Sometimes you get caught up in a whirlwind of sports advertising and don’t have time to reflect on previous weeks and with every aspect of our world in full swing throughout the summer, we bring you another double edition of what’s been happening at 360 House these past few months.
The Netball World Cup took place in Liverpool and what a great tournament it was! We were lucky enough to be there on a few different days, to take in games from just about every country in the tournament. A fiercely contested group stage encounter between Australia and eventual World Champions New Zealand set the tone for an outstanding tournament and arguably the two best teams in the competition played out the final as well.
The England Roses continue to impress on the big stage and although they didn’t quite add to their collection of gold after the Commonwealth games, a bronze medal is no mean feat and the fact that England are now one of the fancied teams in every big tournament, is great for the British game.
Clients on the court-side LED boards enjoyed excellent exposure across Sky Sports and the BBC throughout the ten-day showpiece as well, vital for growing their brands both at home and abroad.
When the National League players and managers are putting their feet up on holiday and fans are dreaming of what might be this season, we’re on the road, installing signage up and down the country for title sponsors Vanarama and official betting partners LVBET.
This summer we visited grounds from Fylde, Harrogate and Salford, to Torquay, Wrexham and Weymouth and everywhere in between and although it’s a tough couple of weeks, its great to get out and speak to those working hard ‘behind the scenes,’ making the league the outstanding competition that it is.
Not long after, we attended the National League AGM, where again we get to witness first-hand, the hard work and organisation that goes into each and every season and allows the competition to grow and improve year on year.
Gerwyn Price threw a brilliant 9 Darter in the Czech Open and although he didn’t quite manage to lift the trophy, he generated more fantastic exposure across social media, for shirt sponsors Jasic. A good end to the season and a slight rise in popularity will hopefully set the Welshman up for a brilliant year next time out.
We were privileged to be present for the semi-finals of the Betfred World Matchplay at Winter Gardens in Blackpool and were lucky enough to witness one of dart’s greatest ever comebacks.
Daryl Gurney got off to a remarkable start, eventually building a lead of 15-9, but from this point on, Rob Cross didn’t drop a single leg and ran out deserved 17-15 winner, to take his place in the final against Michael Smith.
And the best part of the day…………. We backed Rob Cross at 15-9, when defeat was almost certain. #YouWinSomeYouLoseSome
Another busy Betfred Super League month and we managed to get to some great games as always. We were match sponsors at Warrington Wolves and London Broncos respectively, as both entertained a resurgent Salford Red Devils. Watching rugby league is a passion of ours and something that we absolutely love, but getting to watch the Warrington game from the Sports 360 Hall of Fame Lounge made it that extra bit special.
Our sponsoring of the Wire’s shorts has proved to be an unmitigated success, as the Wolves look to build on their Challenge Cup run to Wembley with a late surge towards the Grand Final and further Sky Sports and BBC exposure for our branding. A club we have worked with for a number of years and one we are proud to continue our association with.
We managed to squeeze in a bit of networking in the football industry too, with the football trade show at the Etihad stadium and we were delighted to be invited to a partners event at Ewood Park, where we learned plenty about the resurgence of the club from Chief Exec Steve Waggott and Manager Tony Mowbray.
Staying with football, the Betfred Cup was well and truly back underway in July, with the betting giants enjoying fine exposure as title sponsors of Scotland’s League Cup, as the rest of Europe seem to be posturing and posing in every corner of the globe. The competition has enjoyed great success since the new format was rolled out and having a ‘free hit’ as the only meaningful tournament in Britain is a great way for Betfred to kick off the football season.
We do manage to enjoy a little down time here and there and in July we put our feet up and enjoyed the Open Championship and one of the greatest sporting occasions in history, as England lifted the Cricket World Cup in the most dramatic of circumstances. Even when we try to rest, it’s still a whirl wind!
August is traditionally the start of the football season and this year was no different. On the opening weekend of the season we were setting up at a sun-baked Edgeley Park, as newly promoted Stockport entertained Maidenhead Utd in the National League, live in front of the BT Sport cameras and then it was off to see Wigan beat Championship newcomers Cardiff in an opening day, Championship thriller. By a quarter to five on the first Saturday of the new season, we realised again (if we needed reminding) just why we love the beautiful game.
The National League was in full flow in the early weeks of the season and we were branding grounds ahead of further tv games between Solihull and Eastleigh and Chorley and Boreham Wood, as well as the 40th year celebrations of the league at Barrow v Yeovil. It’s fair to say that the National League is flourishing in its 40th year and isn’t showing any signs of creaking at the knees……………………A fantastic season awaits!
We were lucky enough to see Rangers in European action against Midtjylland and in the Old Firm Derby in August, with the games having very different outcomes. Kit sponsors 32Red will be delighted to see the Gers progress into the Europa League proper for the second season in succession, but the game against City rivals Celtic didn’t quite go to plan.
Clients on the LED at Ibrox benefitted enormously also, with the game beamed around the globe on some of the world’s biggest networks.
Whilst in Glasgow, we even popped in to see our old friends at Partick Thistle, to discuss all things Jags and Scottish football. A brilliant club with potentially great things in the pipeline.
It isn’t just those at the top of the pyramid that we work with and watch in all sports. As we always say, “We’ve got every angle covered.”
Super League was on the menu in August and we were uphill and down dale following “the greatest game of all.”
A trip down South at the beginning of the month saw us sponsoring the match between London Broncos and Salford Red Devils, where a resounding victory for the away team kept both parties looking at different ends of the table. The third season of the Betfred Super League is shaping up to be the best yet.
The capital beckoned again as Warrington were pitted against St Helens in the 2019 Challenge Cup final and not only were we there in the stands, but we were also absolutely overjoyed to be right in the thick of the action as main shorts sponsors of Warrington Wolves. To see the Wire lift the great trophy was good for the sport and bodes well for the remainder of the Super League season, but to see our branding in the middle of one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, topped off a great weekend and was right up there with the highlights of recent years.
Naturally the Lance Todd dinner followed, a fantastic night for all concerned and as ever we were delighted to be invited. Man of the match and indeed the night, Daryl Clark will be hoping for yet more silverware before the season’s out.
It’s been a hectic few months and as ever we’ve seen a bit and we’ve done a bit from Glasgow down to Wembley, but we finished the summer on a real high………………Now it’s time to get the heating on and head for Winter!
