IMG?s role will be specifically to sell the major sponsor package previously held by car manufacturer Ford. It is just the second time in 27 years that the sponsorship has become available.
Australian Open chief executive Paul McNamee said: ?I believe that IMG, with its substantial global network, is well placed to pursue this unique opportunity.?
IMG managing director Martin Jolly said the Australian Open was the nation?s biggest sporting event in terms of international television audience, attendance and corporate support.
?The major sponsor category has been held by Ford since 1985, so we are anticipating significant interest,? Jolly said. ?In that time, the event has scaled enormous heights and is now regarded as Australia?s leading international sporting event.
?In 2001, the event attracted a record attendance of 543,843 and was telecast in 163 countries to an estimated 549 million homes.?
He added: ?Given the international profile of the event, IMG will utilise its global sales resources to assist the Australian Open in its endeavours to ensure the future growth of the championships,? said Jolly.
IMG is involved in tennis worldwide, representing or advising all four Grand Slam events for television, marketing or licensing activities. It also owns a number of major tennis events around the world including the Tennis Masters Series events at Key Biscayne and Indian Wells.
The agency also manages many of the world?s leading players including Pete Sampras, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Magnus Norman, Australian Open Champion Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, and Venus and Serena Williams.
The Australian Open tennis championship has confirmed sports marketing giants IMG as its exclusive major sponsorship sales agent.
