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Thank You, Axl Rotten (And R.I.P.)

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Press Release - Hollywood Marketing Expert Rolfe Auerbach To Help Grow Sponsorship Sales For World Series Of Fighting

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 27, 2015 -- Renowned Hollywood brand builder Rolfe Auerbach has joined World Series of Fighting (www.wsof.com), the world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion and NBCUniversal television property announced today.

A 20-year marketing veteran responsible for launching FOX Television Studios' Product Integration Organization and for ushering product integration practices into the music industry, Auerbach, the President and CEO of Los Angeles-based Brand in Entertainment, will be charged with spearheading all sponsorship sales and product integration strategies on behalf of World Series of Fighting.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with World Series of Fighting which, in its relatively short lifespan of just over 2 years, has grown exponentially into a powerful sports entertainment vehicle," said Auerbach.

"With its presence on the NBCUniversal platform, its tremendous reach on television platforms throughout the planet and some of the best and most exciting athletes in the sport of MMA, the World Series of Fighting product presents an incredible opportunity for consumer brands to engage the 18-34 year old male demographic."

"We are excited to bring a marketing mastermind and innovator like Rolfe Auerbach on board to our incredible team," said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.

"With Rolfe's wealth of experience and blue-chip level relationships in the consumer products space," continued Sefo, "he will no doubt be able to catapult our brand into the next stratosphere."

Under Auerbach's leadership, Brand in Entertainment, since its inception in 2000, has incorporated products and brands into a host of the world's most popular studio films, television programs, music videos and video games.

In 2006, Auerbach's company famously incorporated a key marketing initiative of upscale hotel chain Embassy Suites, into one of the most-watched episodes of Donald Trump's smash-hit NBC-televised reality series The Apprentice.

Auerbach has executed similar integrations into the television productions of FOX, MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount, as well as into the works of major record labels Universal, Sony, Atlantic, Elektra, RCA, Arista and Jive.

World Series of Fighting programming is available in over 100 countries worldwide as a result of a partnership with IMG, the global leader in sports content distribution.

SOURCE: World Series of Fighting

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Zuffa Decides To "Punish" Jon Jones

The UFC wants you to know that, in testing positive for cocaine, Jon Jones has violated their "Athlete Code of Conduct," and as a result, he'll have to part with $25,000.

I'd call it a slap on the wrist, but that choice of words would be far too harsh.

Jones, of course, is the same guy who, while driving under the influence in 2012, totaled a Bentley, which was worth probably ten-times that amount.

The "fine," it is said, will be donated to a rehab facility, meaning that Jones or Zuffa (or both) will probably be able claim it on their taxes. I'm no tax expert, but maybe Zuffa will issue another statement, this one containing the particulars of how that might work. In the meantime, I won't hold my breath.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

This Must Make The Zuffa Brass REALLY Happy

As if Jon Jones, Nevada's Athletic Commission, and the UFC haven't taken enough flack for how "Cokegate" (I just made that up) was (not) handled, Jones' mother revealed to Binghamton, New York's WBNG that her son only spent a single night in rehab.

Perhaps Dana White should make his fighters sign contracts which only allow their families to accept interview requests from pre-approved media. Sure, it sounds completely ridiculous, but all that means is that it will fit right in with the rest of how this story has been playing out.

Monday, January 12, 2015

COMBAT SPORTS HALL OF FAME SIMULTANEOUSLY LAUNCHES FIRST ONLINE EXHIBITION AND A SOCIAL NETWORK

Exhibition: Muay Thai for MMA | Social Network: Rounds

Cambridge, MA, January 10, 2015 – The Combat Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the launch the online exhibition Muay Thai for MMA, and a new combat sports themed social network called Rounds. The exhibition features text, images, video, and an interactive timeline. The Combat Sports Hall of Fame plans to organize pop-up exhibition events in an effort to link the online exhibition to the physical world. Rounds will serve as social space for members to discuss and share content related to Combat Sports Hall of Fame exhibitions, combat sports topics, and related areas of interest.

“I am excited to announce the launch of the Muay Thai for MMA exhibition and Rounds! The exhibit and the social space are designed to educate and entertain all who visit. This has been a long time coming. The Combat Sports Hall of Fame started as my Master’s thesis project at Harvard University Extension School, and now it is a nonprofit growing its online presence with a goal of establishing a physical space,” said Combat Sports Hall of Fame Founder and President Alvin Benjamin Carter III.

