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Posted on 21 June 2022 by admin

Cannes Lions Has Company: Concurrent VidCon, NFT.NYC Events Compete for Marketers’ Attention

Marketers on Monday returned in person to the French Riviera for the weeklong Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity after a two-year break forced by the Covid-19 pandemic. But two other meetings of rising importance that coincide on the calendar this year with the advertising industry’s highest-profile annual conference have divided the attention of some.

NFT.NYC opened Monday, the same day that Cannes Lions kicked off, for its fourth year of talk about nonfungible tokens. Alongside attendees, whom organizers refer to as the NFT community, the agenda for the four days lists speakers with roles at marketers including fashion brand Coach, jeans maker Wrangler and sports-betting company

DraftKings Inc.

And VidCon, an annual convention in Anaheim, Calif., centered around digital creators, is meeting in person Wednesday through Saturday, with executives from brands including food and beverage company

Nestlé SA,

dating app Tinder, fast-food chain

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.,

crypto exchange Crypto.com and media company Hello Sunshine scheduled to take the stage there.

The confluence showcases the shifting trends in marketing, including a rising focus on video creators, social-media influencers, and NFTs and other elements of Web3 technology, a budding iteration of the internet that is built using decentralized blockchains.

Some marketers—and the advertising platforms that court them—will be at all three events, while others are picking their priorities.

Social-media company

Facebook

parent Meta Platforms Inc. is attending Cannes Lions, VidCon and NFT.NYC to promote its products to the marketers at each event, said

Nicola Mendelsohn,

vice president of Meta’s global business group.

“People are wanting to understand where consumers are going, where the technology is going, where the best places to be able to reach them, and, accordingly, how they will be able to grow,” Ms. Mendelsohon said of the three events.

Whalar Ltd., a marketing agency that specializes in working with creators, decided to send 15 executives to Cannes, 13 to VidCon and three to NFT.NYC.

VidCon and NFT.NYC represent where the marketing industry is headed, said

Jamie Gutfreund,

global chief marketing officer for Whalar.

“It is a bit of an interesting moment in time, where the traditional creative approach has not really welcomed the creator economy, whereas the other two events are obviously all about the creator economy,” Ms. Gutfreund said.

The NFT.NYC conference kicked off in New York on Monday.

Photo:

John Marshall Mantel/Zuma Press

Malik Ducard, chief content officer at social-media platform

Pinterest Inc.,

this week is making his way to both Cannes and VidCon.

“Many of us, like myself, are happy to have the opportunity to join both as we focus on key constituents, brands and creators,” Mr. Ducard said.

Media.Monks, a marketing-services agency owned by S4Capital, is sending employees and executives to Cannes as it has in the past, but the company has also deployed more team members to NFT.NYC than it has before.

Employees are asking to go to NFT.NYC because they are interested in the evolution of NFTs and the community around them, said Henry Cowling, chief innovation officer at Media.Monks.

Meanwhile,

Tripadvisor Inc.

is coming back to Cannes this year, the travel company said, but isn’t planning to be at VidCon or NFT.NYC.

“Cannes is important and unique in that it brings together global perspectives from all different industries and experiences—something that is core to Tripadvisor, as a brand, as well,” said Christina Maguire, the company’s general manager and vice president for global media business.

Cannes Lions remains the pre-eminent ad-industry event, gathering attendees from all over the world for talks, networking, meetings, highly coveted awards, celebrity appearances and concerts over the course of five days.

It is tracking to reach about 12,000 attendees this year, in line with 2019’s numbers, an event spokeswoman said earlier this month.

NFT.NYC has grown to an expected 12,000 attendees this year, from 262 for its inaugural event in 2019, said co-founder Jodee Rich. This year’s event is spread across 10 stages, up from four last year.

VidCon declined to disclose how many attendees have registered this year, but said more than 150 speakers are scheduled, with about 100 sponsors and exhibitors set to be on hand as well.

Ally Financial Inc.

is sending employees to VidCon because the conference brings fans together with creators and platforms, making it easier to understand the consumer reaction, said

Andrea Brimmer,

chief marketing and public relations officer of the digital financial-services company. Ally Financial isn’t going to Cannes Lions or NFT.NYC.

Many of the conferences have grown so big that it becomes difficult to understand broader trends and what’s important to customers, Ms. Brimmer said.

Ms. Brimmer herself isn’t attending VidCon, preferring to study executive summaries from her team, she said. “I’ve personally found it more productive to just kind of stay back and do the work,” she said.

