The Main Stand – Issue 6

Insights and findings from the world of sports, business and advertising

Jun 07, 2023

The weekend

Hi, and welcome to issue 6 of The Main Stand. Last weekend, the DFB Cup final was finally held again in Berlin. This day is a real highlight for me year after year. Not only because of the sporting aspect, but especially because of the networking and “huddle-up” aspect.

During the final weekend in Berlin, you can easily meet good friends, new contacts, clients and partners that you either a) haven't seen for too long or b) would prefer to see much more often anyway.

This year, of course, the main focus of many talks was on the season final in the Bundesliga and the upcoming second legs of the relegation to the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga. But it was also about the Women's Champions League final, which the VfL Wolfsburg women's team unfortunately lost to FC Barcelona Femini on the afternoon of June 3.

And that brings us to one of the topics of this issue. Together with the FC Barcelona women's and men's teams, Spotify has given fans the opportunity to connect with players and artists using BLEND. In addition, there is on HBO the great documentary "Angel City", to which I have linked you the trailer. And then LaLiga has a new logo.

That, and a bit more, in Issue 6. Enjoy and have a wonderful rest of the week!

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1. Why women in leadership still face the invisible ‘glass cliff’

In mid-May, Twitter’s new CEO Linda Yaccarino, a longtime media executive, took the reins of the social media platform that has faced consistent criticism since Elon Musk bought the company last October. Since Musk took over, 80% of the company has been reduced.

On the surface, her appointment seems like something to be celebrated. She is the first woman to be Twitter’s CEO, which helps boost diversity and inclusion efforts at the company. However, experts argue the hire merely brings another woman onto a “glass cliff.”

Read more here

2. Blend With FC Barcelona and See How Your Musical Tastes Compare to Your Favorite Players

The men’s and women’s FC Barcelona teams are celebrating title-winning seasons, and their avid fans are on board for the ride at the stadium, on social media, and on Spotify through our FC Barcelona hub and players’ matchday playlists. Today we’re kicking it up a notch by expanding Spotify Blend to include several Barça stars, allowing fans to combine their musical tastes with those of their favorite players into one shared playlist.

3. In a Rough Advertising Market, Sports May Be Winning Ticket

Analyst Michael Nathanson lowers forecast for 2023, with streaming growing slower than expected.

Read more here

4. LaLiga reveals new branding, logo and strategic positioning

The new brand represents the evolution that LALIGA has undergone over the last 10 years, becoming bigger, more international and reaching more people than ever before.

Read more here

5. Angel City FC x HBO

Women’s football seems to be having a breakthrough moment these past few years. Record-breaking attendance in stadiums (Women’s Euro Cup), new teams emerging FC Victoria Berlin), and more serious investments by major teams (Wolfsburg, Barcelona, and Bayern). And in the U.S., a new LA-based team emerged on the map, backed by actors and celebrities with the aim to make it big. The story of the founding of Angel City FC (co-founded by Natalie Portman) was documented in a series by HBO and it’s inspiring to witness the boldness and dedication to put a new team on the map.