In L.A., Manouk Akopyan notes negotiations to find boxer Canelo Alvarez a "formidable dance partner are progressing toward a more decisive finish, although it may not be the big name with star power that the public desires." A source said that DAZN, Alvarez’ exclusive streaming partner, "approved opponent Sergiy Derevyanchenko for a middleweight championship fight to take place Oct. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas." Both Derevyanchenko’s promoter DiBella Entertainment and Alvarez’ promoter Golden Boy Promotions "must agree on financial terms to finalize a contract" (L.A. TIMES, 7/31).
ON THE MARKET: In N.Y., Josh Kosman notes an auction to sell Nielsen "appears to be a bust," but the company has "not given up and is now looking to sell itself in pieces." Sources said that Nielsen has "started to contact buyers about acquiring parts of its business." Nielsen has two sides to its business: a consumer products market share segment, which includes clients Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola; and its TV ratings business (N.Y. POST, 7/31).
PIVOT! PIVOT! DIGIDAY's Lucinda Southern notes sports subscription app Otro is "pivoting its business model six months after launch, setting up as a digital content studio to open up more access to audiences and revenue streams." The app "offers fans video content and more direct access to soccer players for a monthly fee" of $4.86. The platform’s "unique sell is its 17 founding global football players, including Lionel Messi, Neymar and David Beckham." Otro will continue to "produce short-form reactive social videos as well as longer-form documentaries and originals" (DIGIDAY.com, 7/31).
