Sports Revolution Attracts New Investment

Sports media and digital marketing agency, Sports Revolution, has attracted new funding from businessman Steve Lansdown. The founder of the financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown and majority shareholder in Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Rugby Club, has increased his backing of Sports Revolution, after acquiring a minority stake in the business in December 2012.

As part of the new funding, Steve Lansdown’s business partner, Gordon Power, has become chairman of Sports Revolution.

The new investment will allow Sports Revolution to  build on its success as more British clubs explore the fan engagement and business potential of high-density wi-fi in their stadia.

Lansdown’s additional stake is made through his company, Sustainable Technology Investments (Guernsey) Ltd (“STIG”) – an international fund management business founded with Gordon Power.

Sports Revolution Managing Director, Antony Marcou, says: “This is a great vote of confidence in our business and, in particular, in our vision for stadium wi-fi. The technology has huge potential for rights holders, sponsors and advertisers. Fan engagement, social media and mobile marketing in fully connected stadia holds great promise in the UK and we have shown we have the right product and model to take it to the next level.”

As chairman, Power takes over the reins from media industry leader and investor Chris Ingram, who has helped to steer Sports Revolution for the past five years. Ingram remains a major investor in the business.

Commenting on his new role, Power said: “As Sports Revolution becomes increasingly involved in stadia media infrastructure, it is well-positioned to maximise exciting opportunities, especially in stadium wi-fi and social media. I look forward to working closely with Antony and the management team.”

Investment by STIG and Ingram Enterprise has helped  Sports Revolution expand its digital stadium infrastructure business,  creating new experiences for fans and revenue for rights holders through initiatives such as stadium wi-fi, pitch-side LED  and concourse HD TV.

Most recently, Sports Revolution’s push into stadium wi-fi has seen success with the installation of its StadiumLIVE system at Celtic Football Club’s 60,832-seat ground, Celtic Park. Combined with a dedicated fan app developed by Sports Revolution called CelticLIVE, this is the first fully functioning high-capacity stadium wi-fi system to run at a British football stadium. Sports Revolution has also installed fan engagement digital technology at Twickenham Stadium, for the Rugby Football Union, and consulted on digital media projects at Wembley Stadium for the Football Association.