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Tag: IMG Worldwide

  • Stepathlon appoints sports industry veteran Nick Rusling as MD

    Stepathlon appoints sports industry veteran Nick Rusling as MD

    Mumbai: Technology-driven fan engagement company, Stepathlon has appointed Nick Rusling, a veteran of the sports industry, as managing director. Rusling will be based in London and will report to CEO & chairman Ravi Krishnan.

    Rusling has been associated with the sports industry for over 25 years. After working with the sports behemoth, IMG, Rusling turned entrepreneur and started Human Race Events in 2010. Human Race acquired 10 other businesses during its growth phase, created many events from scratch, and in 2016, was acquired by ASO, the owners of the Tour de France, Dakar Rally, and Paris Marathon.

    Krishnan said, “I have known Nick for over 15 years. He’s not only a great professional from the sports industry but also has relevant commercial, digital, and leadership skills to complement the Stepathlon team. He brings with him many important and relevant relationships in the UK and European market in multiple areas that are relevant for the growth of the company.”

    Since 2001, Rusling has been primarily focused on the mass participation industries – running, marathons, cycling, and triathlon – delivering hundreds of events for millions of participants all around the world, including the UK, Abu Dhabi, Stockholm, and Barcelona. Prior to mass participation events, Rusling worked as a sports agent, representing Ian Botham, Pat Cash, and Damon Hill.

    Krishnan added, ” Nick has been building some of the most successful events in the market in some of the greatest cities in the world, pioneering digital progress to enhance the customer experience beyond event day.”

    Rusling commented, “I am driven, both personally and in business, by getting the world fit and active. The genius of Stepathlon is that we harness the power of fan communities in the world of sport, music and beyond, to inspire and motivate millions of people to get fit and healthy together—all by taking part in our virtual races, unrestricted by the capacity of roads. The opportunity is limitless as everyone is a fan of something.”

    Rusling has also been heavily involved in the charity sector, helping raise over £150 million for multiple causes, and has worked as a trustee for sports-based charities, Herne Hill Velodrome Trust and Women in Sport.

    The appointment follows a new global round of investment that Stepathlon has raised from a pre-eminent mix of individuals from the world of sports, entertainment, media and lifestyle, and prominent investors from private equity, technology, ESG and family offices. Demonstrating confidence in the technology-driven fan engagement business of Stepathlon, existing and new investors participated in this fresh round of capital raise by the company.

  • ISL player draft sees buys worth Rs 24 core

    ISL player draft sees buys worth Rs 24 core

    MUMBAI: The high octane two day Hero MotoCorp Indian Super League (ISL) player draft saw Rs 24 crore being spent by teams for purchasing the players of their choice.

     

    IMG Worldwide global business development football Jefferson Slack said, “We saw a vision three and a half years ago to help build football in India. The premise of which was based on the fact that Indians already are football fans. Partnerships with foreign clubs have brought in money and opportunities which we hope will help in the long run.”

     

    Star network, which is the official broadcast partner for ISL is hopeful of a meaningful journey. Star India sports business head Nitin Kukreja said, “We are hoping to create a new ecosystem, a new league and help grow a second sport in India. We will use never seen before production values for this League.”

     

    Day two of player draft saw the teams finally bidding for the best domestic talents for the last time. Delhi Dynamos picked Adil Khan, Manish Bhargav, Govind Singh, Jagroop Singh, Steven Dias, Anwar Ali and Manandeep Singh.

     

    Atlectico de Kolkata selected Sanju Pradhan, Kinshuk Debnath, Lester Fernandes, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Baljit Sahni, Climax Lawrence and Nallappan Monhanraj.

     

    Team Bengaluru chose Abhishek Das, Jayesh Rane, Abhijit Mondal, Anthony Barbosa, Dane Pereira, N P Pradeep and  Jaison Vales from the pool.

     

    Kerala Blasters went ahead and picked Avinabo Bag, Sandip Nandy, C.S Sabeeth,  Luis Baretto, Milagres Gonsalves, Ramandeep Ringh and Renedy Singh.

     

    Team Mumbai meanwhile decided to go with Rohit Mishra, Ishan Debnath, Nadong Bhutia, Asif Katiyal Peter Costa and Llalrin Fela.

     

    Team Pune chose Deepak Devrani, Tapan Maity, Arindam Bhattarcharya, Anupam Sarkar, Pratik Shinde, Lalit Thapa and Mehrah Wadoo.

     

    Team Goa will comprise Mandar Rao Desai, Romeo Fernandes, Peter Carvalho, Holicharan Narzary, Pronay Halder, Prabir Das and Rowilson Rodrigues from its I- league tie up with local clubs.

