Stanford 20/20 Announces New Partnership With IMG

Stanford 20/20 Announces New Partnership With IMG

COOLIDGE, Antigua, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Allen Stanford, originator of the Stanford 20/20 Tournament and Chairman and CEO of Stanford Financial Group, today announced that the next Stanford 20/20 Tournament will be distributed globally through a strategic agreement with world-renowned sports and media leader International Management Group (IMG).

Stanford 20/20's agreement with the global sports marketing giant will facilitate international distribution of the Stanford 20/20 TV broadcast being produced by Century TV.

Stanford Financial Group works with IMG on other signature sports events the company sponsors including the Memphis PGA TOUR stop, the Stanford St. Jude Championship, and the Sony Ericsson Grand Slam tennis tournament. In addition, Stanford Financial Group works with IMG to manage its PGA TOUR player ambassador agreements with Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas.

"This expanded partnership with IMG, the leader in sports marketing and broadcast distribution, will ensure that not only will the people of the Caribbean enjoy the unique and exciting Stanford 20/20 Tournament, but a wider global audience will be able to see it as well. This is great for Antigua and indeed the entire region as we are highlighted as a place where first-class events can be hosted, and hosted well," said Sir Allen Stanford.

The international distribution of the Stanford 20/20 2008 Tournament to be undertaken by IMG will include major markets including North America, Europe and Asia.

"We are delighted to work with Stanford on cricket, expanding the solid relationship we've had in place for golf and tennis. This will allow us to provide the exposure and support that will ensure this exciting Caribbean tournament, with all its flavor and fun, will reach cricket fans across the globe. This will also introduce the sport to so many more who will quickly become engrossed in this fresh new version of cricket," explained Peter Smith, Senior Vice President, IMG Media, Director, International Sales.

IMG is the world's premier and most diversified sports, entertainment and media company and, as such, is an ideal partner for the Stanford 20/20 Tournament.

"We are pleased to see that the regional Stanford 20/20 Tournament, which is part of the annual cricket calendar of the West Indies Cricket Board, will reach an audience beyond the Caribbean and provide our players with greater exposure globally," said WICB President Dr. Julian Hunte. "This, hopefully, will motivate them to achieve higher levels of professionalism which, in turn, will give us the 'bench strength' or depth that we need to regain and retain our place at the pinnacle of world cricket."

The television coverage of the inaugural Stanford 20/20 Tournament in 2006 was produced by Century TV. Century has a strong pedigree in sports production, in particular cricket and has recently provided the TV production for the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. Century is also the producer of the Stanford 20/20 Cricket Show currently being aired around the region.

"We are extremely pleased to know that the excellent television package we put together will be available to a much wider global audience in 2008. We welcome IMG and their expertise as part of this growing team that is working together to revitalize cricket in the West Indies," said Century TV director, Rohan Browning.

For more information about the Stanford 20/20 Tournament, call 345.623.8823, email info@Stanford2020.com or log on to www.Stanford2020.com.

About the Stanford 20/20 Tournament

The Stanford 20/20 Tournament is a single-elimination knockout cricket competition featuring teams from several Caribbean territories vying for the top spot. Nineteen (19) teams competed in the inaugural 2006 Tournament and twenty-one (21) teams will compete in the 2008 Tournament. Created by financier Sir Allen Stanford, the first Tournament took place in July/August 2006 with Guyana emerging as the Stanford 20/20 Champions. The 2008 Stanford 20/20 Tournament is set for January 25 to February 24 at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The 21 countries participating in the 2008 competition are Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba**, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands** and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Visit the Stanford2020.com website for more information about the Stanford 20/20 program including the professional league and the Super Stars tournament initiatives.

   ** denotes new countries    About IMG  

IMG is the world's premier and most diversified sports, entertainment and media company. We partner with the world's leading marketers and media networks to help them grow their businesses through our event properties, media production and distribution, talent brands, sponsorship consulting, brand licensing, sponsorship sales and other services.

From emerging leadership in areas like digital media, licensing and entertainment programming, to our long-standing strength in sports, fashion and traditional media, IMG is committed to providing business-building solutions. Our partners include many of the world's most famous brands, media outlets, sports governing bodies, national and local governments, athletes, entertainers, models and fashion designers.

IMG is the global leader in event management and talent representation across golf, tennis and fashion and has a significant presence in many other sports, cultural and lifestyle categories. Our media division is one of the world's top independent producers of sports and entertainment television across multiple genres and is an emerging leader in video and interactive content creation for broadband and mobile platforms. Founded in 1960 with a handshake between Mark McCormack and golf legend Arnold Palmer, IMG has grown into a global operation. In 2004, renowned entrepreneurial pioneer Ted Forstmann acquired the company and infused it with renewed energy, creativity, and strategic direction.

   IMG's areas of expertise include:   -- Media production and distribution across multiple platforms   -- Event creation, management and sponsorship sales   -- Client representation and brand management   -- Sponsorship and media consulting   -- Global sponsorship and media sales   -- Consumer products licensing   -- Athlete training    More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.  

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FCMN Contact:

Source: Stanford 20/20

CONTACT: Rhonda Kelly, Event Director of Stanford 20-20,
+1-345-623-8823, Fax: +1-345-946-8811, Rhonda@Stanford2020.com

Web site: http://www.stanford2020.com/
http://www.imgworld.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment