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MUMBAI:
Turner Broadcasting System has acquired San Francisco-based
Bleacher Report, one of the fastest growing sports digital
properties on the Internet, for an estimated $175 million.
B/R
(bleacherreport.com) and its popular mobile offerings will
now operate as part of the Turner Sports division, Turner
Broadcasting president of sales, distribution and sports David
Levy said.
Turner
Sports currently manages digital properties on behalf of the
NBA, NCAA and PGA, oversees ad sales for NASCAR.COM and has
a strategic sales relationship with Yahoo! Sports. B/R will
complement a preeminent collection of brands within the Turner
Digital portfolio spanning entertainment, sports, kids, news
and comedy destinations across broadband, mobile and tablet.
"Bleacher
Report is a strategic acquisition that further enhances Turner's
portfolio of sports offerings, as well as reflects our continuing
commitment to bring fans greater content across all screens
throughout the entire year," said Levy.
"As
brand builders and content providers, we were attracted to
Bleacher Report's fast growth to a leading marketplace position
and a valued consumer destination. The site will continue
to innovate and provide users and sports fans with branded
news and information. With our expansive digital rights and
resources, Turner will further ensure Bleacher Report's continued
growth and success."
Levy
added, "With the acquisition of Bleacher Report, we have
added another dimension to our portfolio of digital and mobile
properties that will enable us to offer our advertising partners
integrated opportunities across all screens and demos that
will enhance our ability to monetise sports programming throughout
the entire year."
B/R
CEO Brian Grey will continue to oversee B/R's day-to-day operations
out of its San Francisco offices and will report directly
to Lenny Daniels, executive vice president and chief operating
officer of Turner Sports. Together, Grey and Matt Hong, senior
vice president and general manager of operations for Turner
Sports, will partner in the overall management and integration
of the Bleacher Report operations into the Turner Sports portfolio.
Dave
Finocchio, founder and chief content & product officer,
Bleacher Report & vice president, Turner Sports; Sam Parnell,
chief technology officer, Bleacher Report & vice president,
Turner Sports and Rich Calacci, Chief Revenue Officer, Bleacher
Report & senior vice president, Turner Digital Ad Sales
will all stay on board within their expanded roles.
"Bleacher
Report was created to put fans first, and we are excited to
integrate our innovative content publishing model and engaging
multi-platform consumer digital media experience within Turner
Sports' world-class television and digital content portfolio,"
said Brian Grey, in his newly-expanded role as chief executive
officer, Bleacher Report & senior vice president, Turner
Sports.
"Together
the portfolio will define how content creators, consumers
and marketers come together around the sports team and topic
content experience that fans will consume across every screen."
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