McDonald's backs Coke's proposal
By Rob Harris, Sports Writer
FIFA has been told by sponsor Coca-Cola to appoint an independent commission to lead a reform process aimed at cleaning up world soccer's scandal-ridden governing body.
In the most significant intervention by a company which helps to bankroll world soccer, the soft drinks giant said Friday that it formally asked FIFA to allow "one or more eminent, impartial leaders" to explore how the organization can regain its credibility and the trust of fans.
After Coca-Cola's demand was revealed, another U.S.-based sponsor — McDonald's — publicly rebuked FIFA for having "internal controls and compliance culture" inconsistent with the fast-food chain's own standards.
FIFA responded by saying it "values the input" of corporate backers but did not endorse calls for a commission.
"FIFA's goal is to achieve the highest standards of governance and accountability for the international football community," the governing body said in a statement to The Associated Press.
FIFA is reeling from the indictment of 14 people — including two now-ousted vice presidents who were arrested in Zurich — in an American investigation into alleged racketeering, bribery and money laundering in soccer.
The indictments were revealed in May, just before Sepp Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as FIFA president, but mounting pressure led to him announcing plans to resign four days later. FIFA's executive committee will meet on Monday to decide an election date, which is likely to be early 2016, and discuss potential reforms.
Coca-Cola, which has sponsored FIFA since 1974, confirmed to the AP that it "asked FIFA to support an independent, third-party commission overseen by one or more eminent, impartial leaders to manage the efforts necessary to help reform FIFA's governance and its human rights requirement."
Brent Wilton, Coca-Cola director of global workplace rights, also wrote to a member of the New FIFA Now movement on Friday to say that the commission "will be the most credible way for FIFA to … build back the trust it has lost."
"We are calling for this approach out of our deep commitment to ethics and human rights and in the interest of seeing FIFA succeed," Wilton wrote to International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Sharan Burrow.
McDonald's — a FIFA sponsor since the 1994 World Cup — told the AP that urgent "deep reform" is required while backing the commission proposed by Coca-Cola.
"Recent allegations and indictments have severely tarnished FIFA in a way that strikes at the very heart of our sponsorship," McDonald's said. "As a result, we have expressed our concerns directly to FIFA. We believe FIFA's internal controls and compliance culture are inconsistent with expectations McDonald's has for its business partners throughout the world.
"FIFA must now implement meaningful changes to restore trust and credibility with fans and sponsors alike. The world expects concrete actions and so does McDonald's."
Swiss federal investors are also looking into the bidding contests for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups where sponsor branding will feature prominently at games.
The call for an "eminent" individual to lead the overhaul of FIFA echoes a key demand in a document from global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International earlier this week.
United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan was named this week by a senior Netherlands football federation official as the type of leader FIFA needs to restore credibility. Annan, a 77-year-old from Ghana, was the top U.N. official for 10 years through 2006 and has also attended showpiece UEFA events recently, including the Champions League final.
A figure from outside of soccer like Annan, however, would be unable to stand for the FIFA presidency, with rules requiring candidates to have been active in football for two of the past five years.
The highlighting by Coca-Cola of FIFA's need to address human rights issues follows criticism of 2022 World Cup host Qatar's treatment of migrant workers and its lack of progress implementing changes to labor legislation.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More