Octagon Signs Commercial Deal with World Chess Federation
Octagon Marketing has won exclusive rights from FIDE Commerce (the commercial and marketing arm of the Federation Internationale Des Echecs - FIDE), to capitalise on the commercial potential of chess worldwide over the next three years.
With 7,000,000 active registered players in 159 countries and an estimated 60,000,000 enthusiasts globally, Octagon Marketing will focus on developing the widespread opportunities that exist, from both a commercial and structural perspective.
A new tournament structure will establish an annual World Chess Championship of 128 players in December with a series of Grand Prix events for the top 32 world players being played throughout the year, delivering a clearly identifiable and undisputed Grand Prix and World Champion for Chess.
Artiom Tarasov, president of FIDE Commerce Ltd stated, 'We are delighted to confirm this partnership with Octagon Marketing. We are confident that Octagon's expertise in developing and managing sporting properties and players through their worldwide network, will ensure the enhanced structural, operational and financial position of our sport.'
Although, the new alliance will develop the role of the existing sports men and women via this new tournament structure, Octagon Marketing and FIDE Commerce will also target the Internet to attract, reach and unite the millions of chess players around the world.
President of FIDE, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the elected president of the Republic of Kalmykia said, 'I am pleased that world chess has found a partner to work alongside FIDE to develop the enormous potential that the sport of chess possesses.'
He added 'Our game is one of the oldest in the world, and we look forward to nurturing and building it into a truly modern sport in the new millennium.'
Octagon Marketing has already worked with FIDE in organising the Sydney Olympic Athletes' Chess Exhibition. The event took place last September, following the IOC's official recognition of FIDE as the supreme body responsible for the game of chess.
Aidan Day, senior vice-president, Octagon Marketing, commented 'Raising the appeal to an ever-increasing audience as well as developing chess's commercial attraction to sponsors and partners alike is essential to the evolution of chess on a global platform.'
He added 'Octagon Marketing is ideally placed to unleash and harness the opportunities the sport has to offer and we look forward to working once again with FIDE and moving this exciting project forward.'
Octagon is the sports marketing and entertainment division of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world's largest advertising and marketing communications groups. Octagon employs over 1,400 people in 19 countries on all major continents.
For further information please contact:
Aidan Day/Rob Owen/Joss Sargent
Octagon Marketing
tel 020-7862 0000
fax 020-7862 0001.
With 7,000,000 active registered players in 159 countries and an estimated 60,000,000 enthusiasts globally, Octagon Marketing will focus on developing the widespread opportunities that exist, from both a commercial and structural perspective.
A new tournament structure will establish an annual World Chess Championship of 128 players in December with a series of Grand Prix events for the top 32 world players being played throughout the year, delivering a clearly identifiable and undisputed Grand Prix and World Champion for Chess.
Artiom Tarasov, president of FIDE Commerce Ltd stated, 'We are delighted to confirm this partnership with Octagon Marketing. We are confident that Octagon's expertise in developing and managing sporting properties and players through their worldwide network, will ensure the enhanced structural, operational and financial position of our sport.'
Although, the new alliance will develop the role of the existing sports men and women via this new tournament structure, Octagon Marketing and FIDE Commerce will also target the Internet to attract, reach and unite the millions of chess players around the world.
President of FIDE, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the elected president of the Republic of Kalmykia said, 'I am pleased that world chess has found a partner to work alongside FIDE to develop the enormous potential that the sport of chess possesses.'
He added 'Our game is one of the oldest in the world, and we look forward to nurturing and building it into a truly modern sport in the new millennium.'
Octagon Marketing has already worked with FIDE in organising the Sydney Olympic Athletes' Chess Exhibition. The event took place last September, following the IOC's official recognition of FIDE as the supreme body responsible for the game of chess.
Aidan Day, senior vice-president, Octagon Marketing, commented 'Raising the appeal to an ever-increasing audience as well as developing chess's commercial attraction to sponsors and partners alike is essential to the evolution of chess on a global platform.'
He added 'Octagon Marketing is ideally placed to unleash and harness the opportunities the sport has to offer and we look forward to working once again with FIDE and moving this exciting project forward.'
Octagon is the sports marketing and entertainment division of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world's largest advertising and marketing communications groups. Octagon employs over 1,400 people in 19 countries on all major continents.
For further information please contact:
Aidan Day/Rob Owen/Joss Sargent
Octagon Marketing
tel 020-7862 0000
fax 020-7862 0001.