The Combat Sports Hall of Fame started as a graduate thesis, Collecting Excellence: The Creation of a Combat Sports Hall of Fame, written by the Founder and President Alvin Benjamin Carter III while he was in Harvard University Extension School’s Museum Studies Program. The hall of fame grew with support from his advisors, industry professionals, family, and friends. It also has benefited from his years of martial arts training at Redline Fight Sports in Cambridge, MA and his years of writing for MMA Torch. His training and ringside fight coverage have helped him cultivate his combat sports expertise.

The exhibition will have periodic updates keeping it interesting for returning visitors. Visitors are also encouraged to use Rounds to discuss the exhibition and connect with each other. Rounds provides a space where fans of the hall of fame, novice to expert fight fans, museum professionals, and combat sports professionals can learn from each other and have fun sharing content and ideas. Users can create an account and login with their current Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn accounts. The exhibition and the social space are just the first offerings from the Combat Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Stay tuned!

Visit

Muay Thai for MMA - http://exhibits.combatsportshalloffame.com/
Rounds (A CSHF Social Network) - http://rounds.combatsportshalloffame.com/

Main Website – http://combatsportshalloffame.com

Twitter.com/combatsportshf (#CSHF)
Facebook.com/combatsportshf
Linkedin.com/company/combat-sports-hall-of-fame

About The Combat Sports Hall of Fame

The Combat Sports Hall of Fame is a member of the New England Museum Association (NEMA).

The mission of the Combat Sports Hall of Fame is to celebrate the achievements of elite practitioners, training camps, and organizations in mixed martial arts and all other combat sports; document the history and progression of all martial art forms; and to educate visitors, researchers, and combat sports enthusiast.

The activities of the Combat Sports Hall of fame will include induction ceremonies, exhibitions, archiving records and statistics of various combat sport and its fighters, and producing educational events and programs. Individual martial arts systems will be featured as well.

Combat Sports Hall of Fame. Honoring Excellence in Martial Arts.

SOURCE: Combat Sports Hall of Fame

Friday, January 9, 2015

Programming Alert - Saturday, January 10, 1 PM ET

Cung Le will be featured on the premier of the AXS TV series, 'Celebrity Sweat.'

If you're hoping to learn more about the Le-UFC lawsuit, though, don't bother watching, because this was taped back in August (about one-week before Le's fight against Michael Bisping).

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Pop-Quiz Time! Jon Jones Or Justin Bieber?

1.) Which one is the UFC Light-Heavyweight champion?

2.) Which one is a world-famous singer/songwriter?

(I know what you're thinking ... This is too easy.)

3.) Which one of these role models, despite being a self-avowed Christian and only in his twenties, has a recent past scattered with such moral behavior as a public skirmish (or two), a DUI arrest (which included a vehicle crash), and drug use?

(Now, all Jones needs is to buy himself a plane.)

Monday, January 5, 2015

You Always Wanted Hulk Hogan To Autograph Your Pinball Machine (Just Admit It), And, Now, It Can Finally Happen!

That's right, brother!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Break Out The Party Hats, Wandering Euan! (I'd Have Told Him To Break Out The Booze, Too, If I Didn't Think He Already Has)

Why? This press release, courtesy of WWE, is why:

WWE Network Comes to the UK and Ireland

STAMFORD, Conn., January 4, 2015 – Beginning Monday, January 19, WWE Network will be available in the UK for £9.99 per month and Ireland for €12.99 per month on a direct-to-consumer basis, with no commitment and the ability to cancel any time. Fans will be able to sign up in time to watch Royal Rumble® LIVE on Sunday, January 25 and see which WWE Superstar competes for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania® 31.

WWE Network subscribers in the UK and Ireland will have access to the U.S. English language version of WWE Network with all 12 annual pay-per-view events LIVE at no additional cost, 24/7 scheduled programming and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library with more than 2,700 hours of content, including every WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view.

“We are thrilled to start the new year by offering WWE Network directly to our fans in the UK and Ireland,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “I want to thank our fans in the UK and Ireland for their patience, and I’m confident it will be well worth the wait.”

Like other digital subscription services, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, fans are able to sign up online by going to WWE.com and can watch WWE Network on their TV through connected devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony Playstation 3, Sony Playstation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Smart TVs including Sony and Samsung.

WWE Network programming includes groundbreaking original series, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches, exclusive coverage of special events and more. The U.S. English language version of WWE Network is available direct to consumer in more than 170 countries and territories.

For a complete listing of WWE Network availability by country and device, please click here.

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 35 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all 12 live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 170 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo. Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to entering into, maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming and our new network distribution agreements; risks relating to the launch and maintenance of our new network; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive and fragmented nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to new businesses and strategic investments; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to general economic conditions and our exposure to bad debt risk; risks relating to litigation; risks relating to market expectations for our financial performance; risks relating to our revolving credit facility specifically and capital markets more generally; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.