WSC Sports: AI-driven sports marketing tool

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Image credit: WSC Sports X

WSC Sports is an AI-powered content product that creates more personalised content, formats, and viewing channels for sports leagues, broadcasters, clubs and organisations.

Recently, WSC Sports has pledged to revolutionise the creation of sports content to speed up the production of traditional highlight reels.

The goal for any clients dealing with WSC, and there are over 450 sporting organisations from all over the globe, is to help rightsholders create more dynamic and fan-focused content while enabling them to better monetise their rights.

As outlined on the main website, there are five key pieces to the WSC Sports puzzle that make it such a successful and effective product, and these include:

AI-Based Content Analysis

AI-driven algorithms are revolutionising the analysis, indexing, and rating of sports events across a wide range of disciplines.

These context-aware systems are designed to capture pivotal moments both on and off the field, providing deeper insights into the game.

By enriching live broadcasts, archived footage, press conferences, and media libraries with detailed metadata, organizations can ensure that content is optimized for immediate retrieval and usage.

Automated Content Creation

The demand for diverse viewing experiences has led to the need for automated content generation.

AI solutions are capable of producing relevant and engaging content tailored to a variety of formats, from live and on-demand streams to Connected TV (CTV) and vertical formats optimized for mobile applications.

Content Studio

The evolution of sports content creation is being accelerated by AI-powered editing tools specifically designed for the industry.

These solutions offer users advanced creative control, enabling faster and more efficient production workflows while maintaining high-quality output.

AI-Powered Asset Management

Content management systems enhanced by AI are enabling seamless organisation, discovery, and distribution of assets.

These systems not only optimise workflow processes but also help organisations make better use of their entire content libraries, unlocking new possibilities for repurposing indexed assets into innovative formats.

Driving Fan Engagement

Proprietary AI solutions are playing a pivotal role in enhancing fan engagement.

By delivering personalised, immersive content experiences tailored to individual preferences, sporting leagues and clubs can connect with their audiences across a wide range of platforms and viewing formats, ensuring a more dynamic and interactive experience.

LALIGA in particular have focused entirely on capturing the younger audience through platforms like Instagram and TikTok, utilising algorithm-based content to reach more people and appear more relatable to that target audience.

How it can be introduced in Australian football

There can be no arguments about the A-Leagues lack of creativity and the same could be said for posts regarding the Socceroos.

The power of social and digital media in the eye of the average, young consumer is vital as seen by the Matildas team who are just as popular for their random off-field antics as they are for their 4th placed WC finish.

A digital media overhaul in Australia is clearly on the radar, first attempted by KEEPUP which in Jose Mourinho’s words; most would prefer not to speak about.

WSC Sports already works with Cricket Australia on producing entertaining content and football is this country’s sleeping giant.

There is a lot of potential in this AI-generated product which can start targeting younger audiences and producing media content the sport has not seen locally especially if it wishes to grow to enormous heights.

Conclusion

WSC Sports have become increasingly prominent in the football industry, taking over the digital media strategies of many top leagues including La Liga, NWSL, Bundesliga and the Serie A.

On top of that, they have partnered recently with smaller leagues and clubs with clubs like BSC Young Boys and the Czech First division who will become a part of a 450-strong client roster who employ WSC Sports’ award-winning AI-powered technology.

The company’s biggest clients include NBA, YouTube TV and ESPN with the mega success clearly indicating the future lies within AI-powered digital marketing and content creation.

To find out more about WSC Sports click here.

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Brisbane Roar secures major sponsorship with Hellyer Metals

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Image credit: Brisbane Roar website

Brisbane Roar has announced a significant partnership with Hellyer Metals, a prominent mining company, as the club’s new Major Sponsor. The two-year agreement commences in the 2024/25 season.

As part of the sponsorship, the company has secured naming rights to the game day technical area signage for both the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s and Ninja A-League Women’s matches.

Hellyer Metals, recognised for its commitment to responsible growth and operational excellence in the global mining industry, is also dedicated to fostering the development of women’s football.

Hellyer Metals is a base metals mining operation based on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia who are committed to playing a leading role in the global mining industry.

Their tailings reprocessing process produces high-quality lead and zinc concentrates, along with valuable gold and silver credits, powered by renewable hydro power.

Both parties are dedicated to success through innovative practices and responsible business strategies with the goal to become and remain industry leaders for years to come.

Hellyer Metals are entering the football market a year after first entering the Australian sports market with their Hawthorn Hawks partnership in 2023.

Brisbane Roar CEO & Chairman, Kaz Patafta spoke about his excitement for the future of this partnership.

