New global ESPNFC brand unveiled in advance of EURO 2012

ESPN this week will introduce ESPNFC, a new multi-language and multi-country brand for soccer fans around the world across TV, radio, print, online, print, and mobile. Just in time for the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, the new offering will bring together all of ESPN’s soccer properties and house them under one universally recognised name.

Online and on mobile, ESPNFC will have the ability to detect where a fan is accessing content, and deliver locally relevant content for that region and serve that content in the native language. ESPNFC will also provide customisable digital opportunities for marketers who can work with ESPN to reach sports fans on both a global and regional scale using ESPN’s worldwide sales teams.

“ESPN is solidifying its dedication to soccer year round with the launch of ESPNFC,” says John Skipper, president, ESPN, and co-chairman, Disney Media Networks. “It represents one of ESPN’s most significant global commitments to the sport and leverages the core strength of what ESPN does well: serve sports fans. In short, ESPNFC is the definitive source for soccer coverage worldwide.”

Beginning this week, fans can experience a preview of ESPNFC with branded content online and on mobile platforms specific to the EURO 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Later this year, online and on mobile — around the start of new soccer seasons around the world — ESPNFC will expand to encompass all major leagues and competitions worldwide. ESPNFC will also be integrated into ESPNdeportes.com, which serves the Spanish-speaking community in the U.S. and across soccer content on many of ESPN’s global TV, radio, and print platforms. The company will also rename its signature global multi-platform soccer debate and discussion show to ESPNFC PressPass (from ESPNsoccernet PressPass), reflecting the new brand.

Throughout the EURO 2012, ESPNFC will provide comprehensive coverage of one of the leading international soccer competitions, including live TV coverage, on-demand video highlights, studio programming clips, news, analysis and commentary, real-time scores, stats, and more.

Inside ESPNFC, fans can access Live MatchHQ, a re-imagined and enhanced version of GameCast which provides the live game experience for those who are not able to watch the game live. It also provides data-driven content from the live experience, including real-time scores and stats, highlights, message boards, and more — all in one place.