Sportel Monaco 2016: HBS’ Wrap-Up

HBS’ management discussed the future of broadcasting with global leaders of the industry.

Key members of HBS’ management travelled to the annual Sportel Sports Marketing and Media Convention, in Monaco, from 24 to 27 October.

HBS CEO Francis Tellier, accompanied by Chief Content Officer Dan Miodownik and Deputy Head of Digital Johannes Franken, represented HBS and attended the exhibition to meet with partners and decision makers at the annual trade show.

The timing of the 2016 convention couldn’t have been more fortuitous, as the news that IGBS – the joint venture between IMG and HBS – had been appointed Rugby World Cup 2019 Host Broadcaster was announced on 26 October.

The move is unprecedented, as it is the first time World Rugby, the international governing body, has appointed a dedicated Host Broadcaster. HBS will bring its experience as a world-renowned Host Broadcaster to take the Rugby World Cup to new levels. Reactions from the broadcasting industry at Sportel were enthusiastic and underlined the potential of the partnership.

HBS’ parent company Infront Sports & Media was also out in force during the convention. The agency held a record of about 350 meetings at its booth in the span of four days. Infront also announced new digitalisation plans, especially for winter sports, to be at the forefront of the digital world, while broadening fan engagement.

Infront’s innovative and leadership role was acknowledged by the industry at the TV Sports Awards, when the company was named, with Wanda Sports, “Agency of the Year”.

Another highlight of Sportel 2016 were the Sportel Awards, held on the second evening of the event. Jean-Jacques Amsellem, HBS’ long-term collaborator and a talented football match director, picked up the Golden Podium Prize of the Jury for its “Tout en Douceur” sequence, shot in slow-mo during a boxing match he covered for French TV channel Canal+.