BANGKOK (29 August 2019) – The FA of Thailand (FA Thailand) and Octagon have announced a multi-tier media rights consulting partnership, in which Octagon’s Global Media Rights Consulting division will advise FA Thailand on their national teams and domestic leagues media rights.
Central to the partnership, Octagon will provide media rights data, insight, valuation, and sales strategy services for the Football Association of Thailand. In addition, Octagon will work directly with association executives to help amplify reach through traditional and new media distribution opportunities, as well as generate increases in revenue for the Men’s and Women’s Thai Football National Teams, the Toyota Thai Football League, and FA’s compelling portfolio of properties.
“The Thai Football League, along with the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, are some of the fastest growing and most successful football properties in Asia, and we’re excited to work with the Football Association of Thailand to help take the league and its teams to new levels,” said Daniel Cohen, Senior Vice President, Global Media Rights Consulting, Octagon. “By leveraging Octagon’s global expertise in media rights consulting, combined with Nick and Iqbal’s local knowledge, we will build a bigger and brighter future for Thai football. Harnessing Octagon’s global network of media data and research analysts, C-Level broadcaster relationships, and negotiating expertise, we anticipate new media collaborations that will deliver Thai Football to more fans than ever before.”
“The Football Association of Thailand is proud to partner with Octagon to continue to drive increased global television and digital distribution, and manage media rights for our national teams and the Thai Football League,” said Somyot Poompanmoung, President, Football Association of Thailand. “Our men’s and women’s national teams, as well as the Thai Football League, are among the most popular football properties in Asia. We are excited to build on their combined success and create a long term proposition for media distribution on the global stage.”
Octagon and FA Thailand worked with Asian based specialists Nick Wilkinson and Iqbal Maricar to complete the partnership.
Octagon’s media rights consulting work with FA Thailand will include reviewing the association’s existing media rights agreements, assets and content packages, as well as determining the best future packaging and go-to market strategy for FA Thailand’s full media rights portfolio. In addition, Octagon will provide in-depth analysis of potential distribution platforms and pricing models, and negotiate new distribution agreements in key markets, to maximize revenue and expand viewership and reach. The next cycle of domestic and international media rights begins January 1, 2020.
Featuring 16 teams from across Thailand, the Toyota Thai League 1 (T1) is the country’s premiere football league. Founded nearly 25 years ago, Thai League 1 includes defending champion Buriram United, as well as Bangkok United, Chainat Hornbill, Chiangmai, Chiangrai United, Chonburi, Muangthong United, Nakhon Ratchasima, Port Bangkok, PT Prachuap, PTT Rayong, Ratchaburi Mitr Phol, Samut Prakan City, Sukhothai, Suphanburi and Trat. The Toyota Thai League season annually runs from February to October, with teams playing 30 games each, for a total of 240 games in the season.
Operated by FA Thailand, the Men’s and Women’s Thai National Football Teams are two of the most successful football organizations in Southeast Asia. The men’s national team owns five ASEAN Football Championship titles, and nine senior-level Southeast Asian Games titles, more than any team in the last decade. The women’s national team holds an AFC Women’s Asian Cup title, four AFF Women’s Championship titles, and five Southeast Asian Games gold medals.
About Octagon Media Rights Consulting
A division of Octagon Worldwide, Octagon’s media rights consulting and advisory services leverage the strength and size of Octagon’s proprietary data, research, analytics, and technology, to provide strategic consultation to major domestic and international rights holders, teams, broadcasters, emerging distribution platforms, and the sports investment community. Our data-based, end-to-end solution helps clients evaluate the ever-changing content opportunities and optimize value across linear TV, digital and OTT platforms.
