back periodically so that we develop the brand while maintainting interest over time. I was involved in the “badminton glut” in the Philippines where we were successful in developing the sport through a single international event supplmeneted by local activiites. However, when everybody and their brother wanted into the sport, we saw the overkill take place and today people have seen too much of it. Basketball may not suffer this fate since there is more basketball availble in the Philippines than there is football in England! However, we need to be smart about how to develop logical and manageable interest in the Globetrotters here.
Let’s see what the future brings. It is always ideal to have 10 – 12 markets to choose 6 – 8 games from with the Globetrotters in SEA. So will we see interest from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam or others moving forward? Only time will tell…
Trip to China May 7-13
I enjoy going to India and China back to back and experiencing the huge difference between these two massive countries. They could not be more opposite of each other in terms of mentality of people, infrastructure, way of life and how people operate in business.
I don’t mean to say that one is better then the other but just vastly different in their approach. One thing is for sure, China has a superior infrastructure, the airports, highways, etc are world class and it shows the benefit of having a centrally controlled government system. So while India was voting this week and is being proud of being the largest democracy in the world, China decided to build a few world class cities linked with high speed trains, highways, etc. I guess just different priorities.
Anyway, I was here to catch up with our China Team in Beijing and spend time with our client (BWF) at the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou. Had good meetings with CCTV and Li Ning. CCTV 5 (sports channel) is still in its old office and waiting for the massively new super Tower to be completed (I think it was suppose to be ready for the Olympics last year, what happened?). CCTV 5 is clearly the dominant sports channel in China and an important client of ours. The sheer reach of the channel is amazing but ratings for certain programs are not as high as you would think. International football is easily beaten by local table tennis or other more indigenous sports. The NBA does off course do pretty well with Yao Ming leading the charge.
I was very impressed with Li Ning’s campus like office complex. You can really see here is a new NIKE emerging. Besides having a fully interconnect office complex, the campus houses major facilities for key sports Li Ning is involved, ie. an entire hall for badminton, table tennis, swimming pool, football fields, basketball courts, you name it, they got it. And it’s free for employees to use.
Li Ning, is Chinas answer to Nike. The company was founded 20 years ago by the former Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast Li Ning and today is a billion dollar company and produces sports apparel, shoes and rackets for many major sports in China and sells them in over 6,000 retail outlets across the country.
Li Ning recently entered Badminton and took over the sponsorship of the Chinese National team and became the title sponsor of the Sudirman Cup. Yonex the dominant brand in badminton should watch out as these guys are serious. Off course competition in the market is always good for business.
We had a good meeting and toured the facilities and are currently in discussions on a variety of projects. More on that when they happen.
In Guangzhou at the Sudirman Cup, I had the opportunity to participate in BWF’s (Badminton World Federation’s) annual general meeting (AGM). It’s always interesting to watch the politics in sports unfold, especially when you have a commercial interest in the sport. Watching from the sideline to see how votes are being ‘gathered’ is quite unique and I’m glad I’m on the other side of the equation.
The AGM went much more quietly then the last one in Indonesia a year ago and no major upsets or changes occurred. The incumbent president, Dr. Kang from Korea retained the leadership and his group of loyal lieutenants took on key positions in the federations. A few new faces where voted into the Council and several changes where made to the various working committees. I’m confident that the sport will see more stability now for the next four years which should be good for everyone involved.
We look forward working with the old/new regime and supporting them to take the sport to new heights. Badminton has some great potential but also its work cut out to compete with the other dominant racket sport (tennis). There are several opportunities and challenges at the same time.
Asia is the dominant market place for Badminton with China, Malaysia and Indonesia leading the charges in terms of popularity. This is good and bad as these countries continue to dominate the sport and only occasionally Denmark and Korea challenge this order. Having weak teams from Europe and the USA does not help the sport with its global ambitions. On the other hand, having a strong Asian presence provides a unique platform for Asian companies and broadcasters in our territories.
Korea is a strange apple, it has a strong national team and individual players but the sport gets no recognition within the country. It’s one of those strange things and similar to Field Hockey in Korea (again Korea is one of the top teams in the world) but no one cares about it in Korea. The only explanation I have is that Korea has a very strong development program for Olympic sports which produces world class athletes but in some cases these sports are not necessarily automatically popular with the general public. The big sports in Korea are baseball, football and basketball and off course now Ladies Golf (just check out the current ranking of the LPGA).
Being an Olympic sport is very important for long-term development of Badminton, firstly because of the Olympic funding it receives and also being part of the biggest multi-sport event every four years. It gives the sport a big shot in the arm and millions of people around the world will be exposed to the sport. The key now is to build a large enough platform in between the Olympic Games to further develop and drive that interest.
TSA is actively developing some of these areas and we’ll be announcing a few new concepts soon.
BTW, China won the Surdiman Cup, as expected against Korea. Malaysia came third, Indonesia fourth.
Till my next trip.
Cheers
Marcus Luer
Group CEO
In Malaysia, the Harlem Globetrotters will make their way here on the 20th May, 2009. They will be exciting the crowds with tantalizing entertainment at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam. Tickets are on sale for RM 203, RM 153 and RM 83 at all Ticket Hotline outlets. Check them out at Ticket Hotline’s website: www.tickethotline.com.my or call 03 7725 1177 or 03 7725 1166 for further details.
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism and comedy.The Globetrotters were created in 1926 in Chicago and have since then played more than 22,000 games in 118 countries with having lost only three matches in their entire history.
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Goans have a reason to celebrate with Churchill Brothers winning their maiden I-league football crown after defeating Mohammedan Sporting 6-2 in the last of their ONGC I-league match. Churchill Brothers have been the most consistent team in the National Football league having emerged as runners up on four occasions. This time around the Goan club has shed its bridesmaid tag and clinched their maiden crown after a successful showing in the current season. The club finished with a total tally of 46 points, three more than their closest rivals Mohun Bagan. The club’s top two strikers, Odafa Okolie and Ogba Kalu ended up as the leading scorers of the I-League, underlining the club’s dominance throughout the season. Buoyed by the victory, the club’s owners have announced Total Sports Asia, Asia’s leading integrated Sports Marketing Agency as the club’s exclusive marketing and sponsorship partner. With this strategic partnership, Total Sports Asia (TSA) will be exclusively managing all sponsorship and marketing tie ups for the Goan Club. The club’s tie-up was based on the sports marketing agency’s expertise in handling sponsorship and licensing activities for top European clubs. Joaquim Alemao, President, Churchill Borthers Sports Club said “We are extremely proud to have won the title this year after being runners up four times previously. This title is dedicated to our beloved mother Eslinda Alemao. It was her dream that Churchill Brothers would lift the title one day. This victory has cemented our position as one of India’s leading football clubs. We hope to retain all our players and win the I-League next year too. We look forward to working together with TSA in building commercial partnerships and also developing football in the region” Suvrangsu Mukherjee, Managing Director (TSA Indian Subcontinent) said “TSA is pleased to join hands with Churchill Brothers Sports Club. With the burgeoning football landscape, Churchill Brothers are rightly placed to benefit from an increasing exposure of football in India. Churchill Brothers have proved to be the most consistent club in recent times and with TSA’s expertise across platforms of media rights, licensing and sponsorship, we hope to create a commercial success story in the years ahead” The club’s maiden title coupled with TSA’s sports marketing expertise will be the new found impetus for Churchill Brothers as a force to reckon with in the Asian Football World. About Total Sports Asia Total Sports Asia’s past and present business associates include Sports Federations, Events and Sports Clubs like USTA ( US Open Tennis ), Manchester United, Real Madrid FC , Arsenal FC , FC Barcelona , Liverpool FC , Formula 1 teams , Moto GP , World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ), Badminton World Federation ( BWF ) and famous Championship Golf Courses like St Andrews Links. The Agency’s core business activities are Media Rights and Sales Distribution, Licensing and Merchandising, Sponsorship Sales Activation, Consultancy and representation and Golf Course Design and Management consulting facilitation. For more info please visit www.totalsportsasia.com |
Two of the most active entertainment promoters in the Philippines, Max Entertainment and Solar Entertainment, have teamed up to bring the world’s oldest and most successful basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters! Although the Globetrotters play on average over 350 games per year around the world in over 30 countries per year, they haven’t played in the Philippines for nearly a half a century! The Globetrotters have been an institution in the sport of basketball since their inception nearly 100 years ago. Max Entertainment and Solar Entertainment are proud to work with the team and give everybody in the Philippines a chance to witness the best game of basketball ever!