—Nat Ives contributed to this article.

Write to Ann-Marie Alcántara at ann-marie.alcantara@wsj.com

Posted on 28 April 2022 by admin

Why the NFL Draft is one of the few sports events where bettors have been beating sportsbooks

There’s a saying in gambling that the “house always wins,” meaning that in most cases casinos and betting operators have better odds to win than bettors.

That philosophy also applies to sports betting where sportsbooks typically make profits on events ranging from the Super Bowl to March Madness to the MLB playoffs. One major sports-related event, however, is different. It’s the one event where bettors may be able to outmaneuver the sportsbooks: the NFL Draft.

As ESPN has reported, gamblers have been getting the better of sportsbooks on the draft for years, but continue to offer the service in order to satisfy customer demand.

Over $20 million was bet on last year’s draft, with more likely to be wagered this year. Bettors can wager on who will be selected No. 1 overall, which player will be the first wide receiver taken, and which players will be selected in the top 10 — there are hundreds of available bets such as these on legal U.S. sportsbooks like DraftKings
DKNG,
+1.66%
and the Caesars
CZR,
+5.05%.

But why is the draft unique? It’s mainly because in most cases, sportsbooks have more information than bettors. They have enormous databases on every player of every team, team trends, and tendencies of coaches and referees, among other things. But the draft is not a live sports game, you’re betting on people making decisions in a draft room.

“For instance in the Super Bowl, we have so much data, there’s so much information, that we’re so confident that the Rams should be 4.5 point favorites over the Bengals,”Jay Croucher, Head of Trading at the PointsBet sportsbook, said during a Wednesday interview with NBC. But he added, about the NFL Draft: “This kind of market, I really can’t tell you with much confidence who should go number one, or who will go number one.”

For once, sportsbooks and bettors are on a level playing field. Sportsbooks and bettors don’t have to forecast complex games with several dozen people involved, they simply need to learn the preferences of a General Manager, the person who makes a team’s draft pick. And one way to do that, is through information.

Here’s an example of how bettors can do well wagering on the NFL Draft. In the days leading up to last year’s draft, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that “most people” believe the Atlanta Falcons will select tight end Kyle Pitts at pick No. 4. Rapoport is one of the plugged-in analysts when it comes to NFL news, and has millions of followers on Twitter, so when he tweets information like that, the betting markets move.

Nine days before the draft, the odds that the Falcons would select a tight end was +160, but on the morning of the draft it was -250, representing a massive implied probability change from 38.% to 71.4% in a matter of days, according to odds from William Hill. If you were able to make that bet fast enough, you were able to cash in when the Falcons indeed chose Kyle Pitts a little over a week later. You can find a further explanation of how betting odds work here.

You didn’t need a giant database or tracking data to be able to bet on Kyle Pitts to be selected there, you just needed to be following Rapoport on Twitter.

Coucher conceded that sportsbooks basically rely on the same information as public bettors, indicating the draft is one big probabilistic guess.

“Alleged text messages from someone who might be a cousin of someone who might work at the Jags (the team selecting at No. 1 in 2022), this is the stuff that drives the market…its mock drafts, its sources, its things that get posted on Twitter,”
TWTR,
+0.97%
Coucher went on to say.

Last year was the third time that Americans could legally wager on the NFL Draft — the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, allowing individual states to legislate sports betting — and bookmakers readily admit that they don’t always make money accepting bets on the NFL Draft.

“From a bookmaker’s perspective, handicapping the NFL Draft is one of the most difficult things that we do,” Johnny Avello, the Director of Race & Sportsbook Operations at DraftKings, wrote to MarketWatch in an email. “In this particular instance, I would move the needle towards the bettor. It’s been tough for us to make money in the draft.”

As mentioned above, quick reactions to breaking news from people who frequently talk with people who help run NFL teams can spread fast, but bettors who can take advantage of that information can get a leg up on the sportsbooks.

In sports competitions, chance and perhaps more accurately randomness can have a huge impact. Whether it’s a bad shooting night for the best shooter in an NBA game, or a weird bounce of a the prolate-spheroid-shaped football during a large scrum, randomness is everywhere. While some aspects of randomness exist in the NFL Draft, wagering on the latest news you saw on Twitter before the sportsbooks have time to change their betting lines can be your best opportunity to win, Croucher said.

