Macesport Career Opportunity

Macesport continues to grow year on year and 2013 has been no different.

As we look towards 2014 and a huge year of sport across the world we are looking for a new recruit in our Nottingham office.

We have a vacancy for an Office Administrator to work across a wide variety of our clients in some of the highest profile sports partnerships in the UK.

The successful applicant will be well organised, dependable and motivated to deliver a high level of service to our clients - a passion for sport is a must!

Do you love sport?

Are you driven by success and have the will to win on and off the field?

For more information please send your CV to Ben Thompson - click here

Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Auction is back… and this time the target is £1 million!

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer call for businesses to support online auction held in memory of the legendary football player manager

29 April 2013, London, UK – The great and the good from the world of football came out in force at last night’s PFA Awards Dinner to pledge their support to the second ever Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Auction.  

Led by PFA CEO Gordon Taylor OBE, along with David Sheepshanks CBE Chairman of St. Georges Park and Richard Bevan the CEO of The League Managers Association, the industry came on board to urge businesses and individuals to donate a prize to the online auction in memory of the late football hero, Sir Bobby Robson.

The first Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Auction in 2011 raised close to a quarter of a million pounds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and so in 2013 the charities are determined to go further and have set an ambitious target of £1 million. 

The auction will open for bids between 12th – 27th October 2013 and is set to garner even more media attention than before, bolstered by BT Sport and BT MyDonate coming on board as headline supporter; the ongoing involvement and support from A-list celebrities and sports stars alike; and multiple media partners, ensuring vast exposure. 

With many of the auction lots for 2013 still a closely guarded secret, those interested in donating a prize need only see the list of those involved in 2011 to know the illustrious company they would be keeping…

Some of the star lots were Jose Mourinho’s FIFA Ballon D’Or 2010 World Coach of the Year Award Trophy, donated by the man himself, along with FC Barcelona donating two prizes to watch them training, meet the players, receive a signed shirt and being VIP guests at Camp Nou.  

Sir Alex Ferguson, Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola, Andre Villas Boas, Alan Pardew, Arsene Wenger, Lewis Hamilton, Gary Lineker, Graeme Swann, David Beckham, and Ant & Dec were all fellow donators of lots.  Other auction prizes included a week at a luxury resort in the Bahamas, tickets for the final of The Masters Snooker, the chance to drive a Jaguar for a week and a VIP Experience at the Professional Footballers Association Awards. 

Explains auction committee Chairman Lance Bradley, MD of Mitsubishi Motors UK, “Whether it’s a VIP football or sporting experience, a holiday, a year’s supply of chocolate, a luxury weekend break, unique one-off experiences, we need businesses and individuals to support us by donating prizes.  Those who do will not only enjoy the association with some of the world’s biggest sporting names and exposure in our extensive marketing campaign, they will also have the satisfaction of knowing they are supporting cancer causes close to the hearts of Sir Bobby Robson and his family.”

The money raised this year will go towards supporting clinical trials for new cancer treatments, ongoing support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer, as well as two Suffolk hospitals.

Mark Robson,  Sir Bobby’s son and part of the auction committee, continues: “Sadly, cancer is likely to affect every one of us in one way or another and my family knows first hand the pain it can cause.  That’s why we are so committed to continuing the work started by my father in supporting research for new treatments.  My family and I are very grateful to everyone who has already contributed a prize and we continue to be astounded by the generosity of the businesses and individuals who get involved.”

The online auction is being supported again by Breakthrough Breast Cancer Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, major football and sports clubs globally, plus sporting bodies, and many other organisations and corporations who have pledged their full support.

Gina Long, the auction’s founder, concluded:  “I was lucky enough to know Sir Bobby and Lady Elsie for over 35 years.  Sir Bobby was loved the world over and I wanted to create something very special to honour him.  The online auction is a fantastic platform that allows everybody to become involved in helping us raise crucial funds for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and two Suffolk hospitals. We have been overwhelmed by the global support and want to encourage businesses and individuals to get involved by generously becoming a prize donor – it really will make the biggest difference in helping us to create what we think will be one of the most exciting and high profile fundraisers of 2013.”

For more information on how to donate, visit: www.sirbobbysbreakthrough.com

Vauxhall Drives Fans Closer to International Football

Vauxhall last week empowered the fans to get up close and personal with players, managers and legends from Home Nations football.

The sponsors of Home Nations football delivered a number of exclusive twitter question and answer sessions on their dedicated England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales' twitter handles.

In the first opportunity of its kind with Ashley Cole, ahead of winning his 100th cap, England fans were asked to send in their questions and Cole responded to them directly via a video message which was published on YouTube.

