December 7: At a press conference hosted in Beijing, NetEase Media Group released its reporting strategy for the 2018 World Cup. As part of this strategy, NetEase Media have signed a partnership agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF), becoming the first Chinese media company to partner with a national football team who have qualified for the 2018 World Cup.

In fact, it is not the first time NetEase Media have formed such a partnership. During the 2014 World Cup, the Chinese internet-based media group acted as the exclusive media partner to both the Brazilian and Spanish national football team. 

In their new partnership with FFF, NetEase Media have been endorsed with the exclusive rights to the use of the collective images of the French national football team. The exclusive rights acquired by NetEase Media include making videos and conducting interviews with the team during the 2018 World Cup.  

To create more high-quality content, NetEase Media will send a 100-member team to report firsthand on the 2018 World Cup. Subsidiary channels of NetEase Media will also join the reporting mission, including its Technology, Entertainment, Fashion and Finance Channels. 

Additionally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will act as a core tool in delivering World Cup-related content to NetEase users. NetEase Media has also partnered with Microsoft in inventing an AI robot which can communicate with users and sometimes write articles and deliver voice broadcast services. 

Source: Yutang Sports 

Proofread by Raymond Fitzpatrick