New IMR report highlights $9 billion of opportunities for sports firms

A new report, "Global opportunities for sports marketing, infrastructure and consultancy services to 2022", says there will be $9 billion-worth of new business available for sports service companies in the next ten years.

"We have analysed fifty-five one-off major sports events around the world over the coming ten years", says Kolah.

"The report was originally designed to look at how UK sports marketing companies could capitalise on their success in delivering the 2012 Olympic Games. However, the extensive data and expert analysis contained within the report applies to all sports service providers globally. Like many other industries, these companies now compete for business internationally and it is important for them to look ahead to the opportunities and to understand how big certain markets are and what barriers to entry exist.

"For example, some of the major markets include Middle Eastern countries and Russia. They are hosting major events with enormous budgets and the report outlines what events are planned, what services are needed, how big the budgets are and how easy is it for outside companies to compete. This information will give companies a major head-start in their quest for new business over the next decade".

"Host countries and cities are increasingly looking to international experts in marketing and infrastructure to help deliver their events", says Kolah.

"There is only one chance to get a major event right, and companies that have a track record of delivering on time and on budget stand a good chance of winning business throughout the world. However, it is important that they understand the timescales, the projects and the business culture in those international markets if they are to succeed".

What the sports experts say about the report:

"This report is compelling and comprehensive. It lays out the enormous opportunity the UK has to make even more of a success of our sports marketing industry. As a country, there has never been a more important time to make the most of the world-leading industries we have –to grow our way back to confidence and prosperity. And as the Olympics showed, there has never been a better time either. We need to grasp this chance, rather than see it slip away from us. So decision-makers should study this report with rigour and speed, and resolve to make 2013 the year that the country gets 100% behind the sports marketing industry", Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA and Executive Director, International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO)

"A valuable guide to the enormous business potential available to UK sponsorship and sport marketing companies on the global stage", Karen Earl, Chairman, European Sponsorship Association

"Sport is becoming increasingly important in brand development. Some of the world's biggest brands now come from the world of sport and countries and cities realize the importance of hosting major sporting events to enhance their brands. For companies that service these events, the opportunity to grow their own brands through association with the events is enormous. To be able to say that you have worked on a major international stadium that has been seen by a global television audience is much more powerful than working for clients with a much lower profile. This report provides a valuable insight into what opportunities are out there, what challenges companies will face and what the best approach is to winning new business in the global sports market", David Haigh, CEO, Brand Finance plc

"This report is very welcome. It shows that the government have understood there's an industry here and we're good at it. In many respects we are a world leader in many areas. I really hope this report will be acted on. Sport and business is one of the growing industries in the world and we are ideally placed to play a leading role in that", Simon Rines, publisher, IMR

"This is a comprehensive and valuable report. It is an essential guide to the opportunities for British companies interested in securing business with the major international sports events and sports infrastructure developments over the next decade. Every CEO and Business Development Director in the sector should study it carefully", Matthew Wheeler, CEO, Sports Investment Partners

More information including an extensive free sample of the report is available from IMR - click here.