Catalyst Public Relations, apoplectic the award winning U.S. based communications firm that specializes in developing consumer-facing integrated marketing has been acquired by IMG Worldwide, viagra the global sports, fashion and media company.

Catalyst will remain itself for the time being and will become a part of IMG’s Consulting business, headed by David Abrutyn, senior vice president and Global Managing Director of IMG Consulting.  

“The acquisition of Catalyst is a perfect fit for IMG’s client-oriented businesses,” said Mike Dolan, Chairman and Chief Executive of IMG. “They have a long history of success in working across all the major U.S. Sports Properties as well as global properties such as the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup and boast a strong base of corporate clients. Their expertise in Public Relations, Content Development & Digital and Social media services will significantly enhance our ability to fully service the sports and entertainment agency needs of our clients here in the U.S. and in all of our key international markets,” Dolan concluded.

“This acquisition is part of an ongoing plan to further expand our portfolio of key marketing services we can provide our Consulting clients around the world,” added George Pyne, President of IMG’s Sports and Entertainment Group.  “We plan to integrate their capabilities into our global Consulting practice that includes our fast growing PR services in the UK and expand these Communications services into key markets in Europe, Middle East, South America and Asia.  They will also be able to work with other IMG Divisions where these types of corporate partner communication services are needed,” Pyne said.

With the acquisition, Catalyst’s current management team of Bret Werner, Bill Holtz and Ted Fragulis will all join IMG, as will their staff of full time employees in their New York, Charlotte and Los Angeles offices.  Werner will continue in his role as Managing Partner for the business and will report to David Abrutyn.  Holtz and Fragulis will continue to work with Werner in managing the business.

“We’ve enjoyed a strong and productive working relationship with IMG for many years,” said Bret Werner, Managing Partner, Catalyst. “The ability to join IMG Consulting and continue with our current client service model as well as expand our traditional PR and digital expertise globally provides us with the opportunity to evolve and grow well into the future.”

Catalyst Public Relations was named “Small Agency of the Year” for 2012 by PRWeek, which marked the third time that Catalyst has earned agency of the year honours, including “Boutique Agency of the Year” by PRWeek in 2010 and “New Consultancy of the Year” by The Holmes Report in 2009. These prestigious industry accolades recognized the agency’s financial and client growth, client retention and exceptional creativity and innovation.

Pat McQuaid, arthritis president of the International Cycling Union (UCI) has vowed to continue to improve the sport, despite calls for his job and challenge for his role.

A day after a meeting of pressure group Change Cycling Now called for a change of leadership and saw three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond offer his services as an interim president of the UCI, McQuaid launched the first phase of a stakeholder consultation.

All of those involved in the sport, from riders to industry representatives and anti-doping organisations, have until next Monday to respond to a letter from the UCI.

McQuaid said: “We will work together to tackle issues of concern and build a bright future for cycling.

“We will look at how we can continue the process of globalising cycling, encourage wider participation and make the sport even more interesting for spectators.”

The consultation, which will take place in early 2013, is completely separate from the external independent commission, which is charged with looking into the issues and allegations contained in the United States Anti-Doping Agency decision relating to the Lance Armstrong affair.

Wembley has been put forward by the the Football Association as a potential venue for the Euro 2020 final should UEFA president Michel Platini’s plan to hold the tournament across several European countries go ahead.

Platini concocted a new plan to stage European Championship matches in 12 or 13 different countries, with the final stages all taking place in one venue. The idea will be discussed by UEFA’s executive board in December, with a decision set to be made early next year.

It is reported that FA chairman David Bernstein met with Platini last week and registered his association’s interest in Wembley holding the final.

“Clearly Wembley is incredibly highly thought of by UEFA and it is something we will probably push for,” said Bernstein. “UEFA want to hold the semi-finals and the final on the same ground, or in the same city and I think we would be on their shortlist – but there would be some strong competition.”

Turkey have currently placed a bid to hold the whole of Euro 2020 in its traditional format, however if they are successful in their bid to stage the 2020 Olympics then the Euro bid will give way, opening the door for Platini’s revolutionary idea.

“One of the major factors is whether Turkey get the Olympic Games or not. If Turkey do not get the Olympic Games then I think they are in a pretty good position to stage the Euros,” added Bernstein.

“If we believed there was a real opportunity of having the tournament here of course we would look at it. Of course there would be an intent, the public want it and we’d want it and it would be wonderful to have it here. If Michel Platini’s current views prevail and it becomes a pan-European competition, then the focus needs to be on the semi-finals and final.”

Regarding Platini’s plan former Wembley CEO, Michael Cunnah, said: “You can make anything work and I guess that if the Euros were held in cities across Western Europe they could be closer than some cities which were in Korea/ Japan or Ukraine/ Poland.”

But the iSportconnect chairman also reiterated: “It is always a real strain when competitions are held in different countries and therefore Platini could be multiplying this.”

Wembley will hold the Champions League final for the second time in three years this season as part of the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

iSportconnect, the world’s leading sports business networking platform is excited to announce we are launching a meeting scheduler for those attending the Euro 2012 finals and the London 2012 Olympics.

