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UAE Desert Challenge on the horizon
for Pro-Active
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Pro-Active Television confirmed that it has been appointed as the official television production partner of the UAE Desert Challenge, the sixth and final round of the 2005 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.
Established in 1991, the Dubai-based car, motorbike and truck event will take place across 2000kms of unforgiving UAE desert between 9 and 14 November and, among other big-name drivers, is set to feature the competitive Middle East debut of double World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz.
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The deal was agreed with event founder and organizer Mohammed Ben Sulayem, himself a 14-times Middle East Rally Champion. Specialist Pro-Active crews will be on-site to conduct aerial filming, the fitting of on-board cameras and the pooling of footage with Dubai Sports Channel and other attending broadcasters. Utilising its own computer-based flyaway facilities, Pro-Active will then cut the resulting material into daily satellite news bulletins for international distribution via global TV news agencies and will work closely with Dubai TV to facilitate live local-territory coverage of the event start and finish.
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Back at its UK base, Pro-Active will produce a stand-alone one hour highlights show for international broadcast partners, in addition to guaranteeing the event extensive global coverage via its own sports magazine shows, Raceworld, Moto+ and Sports Unlimited. The appointment marks the latest chapter in Pro-Activeís long and distinguished record of production in the Middle East, which over the last thirteen years has included events such as the Dubai Rugby Sevens, PSA World Squash Tour (Kuwait,) World Waterski Pro-Tour (Qatar,) ATP and WTA Dubai Tennis Champion-ships, Dubai World Cup horse race and a host of international sailing and powerboat events.
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Record-Breaking TV for Rugby 7s
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The International Rugby Board has announced that the seven-tournament 2004/05 IRB Sevens series experienced a record 582 hours of total broadcast airtime, which represents a 60 percent increase on the previous year.
The IRB Sevens were televised by 29 international broadcasters (up 6 from 2003/04), reached 130 countries (up 10 from 2003/04), 150 million homes (up 22 million from 2003/04 with a potential audience of 400 million) and were broadcast in 10 different languages
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Pro-active’s team travelled to tournaments in Dubai, George (South Africa), Wellington (New Zealand), Los Angeles, Singapore, London and Paris to co-ordinate production and live feeds as well as generating sales and distribution fro their UK offices.
The series enjoyed 230 hours of live coverage (up 95 percent on 2003/04), 147 hours of ‘delayed as live’ coverage (up 3575 percent on 2003/04), 156 hours of repeat coverage (up 40 percent on 2003/04) and 49 hours of highlight coverage.
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“These broadcast figures clearly show that the interest and popularity of Rugby Sevens continues to expand worldwide. The IRB Sevens series is now a key event on the sporting calendar for broadcasters with world class players on display and as the number of participating countries in Rugby Sevens continues to grow,” said IRB Chief Executive, Mike Miller.
“It’s been a great endorsement of the our appointment by the IRB last year and
emphasises our ability to deliver on a global basis “ said, Pro-Active’s director Tommasina Kay, “and we look forward to building on this in the second year of our contract” |
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Nissan drive forward with Sports Adventure
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Sports & Entertainment Television Ltd (“SET”), the advertiser funded programming specialist, and Pro-Active Television’s sister company within the Apace Media plc group, has secured an exclusive deal with Nissan Motor Company to create and distribute programming across the car company’s international markets.
Under the Agreement, SET will initially sponsor the 26 x 30-minute “Sports Adventure “ series, launched by Pro-Active last year, as an adventure travel programme based around sporting activities.
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“Nissan Sports Adventure” will be offered free of licence fees to terrestrial, satellite and cable television in Nissan markets internationally, in exchange for Nissan branding around the show and a package of commercial spots to support their product – most likely in their 4X4 ‘X-Trail’ range.
Nissan will also be using the content in various ‘through the line’ activities, including the creation of a special website and various local dealership activities.
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SET Managing Director, Neil Osborne says; “We are absolutely delighted to be working with a truly global company and look forward to delivering real value for them, both on screen and off”.
The deal, which was brokered with Nissan’s media agency, OMD, is an important milestone for SET. The company was created less than a year ago by former Gillette World Sport executives, already manages motorsport series “American Express On Track” and is en route to becoming a world leader in advertiser funded programming.
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Pro-active growth as Group goes public !
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Two years after forming the core of a new media Group, Pro-active were pleased to be part of the Group’s listing on the AIM stock market in April.
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Now part of Apace Media Plc, Pro-Active Television sits alongside its sisters companies, Apace Sports (sponsorship) , Sports & Entertainment Television (branded-programming) and Apace Music (retail music CDs)
Pro-active’s Managing Director , Alan Morton said : “This is reassurance from city investors that our business plan is well on track and the prospects for ourselves and the Group are very bright – we have a range of services and products that are going to be very relevant in the future marketing and broadcast marketplace”
Following on from this, Pro-Active plan to expand their distribution arm, production facilities and range of programming over the coming months.
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IWSF renew World Tour
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Following a successful relationship in launching the new Waterski and Wakeboard World Cup, in 2005, the International Waterski Federation have re-appointed Pro-Active to take this year’s Tour to the next level.
This year Pro-Active will co-ordinate production in France, Russia (2 stops), Ireland, Singapore and Qatar, from which they will produce 6 x 25 min stand-alones for international placement.
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In addition, the coverage will be carried in Pro-Active’s own “Watersports World” weekly magazine series, “the world’s largest watersports programme”.
In addition, Pro-Active will produce international news output from all rounds.
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Pro-active film “World’s richest sailing race” |
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With a total prize pot of 5 million dirhams (around $1.500,000), the Sir bu Naair Traditional Dhow race off Dubai now boasts the richest purse in world sailing. Pro-Active Televison have been appointed by the organisers, The Dubai international Marine Club, to film this highlight of their watersports calendar, working in liaison with the host broadcasters Dubai Sports Channel.
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Over 100 spectacular 60ft traditional dhows will compete for glory in this 50mile endurance challenge that replicates the return home of the pearl diving fleets of olden times.
Worldwide exposure for the race will be guaranteed thanks to inclusion in Pro-Active’s weekly “Watersports World” magazine show, the world’s biggest watersports show.
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Sevens World Cup biggest ever
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As part of their new appointment by the International Rugby Board to maximise the placement for the sport of rugby 7s , Pro-Active had the task this year of representing, placing and co-ordinating the TV production for a highlight of the sport that only comes around every four years.
The Rugby Word Cup for 7s was held this year in Hong Kong and a record sell-out crowd were treated to a stunning display of skills from 24 teams from around the globe over three days of intense competition.
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Pro-active were busy setting records too. The event was seen in over 300 million homes with a potential audience of 700 million . The greatest audience for a rugby event outside of the Rugby World Cup itself .
Over 160 hours of live coverage were generated in 37 countries. This included Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, South Africa, and the regions of the Pacific Islands, Pan Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In addition there were 40 hours of delayed coverage reaching a further 63 countries.
Pro-active were responsible for the 11 camera coverage of the world feed on all
3 days, and satellite uplink and distribution worldwide, as well as international news and feature output. |
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