New York, NY May 25, 2004: Octagon, one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment event marketing firms, announced several high-profile appointments including the hiring of sports industry veteran Douglas Augustine as Chief Operating Officer.
Underscoring Octagon’s commitment to its television division including rights distribution, production and programming, the company announced several high-profile appointments that will have an immediate impact on Octagon CSI television. Chris Guinness has been hired as President of Octagon CSI television and replaces Karl Bistany who will soon be leaving the company. Former Octagon CSI television employee Mark Sibley returns as Senior Vice President and will report directly to Guinness. Rounding out the television announcements, Marty Ehrlich has been promoted from Senior Vice President to Managing Director of North America.
On the sales side, industry veterans Paul McGrath, Jon Owen and Hans Duikersloot have been retained and will continue to represent Octagon’s interests in football, cricket and rugby around the world. Paul, Jon and Hans will continue to represent CSI’s catalogue for the foreseeable future. The restructuring of the Octagon television division now combines a new managerial approach with an extensive track record in television sales.
CEO Rick Dudley who took over the helm of the global marketing giant in December 2002 and has spent the last year examining the company’s structure and overall positioning in the marketplace announced the appointments. Under his watch, the company has dramatically increased collaboration among the company’s 60 offices, built greater ties to IPG management and sister agencies, strengthened its financial stature and created a culture that is consumer and client centric. Dudley reports directly to IPG Chairman David Bell.
‘Octagon is uniquely position to take the industry to new levels,’ said Dudley. ‘As a leader, we hold this as a responsibility and obligation. These appointments strengthen our ability to achieve those goals. My vision has always been to build One Octagon whereby clients truly receive global, seamless marketing services and benefit from the shared knowledge of offices around the world.’
Augustine will be responsible for operational issues within Octagon and will oversee Octagon CSI television and Octagon Marketing outside North America. He will also coordinate the company’s efforts with parent company Interpublic Group (IPG) as Octagon continues to partner with sister agencies to win high-profile accounts. Augustine will report to Dudley.
Augustine is no stranger to IPG, having spent the last two years as COO of IPSEG. He was instrumental in assisting IPG exit from the motor sports arena. His appointment to Octagon further underscores IPG’s commitment to building Octagon’s presence as the power sports marketing brand within IPG.
Augustine’s career in sports marketing began in 1987 with Dennis Conner Sports, Inc. and the America’s Cup. Since 1987, Augustine has been involved in all aspects of sports marketing including athlete management, sponsorship sales, licensing & merchandising, retail, venue management and venue creation.
Building on his 12 years of experience at IMG, much of that with the television division, Guinness will oversee television rights and production on a global basis for Octagon. He brings true global experience having managed offices throughout Asia. Guinness has secured television rights for a broad range of properties ranging from the English Premier League to the PGA Championship to Wimbledon to the Indy 500. He will have invaluable assistance from Senior Vice President Mark Sibley who returns to Octagon after a successful stint with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Promoted to Managing Director of North America, Ehrlich will continue to develop innovative programming in a wide range of sports ranging from sailing to track and field to surfing. An industry veteran having spent years at IMG and SFX, Ehrlich has been involved with sports’ elite properties including the ATP Tour, WTA, Tour de France and America’s Cup.
Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. The agency has expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising, talent procurement and television rights and production. Octagon is part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing communications group. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com.
For more details contact:
Chris O’Neill – (212) 841-7026, chris.oneill@octagon.com