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Asian Tour inks representation deal with IMG

IMG Worldwide, the premier sports, entertainment and media company, announced today that it has reached a three-year agreement with the Asian Tour, the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, to be their exclusive media agent.

The representation agreement commences with immediate effect through to 2012 and includes the world-wide media rights to all Asian Tour sanctioned events. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia.

This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Golf Ranking status.

This agreement follows the recent announcement that the Asian Tour and European Tour have formed a significant new alliance designed to invigorate the game internationally by fortifying existing co-sanctioned tournaments, generating new competition at all levels and reinforcing relationships with sponsors, tournament promoters, national associations and regional professional bodies.

The contract was negotiated for IMG by Senior Vice President and Head of IMG Media Asia, Michael Mellor. "We are thrilled to have added the Asian Tour as a major new client," said Mellor. "Our pedigree in Golf and media distribution means we are able to offer the Asian Tour a unique level of expertise matched with unparalleled worldwide distribution.”

Eric Lynge, Senior Director, TV and Commercial Affairs, Asian Tour, said: "As the leading sports, entertainment and media company in the world, IMG will provide the Asian Tour with a strong distribution network to further expand our audience and viewership in world golf.

“The Asian Tour has an exciting year-round schedule of events which offers compelling golf content to golf fans globally. Our membership consists of players from over 27 different nationalities and we visit no fewer than 16 countries annually which make the Asian Tour very appealing.”

August 5, 2009