The Globetrotters will once again try to take down the Washington Generals who always manage to put up a good struggle! With the high-flying, straight shooting, gut busting play of the Globetrotters, we will all be amazed and entertained! Due to popular demand, the Globetrotters will play three games in Manila at the Araneta Coliseum:
| 1. | May 24, 3pm – Ticket Prices: General Admission = P100; Upper Box B = P400; Upper Box A = P800; Lower Box = P1,000; Patron = P1,500 |
| 2. | May 24th, 7pm – Ticket Prices: General Admission = P200; Upper Box B = P500; Upper Box A = P1,000; Lower Box = P1,500; Patron = P2,000 |
| 3. | May 25th 7pm Ticket prices: General Admission = P100; Upper Box B = P400; Upper Box A = P800; Lower Box = P1,000; Patron = P1,500 |
Marcus Luer, CEO of MAX Entertainment said, “MAX has been very active in Southeast Asia and particularly in the Philippines. With our Dinos Alive! exhibition last November/December in Manila and now working with Solar Entertainment on the Harlem Globetrotters Tour of the Philippines, we are bullish on bringing world class events to the people of the Philippines! Outside of the Philippines, Max Entertainment and its parent company, Total Sports Asia, continue to work with major events and global rights holders to bring the best sports and entertainment shows in the world to Asia. This comes through television programs, events and marketing partnerships with the world’s biggest sports and entertainment brands like Manchester United, US Open Tennis, NBA and Formula 1 teams. We have more coming to the Philippines this year, so watch this space!”
Peter Chanliong of Solar Entertainment said, “Solar Entertainment is proud to be able to bring the Harlem Globetrotters Tour to the Philippines with Max Entertainment. Solar Entertainment has been bringing the best of basketball to viewers in the Philippines through coverage of the NBA and PBA and we now continue with the live version of the Harlem Globetrotters. We will give the viewing public an opportunity to see what is coming through our airing of a 30 minute program that showcases some of the elements that those who buy tickets to the game will be able to see and experience. The Globetrotters are a very interactive team, so just because you are sitting in your seat doesn’t mean you won’t be part of the show!”
Watch the announcements on Solar’s channels and in the media for appearances of the Globetrotters team around town during the week that they are here and you may have an opportunity to meet the players, get a photo and autograph! For those who watch the show at Araneta, the team stands after the game to take photos and sign autographs with fans—so make sure you come down to see this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
For more information contact-
Princess Galura – Max Entertainment
www.totalsportsasia.com
Vitto Lazatin – Solar Entertainment
http://www.solar-entertainment.com/
| Motegi, Japan – Total Sports Asia K.K. (TSA) has been appointed by Dorna Sports S.L. (Dorna Sports) to represent the licensing of MotoGP on a non-exclusive basis in Japan. Dorna Sports S.L., rights holder of FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix also known as MotoGP, and TSA announced at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi, Japan that they have signed a non-exclusive agency agreement whereby TSA will assist Dorna Sports in exploiting the licensing of the MotoGP brand in Japan.
Chung See LIANG, Managing Director (Korea/Japan) of Total Sports Asia said, “We have worked with Dorna Sports on the distribution of their mobile content in various territories in Asia and are pleased to extend this partnership to licensing in Japan. MotoGP has proven itself to be one of the strongest brands in the motorsports industry and one that has a loyal following in Japan. We are delighted to be working on this exciting opportunity with Dorna Sports, who have always exhibited a high level of professionalism and integrity, to further grow the MotoGP brand in Japan.” Pau Serracanta, Dorna Sports Managing Director, commented, “We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Total Sports Asia, who will assist us in the promotion of MotoGP’s profile in Japan, which is a key territory for us. We currently have 45 official product licenses globally, with partners licensed to promote more than 700 official MotoGP products and we look forward to adding to those figures with Total Sports Asia.” About MotoGP About Dorna Sports Dorna’s focus involves a 360ｰ event management philosophy with direct involvement in all areas of the MotoGP World Championship: sporting (Relations with the FIM – the championship’s rights owners, local promoters, supervision of technical rules and relations with manufacturers and teams), media (TV production, TV coverage rights and all communications issues of the Championship) and commercial (commercial, licensing and corporate hospitality rights). Dorna also has involvement in other top motorcycling events such as the Spanish National Championship (CEV). MotoGP™ and ⓒ 2008 Dorna Sports, S.L. MotoGP and related logos, characters, names and distinctive likenesses thereof are the exclusive property of Dorna Sports S.L. and/or their respective owners. Used under license. All rights reserved. For further information about MotoGP please click through to www.motogp.com About Total Sports Asia For further information, please contact: Chung See LIANG Phaedra Haramis |
