ESPN kicks off multi-platform worldwide football brand
May 1, 2012
Launching just in time for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, ESPN is introducing ESPNFC, a new multi-language and multi-country brand for football fans around the world across TV, radio, print, online, print and mobile.
The new offering will bring together all of ESPN’s football properties and house them under one universally recognised name. Over time, ESPNFC will add global and regional contributors to ensure coverage of all news and developments 24/7, regardless of where they happen in the world. Online and on mobile, ESPNFC will have the ability to detect where a fan is accessing content, and deliver locally relevant content for that region and serve that content in the native language. ESPNFC will also provide unique, customisable digital opportunities for marketers who can work with ESPN to reach sports fans on both a global and regional scale using ESPN’s worldwide sales teams.
John Skipper, President, ESPN, Inc. and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks, said the broadcaster was solidifying its dedication to football year-round with the launch of ESPNFC. “It represents one of ESPN’s most significant global commitments to the sport and leverages the core strength of what ESPN does well – serve sports fans. In short, ESPNFC is the definitive source for football coverage worldwide.”
Beginning this week, fans can experience a preview of ESPNFC with branded content online and on mobile platforms specific to the EURO 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Later this year, online and on mobile – around the start of new football seasons around the world – ESPNFC will expand to encompass all major leagues and competitions worldwide. ESPNFC will also be integrated into ESPNdeportes.com, which serves the Spanish-speaking community in the US, and across football content on many of ESPN’s global TV, radio and print platforms. The company will also rename its signature global multi-platform football debate and discussion show to ESPNFC PressPass (from ESPNsoccernet PressPass), reflecting the new brand.
Throughout Euro 2012, ESPNFC will provide comprehensive coverage of one of the leading international football competitions, news, analysis and commentary, real-time scores, stats and more and in the US live TV coverage, on-demand video highlights and studio programming clips. Its new global news-gathering operations will organise a worldwide network of ESPN writers and analysts covering the latest news and developments around the clock, including contributions from former England manager Glenn Hoddle plus tournament coverage with team previews of all 16 teams, stadium profiles and tactical insight supported by a Euro 2012 Blog Network of all countries competing.
Inside ESPNFC, fans can access Live MatchHQ, a re-imagined and enhanced version of GameCast which provides the live game experience for those who are not able to watch the game live. It also provides data-driven content from the live experience, including real-time scores and stats, highlights, message boards and more – all in one place.