IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Julius Mason
July 31, 2012 PGA of America
561/624-8444
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2012
Contact: Peter Smith
IMG Media
212/774-4636
THE PGA OF AMERICA AND IMG EXTEND MULTI-YEAR INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION BROADCAST RIGHTS FOR MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS THROUGH 2016
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America and IMG Media, a business of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, have extended their partnership—which dates back more than 25 years—with a new multi-year agreement that grants IMG Media exclusive international broadcast rights for the PGA Championship; Ryder Cup when hosted in the United States; and Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid through 2016. IMG Media will also continue to produce the “Official Highlight Video” of the PGA Championship during this term.
The contract enables IMG Media, which is the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming, to distribute this month’s Ryder Cup, the week of Sept. 25-30, to more than 140 additional countries and territories outside of the United States, United Kingdom and Continental Europe. This widespread audience reach demonstrates the amount of international demand and interest there is in the Ryder Cup—and the game of golf—from sports fans worldwide, which extends well beyond the countries participating in the game’s pre-eminent event.
“The PGA of America is delighted to continue our partnership with IMG Media, which dates back to the late 1980s,” said Kevin Carter, senior director for business development at The PGA of America. “The global demand for golf programming continues to grow significantly, and the amount of interest in the Ryder Cup from sports fans around the world is both impressive and unprecedented.”
“The relationship between The PGA of America and IMG Media over these many years has been a partnership in the truest sense of the word,” said Peter Smith, senior vice president, director of international sales, IMG Media. “I could not be more pleased that we have extended our relationship with this tremendous organization for a further term."
About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: toestablish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG's areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College is the leader in collegiate marketing, licensing and media rights. IMG's Joint Ventures, IMG Reliance, IMX, IMG CCTV and IMG Dogus, in the emerging markets of India, Brazil, China and Turkey,offer the company significant long-term growth opportunities. IMG Media is the world’s largest independent producer and distributor of sports programming. IMG Events and Federations owns and manages some of the most sought after events and includes long standing associations with the world's most important sports organizations, leagues, and federations. IMG Fashion owns and operates fashion events around the world and IMG Models represents the world's top models and leading designers. IMG Art+Commerce represents the most influential photographers, art directors and stylists.
For the past 50 years, IMG Clients has been the global leader in talent representation, including over 1,000 elite athletes, coaches, industry executives and prestigious sports organizations across the sports, entertainment, fashion and media industries. IMG Academies is the world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training and educational facility delivering sports training experiences to more than 12,000 dedicated athletes from approximately 80 countries every year. IMG Consulting connects many of the world's leading brands with consumers through access to unique sports and entertainment properties. IMG Licensing is considered one of the premier independent licensing companies in the sports, fashion and media world.
Founded in 1960 with a handshake between Mark McCormack and golf legend Arnold Palmer, IMG has grown into a global operation. In 2004, renowned entrepreneurial pioneer Ted Forstmann acquired the company and infused it with renewed energy, creativity, and strategic direction.
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The PGA of America, 100 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418