Ambush Marketing The Mega Event Monopoly

This book undertakes a critical examination of commercial rights to sports mega-events (focusing on sponsorship), the exclusivity of such rights and the legal implications of the modern mega-event sponsorship model. It examines ambush marketing of events and the law’s treatment of ambushing (specifically in the form of sui generis event legislation) in a review of 10 major jurisdictions selected on the basis of the importance of the events they are to host in the near future or have hosted recently, and the relevant domestic legislation. It critically examines the legitimacy of such commercial rights protection by means of the use of laws in the context of accepted principles of intellectual property law, competition law and human rights law. Specifically, it questions the legitimacy of the creation of statutory ‘association rights’ to mega-events, and considers potential future developments in respect of the law’s treatment of mega-event commercialisation. Valuable for practitioners and academics (in the fields of sportslaw/sponsorship/marketing/intellectual property law); sports administrators (sports governing bodies); corporate sponsors of sports and other events; potential mega-event host governments and law-makers; civil rights organisations.

Global sports events are rarely far from the public eye. Such mega-events are about much more than the sporting competitions themselves. They entail global exposure and intense struggles by different stakeholders. This is the first book to examine sports mega-events from a mobilities perspective. It analyses the ‘mobile construction’ of global sports mega-events and the role this plays in managing labour, imaginaries, policies and legacies. In particular, the book focuses on the tension between the various mobilities and immobilities that are implied in the process of constructing a mega-event. It seeks to uncover the ways in which an event is a series of fluid interactions that occur sequentially and simultaneously at multiple scales in diverse spheres of interaction. Contributions explore the dynamics through which mega-events occur, revealing the textures and nuance of the complex systems that sustain them, and the ways that events ramify throughout the international system.

The application of marketing concepts to sports products and services is vital to the success of the industry. When appealing to the target audience of an event, it is essential to construct a strong marketing plan by utilizing emergent technologies and strategies. Strategies in Sports Marketing: Technologies and Emerging Trends provides relevant information on the marketing strategies and marketing trends of sporting events by highlighting the plans and tactical operations that sports organizations conduct when integrating marketing strategies. This publication is a comprehensive reference source for students, researchers, academicians, professionals and practitioners, as well as scientists and executive managers interested in the marketing strategies of sporting events.

As marketing professionals look for ever more effective ways to promote their goods and services to customers, a thorough understanding of customer needs and the ability to predict a target audience’s reaction to advertising campaigns is essential. Marketing and Consumer Behavior: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications explores cutting-edge advancements in marketing strategies as well as the development and design considerations integral to the successful analysis of consumer trends. Including both in-depth case studies and theoretical discussions, this comprehensive four-volume reference is a necessary resource for business leaders and marketing managers, students and educators, and advertisers looking to expand the reach of their target market.

Principles & Practice in EU Sports Law provides an overview of EU Sports Law. In particular it assesses sporting bodies' claims for legal autonomy from the 'ordinary law' of states and international organisations. Sporting bodies insist on using their expertise to create a set of globally applicable rules which should not be deviated from irrespective of the territory on which they are applied. The application of the lex sportiva, which refers to the conventions that define a sport's operation, is analysed, as well as how this is used in claims for sporting autonomy. The lex sportiva may generate conflicts with a state or international institution such as the European Union, and the motives behind sporting bodies' claims in favour of the lex sportiva's autonomy may be motivated by concern to uphold its integrity or to preserve commercial gain. Stephen Weatherill's text underlines the tense relationship between lex sportiva and national and regional jurisdictions which is exemplified with specific focus on the EU. The development of EU sports law and its controversies are detailed, reinforced by the example of relevant legal principles in the context of the practice of sports law. The intellectual heart of the text endeavours to make a normative assessment of the strength of claims in favour of sporting autonomy, and the comparison between different jurisdictions and sports is evident. Furthermore the enduring dilemma facing sports lawyers running throughout the text is whether sport should be regarded as special, and in turn how (far) its special character should be granted legal recognition.

In the contemporary world many corporate entities pour in huge sums of money to sponsor popular sports and cultural events with the aim of promoting their brands and products exclusively. Increasingly, however, they find themselves outwitted by ambush marketing--ingenious and innovative ways used by rivals to associate their brands with a particular event and derive enormous gains, but without paying sponsorship fees. Event organizers, including major international committees and governments, view this phenomenon as a threat, because they rely heavily on sponsors to finance events. This unique book explores how the highly competitive, yet self-confident, world of business promotion and advertising has been shaken by ambush marketing. Using examples from around the world, it surveys the different ambush marketing practices prevalent today. It shows the limitations of traditional legal measures such as actions for passing off, and infringement of trademarks and copyright in dealing with such activity. The author offers insights into possible solutions to the problem and includes an extensive discussion on the significance of event-specific anti-ambush marketing legislation. Widening the scope of the discussion, he goes on to examine whether placing restrictions on ambush marketing would be valid in the context of competition law and whether any constitutional rights may end up being violated.

The goal of this publication is to serve as a reference tool that shall help to guide the development of national strategies in order to sustain sport and its development through IP rights.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this practical analysis of sports law in Ireland deals with the regulation of sports activity by both public authorities and private sports organizations. The growing internationalization of sports inevitably increases the weight of global regulation, yet each country maintains its own distinct regime of sports law and its own national and local sports organizations. Sports law at a national or organizational level thus gains a growing relevance in comparative law. The book describes and discusses both state-created rules and autonomous self-regulation regarding the variety of economic, social, commercial, cultural, and political aspects of sports activities. Self- regulation manifests itself in the form of by-laws, and encompasses organizational provisions, disciplinary rules, and rules of play. However, the trend towards more professionalism in sports and the growing economic, social and cultural relevance of sports have prompted an increasing reliance on legal rules adopted by public authorities. This form of regulation appears in a variety of legal areas, including criminal law, labour law, commercial law, tax law, competition law, and tort law, and may vary following a particular type or sector of sport. It is in this dual and overlapping context that such much-publicized aspects as doping, sponsoring and media, and responsibility for injuries are legally measured. This monograph fills a gap in the legal literature by giving academics, practitioners, sports organizations, and policymakers access to sports law at this specific level. Lawyers representing parties with interests in Ireland will welcome this very useful guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative sports law.