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Movers and Shakers: Unlocking New Audiences Through Live Streaming
“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape.
At SGG Media, our focus has always been on staying ahead of the curve and providing the most cost-effective form of sports marketing in the iGaming industry. We specialize in the micro-influencer space, believing this to be the key to unlocking a new generation of sports betting fans.
Of course, staying ahead of the curve is not as easy as it sounds. Part of this entails noticing the industry’s changes as they occur and being able to determine the difference between what will change the game and what is simply a passing trend.
One of our biggest focuses in recent years has been streaming and its emergence as an effective marketing tool in the sports and sports betting industries.
With Gen Z, we are seeing a new generation of sports fans emerge as a commercial force. These fans are defined by their need for fresh experiences, authentic interactions, and a sense of community, all three of which can be provided by live streaming, both by sports and by sports micro-influencers and content creators.
The constant thirst for new experiences is extremely powerful, and we have seen this in action with the emergence of new sports like Power Slap and Pickleball in the last few years. However, unlike major players like the Premier League or the NFL, these sports do not have huge TV deals and do not pack out stadiums week in and week out.
Instead, their events are often live-streamed, and their fans congregate online. A new way of consuming sports is emerging alongside these sports: in-person attendance is being replaced by live streams, while micro-influencers and content creators are replacing punditry and analysis.
SGG Media can send live, real-time, links to the shows from thousands of sports influencers, and their millions of avid sports fan followers, during the actual events – greatly increasing awareness and viewership as they click the link provide in the social media post. Additionally, SGG Media can send social media real-time updates, notifying fans that events are about to start- and tell the fans what channels or platforms they can find the event on. Its easy for fans to lose track of when events are starting and where they can find the event. Social media – in real time – can solve this problem.
What these sports also rely on to succeed is a huge sense of community. Nothing brings people together quite like a shared interest in a niche sport, and live streams have become an excellent platform for nurturing these communities and allowing them to grow organically. The micro-influencers and content creators managing these streams essentially become hosts for giant online discussions and interactions.
From a marketing perspective, this creates a huge opportunity for sports and sports betting businesses. Finding a way into these communities is often extremely difficult, which is where SGG Media can step in. Our network of over 2,200 micro-influencers can provide businesses with access to over 72 million sports fans, as well as countless online communities focused on individual sports and sports teams.
At SGG Media, we believe we can provide unparalleled access to online communities of sports fans at an extremely cost-effective price. Micro-influencers and live-streamers are the present and the future of digital sports marketing, and our network boasts unrivaled access to thousands of them.
Our goal has also been to make this accessible to as many small and medium-sized businesses as possible. Earlier this year, we launched our Instant Quote platform. This allows interested parties to enter information about their business and their marketing budget and to be provided with a quote for a marketing plan.
We believe the emergence of these niche sports and their online communities will only accelerate in the coming years, as will the effectiveness of live streaming as a marketing tool for reaching them.
For many years, online sports betting has been a solitary experience, but this is changing rapidly. Understanding the needs of a new generation and how to effectively market to them is essential for any sports betting business that wants to succeed.
Authenticity is also a key issue we seek to address at SGG Media. For years, the sports marketing landscape has been dominated by endorsements from major celebrities and huge influencers. Both of these endorsements are extremely costly, further lifting the barrier to entry for small—to medium-sized businesses.
New sports fans, particularly Gen Z, have grown up in a world full of these adverts, and it’s fair to say cynicism is at an all-time high. These extremely expensive methods are not as effective as they once were.
This is where micro-influencers and live-streamers come into their own. They share their authentic experiences with their communities, providing an extremely effective and honest form of marketing. At SGG Media, we have observed that aligning brands with micro-influencers and streamers who have a mutual love for sports leads to meaningful connections with like-minded audiences. This strategy allows businesses to engage with individuals who share their values and are genuinely interested in their offerings.
The significance of this is especially relevant with niche sports, as sports betting operators may find it challenging to promote such sports through traditional marketing methods. These sports often have unique requirements and attract specific interests. Therefore, having the ability to directly connect with these niche sports communities holds immense value from a marketing standpoint.
SGG Media has always been about changing the game, and we believe that micro-influencer marketing, live streams, and the emergence of new sports are doing exactly that. We strive to be at the forefront of this change and want to ensure that our clients and partners are with us every step of the journey.
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Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona
The post Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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North Star Network acquires Soccernet.ng to strengthen Nigerian presence
North Star Network (NSN) has announced its acquisition of Soccernet.ng, a prominent Nigerian sports media platform, marking a significant expansion into the Nigerian sports scene and underscoring its ambition to solidify its footprint in the African media landscape.
Founded in 2014, Soccernet.ng has become a trusted authority on Nigerian football, providing in-depth daily coverage of local football alongside trending stories from the global soccer world. Known for its quality journalism and passionate team of football enthusiasts, the platform has achieved significant recognition, including the Sport Blog of the Year award at the Nigerian Blog Awards.
A Strategic Move into Africa
The acquisition of Soccernet.ng is part of North Star Network’s strategy to expand its portfolio in Africa. The platform joins NSN’s roster of over 30 respected sports media brands, which includes Afrik-Foot, Top Mercato, Football Whispers, Sportsmole, and Vringe.
Julien Josset, Co-founder of North Star Network, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:
“We’re excited to welcome Soccernet.ng into the North Star Network family. Their passion for Nigerian football and commitment to quality journalism align perfectly with our global vision of bringing fans closer to the game they love.”
Preserving Soccernet.ng’s Legacy
Soccernet.ng will retain its original team of dedicated journalists, ensuring the platform’s authenticity and unique voice remain intact. The website currently engages readers not only in Nigeria but also across over 150 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Spain.
Biyi Akangbe, Founder of Soccernet.ng, reflected on the platform’s journey:
“We started as a small website 10 years ago with a passion to deliver news about Nigerian footballers to readers. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized source for Nigerian football news. This acquisition by North Star marks an exciting new chapter for our brand.”
Co-founder Lolade Adewuyi will continue to contribute to the site as a columnist, maintaining the brand’s strong connection with its loyal readership.
Expanding Global Reach
The acquisition of Soccernet.ng reinforces North Star Network’s dedication to amplifying local voices in key regions while offering unparalleled sports coverage. With its innovative strategies and growing portfolio, the group is poised to drive sustainable growth across its media brands.
North Star Network is a leading global sports media group, operating in over thirty countries and committed to delivering world-class sports content to fans worldwide.
This acquisition sets the stage for a new era in Nigerian sports journalism and highlights North Star Network’s continued efforts to connect fans to the heart of the game.
The post North Star Network acquires Soccernet.ng to strengthen Nigerian presence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
The post GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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