Agency signs exclusive agreement with Dentsu to distribute international media rights in Europe, Oceania, Americas, and selected Asian countries

MP & Silva, a leading international sports marketing agency, announced today that they have acquired the exclusive media rights to the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s and Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan from Dentsu. Regions covered under this exclusive agreement are Europe (excluding Poland, Serbia, and Italy), Oceania, and selected territories in North and South America, and Asia.

Under this agreement, MP & Silva acquires the exclusive ‘LIVE’ and delayed media rights to 56 Olympic Qualification matches – consisting 28 matches for each gender category – which include terrestrial free-to-air television, satellite and cable television, Internet protocol television (IPTV), mobile television, broadband television, mobile, and internet and broadband television.

The tournament – which will be held in Tokyo, Japan from 17 – 25 May 2008 and 31 May – 8 June 2008 for the womens’ and men’s categories respectively – will see eight teams in each gender category competing in a single round-robin play-off to determine the final qualifying places for volleyball: Japan’s women’s team will face Thailand, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Serbia for four final spots, while the men’s competition will feature Japan, Australia, Thailand, Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Italy, and Argentina, battling for two final places.

The agreement marks another major milestone for the Singapore-based agency, and it is the second time the MPS agency is distributing 2008 Olympic Qualifiers related media rights after the agency successfully managed the international distribution of broadcast and new media rights to the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Beijing Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Taichung, Taiwan in March. The agency is already in discussions with several broadcasters and new media operators to televise the events.
 
Dentsu, which shares a close working relationship with MP & Silva, has partnered up with MP & Silva for several high profile properties – including the distribution of Serie A to the Asia-Pacific region. MPS has also recently cooperated with the Japanese agency to distribute media rights of the East Asian Championships 2008 held in February.

“This deal is a good indicator of the robust growth at the agency over the last few months,” said Andrea Radrizzani, Chief Executive Officer, MP & Silva. “Dentsu is a close partner, and we are pleased to be working with them again to distribute media rights to the FIVB Final Olympic Qualifiers. The Final Olympic Qualifiers commands national and sporting interest in many countries, and the competition will feature a number of top volleyball nations competing for the remaining places for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Thus, we will be working closely with our stable of broadcasters and media partners to ensure maximum exposure in the territories covered under this agreement.”

About MP & Silva:
MP & Silva is a leading international sports agency that owns, manages and distributes television and media rights to some of the most prestigious sporting events, including Italy’s top professional football league, Serie A. The company operates worldwide through its main headquarters located in Singapore, Miami and Milan.

About Dentsu:
Founded in 1901, Dentsu is one of largest advertising agencies in the world. Headquartered in Tokyo, Dentsu offers a full range of services, from sports marketing, public relations and advertising.

About Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament:
Held in Tokyo, Japan from 17 – 25 May 2008 and 31 May – 8 June 2008, the tournament will see sixteen teams (eight for each gender category) competing in a single round-robin play-off for the remaining spots for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The teams competing are: Women’s Category – Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Serbia. Men’s Category – Japan, Australia, Thailand, Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Italy, and Argentina.

For further information, please contact:
Kevin Sim
MP & Silva
DID : +65 3125 2057
Mobile : +65 9643 3181
E-mail : kevin@mpsilva.com
Website: www.mpsilva.com