     

    North East United football club too announced its team composition with Pritam Kumar Singh, Milan Singh, Robin Gurung, Allen Deory, Redeem Tlang, Seimeinlen Doungal and David Nghaite.

     

    With the two day draft policy for domestic players getting over, the focus will shift to the teams now announcing some big international names for their respective squads.

  • IMG Worldwide acquired by WME-Silver Lake for $2.3 bn

    IMG Worldwide acquired by WME-Silver Lake for $2.3 bn

    MUMBAI: The curtains have finally fallen on an acquisition which was in the news for quite some time now. Private investment firm Forstmann Little & Co has agreed to sell global sports, fashion and media business IMG Worldwide to US-based William Morris Endeavour  Entertainment (WME) and its stakeholder Silver Lake Partners at a price tag of around $2.3 billion.

     

    The final bidders CVC Capital and Chernin Entertainment and a consortium of ICM Partners and the Carlyle Group, bid less than $1.8 billion, thus losing out to WME.

     

    WME is a leading US-based entertainment and media company with an unparalleled client list of artists and content creators across film, television, music, literature, theatre and digital media and is led by co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell.

     

    It was formed by the 2009 merger of the William Morris Agency and Endeavor. The company has over 1,000 employees and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, with offices in New York, Nashville, London and Miami. Through its partner companies, including award-winning global creative agency Droga5, WME also provides clients with unique advertising, brand integration and marketing opportunities across traditional, social media, mobile and gaming platforms. Amongst the big names it represents figure: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Christopher Nolan, Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey and Seth MacFarlane.

     

    IMG on the other hand has 3,500 employees and tremendous strengths in the sports business – representation, marketing, production and distribution – apart from representing 500 athletes, models and entertainers as clients. Among the names figure: Gisele Bundchen, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake.

     

    IMG owns IMG College, the leader in collegiate marketing, licensing and media rights  (it handles marketing and ticketing for 200 collegiate sports properties). It is slated to generate revenue of about $375 million and operating income of $75 million.

     

    The group has joint ventures like IMG Reliance, IMX, IMG CCTV and IMG Dolu in the emerging markets of India, Brazil, China and Turkey. Additionally, IMG Media is the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming. Its IMG Reliance joint venture promotes the All-India Football Federation.

     

    IMG Events and Federations owns and manages some of the most sought after events and includes long standing associations with the world’s most important sports organisations, leagues, and federations. IMG Fashion owns and operates fashion events around the world and IMG Models represents the world’s top models and leading designers. IMG Art+Commerce represents the most influential photographers, art directors and stylists.

     

    Silver Lake, on the other hand, is a global leader in private investments in technology and technology-enabled industries. The firm has offices in New York, Menlo Park, San Mateo, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo and has approximately $20 billion in combined assets under management. The Silver Lake Partners portfolio includes or has included technology and technology-enabled industry leaders such as Alibaba, Allyes, Ameritrade, Avago, Business Objects, Dell, Flextronics, Gartner, Gerson Lehrman Group, Global Blue, Go Daddy, Instinet, Intelsat, Interactive Data Corporation, MCI, Mercury Payment Systems, MultiPlan, the NASDAQ OMX Group, NetScout, NXP, Sabre, Seagate Technology, Skype, Spreadtrum, SunGard Data Systems, UGS, Vantage Data Centers, Virtu and William Morris Endeavor.

     

    IMG was created by McCormack and golfer Arnold Palmer in 1960. Forstmann Little purchased it a year after McCormack died in 2003, and then Forstmann Little founder Theodore Forstmann died in 2011.

     

    With the acquisition of IMG Worlwide, WME has now leaped ahead of its once larger rival the Creative Artistes Agency.

  • Squarekey launches in Mumbai

    Squarekey launches in Mumbai

    MUMBAI:  After its successful launch in Delhi last week online shopping destination SquareKey.com is all set to create a buzz in Mumbai.

    Amidst much glitz and glamour, launch party of Squarekey.com was hosted at Le Pain Quotidien (BKC) in Mumbai by Nishka Lulla and SquareKey founder Avantika Daing on Monday. The guest list included the who’s who of the fashion industry and lifestyle magazines with Mugdha Godse, Krishika Lulla, Aditya Thackrey among many others.

    SquareKey.com has been creating quite the frenzy amongst Bollywood celebrities, stylists, and the fashion elite since it’s a virtual store for brands unavailable in India till date.

    An online retail destination for premium western contemporary fashion and lifestyle brands for men, women, and kids, and touted as “India’s Net-A-Porter,” SquareKey offers unprecedented access to current in-season styles from leading western designers including BCBG, Nicole Miller, Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Rowley, Members Only, DL1961, Milly, Hanky Panky, and more.