Whilst in Scotland fans were given the chance to quiz new National team coach, Gordon Strachan, before his first game in charge against Estonia.

Strachan took time out of his busy training schedule to answer questions on the selection of his Scotland team and even his preference for steak bakes against pasties!

Twitter reach totalled over 11 million during an international week that also included competitions, a hide and tweet ticket giveaway and a viral video to celebrate Ashley Cole’s 100th cap.

Chris Hornbuckle, Head of Sponsorship at Vauxhall, said; "The response from the fans to our exclusive activity last week has been phenomenal.

"Through our twitter takeover programme we are aiming to get the fans closer to life inside the international camps and give them the chance to put their own questions to players, managers and legends at the heart of Home Nations football.

Working closely with the respective football associations we have been able to deliver a truly unique fan engagement opportunity and look forward to giving the fans a behind the scenes view of international football in the future.”

Vauxhall facilitated twitter takeovers across the four nations on @VauxhallEngland, @VauxhallNI, @VauxhallScot and @Vauxhall_Wales and included question and answer sessions with former international captains Kevin Ratcliffe, David Weir and Gerry Taggart as well as leading journalists John Cross and Henry Winter.

As part of their extended digital programme Vauxhall are offering fans the chance to play at their national stadiums in Vauxhall’s Big Pitch which is in its third year.

Since the launch in 2011 Vauxhall now have over sixty thousand followers on their social media platforms across all nations.

View Ashley Cole’s question and answer session with the England fans - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuaKT-KRNuE

Watch the Ashley Cole 100 caps celebration video - http://po.st/SgfpXt

For more information go to Vauxhall’s dedicated football website www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk

Precision Goalkeeping Represented on International Stage

Precision Goalkeeping's David Forde started for the Republic of Ireland in last week's friendly against Poland.

Ireland's 2-0 victory over Poland in Dublin last week was Forde's fourth clean sheet in his fifth Irish game.

The 31-year-old could start next month’s qualifiers against Sweden and Austria despite never playing in a competitive international match.

Precision Goalkeeping's ambassador Kasper Schmeichel, won his first international cap as Denmark played Macedonia last Wednesday.

Schmeichel's debut in Skopje ended in a 3-0 defeat against Macedonia with all goals conceded in the first half.

He was expected to make his Denmark debut against Turkey back in November, but he was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

Follow Precision Goalkeeping on twitter - click here

Coppinger breaks into Top 20

MANTIS ambassador Stephen Coppinger has become the first South African since the late 70's to break into the top 20, he has moved up 3 positions in the PSA Men's World Rankings to number 20.

The 28 year old made a stunning start to the New Year by reaching the quarter finals of both the Tournament of Champions an Motor City Open, unseeded- in the former upsetting higher-ranked Englishmen Peter Baker and Adrian Grant to make the last eight of a PSA World Series event for the first time.

"It is obviously fantastic for me to get into the top 20 and a sure sign that the hard work is paying off with good results over the last few months," explained the five-time South African national champion. "I am based in Orlando now for a lot of the season, working with David Palmer, and it has been great to be able to work with him and draw on his wealth of experience in the game.

"Rodney Durbach has also been a huge influence over the last five years and continues to help me a lot too. Hopefully with their help, and others around them, I will be able to keep climbing the ladder bit by bit."

Follow MANTIS on Twitter - click here

Become a fan of MANTIS on Facebook - click here

The Future of Scottish Football debated at Soccerex European Forum

Soccerex is pleased to announce that key representatives from the Scottish FA will all be speaking on the ‘The Future of Scottish Football’ panel hosted by David Davies, at the Soccerex European Forum in Manchester, 10-11 April.

National Coach Gordon Strachan, Chief Executive Stewart Regan, Second Vice President Rod Petrie and Performance Director Mark Wotte will all discuss the Scottish FA's modernisation plans and outline their vision for the future, relating to the recently published strategic plan, Scotland United.

Looking over the recent challenges as well as the future development of Scottish football, the panel will discuss and analyse the implementation and legacy of the Henry McLeish’s Review of Scottish Football. Published in 2010, the former Scottish First Minister laid out a clear vision for Scottish football with five key elements that needed to bed addressed: Performance, Strong Quality Growth, Governance of the Game, Better Financial Returns and League Reconstruction.

For more information on Soccerex - click here

"Have a Pukka Pie Day" Launches Today

Pukka Pies launch a national television campaign to further drive brand awareness and prompt customers to make a purchase today.

