Discovery and TIM Team Up on Digital Olympics Deal -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) Discovery Communications has reached agreement on the first digitally focused deal tied to the Olympic Games.

TIM, Italy's biggest telecommunications operator, has signed on as an "Official Mobile Broadcaster". The designation gives TIM the ability to offer their mobile, broadband and ultra-broadband customers exclusive access to a 24/7 operator-branded linear news and highlights channel and exclusive short form content.

This deal also allows TIM to have direct brand affiliation with the Olympic movement throughout the 2018-2020 Olympic cycle, starting with the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang in February.

"This world-first partnership is a big win for fans who want to consume exclusive content from the Games wherever and whenever they choose," Jean-Briac Perrette, President and CEO, Discovery Networks International, said in a statement.

Discovery Communications is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for 50 countries and territories in Europe for the 2018 through the 2024 Olympic Games.

Discovery is the parent company of Eurosport, which became the new home of the Olympic Games on the continent at the beginning of the year.

AIBA Lands Main Official Sponsor for Men's World Championships

The German car manufacturer Borgward is the main official sponsor for the 2017 AIBA Men’s World Championships.

The year’s biggest boxing tournament will be held in Hamburg, Germany from Aug. 25 to Sep. 2.

Borgward, one of Germany’s historic automobile companies, is seeking to re-launch in 2018.

The agreement includes significant financial support for the competition as well as the use of Borgward’s newly developed SUVs for transport during the tournament.

"We are delighted to have secured Borgward as our main sponsor for this year’s AIBA World Championships. The agreement shows that the hard work AIBA has done to build boxing’s stature is being recognized in new and exciting markets, and we welcome Borgward to the AIBA Family for these World Championships and beyond as yet another high-level partnership that will benefit our sport at all levels," AIBA President C.K. Wu said in a statement.

AIBA says Borgward will benefit from global exposure through live television coverage, highlights packages and social media campaigns. The Borgward Boxer of the Tournament will be voted for by AIBA Twitter followers at the end of the competition.

FINA and CBC Sports Ink Deal

FINA and CBC Sports are teaming up on a four-year partnership.

The deal, announced on June 29, makes CBC Sports the exclusive Canadian home to all major international FINA competitions through 2020.

The 17th FINA World Championships, which begin July 15 in Budapest, Hungary, kick off the agreement.

Over the next four years, CBC Sports will provide extensive coverage of FINA championship and World Cup events in disciplines including swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, high diving and open water swimming.

CBC Sports says the deal has the enthusiastic and unanimous support of Canada’s National Sport Organizations (NSOs) for aquatic disciplines: Swimming Canada, Diving Plongeon Canada, Synchro Canada and Water Polo Canada.

"FINA is very happy with this agreement with CBC Sports. Canada is a strong FINA partner and its stars are shining in our six aquatic disciplines," said FINA president Julio C. Maglione in a statement.

"This co-operation will further enhance the visibility of aquatics in the country, popularizing the FINA events and its athletes. Moreover, it will highlight the attractiveness of our sport and the strength of aquatics in the five continents."

Written by Gerard Farek

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