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Messi Named The Face of FIFA Street and Futbol Ambassador for EA Sports

On November 25, 2011, In arts & entertainment, creative class, franchises, technology, by InvestBA
FIFA Street Lionel Messi EA Sports

El Mejor Jugador del Mundo becomes a global ambassador for EA Sports (Click for Video)

In a high profile case of soccer superlatives, the world’s greatest futbol player and the world’s number one maker of sports video games have officially joined forces. EA Sports has tapped Argentina native and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi to be the face of the 2012 version of the popular FIFA Street video game. The Street series spotlights the culture of freestyle football played in the streets and backlots across the world.

In addition to the FIFA Street cover spot, the multi-year deal signed between EA Sports and Messi will extend to a more profound global ambassador role for La Pulga. According to El Espectador, Messi will now be the global image of the EA Sports FIFA franchise, the video game which recently sold 3.2 million copies of its 2012 edition in only five days.

As the new ambassador, Messi’s image will be the cornerstone of EA Sports Football campaigns on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. In return, EA Sports announced an alliance with the Leo Messi Foundation which works to provide education and health care for children around the world.

At age 24, Messi has scored over 200 goals and currently ranks number two on the list of FC Barcleona’s all-time leading goal scorers. He has been the leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League for three consecutive years and is a finalist to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or for the second straight year.  (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about video game development in Argentina, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.

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Argentina Football: Fans, Sponsors Still Looking for Something to Cheer About

On November 15, 2011, In arts & entertainment, by InvestBA
Festeja Cada Gol con Coca-Cola

Celebrate Every Goal? What Goals? The heat is on for Messi and Co. tonight in Colombia.

When the Seleccion Argentina takes the field tonight for a 2014 World Cup Qualifying match against Colombia, the only thing more uncomfortable than the 100-degree temperatures in Barranquilla will be the heat they are feeling here at home.

2011 has been a year of unmet expectations and surprise upsets for the National Team. Argentina hosted the Copa America in July, but the team scored only one goal in the first two games. Giant Coca-Cola billboards around the country encouraging fans to “Celebrate Every Goal” seemed a tad optimistic. The team finally managed two goals against Costa Rica before being eliminated by eventual winner Uruguay in the Quarterfinals.

The World Cup Qualifiers have not been much easier to watch. Only five goals scored in three games, a 1-0 loss to Venezuela, and a disappointing 1-1 tie against Bolivia last Friday. New coach Alejandro Sabella’s CV is a mediocre 3-2-2 in the seven games he has coached since August 6. Not helping matters is the lackluster production of the world’s greatest soccer player whenever he trades his Barcelona jersey for the blue and white stripes.

Messi has already described tonight’s match as a must-win, a sentiment shared by Argentina fans and corporate sponsors alike. Far from optimistic about tonight’s match, La Nacion’s Santiago Peluffo says Sabella seems to be a coach still in search of a team, while commentator Horario Pagani says the oppressive heat in Barranquilla “is tremendous.” Another loss tonight and it only gets hotter. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about upcoming events in Buenos Aires, download InvestBA Privada.

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With FIFA 2012, EA Sports Offers Super Messi or Messi Lite

On August 18, 2011, In arts & entertainment, creative class, technology, by InvestBA
EA Sports FIFA 2012 Lionesl Messi

Head-to-head: FIFA 2012 offers an FCB Messi at 98 and a National Team version at 76.

It seems like EA Sports is always stirring up a little controversy when it comes to Argentina futbol. One year ago it was their simulated World Cup which crowned La Roja champions before the tournament even started. Unfortunately for Argentina and 30 other teams in South Africa, they were right.

Argentina’s early exit against Germany was a national disappointment and Lionel Messi‘s failure to score in the entire 2010 World Cup or the 2011 Copa America stands in stark contrast to his superhero status with Barcelona. La Pulga scored twice yesterday alone in Barça’s defeat of bitter rival Real Madrid, and European headlines today declared him “SuperMessi.” The world’s greatest player has now notched 8 goals in the Spanish Supercopa, 12 goals in the 2010-11 Champions League and 53 goals for Barcelona last year.

EA Sports games are critically acclaimed for their stunning realism, so in a classic version of video art imitating life, EA is offering gol-hungry gamers two different Messi’s with two totally different ability scores: 98 for Super Messi when he suits up for the FCB and 76 for Messi Lite when he reps the Selección Argentina.

When asked about the 22-point discrepancy in Messi’s ability scores, an EA Sports rep told El Comercio, “It’s a way of trying to make the game more real.” So if you’re a fan of Barça, FIFA 2012 is even better than the real thing. And if you’re a fan of the Selección, reality bites. (Full Story)

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In Argentina, Adidas Trades Shoes For Shelves

On July 22, 2011, In foreign investment, lifestyle, by InvestBA
Adidas Galerias Pacifico

Todo Por Los Muebles: Adidas will export BA-made furniture to retail outlets around the world.

2011 has been a tough year for Adidas-sponsored clubs in Argentina. First River Plate falls from the First Division ranks, then the Seleccion Argentina gets an early round boot from the Copa America.

Now another kink has been thrown in the 2011 business plan. Like several high-profile importers in other sectors, Adidas must now export an Argentine-made product to compensate for the shoes and athletic wear the company imports.

Like Cayennes for Cabernet Sauvignon, the decision for Adidas was rather simple. The company works with a Buenos Aires-based company that manufactures the furniture for their retail stores. According to Cronista’s Matias Bonelli, Adidas will begin exporting Rapi-estant store furnishings to the over 1,000 Adidas stores around the world. In China alone, the company plans to open 2,500 new stores by 2015. (Unlike the new “Apple Stores” in China, they will be legitimate Adidas-owned outlets.)

Bonelli says Adidas is also ramping up production in Argentina which will also offset the need to export more merchandise. The company plans to increase shoe production in Argentina by 25% this year alone. Currently 50% of the Adidas merchandise sold in Argentina is made in Argentina while the remainder comes from China, Thailand and other Asian countries.

So just to recap: Adidas will manufacture shoes in China, ship and sell them in Argentina, purchase shelving systems in Argentina and ship them to China where they will display Chinese-made shoes made popular by another Argentine export, Lionel Messi. (Full Story in Spanish)

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