The advert will feature a variety of people from various age groups enjoying their own interpretation of a “Pukka Pie Day!” all in good humour.

Britain’s favourite branded pie, who celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2013, will launch a light hearted national advert on the 11th of February and will run until the 28th February.

The multi-channel campaign will incorporate creative and activation across POS and the ever expanding Pukka Pies’ social media platforms.

Wayne Greensmith, Marketing Manager for Pukka Pies, said; “2013 is a very important year for Pukka Pies being our 50th year in business. The brand continues to go from strength to strength and maintains its position as No.1 brand in hot pie chilled category (Source: AC Nielsen Jan-Dec 2012) and this TV campaign demonstrates our commitment to investing in the brand helping drive sales for all our customers.”

For more details on Pukka Pies - click here

Gordon Strachan Twitter Takeover

Vauxhall, the Scotland team sponsor, hosted a Q & A for new National team coach Gordon Strachan on their twitter page.

Ahead of his first game in charge against Estonia, Strachan answered fans questions directly via the @VauxhallScot twitter account.

Using the hashtag #askGordon, Strachan answered a variety of questions ranging from qualification hopes to what he usually buys in a chip shop!

Read The Telegraph's report - click here

Read the full twitter takeover - click here

Follow @VauxhallScot on twitter - click here

Vauxhall Celebrate Ashley Cole Achievement in ‘Glorious’ Fashion

Vauxhall, the England team sponsor, has released a celebratory video to commemorate Ashley Cole’s 100th cap for his country.

The video, which is available on YouTube (http://po.st/SgfpXt), provides a look back at Ashley Cole singing the national anthem during a number of his 100 appearances for England.

Cole, won his 100th cap against Brazil at Wembley last Wednesday and joins an illustrious list of players with 100 caps including Peter Shilton (125), David Beckham (115), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105) and current captain Steven Gerrard (100).

England centurion Cole commented, “I am very proud to have received 100 caps for England and grateful to Vauxhall for commemorating it with this video. The national anthem always makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up before the game and I feel honoured to have played for my country.”

Peter Hope, Marketing Director at Vauxhall, said; “As proud sponsors of Home Nations football we are delighted to celebrate Ashley Cole’s achievement with this video and congratulate him on his career for England.”

View the full video - click here

Pukka Pies to Celebrate 50th Birthday

Pukka Pies have announced this week that they will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a calendar of events in 2013.

Britain’s favourite branded pie was founded in 1963 by current Chairman Trevor Storer and has grown from the family kitchen to produce 60 million pies a year.

Mr Storer’s first creation was the Steak and Kidney Pie and it was his wife Valerie who produced the recipe for the Chicken and Mushroom Pie which like all the pies, remains the same recipe today.

The family traditions still exist 50 years on with the co Managing Directors Tim and Andrew Storer, Trevor’s sons, who uphold the family values in everything that takes place at Pukka Pies in Syston.

As part of the celebration Pukka Pies will be hosting a 50th birthday party at the Syston manufacturing headquarters, which employs over 280 staff, as well as running a number of 50 themed activities throughout the year.

Tim Storer commented; “We are delighted that Pukka Pies has reached 50 years of business and will be looking to celebrate the year in typical Pukka Pie style. Our founding principle was to make superior quality pies and pasties using only the finest ingredients with highly trained and caring staff and these values continue today. In challenging economic times, we have enjoyed excellent levels of growth and the recent £7 million factory extension is enabling us to continue that success story.

Sales have increased year on year and signs are already very promising for 2013 and we look forward to many more years of Pukka Pies ahead.”

Pukka Pies serve the UK, Ireland, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Malta, Gibraltar and France with a network of National and European distributors along with their own multi-drop delivery vehicles in the Midlands.

Pukka Pies supply a range of pies and pasties – including Steak and Kidney, Chicken and Mushroom and Steak and Ale varieties – to hundreds of fish and chip shops, football stadiums and supermarkets across the country.

Soccerex continue winter signings with Macesport PR partnership

Soccerex is delighted to announce that Macesport have been appointed as the organisation's new official public relations consultants.

The partnership will see Macesport responsible for creating and co-ordinating a full media and public relations strategy for the Soccerex portfolio of global footballing events across Europe, South America and Africa. This will begin with the Soccerex European Forum, Europe’s premier football business event, in Manchester on April 10-11.

Macesport managing director Paul Mace said: "It is a great honour and privilege to play a role in further enhancing and developing the international profile of Soccerex globally. As an established member of the international football family, everyone at Macesport is delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside such an iconic brand as Soccerex.