“We’re pleased to have Hellyer Metals on board for this 2024/25 season, supporting our club as a Major Sponsor and getting behind the growth of women’s football. We’re looking forward to seeing this partnership grow over the coming seasons,” Patafta said in a press release.

Hellyer Metals CEO, Graham Cox echoed the same sentiment.

“The Hellyer Metals team are delighted to have partnered with Brisbane Roar for two seasons. We are passionate about seeing women’s football continue to develop and look forward to being a long-running partner of the club,” Cox said in a press release.

This partnership marks a strong collaboration between Hellyer Metals and Brisbane Roar, aligning the company’s commitment to excellence and community support with the club’s passion for football development.

The sponsorship not only enhances the club’s resources but also provides Hellyer Metals with a platform to amplify their brand while supporting the growth of women’s football—a win-win for both parties.

Brisbane Roar under CEO & Chairman Kaz Patafta continue to be one of the busiest A-League’s clubs in the business side of operations, growing their already large corporate portfolio to ensure a sustainable financial future for Queensland’s only professional football club.

Keisuke Honda’s venture capital secures $158M to back AI startups

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Image credit: mooinblack / Shutterstock.com

Former Japanese soccer star Keisuke Honda has scored another win off the pitch, his venture capital firm, X&KSK Fund, has secured $158 million to invest in tech start-ups specialising in AI and cutting-edge business solutions.

Over 20 investors are supporting Honda’s fund, including prominent Japanese financial institutions like Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, Nomura Holdings, and SBI Holdings. Notably, SBI Holdings and SBI Shinsei Bank have contributed a combined $20.46 million (¥2 billion), making them the fund’s largest stakeholders.

Shohei Yamada, a partner at SBI Investment, highlighted that the goal of this investment is to expand its network of international investors and promote Japanese start-ups. In Japan, where the number of so-called “unicorn” companies—those valued at over $1.61 billion—remains limited, this initiative represents a significant step forward for the local start-up ecosystem.

Keisuke Honda, known for his stellar performances at CSKA Moscow, AC Milan, and three consecutive World Cups, has been expanding his business ventures. Together with American actor Will Smith, he co-founded Dreamers VC. His goal is to create a “decacorn”—a private company valued at over $16.17 billion in Japan.

Honda is aware establishing a decacorn is rare in Japan, however, he is assertive it can be achieved.

“I’m aware that creating a decacorn in Japan is a very difficult challenge, but considering what the Japanese have already achieved, I believe it is possible,” he said via email interview.

The former AC Milan midfielder recognized that his soccer fame opens doors to profitable investment opportunities. He also pointed out that, unlike in the U.S., celebrities in Japan are typically reluctant to openly talk about their investments.

Although the number of start-ups in Japan is on the rise, the country still falls short in producing unicorns. A report from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry highlights that fostering start-up growth requires improved access to significant funding.

In 2022, Japanese start-ups raised a record ¥978.2 billion (10.01 billion AUD), but this figure dropped to ¥803.9 billion (8.22 billion AUD) in the following year. Despite the decline, it still represents a fivefold increase compared to 2014.

The X&KSK Fund seeks to back innovative projects and promote cutting-edge technologies. This initiative marks a significant milestone for Keisuke Honda and Japan’s emerging start-up ecosystem, bringing fresh momentum to its expansion.

Keisuke Honda’s involvement in the X&KSK Fund represents a significant shift in how athletes, especially football players, are positioning themselves within the broader business and tech world.

Historically, athletes, particularly in football, have often focused on careers post-retirement that include media ventures, sponsorships, or brand endorsements. However, Honda’s active role in venture capital, particularly in sectors like AI and tech innovation, signals a new wave of athlete entrepreneurs taking a more hands-on approach in shaping the future industries.

This shift is particularly important because football players, given their fame and influence, have the potential to leverage their personal brands to foster meaningful change within industries beyond sports.

Players such as Honda, who have gained global recognition, can access exclusive investment opportunities that might otherwise be difficult to reach for traditional investors.

By actively participating in initiatives like Dreamers VC, Honda is not just a figurehead—he’s an active contributor to the creation of business ecosystems that can have a lasting impact on both the tech industry and Japan’s start-up scene.

Moreover, for footballers, particularly those who achieve global success, such investments can be a smart way to secure long-term financial stability post-retirement, as they can often face a shorter career span.

The increased involvement of athletes in high-level investments allows them to diversify their portfolios and contribute to industries that influence the future of society. This trend is beginning to reshape how sports figures are perceived, from being athletes to being influential business leaders and investors.

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