SPONSORING Sky Bet, the sports-betting arm of the British Sky Broadcasting Group, has signed a two-year deal to be the principal sponsor of the Sports Journalists’ Association.
According to Sky Bet, it will become the association's exclusive partner from the betting and gaming industry. The company said it will support the association's activities -- like its annual awards events. The sports betting company will even be introducing a new award category “Sports Betting Journalist of the Year” to the association's Sports Journalism Awards 2009.
Association members will see a few additions with the partnership including charity betting challenges and tipster guides before major sporting events.
ON THE RISE Last week Camelot Group revealed that National Lottery ticket sales were up by £181 million in its half-year results that ended Sept. 27. The 7.6 percent boost brought total sales to £2.6 billion.
In a prepared statement, the company attributed the increase to new games and ways to play, which it said drove sales in all major areas, including retail, interactive and subscriptions channels as well as Britain’s Olympic Games and Paralympic Games successes.
Dianne Thompson, chief executive of Camelot Group, said the catalyst behind the growth has been the company’s five-year strategy to appeal to a diverse set of players.
Camelot said it is working closely with its partners and stakeholders on its plans for a third lottery license -- including a totally revamped Web site with new 3-D interactive games and further expansion of its non-draw-based games portfolio.
WHAT DOWNTURN? Adultmoda, a mobile Internet ad network that targets consumers over 18, has announced that despite the economic slowdown, it has seen steady growth.
The company, which is owned by MobVision, works with adult and gaming brands, and said it has seen a month-by-month increase.
“Mobile advertising is not merely about mobile web banners and text ads, however banners and text ads are proving to be the delivery mechanism of choice in today's market,” said Terry Jackson, chief executive of MobVision, in a prepared statement. “This is clearly demonstrated in our growth.”
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