ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro this week sent a note to ESPN employees thanking them for a productive first 60 days. Pitaro: "It's been a great start and I'm incredibly optimistic about where we're headed together." Pitaro noted April was a strong month for "SportsCenter." He wrote, "Riding the wave of success from 'SportsCenter on Snapchat,' the coming weeks will see 'SportsCenter' unveil new iterations within the ESPN app (a condensed, morning edition anchored by Scott Van Pelt) and on Twitter (@SClive for breaking news coverage through video and the Moments experience)" (ESPN).
HITTING THE NET: SPORTTECHIE's Joe Lemire noted a highlight "will be clipped and posted on Twitter ... within seconds of every goal" scored at this summer's FIFA World Cup. Broadcasters in both the U.S. and Australia nightly will "air live analysis shows on the social media platform recapping that day's play and reviewing the next." Brands are "getting on board, too." Beer brand Tecate has "concocted a storyline of Mexican soccer fans cheering on their team while out of their element in Russia." Twitter's coverage of the tournament is "highlighted by partnerships with 24 publishers across 12 countries and regions for delivery of on-field content, studio analysis and behind-the-scenes access" (SPORTTECHIE.com, 5/9).
NOTES: Jonathan Hock "will direct '14 Back,' the story of the historic" summer of '78 pennant race between the Yankees and the Red Sox. The documentary, scheduled for a late summer debut, will be co-produced with MLB and "distributed by SI TV" (SI.com, 5/10)....MLB Network’s weekly kids-focused show “Play Ball” this weekend will spotlight minor league players for the first time. An episode premiering Saturday morning will profile Blue Jays prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio, each the sons of former MLBers (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
