London, UK; 26 June 2002: Octagon CSI confirmed today that they have acquired the video and DVD rights for this year’s FIFA World Cup through an agreement reached with KirchSport AG, the company responsible for the global marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. The rights cover the key markets of UK and Eire as well as the host nations, Japan and Korea. The deal also includes the Middle East and Israel.

The four-year deal allows Octagon CSI to build on its knowledge and expertise within the video and DVD market and, for the first time, the company will act as independent distributors. Octagon CSI will be using the services of ILC, the leading British video distributor, to act in an advisory role on sales, marketing and distribution activity in the UK.

Jon Owen, Head of Archive Sales, Octagon CSI, said ‘This is a great opportunity for us to capitalise on our growing strength in the video market. The unexpected performances of some of the teams have made this World Cup a major success and there is clearly going to be a large market with those fans wanting a commemorative video or DVD.’

Octagon CSI will launch a range of 2002 FIFAWorld Cup titles at the start of July.

For further information please contact:

Ruth Wicks
Octagon
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 0063