Mondia: The technology company partnering with Spain’s top-flight to deliver La Liga Xtra globally

Mobile technology company Mondia group has teamed up with La Liga and become their official technology and commercial partner for the creation of La Liga Xtra, a subscription-based mobile service which will offer exclusive content and experiences to football fans.

Through an agreement with Orange group, the platform will be available in European, African, Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern markets to the operator’s millions of customers in the coming months. This will be the initial roll-out of the service, with Mondia continuing to distribute the offering through their various partnerships across the world.

The La Liga Xtra platform includes exclusive video content, images, articles, infographics as well as upcoming fixtures and in-depth player and team info. Users of the service have the choice to subscribe to a package on either a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

In addition, users can play games such as quizzes, a prediction challenge and La Liga’s fantasy football game, with the option of competing against others.

Interactive experiences are also on offer to La Liga Xtra subscribers, including the chance to speak with a La Liga Ambassador in a live chat.

70 countries are set to host this platform, with more announcements to be made in the coming weeks. The platform will be available on desktop, mobile and tablet devices, hosted within the Orange ecosystem.

Speaking about this launch, Óscar Mayo, La Liga’s Head of Business, Marketing and International Development, told the La Liga Newsletter: “This is an exciting venture between two organisations with an extensive global reach and the desire to build communities of football fans through engaging content and new experiences.”

“We want to entertain fans all week long, not only during the 90 minutes of a match, and we are convinced that LaLiga Xtra will achieve this,” he continued. “Our goal has always been to get closer to fans across the Middle East and Africa to show everything that Spanish football has to offer. We’re excited to continue building these connections by working with Mondia and Orange group.”

Mondia has reached over 1.4 billion global users and counting, previously working with brands such as Disney, Sony, Universal, Nintendo and other prominent telecommunications companies.

In this case, Mondia will organise integrations between La Liga and Orange, developing, managing and maintaining the subscription platform. The company’s digital payment entity, Mondia Pay, will be the official payment partner and will direct payments through direct carrier billing and other cashless options.

“Our partnership with LaLiga is an endorsement of our expertise in creating digital experiences for all. Our ability to create an end-to-end solution including digital payments, is the real value Mondia brings together with our experience in operating in many markets across the globe”, said Paolo Rizzardini, Chief Commercial Officer at the Mondia group.

“LaLiga is a premium content partner with a commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to their audiences, and we are thrilled to help make initiative a reality”, he added.

Leaning on its two decades of experience in similar business deals, Mondia is adapting marketing strategies and promotions based on each market to tap into local nuances and cultures. The Orange group’s contribution will also be noticeable in this area, by assisting with various campaigns both online and offline.

While the new platform will initially be available to Orange group customers, there are plans to expand the reach of the service to multiple telecommunications companies around the globe in the near future. The Spanish top-flight competition and Mondia will also study the data to refine the platform and provide a continually improving user experience over time.

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Philip Panas is a sports journalist with Soccerscene. He reports widely on football policy and industry matters, drawing on his knowledge and passion of the game.

DFL and EA Sports continue to delight Bundesliga fans

The German Football League (DFL) renewed its partnership with sports game manufacturer EA Sports, in a deal labelled by officials to be of ‘high strategic importance’.

It guarantees that clubs from Germany’s top two tiers will feature in EA Sports’ football video-game, EA Sports FC, until 2027.

In addition, EA Sports will continue to sponsor the ‘Player of the Month’ and ‘Player of the Season’ awards for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2.

A relationship that stems back to 1998, the DFL and EA Sports share an important history built on innovation within the gaming world.

In 2012, the DFL pioneered the world’s first eFootball competition, Virtual Bundesliga (VBL), helped greatly by its relationship with EA Sports. The VBL remains a strong part of the DFL’s vision, resulting in the professionalisation of the competition.

An arm of video-game publishing organisation Electronic Arts, EA Sports is in the midst of a new era in football gaming, after failing to agree a deal with its long-time naming rights partner, FIFA.

However, the game’s universal popularity since its inception in 1993 gives it one of the highest return customer rates in video gaming history.

EA Sports’ first iteration of the game since removing the FIFA branding – EA Sports FC 24 – is the highest-selling video game in the UK and Europe, and ranks 10th in the United States (from Statista).

This global demand is exactly what the DFL is eager to capitalise on, according to Bundesliga International Chief Marketing Officer Peter Naubert.

“The contract renewal confirms the positive development of our global licensing and sponsorship partnerships and underscores the global appeal of the Bundesliga brand as well as the significant growth that the DFL generates for clubs,” Naubert stated via press release.

The gaming industry remains a lucrative space for football organisations to increase its marketability and generate greater revenue. Late last year, the Argentina Football Association partnered with a gaming software company to increase its marketing presence in Europe.

DFL joint-CEO Marc Lenz explained that the extension of its deal with EA Sports is crucial to its marketing strategy.

“Our core aim is to reach young fans and find new ways to spark their interest in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2,” Lenz told the DFL website.

EA SPORTS FC is a successful part of this strategy, because the licensing partnership and the Virtual Bundesliga increase the visibility of our leagues and clubs.”

Lenz’s partner Steffen Merkel spoke about the relationship between the DFL and EA Sports.

EA SPORTS FC deepens the connection between millions of fans and their favourite players and clubs from the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, which are an important part of the video game series,” Merkel added via media release.

“The partnership has existed since 1998 and underscores the shared conviction behind the cooperation, which is characterised by constant and successful evolution.”

Meanwhile, the inclusion of Germany’s top two professional leagues in EA Sports FC will assist EA Sports’ future plans for football gaming.

“Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are key to building an innovative and evolving football platform for fans, and we’re thrilled that the DFL shares our vision for the future of football,” EA Sports President, Cam Weber, added via the DFL website.

By continuing its relationship with EA Sports, the DFL demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable and profitable future for its competitions.

Lionel Messi stars in new film by Bitget

Lionel Messi and Bitget

Bitget and Lionel Messi are teaming up once again to deliver a new film on one of the world’s biggest stars.

Having first formed the partnership in October 2022, Bitget is the only crypto exchange partner for the 2022 World Cup winner and best player of the tournament. The company themselves were established in 2018 and is now the world’s leader in cryptocurrency exchange.

Off the back of Argentina’s major international success, the film will give us a deeper understanding of who Lionel Messi is, and the determination it takes to be regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.

The 2024 film, titled #MakeItCount, is a campaign of inspiring everyone to push beyond their limits and grab every opportunity presented.

Through Messi’s own personal story and Bitget’s core values, the film promotes perseverance against all odds, any progress building upon itself, and a positive mindset no matter what.

Bitget Managing Director Gracy Chen is excited to make a difference through the film:

“Both the story of Messi and the growth of Bitget serve as a reminder that greatness is not achieved overnight, but through persistent determination to make it count,” she said via media release.

“As we continue the #MakeItCount Campaign in 2024, we remain committed to inspiring individuals, whether they are in the football and crypto sector or beyond, to pursue greatness as no dream is too big to achieve.

“Together with Messi, we are delighted to bring crypto to a bigger global stage, and drive the mass adoption of crypto and blockchain technology.”

Bitget has also outlined plans to roll out post the Messi film, hosting on-ground Football Challenge events in emerging markets around the world.

Bitget is also investing in Blockchain4Youth, a recognised charity field where local communities can get involved in football and crypto adoption, paving the way for younger generations to understand Web3, blockchain and digital assets better.

To achieve its goal of inspiring Web3 adoption, Bitget is investing $10 million in the Blockchain4Youth project over the next five years.

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