Marcus Leaver, chief executive of Rivals.net, commented, “Channel 4’s
Football Italia programmes are watched by die hard football fans- the core of our network’s audience.”
The deal will see Rivals.net promoted in on-screen credits during weekend programmes Gazetta Football Italia and Football Italia Live. In addition, prominent branding for the network will appear on the front cover of the monthly Football Italia magazine, as well as a full colour page ad in every issue. The Football Italia website will also be hosted and promoted on the sponsor’s network.
The deal is said to be worth a six-figure sum, but in addition, Rivals.net is to provide prizes for the programmes’ monthly Golden Goal competitions, which give viewers the chance to win trips to Italian football events. These prizes will be provided be exchange for verbal and onscreen credits, and branding will also feature on the competition phone lines.
Rivals.net’s network currently runs to some 300 sites, covering sports including football, Formula 1, rugby union, golf, cycling and surfing.
