Sports Technology

News Limited has announced that the company has increased its stake in Australia's largest community sporting network SportingPulse from 51% to 89.5% while also appointing Adam Oakes as SportingPulse's new Chief Executive.

Oakes joins SportingPulse from FOX SPORTS where he spent 12 years, most recently as Director of Specialist Channels and interim Director of Marketing and Communications.

Founder and current SportingPulse Chief Executive Nick Maywald is returning to his entrepreneurial roots and moving into a director of innovation role at SportingPulse.

SportingPulse provides some of Australia's largest sporting organisations with the online tools to manage their operations and competitions, publish websites and communicate with participants. Partners include Basketball Australia, Australian Football League (AFL), National Rugby League (NRL),

Football Federation Australia, Lawn Bowls Australia, Yachting Australia, Baseball Australia and Touch Football Australia. Its network of sites services up to 2.7 million Australians a month across more than 200,000 teams in over 35,000 sports clubs.

Announcing the changes, News Limited Chief Executive Kim Williams explained "since News' initial investment in 2009, SportingPulse has continued to flourish. We are pleased to be continuing our support not only for the company, but for grassroots sport and digital communities in Australia.

"We are delighted to welcome Adam to SportingPulse as the company's new CEO. Adam is highly respected in the sports media industry and I am confident that his extensive experience in sports operations and management will be an invaluable addition to the SportingPulse business.

"His leadership and vision for the company can only further strengthen SportingPulse's offering to its customers advertisers, sporting organisations, sporting participants and their families.

"The appointment of Mr Oakes will also provide additional cross-promotional opportunities between SportingPulse and Fox Sports - ones that will benefit community sport in Australia."

SportingPulse and Fox Footy recently partnered to live stream the Eastern Football League's Grand Final across Victoria.

Oakes added "Nick and his team have built a brilliant business. They have secured the support and partnership of Australia's top sporting organisations and advertisers through solid relationships building and innovative products. I am looking forward to working closely with Nick and the team in further evolving the SportingPulse business as a formidable digital force in community sport."

As director of specialist channels, a position he has held since February 2009, Oakes was responsible for the FOX SPORTS News, Speed and Fuel TV channels, as well as the FOX SPORTS Marketing and Traffic departments. He assumed the position of interim director of marketing and communications in February this year.

Prior to his role as director of specialist channels, Oakes previously occupied the roles of director of marketing, director of digital, director of on air promotions and the director of television services at FOX SPORTS.

Adam Oakes will begin his new role on 22nd October.

Paying tribute to Nick Maywald's contribution to the company, Kim Williams added "SportingPulse produces excellent digital services to the community, sporting organisations and advertisers. I commend Nick for building a strong business model for the company and am delighted that he has agreed to continue with the business as director of innovation."

For more information go to www.sportingpulse.com

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