OneAsia, Asia Pacific’s emerging alternative to the U.S. PGA and European Tours, today announced the appointment of World Sport Group (WSG) as its global marketing and media partner.
Under this multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement, WSG, Asia’s leading sports marketing, media and event management company, has been appointed to market and manage sponsorships and licensing arrangements for the Tour platform, and also to oversee all television production and distribution on behalf of the Tour. WSG will also promote several events on the OneAsia Tour schedule.
The Singapore-based company has been charged with establishing a media platform with global reach, and coverage which extends not just throughout the Asia-Pacific region, but also in key markets across Europe and North America.
Establishing stronger media platforms and integrated sponsorship programmes will create the opportunities that regional and multinational clients are now seeking. This will in turn allow the OneAsia Tour to grow rapidly, building on the momentum from the Tour’s foundation year and opening more playing opportunities for the region’s best golfers. With expanding broadcast and digital media penetration across the region, the potential viewership for the OneAsia Tour is expected to reach hundreds of millions over the next five years.
The Board of OneAsia issued a statement saying, “World Sport Group has played a pivotal role in the development of Asian golf since 1995. They have shown an unwavering commitment towards the growth of tournament golf and professional golfers in the region, at all levels of the game, over the past 15-years.
This, together with their unrivalled experience, expertise and client network in the marketplace makes WSG an excellent partner for OneAsia. We are thrilled to be working with them towards achieving our vision and our goals for the Tour.”
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Founded by the China Golf Association (CGA), the Korean Golf Association (KGA), the Korean Golf Tour (KGT) and the PGA of Australia, OneAsia is the first-ever golf tour to unite the entire Asia-Pacific region, bringing together the continent’s emerging economies with its leading golf markets.
Said Seamus O’Brien, Chairman and CEO, World Sport Group, “Asia is undoubtedly the future of world golf. It is no coincidence that U.S. PGA Tour officials have recently visited the OneAsia founding nations. Interest in golf across the region is at an all-time high, and its entry into the Olympic Games will only serve to fuel its growth even further in all markets.
Following the eagerly awaited announcement of the 2010 OneAsia schedule which has now established a very strong list of core events, it was an easy task for us to evaluate the significant value that this offers to the marketplace, and then make our commitment to the Tour’s future growth.
OneAsia will rapidly become the pre-eminent tour in the Asia-Pacific region offering a world-class sporting and commercial platform which will undoubtedly become comparable to the U.S. PGA and European Tours. The tour offers exciting new media and marketing opportunities for brands, multinationals and broadcasters who are targeting growth in this critical part of the world economy. Its events offer quality sports content with local and regional relevance for fans and viewers across the world. Together with OneAsia, we are committed towards creating a new legacy for the sport.”
OneAsia recently announced plans to expand its schedule in 2010 to eleven events from five this year. All events offer a purse of at least US$1 million – an unprecedented development in the region.
This year, OneAsia events have been held in China, Korea and Australia. Two remaining events – the Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola are scheduled for December from the 3rd to 6th, and 10th to 13th respectively.
Note to Editor:
OneAsia 2010 Schedule
1 – 4 April Luxehills Championship, Luxehills International Country Club, Chengdu, China, US$1,000,000
15 – 18 April Volvo China Open, China, US$2,300,000*
17 – 20 June Seoul Open, Seoul, South Korea US$1,000,000
30 Sept. – 3 October Thailand Open, Bangkok, Thailand, US$1,000,000
7 – 10 October Kolon Korea Open, Woo Jeoung Hills CC, Seoul, South Korea US$1,000,000
14 – 17 October Midea China Classic, Royal Orchid International GC, Shunde, China, US$TBA
21 – 24 October Shandong Gold Cup Championship, Shandong, China, US$1,000,000
2 – 5 December Australian Open, The Lakes, Sydney, Australia, US$1,300,000
9 – 12 December Australian PGA Championship, Hyatt Regency, Coolum, Australia, US$1,300,000
*Date and prize money of Volvo China Open to be confirmed
About OneAsia
OneAsia is a non-profit organisation owned and operated by OneAsia Ltd., a Hong Kong-registered company. The OneAsia Tour, Asia Pacific’s emerging alternative to the U.S. PGA and European Tours, was a concept born out of recognition that further co-operation and consolidation between the governing bodies for an elite golf Tour across Asia Pacific is vital to provide a higher level of playing opportunities for the region’s top golfers. The founding members, the China Golf Association (CGA), the Korean Golf Association (KGA), and the Korean Golf Tour (KGT) and the PGA of Australia, make up the OneAsia Board, which will establish and drive the strategic direction of the OneAsia Tour.
www.oneasia.asia
About World Sport Group
Headquartered in Singapore, World Sport Group (WSG) is Asia’s leading sports marketing, media and event management company. World Sport Group has been at the forefront of Asian sport since 1992, managing almost 600-days of cricket, football and golf event, and 1000-hours of sports programming annually, across more than 30 countries in the region. WSG has been the exclusive marketing partner of the AFC since 1993. It is also a major stake-holder in Asian golf as organizers and promoters of the region’s top competitions including the Barclays Singapore Open. The company has a partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for marketing rights to the Indian National Team’s domestic matches. Additionally, the Group is the exclusive global media rights partner for the Indian Premier League (IPL).
www.worldsportgroup.com.