"We work extensively with football brands, governing bodies, clubs and players and are delighted to add Soccerex to a portfolio which already includes England sponsors Vauxhall, the Football Association and the NFL.

"We look forward to generating even stronger relationships for Soccerex with our friends in global television, print and online sports media, and further leveraging and communicating the quality of debate among football's highest-profile executives and ambassadors to an even wider audience."

Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright said: “I am very excited to be working with Macesport; Paul and his team come with a fantastic reputation and a proven network both in the UK and internationally. The next two years will see the last Soccerex Global Convention held in Rio de Janeiro before the event moves to Manchester in 2014 and Macesport will play a key role in managing our media and public relations during this crucial period.”

Stuart Pearce Surprises Sholing FC

England Under 21 Manager and former England star Stuart Pearce surprised local side Sholing FC at their training session last week.

Pearce, who captained his club and country, visited Sholing FC at their training facility at VT Sports Ground in Southampton to handover their brand new kit, as part of England team sponsor, Vauxhall’s, Youth Programme initiative.

Local Vauxhall retailer, Picador PLC has shown their commitment to grass roots football in the area by supplying Sholing FC U’18’s with a brand new kit football kit.

The former England defender, Pearce, said; “It is great to see a local side enjoying their football and I am delighted to visit the team.”

“It is vital that we support grass roots football in England for the good of the game moving forward - this is a fantastic initiative and one I am proud to support.”

Read the full article - click here

Schmeichology 3 Launch Live on Sky Sports

Precision Goalkeeping ambassador Kasper Schmeichel launched his new Schmeichology 3 glove range live on Sky Sports by saving a late penalty to gift Leicester all three points.

Schmeichel gave the new gloves their first outing when high flying Leicester City beat Middlesborough 1-0 live on Sky Sports 1 in the npower Championship.

The third incarnation of the goalkeeping range designed by the Leicester City and Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel will be available to the public in April.

Precision Goalkeeping's Schmeichology 3 range includes three models; the Kasper Schmeichel Negative Cut, Roll finger and a brand new Hybrid glove which is a mix of a roll finger and negative cut.

Precision Goalkeeping Brand ambassador Kasper Schmeichel, said; "I am delighted with the new range of gloves - they just keep getting better.

“Goalkeepers love spotting new gloves and I am expecting to read plenty of tweets tonight about them!”

Become a Precision Goalkeeping fan on Facebook – click here

Follow Precision Goalkeeping on twitter - click here

MANTIS' New signing Steve Coppinger through to New York quarter Final

MANTIS' New signing Steve Coppinger is through to the quarter finals of the PSA World Series Event in New York City after beating off some tough opponents.

He first faced the most consistent player of the PSA World Series for the past 2 years, Peter Baker and eventually won 12-10, 11-6, 6-11,11-1.

Coppinger then endured a thrilling 90 minute game against Adrian Grant and finally came out on top winning 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 11-1.

Steve, "It is only my second year playing at the Tournament of Champions in New York. Arguably the most spectacular venue on the squash tour with a court being erected IN Grand Central Terminal. The sense of occasion is immense walking on to court "

Steve will take on top seed James Willstrop in the quarter finals tonight- good luck!

Become a fan of MANTIS on Facebook - click here

Follow MANTIS on Twitter - click here

Win England vs Brazil Tickets with Football Mash Up

Win the chance to watch England train or win tickets to England versus Brazil and get involved in Football Mash Up on Facebook.

Youngsters are being urged to get involved in Football Mash Upon Facebook, an initiative recently launched by The FA and Vauxhall Motors, the England team sponsor, with a chance to win tickets to see England take on Brazil in February.

Football Mash Up are offering the chance to watch Roy Hodgson’s team train at St George’s Park or win tickets to watch the game against Brazil at Wembley on the 6th of February.

Football Mash Up is an exciting new scheme aimed at tackling the football drop out of teenagers in the 14-17 age group and the initiative follows an extensive study commissioned by The FA and Vauxhall Motors, to determine the factors affecting drop out within this age group.

The Football Mash Up sessions aim to tackle these issues head on by offering a recreational form of football in after-school clubs played in quality small-sided facilities and run by specialist FA Vauxhall Youth officers.

To enter the competition - click here

Gordon Strachan Appointed as Scotland Manager

Gordon Strachan was appointed as the new Scotland National Team Manager last week

The 55 year-old is a member of the Scotland International Roll of Honour and the Hampden Hall of Fame having represented his country 50 times, including two World Cups; Spain 82 and Mexico 86.

