International Sportsworld Communicators Ltd (ISC) has appointed Copyright Promotions Sport (CPS) as global licensing agency to develop and market a brand extension programme for the World Rally Championship (WRC) through event sales, promotions, all licensed product categories and sponsor premiums.
Simon Long, Managing Director, International Sportsworld Communicators Limited comments “With interest in WRC growing all the time, this partnership with CPS marks an important step change in our ability to proliferate brand awareness of WRC not only on television but also through a multi-channel platform including retail, e-commerce, promotions and a range of licensed WRC product. This is good news for our fans and will also offer a high quality showcase for the WRC franchise in all of its depth and diversity”.
The commercial interest in the WRC brand is on the increase year on year. Current high profile partners include Lucozade Energy, Procter & Gamble Sony Playstation, Puma, and Inmarsat. Testament to WRC’s popularity, the Sony Playstation WRC franchise is one of Sony’s top 10 selling games and the latest, WRC 4 was released in October 2004.
Chris Protheroe, Commercial Director, Copyright Promotions Sport comments “WRC is a global sports entertainment franchise, which attracts a passionate international following. We are looking forward to working with ISC to expand this franchise and deliver valuable brand extensions to its fanbase across the globe.”
WRC is truly global, with 16 events in 16 countries on 5 continents pitching man and machine against environments as diverse as the frozen north of Sweden and the searing heat of Cyprus. More than eight million spectators attend the events worldwide and the Championship has an international TV audience in 186 countries, which has grown from 685 million in 2003 to 800 million in 2004. An all year round event from January to November with better broadcast schedules than ever before, the WRC tour includes Monte Carlo, Sweden, Argentina, Great Britain and Mexico before finishing in Australia.
For further information and imagery please contact
Gaby Dior, Copyright Promotions, gdior@cplg.com. Tel: 020 8 563 61 02
Notes to Editors
Copyright Promotions Sport is a trading division of Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), the leading intellectual property rights agency with dedicated teams in seven offices across Europe, and international partners servicing the rest of the world. Copyright Promotions Sport clients include The FA, Rugby Football Union, EMPICS and Jordan Grand Prix. CPS has also worked for governing bodies FIFA and UEFA, Tennis Properties Ltd, the ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board.