    SquareKey’s partnerships allow access to these labels which do not have brick and mortar presence in India at parity price (for the same price as retail in US/Europe) with free shipping.

    Now you must be thinking, where do I sign up, right? Key in at: http://www.squarekey.com.
    SquareKey’s vision is to create a level playing field between international brands and Indian consumers in their access to each other by providing current season items at parity price along with pre-order exclusivity. Sitting on a unique content platform, it keeps consumers engaged in real time trends.

    Recently launched SquareTUBE is their own YouTube-driven digital approach to content around fashion and lifestyle. SquareKey also provides a personal shopper service where consumers can shop New York City whilst sitting in India.

    Founder Avantika Daing says, “there is a large gap in a growing market. We want to unlock the world with SquareKey, by bringing the retail experience as it happens in real time in New York and London to the Indian consumers so they are not an afterthought; as is the case with branded retail in India. We partner with our brands strategically so as to not dilute them like e-retail tends to do in India. We are about an experience and so content, information and customer needs are of high priority to us. To enhance the customer experience, we now offer pre-order – providing exclusive access to items weeks before they are available in retail, even in New York!”

    Editor-in-Chief Kanika Chadda Gupta explains, “SquareKey’s goal is to make shopping an experience rather than a chore. Our aim is two-fold. Firstly, we are living in a digital world and Indian shoppers have become a lot more tech savvy. We want to encourage online shopping since it’s easy and hassle-free, especially with our incentives of cost on delivery, parity price (same prices those in the US/UK), and free shipping. Secondly, we have positioned ourselves to be “content meets commerce,” which means the site navigates like an interactive magazine. On SquareTUBE, we have exclusive videos including “Street Style Around the World” and “Behind the Seams,” where consumers get a chance to hear from the designers themselves. On other e-commerce portals, the clothes get all the limelight. We want to give you the backstory. And with editorial features like “Shop the story” and “Pick of the week,” one can spend hours on SquareKey reading fiction narratives and getting tips on how to stay on trend while staying true to one’s own originality.”

    SquareKey’s advisory board consists of founders, designers and editors of Fine Wines & More, Soho House, Le Pain Quotidien, Harper’s Bazaar, FreeCultr, IMG Worldwide and Estee Lauder.

  • Forstmann Little hires Morgan Stanley to find a buyer for IMG Worldwide

    Forstmann Little hires Morgan Stanley to find a buyer for IMG Worldwide

    MUMBAI: Forstmann Little & Co has hired investment bank Morgan Stanley and Evercore Partners (EVR) to find a buyer for sports management company IMG Worldwide.

    IMG Worldwide operates in the areas of sports, fashion and media, creating and managing events, organisations, celebrities and brands. Among other things IMG also manages the organisation of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Reports add that potential buyers include Creative Artists Agency, William Morris, Lagardere and Guggenheim Partners. Closer home Mukesh Ambani is said to be interested and the price tag could be in the region of $2-3 billion. Right now Ambani already has a joint venture in India for IMG Reliance. Among other things the JV works with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). Also Ambani owns the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise.

    The question is what impact a potential deal could have on the country? Percept joint MD Shailendra Singh feels that if this deal goes through it will be a moment of pride for the country. “It will be a moment of pride for India to have an Indian owning an iconic sports brand. But I don‘t think that it will impact the sports business in India much. The consumer has not changed. It is still about cricket and Bollywood. You have to also understand that the Ambani family is now enjoying sports. For Reliance $2 billion is petty cash.”

    In terms of IMG Worldwide among other things representing the interests of international sportspersons activity in this area will not affect India. “Ronaldo can be seen in many countries endorsing products. But do you see him in India doing that? To sell products you still need Shah Rukh Khan.”

    He also feels that if the deal happens it will be an investment deal like what Anil Ambani has with Steven Spielberg. “Reliance will let the IMG management run things. You don‘t see Anil Ambani advising Spielberg on the script to shoot,” he adds.

    Alchemist MD and promoter Manish Porwal said that he is not surprised at the development. “When IMG and Reliance announced their JV I always felt that they would not just let it be like that. They would find a way to make it grow and take it in different directions. There could be synergies between IMG and Mumbai Indians. You could also see IMG organising more events in different sports in India.”

    In terms of international sport stars and celebrities endorsing Indian products on a regular basis that according to him is still two to three years away from happening on a regular basis. “You have seen Michael Schumacher and Maria Sharapova endorsing Indian real estate companies. But these are one off deals. Right now there is a mismatch between the cost of an international celebrity and the fan following that celebrity has in India. Things will change in the coming two to three years. That is because more Indians will follow international celebrities. A point will come when companies feel that it makes sense to use them in India. Right now companies like Omega use international celebrities in India as a part of their global plan.”