“This is the nature of the draft, these markets, they are pretty vulnerable, and you can beat them.”

Posted on 22 March 2022 by admin

Covid changes: Hospitality NZ disappointed, events sector happy

Hospitality businesses are upset that the Government’s relaxation of Covid-19 health measures does not go far enough.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced the Government would lift vaccine mandates for a number of sectors including teaching and police from April 4 as the current Omicron outbreak nears its peak.

Vaccine passes would also no longer be mandatory to visit restaurants, coffee shops and other public spaces.

Hospitality NZ said while the end to mandates for staff and vaccine passes for customers is welcome news for its sector, increasing the capacity cap to 200 for indoor settings will make little difference for larger venues.

“Why 200? It’s nonsensical,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“The cap should be pinned to the capacity of the venue. Lifting it will not work for bars and other night venues. The seated model does not work for them, even with a higher cap.”

It said these businesses have higher labour costs to police the existing public health measures, and have been among the worst affected by the two-year-long pandemic with no extra support from the Government.

“Businesses are running out of patience.”

It accused the Government of haphazard planning, and was unhappy that some changes would not take effect until April 4.

The criticism was echoed by Heart of the City, which represents Auckland businesses.

It wanted a move away from the red traffic light setting (which will be retained until at least April 4).

Without this, there would no major indoor events; bars and nightclubs would not operate properly, and workers would not return in great numbers to the CBD.

Chief executive Viv Beck said: “Changes announced today will make a difference – but confirmation of a shift away from red would have made a major difference for planning and confidence amongst our businesses.”

She is pushing for targeted wage subsidies to support some businesses.

However, the changes are being welcomed by the events sector.

Business Events Industry Aotearoa chief executive Lisa Hopkins said the reduction of restrictions is a further move in the right direction after the border reopening was announced last week.

She said confidence has been at an all-time low since attendance at indoor events was capped at 100 people in August last year.

Hopkins said organisers of up to 100 international conferences and events are waiting to confirm bookings for New Zealand.

“Event organisers in Australia are telling us they want to bring their client business back to New Zealand.

“The positive messages from the Prime Minister today will now drive a sense of surety as we work towards fewer restrictions.”

Act unimpressed

Act leader David Seymour accused Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of feeding “the fear factory” with today’s announcement.

“We’ve done the mahi, but we have to wait for visitors to arrive to get the treats. Waiting until 5 April for vaccine passes and mandates to go makes no sense. They should go immediately.”

He also criticised the 200-seat capacity for indoor settings, which would provide little relief for hospitality venues.

“New Zealanders are fed up. It’s time to move on. The traffic light system should go. We don’t need small tweaks; we need real change.”

National’s Covid-19 spokesman Chris Bishop welcomed the announcement, saying the Government had “finally caught up with reality”, but said the end of vaccine passes called into question the relevance of the traffic light system.

“The Government would be better to ditch the whole thing and create some simple rules around masks and perhaps venue limits, rather than persist with a complicated colour-code system that has never been used properly and that barely anyone understands.”

It should also signal a timeline for abolishing the remaining mandates, he said.

“After two tough years, it’s time to get back to normality and start thinking positively about the future.”

– additional reporting by Reuters

Posted on 21 March 2022 by admin

World Wide Technology Raceway partners with Lundy’s Special Events for concessions and corporate hospitality for NASCAR, INDYCAR, NHRA weekends

World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, has partnered with Lundy’s Special Events for corporate hospitality and concessions for its NASCAR Cup Series, NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series weekends.

Lundy’s Special Events has been involved in achieving winning VIP experiences at some of the most important racing and sporting events in the nation. Celebrating over 51 years in business, Lundy’s began as a family-owned catering firm to the thoroughbred industry. Today, under close supervision of the founding family members, Lundy’s has embarked with the third generation, becoming a powerhouse of special event companies offering services that provide solutions to events of every size in locations that span from racetracks, stadiums, empty fields and incredible ballrooms.

“We conducted an extensive search for the right fit for catering and concessions as it pertains to our major event weekends here at WWTR,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Chris Blair. “We wanted to make sure we found the company that could represent our family-friendly atmosphere and offered quality food at reasonable prices. After seeing Lundy’s in action at the St. Pete Grand Prix, as well as having attended events they’ve serviced for more than 30 years, we knew they would be a great fit. Just like the ownership of WWTR, the ownership team at Lundy’s is on site, working hard, and making sure the customer is having a great experience.

