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ITU APPOINTS SPORTSWORLD MEDIA GROUP
The International Triathlon Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Sportsworld Media Group as its exclusive marketing and media agents for an initial term which lasts until after the 2004 Athens Olympics.
As part of the agreement, Sportsworld guarantees the ITU a minimum annual income for this period. Additionally, it will provide a range of brand marketing services to extend the sport's visibility and profile.
The International Triathlon Union is the governing authority for the sports of Triathlon, Duathlon and related multi-sports world-wide, and is currently based in Vancouver.
Sportsworld Media Group has an increasing international presence in the UK, Australia, the US, Canada and Dubai, and, through its specialist division SSM Freesports, a strong focus on new generation and lifestyle sports - such as snowboarding and surfing - appealing strongly to a 16 - 35 demographic. ITU President Les McDonald : "We considered a number of potential partners, but Sportsworld and SSM's approach to our sport was by far the closest to our expectations. We use the phrase of ourselves, "nous ne sommes pas comme les autres - we are not like the rest" and we feel the same way about Sportsworld. We are confident that Sportsworld not only understands us, but has the energy and sophistication to develop the ITU into an extremely strong brand. Triathletes in general are dedicated, highly intelligent and not afraid of being unorthodox - they deserve a partner on the same wave-length."
Geoff Brown, CEO of Sportsworld Media Group : "The sport of triathlon (and the other multi-sports managed by the ITU) has huge potential. It has strong characters, beautiful settings, heroic action and a great demographic. Its Executive Board has shown itself to be innovative and principled and we believe we have the basis of an extremely strong relationship. Our programme for the ITU is ambitious, but eminently achievable - and we're itching to start."
The ITU Triathlon World Cup Series venues take in the streets of Monte Carlo, the Swiss Alps, the light blue waters of Hawaii and the golden desert of Mexico, creating stunning imagery. With over 100 National Federations, the sport's regional strength in Australia, the US, France, Germany and Japan has spread to over a dozen countries where triathlon is viewed as a top level sport. SSM Freesports, who will be responsible for production, believe the sport has tremendous potential for television and are anticipating strong take up by broadcasters for the new 12 part series. Nick Kennerley, Head of TV at SSM Freesports : "We have been sounding broadcasters out since September and there is strong interest in a programme which will develop the international characters of the sport, names like Dimitry Gaag from Kazakhstan, Gilberto Gonzalez from Venezuela, Britain's Simon Lessing and Australia's Michelle Jones. We will be making a major break with previous show formats to do this - we've got a great programme on our hands."
Triathlon's appeal is reinforced by its inaugural appearance in the Olympics in Sydney this September. Triathlon is one of the youngest sports to achieve an Olympic presence - the ITU itself is just over 10 years old. The ITU requested permission from the IOC for the women's event to open the Games, which it will do from the steps of the Sydney Opera House - a request intended to symbolise a new attitude in sport in the new millenium.
Triathlon's rapid rise to prominence is attributable to warm support from the International Olympic Committee, and to the tremendous popularity which has seen it create a strong national presence in well over 100 countries within this time.
The first event of the 2000 calendar takes place in Rio de Janeiro on March 26, against the backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach. |
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