Fans wished Strachan good luck via Vauxhall, the Scotland team sponsor, social media platforms.

Strachan's first game in charge will be an international friendly vs Estonia on 6th February in Aberdeen. Tickets for that fixture are up for grabs on @VauxhallScot's dedicated twitter page.

Become a fan of Vauxhall Scotland on facebook - click here

Follow @VauxhallScot on twitter - click here

SuperBowl Media Opportunities

SuperBowl media opportunities are currently being organised by Macesport.

San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens will contest SuperBowl XLVII in New Orleans on Sunday February 4.

And Macesport, retained UK pr agency for the NFL, are collating are media enquiries and placements for UK media ahead of the big game.

Several former major NFL players are expected to fly in to the UK for special promotional trips.

To book contact Aimee Preston - click here

Don’t forget there are two big NFL games coming to Wembley next year. On 29th September we welcome the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whilst the Jacksonville Jaguars go head to head with the San Francisco 49ers on 27th October.

Buy your tickets - click here

Macesport win albion Brief

Macesport have won a European PR brief to offer public relations services to leading cricket brand albion in an important Ashes year.

Britain’s leading independent sports communications agency will provide a full range of sports media and public relations support services to the world’s number one supplier of cricket helmets, hats, caps and bags.

The contract win follows the recent announcement that Albion Sports have appointed Reydon Sports PLC as the European distributors.

Reydon Sports, the country's leading independent sports wholesaler, will distribute albion throughout their extensive network of more than 1,500 individual sports outlets.

Macesport Managing Director, Paul Mace, commented; “We are delighted to have won the tender for albion in Europe.

“With back to back Ashes clashes coming up in the next year it is an exciting time for cricket and one which albion will be looking to capitalise on.

“Having worked alongside the team at Reydon for a number of years helping to build their successful Precision and MANTIS brands we are confident we can make a significant difference to the profile of albion in Europe.”

Brendan Denning, CEO & Managing Director of Albion Sports, said; “Macesport come highly recommended and were the obvious choice for this brief.

“We look forward to building a long and successful relationship with them and in 2012/13 will see the introduction of a number of significant improvements and upgrades to our range and an extension of our product portfolio which has a particular focus on junior cricketers.”

albion count former Australian captain Ricky Ponting among their list of high profile ambassadors.

As Britain’s leading independent sports communications agency, Macesport handle sports pr for Vauxhall Motors' football Home Nations sponsorship of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

They also act as the retained agency for leading football events Leaders in Football, Pukka Pies and sports brands including Precision and MANTIS.

Macesport also manage media pundit Robbie Savage who recently starred in the BBC hit television programme Strictly Come Dancing.

Schmeichel Extends Partnership with Precision Goalkeeping

Leicester City and Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel has this week signed a partnership extension with goalkeeping glove brand Precision Goalkeeping.

Schmeichel, who signed as an ambassador with Precision Goalkeeping in 2010, has confirmed his commitment to the fastest growing goalkeeping brand for another two years.

His signature range of gloves, Schmeichology – the science of goalkeeping, which were designed and tested by the Championship star were an instant hit with retailers and consumers alike and have continued to go from strength to strength.

Schmeichology 3 was recently launched at the Stag Show to great acclaim and will be shown at intersport this weekend.

Schmeichel, who is currently number 1 at high flying Leicester City, commented; “I am delighted to have signed the partnership extension with Precision Goalkeeping.

“Not every goalkeeper gets the chance to design and create their own range of goalkeeping gloves; it has been an amazing experience and a partnership I am very excited about continuing.

“Seeing the gloves that you have put so much time and effort into designing being worn up and down the country from grass roots football through to the professional game is something I am very proud of.”

For more information on Precision Goalkeeping - click here

Follow @PrecisionGK - click here

Become a fan of Precision Goalkeeping on Facebook - click here

Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year

The race is on to find Vauxhall’s Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year.

Entries have been flooding in and we are expecting a record breaking year following the buzz created by the competition in 2011.

Last year the Mail on Sunday's Mark Pain was crowned the inaugural Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year when his England portfolio enabled him to beat the cream of English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh sports photographers in an eagerly-contested competition.

Following feedback from a number of entrants the prizes have been altered this year and there is now a cash sum of £3000 up for the grabs for the 2012 winner.

The individual national competitions for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales remain with two principal categories –Photographer of the Year and Best Individual Photo.

Each individual winner will collect £500 and the four Photographers of the Year will be entered into the final to win £2500 and the title of Vauxhall Home Nations Football Photographer of the Year.

For more information regarding entry please contact Aimee Preston - click here