‘We also know the team at Lundy’s can deliver a great selection of national and local food selections that will appeal to everyone. Having watched them for many years, we know they can quickly streamline the ordering and payment operations so that fans can grab a meal and return quickly to their seats without missing any of the on-track action. Unlike many of the vendors that service major events, Lundy’s is working closely with the track to ensure that affordability is key. We want fans to know they can spend a day at the races and enjoy a wide range of items at prices everyone can afford.”

“We are excited and thrilled to partner with World Wide Technology Raceway for the 2022 racing season,” said Alissa Tibe, President of the Sports and Hospitality Division of LSE. “The ambitious vision that WWTR owner Curtis Francois has created is palpable and we look forward to being part of this amazing team. As a family-owned business, we take great pride in working within a new community, we look forward to developing lasting friendships and developing a wining food and beverage experience for all of our guests.”

WWTR concession stands and vendors will accept both cash and credit cards during the major event weekends.

WWTR will host its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race – the Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented By TicketSmarter – on Sunday, June 5. Leading up to the Cup Series race, WWTR’s festive NASCAR Weekend will include a downtown NASCAR hauler parade, a fan fest at Ballpark Village, the inaugural #CupTimeSTL Short Track Classic at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Toyota 200. For tickets and additional information, please call (618) 215-8888 or visit www.WWTRaceway.com. Follow WWTR on social media (@wwtraceway) for additional information. WWTR is the only track in the world that offers NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing at one facility.

WWTR PR

Posted on 10 February 2022 by admin

No known threats targeting Super Bowl events in Los Angeles area this weekend, authorities say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — There are no known security threats to the Super Bowl, authorities said Tuesday as they outlined the coordinated law-enforcement effort to keep the game at SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles region safe.

Fans attending the game can expect an enormous police presence at the stadium, which will have a tightly monitored security perimeter. Meanwhile patrol officers, tactical teams, K-9 units and paramedics will be been deployed across Los Angeles County in the run-up to the NFL championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at least 500 members of his department are devoted to safety for the big game, including agents focused on ferreting out cyberthreats and preventing human trafficking.

“We have no information of a specific, credible threat against the Super Bowl,” said Mayorkas. “What this is all about is planning and preparation to prevent any incident from occurring.”

Mayorkas’s department, however, warned that a truck convoy on the order of those clogging central Ottawa, Ontario, and disrupting U.S.-Canadian commerce at a bridge near Detroit could emerge and create problems near the Super Bowl site.

Don’t miss: Homeland Security Department voices concern about Super Bowl and State of the Union disruptions by Canada-style truck convoy

“Air Force fighter jets will enforce a temporary flight-restricted zone on Sunday in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, the FBI and other agencies. NORAD earlier in the week scheduled a defense exercise for the airspace over the Inglewood area. ”

The city police department in Inglewood, where the stadium is located, is the lead local law-enforcement effort. It will coordinate with the Los Angeles Police Department and the sheriff’s department. About 400 deputies were dedicated to the Super Bowl, including extra patrols for the county’s transit system, said Jack Ewell, chief of the sheriff’s Special Operations Division.

Inglewood Police Chief Mark Fronterotta said his officers will focus on preventing fights between fans, after a San Francisco 49ers fan suffered a brain injury during an altercation outside SoFi during the NFC championship game last month. “The parking lots will be extensively covered,” Fronterotta said.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said there has been no disorderly behavior at pre–Super Bowl activities at the downtown L.A. Convention Center. The LAPD has canceled some scheduled time off to ensure the department has enough staff for all the week’s events, including a possible victory parade for the Rams, Moore said.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media on Wednesday on the SoFi Stadium campus in Inglewood, Calif.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Only small, clear bags will be allowed inside the stadium on game day, though fans are encouraged to bring as little as possible with them.

“If you want to breeze through security, less is more. The less you bring, the faster you go through security,” said Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s chief security officer.

Security measures extend to the skies, too. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, planned a defense exercise on Tuesday for the airspace over greater Inglewood. On Sunday, U.S. Air Force fighter jets will enforce the temporary flight-restricted zone in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration, the FBI and other agencies.

The FAA warned that drone operators who fly unmanned aircraft into the restricted area could face large fines and potential criminal prosecution.

MarketWatch contributed.

The NFT.NYC conference kicked off in New York on Monday.

Act unimpressed

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media on Wednesday on the SoFi Stadium campus in Inglewood, Calif.