Latest news with #FrenchFootball
Forbes
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Ligue 1 McDonald's TikTok Masterclass: Lessons On How To Crack The TikTok Code
How this French Football league mastered the art of building global fandom In a sports media landscape overflowing with content, how does a top-tier league not just compete but dominate? France's top football league, Ligue 1 McDonald's, has cracked the code with a reimagined TikTok strategy designed to turn a social platform into a global engagement engine. In just a year, this bold pivot hasn't just enhanced the Ligue 1 McDonald's international profile; it has significantly bolstered an entire ecosystem of teams, broadcasters, and athletes. With an astounding 20 million followers and over 1.6 billion video views, Ligue 1 McDonald's has emerged as one of the most influential sports publishers on TikTok, proving that even in a saturated market, strategic innovation can generate unparalleled reach. Here, we unpack the key lessons from their winning formula. The Ligue 1 McDonald's TikTok strategy is all about scale and consistency. By posting more than 25 times per week (sometimes exceeding 50), they feed TikTok's recommendation system a constant stream of rich signals — from high completion rates and shares to comments and the use of trending sounds — optimizing for maximum reach, engagement, and relevance. The insight is simple: More posts mean more "For You" placements, especially when the content is timely, tailored, and genuinely engaging. This consistent output is fueled by a robust, continuously updated clip library that allows the league to satisfy fan obsession with a diverse mix of formats. Think match highlights alongside behind-the-scenes glimpses, trending memes, and intimate pre-game rituals — all coexisting seamlessly in one consistent feed. In addition, Ligue 1 McDonald's delivered more than just traditional highlights, expertly integrating diverse formats, including creator-style edits, engaging voiceovers, and trending sounds. This creative range ensures their content not only avoids viewer fatigue but actively captures the attention spans and preferences of different fan segments, from those seeking quick match highlights to those craving deeper player insights or trending cultural content. One of Ligue 1 McDonald's most impactful strategic moves has been its commitment to creating localized content. Rather than segmenting into separate feeds, they leverage strategic geofencing not to limit visibility but to amplify it by delivering additional, audience-specific posts tailored to the region, language, and cultural relevance. These geofenced posts are published in addition to Ligue 1 McDonald's regular global content, serving as an extra layer of targeted distribution that precisely amplifies reach among international fanbases. This strategy has significantly boosted the team's visibility outside of France, with international views accounting for a remarkable 61% of all #ligue1 views, totaling 3.6 billion. The lesson here is clear: use geofencing to expand reach and maintain a strong global presence by connecting with local audiences through tailored content. Ligue 1 McDonald's achieves this by creating dedicated posts for every player, every target market, and in every relevant language. For example: as part of their successful Arabic strategy, the league localized content by specifically spotlighting Arab players and tailoring posts entirely in Arabic, which ensured they appeared directly to fans in Arabic-speaking countries. This targeted approach strengthens emotional connections, celebrates regional heroes, and has proven exceptionally effective in expanding the league's fanbase across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Ligue 1 McDonald's approach offers a replicable playbook for sports publishers and leagues worldwide: In today's dynamic digital landscape, building global fan communities is a vital element of any winning strategy. Ligue 1 McDonald's TikTok success proves that nurturing direct, personalized connections worldwide translates into unparalleled visibility and engagement. For any brand aiming for sustained growth — empowering and deeply connecting with your community is the key to transforming fleeting fans into loyal brand advocates.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Lyon win appeal against relegation as Palace's European place put in major doubt
Lyon have won their appeal against relegation to the French second division, a decision which puts Crystal Palace's participation in next season's Europa League in major doubt. Palace thought they had secured a place in Europe's second-tier club competition thanks to their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May but uncertainty quickly arose as to whether they would be allowed to enter due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules. Outgoing Palace shareholder John Textor has an interest in French club Lyon, who qualified for the same competition. Lyon had reached a settlement with UEFA agreeing to be excluded from European competitions next season if their relegation was confirmed on appeal, a move which would almost certainly have meant Palace could play in the Europa League. However, Lyon's success and higher league position means Palace are set to be moved down to the Conference League. Sources close to UEFA had previously indicated that Nottingham Forest would take the English spot in the Europa League vacated by Palace. Lyon said in a statement: 'Today's decision is the first step in restoring confidence in Olympique Lyonnais and we now return our focus to creating success on the pitch, ready for next season.' UEFA said on June 30 it was postponing a decision in the case pending the outcome of Lyon's appeal hearing. UEFA has been approached for comment regarding the outcome of the Lyon appeal. Sources close to UEFA on June 30 indicated that no multi-club ownership issue had been identified with regard to Palace shareholder David Blitzer's involvement with Danish side Brondby, who have also qualified for the Conference League, which means the London club should face no barrier in entering UEFA's third-tier club competition.
