Sports marketing agency, IMG, has been appointed as the worldwide sponsorship agent for the Kentucky Derby.
Under the multi-year partnership, which is an expansion of the existing relationship between IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing and Churchill Downs Incorporated, IMG will now develop and pursue a broad range of strategic marketing and sponsorship opportunities that will be overseen by Tom Worcester, Senior Vice President, Business Development at IMG, from New York.
In addition, IMG will also manage a Louisville-based sales and marketing team who will work side-by-side with CDI's internal strategic partnerships team on sponsor agreements related to the Kentucky Derby and its companion event, the Kentucky Oaks. Additionally, the CDI and IMG teams will develop sponsorship programs leveraging CDI's many other entertainment assets including its Chicago, Miami and New Orleans racetracks, and new and existing programs in racing, gaming, music, fashion, parties and cuisine.
Worcester said: "We are delighted to expand our existing relationship with Churchill Downs Incorporated to now include sponsorship sales for the iconic Kentucky Derby. With IMG's unrivalled local and national sales capabilities, we will pursue an array of strategic marketing and sponsorship partnerships that provide access to a truly unique and historic international sporting event with growing visibility around the world".
The Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously running sporting event in the United States. Last year the race attracted a crowd of more than 150,000 to Churchill Downs racetrack, the historic home of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky. The race drew an 8.8 Nielsen rating on NBC. The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 2, 2009.
