Global sports marketing agency will help the six-time NBA Champions expand digital following and brand partnerships ahead of the regular season game in Paris in January 2023
The Chicago Bulls and SPORTFIVE today announced an expansion of their existing partnership that will see the global sports marketing agency work with the team to develop a comprehensive strategy to support its efforts to grow its fan base and business in France.
As part of the effort, SPORTFIVE will collaborate with the Bulls to grow the team’s roster of brand partners, its digital presence, and social media following in France. To increase the number of Bulls fans in France, SPORTFIVE recently helped the Bulls launch its first official French language Instagram account (@leschicagobulls).
The partnership comes in advance of the six-time NBA champions playing the Detroit Pistons in a regular season game in Paris at the Accor Arena on Jan. 19, 2023. The game will mark the Bulls’ third game in Paris, having previously played two preseason games in the French capital in 1997. With 5.5 million NBA fans and 1.4 million Bulls fans in France, according to GWI, it is a priority market for the team. SPORTFIVE will launch a comprehensive marketing campaign in France leading up to, during and after the Paris game, which will include digital audience development, strategic brand partnerships, on-site activations and more.
The relationship between SPORTFIVE and the Bulls began in November 2020 when the agency led the team’s effort to secure brand partners from outside the U.S.
“The NBA Paris 2023 Game created a tentpole moment for us to build a strategy to support our priority of having long-term and sustained engagement with fans across the globe. The game allows us to bring the excitement of a live event to Paris and with SPORTFIVE’s expert counsel and support, we will build on that momentum to connect fans to the Bulls’ brand and establish partnerships with brands in France to extend our global reach,” said Bulls Executive Vice President of Revenue and Strategy Matt Kobe. “The launch of our first official French language social media account is a key component of our strategy, allowing us to have ongoing engagement with our team’s French-speaking fanbase.”
“The Chicago Bulls are an iconic global sports team and there is already an established passion for the team in France ahead of their game here in January,” said Laurent Moretti, Managing Director, France for SPORTFIVE. “By launching the team’s official French language Instagram account, we are creating a unique destination that will be key touchpoint for fans and for brand partners in France.”
SPORTFIVE has more than 30 years in global sports marketing experience and has a proven track record of successfully managing and executing international development initiatives for some of the world’s most renowned sports rights-holders including Atlético de Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Flamengo, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Jets. The agency advises various high-profile brands in sports marketing and develops valuable partnerships through its robust global sales network. SPORTFIVE has an extensive presence in France with its headquarters in Paris and seven local offices managing the comprehensive marketing and sales agreements with leading French sports rights-holders in football and rugby, amongst others.
About SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE utilizes the unique emotional power of sports to create and enable pioneering partnerships in sports. By delivering responsible commercialization, full-service-solutions and long-term value for all stakeholders in sports, SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans by leveraging a global network paired with decades of experience and innovative spirit. As market leader and with customer centricity and vast data intelligence at its core, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through its innovative digital solutions and thereby always aims to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports. SPORTFIVE operates as an international sports business and marketing agency with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in football, golf, esports, motorsport, handball, tennis, American football and many more. For more information, please visit SPORTFIVE’s website, content hub and social profiles.