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Crystal Palace's European dream takes new twist after Lyon relegated over financial troubles
Crystal Palace 's European dream has taken a new twist after French giants Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 for failing to convince authorities they have resolved their financial difficulties. The seven-time French champions were hit with a provisional relegation back in November after racking up massive debts, and although they have since sold a number of first-team players, French football watchdog the DNCG upheld the relegation following meetings on Tuesday. The decision was announced by the French Football League (LFP) on Tuesday evening. Monaco, Nantes and Paris FC will face no further action. Although Lyon can still appeal against the ruling, the decision to relegate a club that won seven consecutive titles between 2001-02 and 2007-08, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League as recently as 2020, will send shockwaves through French football. The club's president John Textor told L'Equipe last week he was confident the club's financial position had been resolved, having said back in November there was 'no chance' the club would be relegated. Textor is in the process of selling his shares in Premier League club Palace, who are at risk of being denied their place in the Europa League next season as Lyon have also qualified after finishing sixth in Ligue 1. A sale to Woody Johnson, owner of the NFL 's New York Jets, has been agreed but the Premier League is yet to ratify the deal and Johnson must yet pass the Premier League 's owners' and directors' test. Lyon's relegation would not have an impact on Palace's position in the Europa League unless Uefa was to apply its own sanctions against the French club that led to exclusion from European competition. But Palace hope that Textor's sale will be enough to secure their Europa place. After receiving the provisional relegation last year, Lyon sold the likes of Said Benrahma, Anthony Lopes and Maxence Caqueret in January, and this summer they have already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City. A statement from Lyon read: " Olympique Lyonnais acknowledges the incomprehensible decision rendered by the DNCG tonight and confirms that it will immediately file an appeal. "In recent months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all of its requests with cash equity investments exceeding the amounts requested. "Thanks to the equity contributions of our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved significantly, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season. "With so much cash liquidity demonstrated, and sporting success which has earned European competition in two consecutive years, we sincerely do not understand how one administrative decision could relegate such a great French club. "Through our appeal, we will establish our substantial cash resources as necessary for Olympique Lyonnais to keep its place in Ligue 1."
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-France striker Bernard Lacombe dies aged 72
LYON : Former Lyon and Bordeaux striker Bernard Lacombe, who won Euro 1984 with France, died yesterday at the age of 72 after a long illness. Lacombe began his career with hometown club Lyon and had a brief spell at St-Etienne before joining Bordeaux, scoring 255 goals in total in the French top flight in 497 matches. Only Argentine Delio Onnis (299) has scored more goals in Ligue 1. Lacombe returned to Lyon after his playing career and served as manager between 1996 and 2000. 'It's with immense sadness that we learned of the death of Bernard Lacombe,' the club wrote in a statement. 'Farewell Bernard, you were our legend, the greatest of all.' Lacombe scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for France and played in his country's 2-0 win over Spain in the 1984 European Championship final in Paris.
Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Times
Harvest time for farmers' league as PSG make light work of Europe's best
The strange thing is, nobody really calls it the farmers' league. Maybe in a few memes, on the odd message board, in some of the more heated corners of social media, but no serious football person thinks of Ligue 1 as a competition for agriculteurs. What is a farmers' league anyway? It would be one in which the players are part-time, which France's are not, and the football crude, which French football is not. There is also a hint of unworthiness or weakness in there, yet French clubs have performed reasonably well in Europe this season. Monaco, Lille and Brest all made it out of the Champions League group stage, and while none of the three won their next knockout game, Brest were eliminated by this season's champions Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco lost a thrilling tie 4-3 to Benfica and Lille went down 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund. No shame there. In the Europa League, Lyon lost that crazy game to Manchester United in the quarter-finals, meaning only Lens and Nice in the lesser competitions truly disappointed. France's problem is with history. Until this weekend, no French club had won a European trophy since PSG claimed the Cup Winners' Cup in 1996. Even the country's previous European Cup win, by Marseille in 1993, was tainted by corruption. For too long the reputation of French football has been that it produces brilliant individuals, as shown by the performances of the national team, who graduate to clubs in wealthier, more successful, leagues and conquer Europe from there. Since 2010, only Liverpool and Manchester City have won the Champions League without a Frenchman on the pitch. So, no, it most certainly isn't the farmers' league. Still, the perception in Paris is of disrespect. Luis Enrique, PSG's coach, references the jibe frequently as though he hears it all the time. No doubt it is a useful motivational tool to tell his players the world thinks they are akin to labourers. It's just not true. Long before they utterly dismantled Inter Milan, excellent judges such as Liverpool's Arne Slot had PSG down as the best team in Europe and when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sniffily disagreed and placed his own team first he was widely ridiculed. Yet even if Ligue 1 really was just PSG and every other team made up the numbers — and, yes, that is sometimes how it looks from the outside — it wouldn't matter. If anything it makes their achievement this season even greater. Since PSG took control of domestic competition in France — they have won ten of the past 12 titles — their superiority has been viewed as the cause of weakness in Europe. Each time they have fallen short in the Champions League — and their record in the 12 seasons preceding this comprises five exits in the round of 16, four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a losing final — it has been suggested that their domestic dominance is in part responsible. PSG have it too easy, runs the argument, and then when they need to raise standards against the European elite, the improvement simply isn't there. It's the same with Celtic; the domestic ease makes them soft. And maybe this has been true. If so, however, it is to the immense credit of Luis Enrique and this group of players that a way has been found to maintain such a high level against the elite of Europe when the domestic competition is not comparably challenging. PSG won this season's title in the first week of April and the Champions League on the last day in May, which flies in the face of the idea this squad needs toughening up. Now, of course, it will be said that Luis Enrique has been able to keep his players fresh with the domestic campaign done. Yet both arguments cannot be true. It can't be that Ligue 1 leaves PSG too lightly raced to compete, yet also keeps them fresh for battle. Equally, it really doesn't matter about the other 17 clubs. Transport any Premier League team across the channel to Ligue 1 and, if PSG were still involved, it would remain a damned hard competition to win. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa all found PSG too hot to handle at various times in this campaign. The Premier League rightly boasts of its strength in depth but it is usually just one, at most two, other clubs that keep a title race going. Liverpool found it hard to win the Premier League under Jürgen Klopp because of one team, City, not ten. That is the other myth of the French farmers' league. A farm only requires one really good farmer. If the men's 100m final was you, six men in flip flops with their legs tied together, plus Usain Bolt, you're still not getting gold. The Rugby World Cup is frequently decried for the same reason. Yet even if it were reduced to four teams, but the quartet comprised New Zealand, South Africa and France, Steve Borthwick would still have his work cut out leading England to glory. What we are now seeing in PSG is a French club fully realising its potential. Not just its wealth but its resources. The northern suburbs of the city, in particular, are arguably the greatest reserve of natural talent in Europe. We talk of England's North East or the football cages in south London, but the mystery with PSG has always been why they did not tap into the talent on their doorstep and why players such as William Saliba were so easily lost to French club football. Now PSG have moved on from their galactico period, young men like Senny Mayulu — the 19-year-old who scored the fifth goal against Inter — look like the future. PSG also have the clout to pluck the best products from their rivals. Désiré Doué came from Rennes, the club that also produced Eduardo Camavinga, Mikaël Silvestre, Mathys Tel, Sylvain Wiltord — and Ousmane Dembélé. Its production line fed players to England, both homegrown and scouted discoveries. Petr Cech, Jérémy Doku, Raphinha and Abdoulaye Doucouré all came to the Premier League from Rennes. Yet when the best young squad in Europe is being nurtured 200 miles away in Paris, that route may become less travelled. The hope is PSG, having first harmed the competition with domination, now pull Ligue 1 up with them. Earlier this month it was reported the French federation was considering having a final four tournament to decide the champions, adding a layer of jeopardy to the PSG procession. There were plans to restructure governance along the lines of the Premier League, while ditching broadcast rights holders in favour of an in-house streaming service. It sounded like French football was in crisis. Having the continent's best team may just change that. PSG's triumph could not have come at a better moment. It's harvest time in the farmers' league, one might say.