  • IMG Worldwide acquires US-based Catalyst Public Relations

    MUMBAI: Global sports, fashion and media company IMG Worldwide has announced the acquisition of Catalyst Public Relations, the US based communications firm that specialises in developing consumer-facing integrated marketing programmes focussed on three core platforms — sports, entertainment and active lifestyle.

    The company will operate as Catalyst at this moment and will become a part of IMG‘s consulting business, headed by IMG Consulting senior VP, global MD David Abrutynr . Financial details of this strategic transaction are not disclosed.

    IMG chairman, CEO Mike Dolan said, “The acquisition of Catalyst is a perfect fit for IMG‘s client-oriented businesses. They have a long history of success in working across all the major US Sports Properties as well as global properties such as the Olympic Games and Fifa World Cup and boast a strong base of corporate clients. Their expertise in Public Relations, Content Development & Digital and Social media services will significantly enhance our ability to fully service the sports and entertainment agency needs of our clients here in the U.S. and in all of our key international markets”.

    IMG‘s Sports and Entertainment Group president George Pyne said, “This acquisition is part of an ongoing plan to further expand our portfolio of key marketing services we can provide our Consulting clients around the world. We plan to integrate their capabilities into our global Consulting practice that includes our fast growing PR services in the UK and expand these Communications services into key markets in Europe, Middle East, South America and Asia. They will also be able to work with other IMG Divisions where these types of corporate partner communication services are needed.”

    With the acquisition, Catalyst‘s current management team of Bret Werner, Bill Holtz and Ted Fragulis will all join IMG, as will their staff of full-time employees in their New York, Charlotte and Los Angeles offices. Werner will continue in his role as Managing Partner for the business and will report to David Abrutyn. Holtz and Fragulis will continue to work with Werner in managing the business.

    Catalyst managing partner Bret Werner said, “We‘ve enjoyed a strong and productive working relationship with IMG for many years. The ability to join IMG Consulting and continue with our current client service model as well as expand our traditional PR and digital expertise globally provides us with the opportunity to evolve and grow well into the future.”

  • Novak Djokovic signs up with IMG

    MUMBAI: IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, has signed ATP World No. 1 player Novak Djokovic for exclusive worldwide management and representation.

    Under the terms of the exclusive multi-year agreement, IMG will represent Djokovic in developing a brand building strategy through marketing, endorsements, appearances and licensing along with select global business initiatives.

    Djokovic‘s addition will help IMG to offset the loss of Tennis legend Roger Federer, who had earlier this year refused to renew his contract with the agency.

    In making the announcement, IMG chairman and CEO Mike Dolan said, “Novak Djokovic is a superbly talented tennis player, and world-class competitor who demonstrates a very strong character through his passion and commitment to his game. I believe he has the ability to translate those qualities into achieving great success working with global brands in the marketplace.”

    “I‘m very happy with how my career has been advancing these past few years. Working with IMG will continue to build off of that momentum. IMG‘s expansive global footprint will offer me a truly unique set of resources to explore business opportunities that simply do not exist anywhere else in the industry,” added Novak Djokovic.

    Djokovic has won five Grand Slam singles titles — 2008, 2011 and 2012 Australian Open, the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, and the 2011 U.S. Open Champion.

    In 2011 he became the sixth player in history to win three grand slam titles in a one year period. He is also the first male Serbian tennis player to win a major singles title and the youngest player in the open era to have reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events, separately and consecutively.

  • IMG is official sales agent for Uefa Euro 2012

    IMG is official sales agent for Uefa Euro 2012

    MUMBAI: IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, has been selected by Uefa as the official sales agent for the Uefa Euro 2012 hospitality packages in the UK, Russia and Turkey.

    Official hospitality packages for the soccer event are now on sale through IMG in those countries. This is the only way to be part of the most prestigious and exclusive footballing experience of the tournament: Uefa Euro 2012 Club Prestige.

    The 31 matches at the event will be played at eight new or completely refurbished stadiums in the major cities of the host countries, Poland and Ukraine.

    The opening match is scheduled to be played in 8 June 2012 in Warsaw, while the final will be played in Kyiv on 1 July 2012.

    Club Prestige hospitality packages include top-category seats, gourmet catering, a special programme of entertainment before and after the match and more.

    In key markets, Uefa has established a sales network of the leading sport marketing agencies in corporate hospitality and IMG has been appointed as the official agent for the sale of the official hospitality programme in the UK, Russia and Turkey.

    IMG is now selling packages with Stadium Series, Country Series and Knockout Series, available either in exclusive skyboxes or in the fabulous and stylish surroundings of the Club Prestige Hospitality Lounges.

    IMG adds that hospitality packages offer a business tool that will allow companies to create, strengthen and further develop relationships that will extend well beyond the tournament‘s end.