Following on from the success of various business conferences across the globe including Rugby Expo, Soccerex European Forum and Sportech, iSportconnect will be launching two new meeting schedulers on the website.Following on from the success of various business conferences across the globe including Rugby Expo, Soccerex European Forum and Sportech, iSportconnect will be launching two new meeting schedulers on the website.

The Euro 2012 and the London 2012 Networking Tools will now have the exclusive feature of being able to see who else is attending, and the opportunity to arrange meetings with them.

As of the 23rd of May, iSportconnect members will be able to utilise the Euro 2012 Networking Tool by logging on to or signing up to dev.isportconnect.com/euro2012.

Members will then be able to go to the community section of the site and click on the Euro 2012 Networking Tool where they can keep up to date with all the latest news and discussions, see who else is attending the events, and book meetings with them.

From 20th June, iSportconnect members will be able to utilise the London 2012 Networking Tool by logging on to or signing up to dev.isportconnect.com/london2012.

iSportconnect’s Marketing and Partnership manager Xavier Cureau said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to grab. Where else will business executives be able to make new contacts and find out who’s attending these huge events? London and Europe will be thriving on the business that could be made.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available for these Networking Tools on iSportconnect. For more information contact mark.thomas@isportconnect.com.

Fulham FC Foundation and Barclays Spaces for Sports (BS4S) have announced a new three-year partnership that sees the two organisations collaborating to provide a football and sport employability development programme for local people.

Targeting young people not in education, shop employment or training (NEETS), capsule it aims to increase employment opportunities for 300 16-25 year olds by helping them develop life skills such as communication and team work, as well as giving them work related training. 

With a £350,000 investment from Barclays, young people in Surrey and South, West and Central London will take part in a series of 10 week programmes providing the opportunity to improve employability skills and confidence and gain accreditations to help them enter or return to the labour market. Participants will benefit from a range of interventions, including: work related learning (through volunteering), CV writing workshops, careers talks and tours, money  management skills, literacy/numeracy/IT lessons alongside sporting activity. Barclays employees will be encouraged to volunteer to mentor participants in the programme. 

Fulham FC Foundation has designed this bespoke football and sport employability programme in partnership with BS4S and will engage with local small and medium size businesses to facilitate employment opportunities for graduates of the programme. 

David Wheldon, Head of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship, Barclays commented: “As part of our Citizenship agenda Barclays plays a broader role in the communities in which we live and work beyond what we deliver through our core business activities; we do this through community investment programmes and the direct efforts of our employees. By empowering young people with appropriate skills we can help them achieve economic independence and security now and in the future.  We are delighted to be partnering with Fulham FC Foundation on this unique programme which brings together the independent interests and expertise of each organisation to do just that.” 

Steven Day, Chief Executive, Fulham FC Foundation said: “Fulham FC Foundation is very excited to be working with such a prestigious organisation as Barclays. This innovative new programme underlines the club’s philosophy of working alongside the local community to assist in ‘building better lives through sport’. This programme adds another element to our portfolio of sports and education activities, through which we engage with in excess of 6,000 young people a month.  We will use our expertise in this field to ensure that this project and partnership is a great success. We will hopefully start to see this through the development of the young people in and around London who are participating, gaining employability skills and are supported to get back into work or training.” 

Danny Murphy, Fulham Football Club Captain added: “This fantastic new three-year project partnership between the Fulham FC Foundation and Barclays Spaces for Sports will help young people to enhance their skill sets to either get back into a training programme or to gain employment. To see two well-known organisations using the power of football to develop and deliver a rewarding programme is very encouraging, and I am delighted to support it.”

by Ismail Uddin

France has beaten competition from Spain in being awarded the right to host the Ryder Cup in 2018

The competition will be played at Le Golf National near Paris, a highly-regarded stadium course famous for its dramatic use of water – particularly on the back nine – and the outstanding spectator viewing.

Spain was the last nation to stage the event in mainland Europe back in 1997 when the late, great Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to a memorable victory at Valderrama.

Many had predicted that Spain would be awarded the hosting rights again in tribute to Ballesteros but instead the French bid – funded in part by a one-euro levy paid by every registered golfer in the country – won out over rival bids including Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands.

The European Tour appear to be preparing to honour the charismatic Spaniard in a different way, however, with a statement on the Tour’s website confirming that they are considering changing the Tour logo to show Ballesteros instead of legendary English golfer Harry Vardon.

Formula One racing team, see Williams are pushing through with stock flotation plans and  Williams Grand Prix Holdings Plc are offering shares at a rate of 24  – 29 euros (US$32.7 – $39.5) apiece.

The individual share prices mean that the company is valued at $361m at the mid-point of the pricing according to a statement emailed today, February 9.

Williams F1 isn’t raising new capital in the offering, which enables existing shareholders to sell down part of their holding “to allow investor participation.”

Penske Racing have secured their third new sponsorship deal of recent times. Although founder Roger Penske failed to obtain full-season primary sponsors for all three of his IndyCar drivers the team are adding the money together from recent sponsorship contracts so they can race a full schedule.

Izod, a sports clothing company, has been signed as a sponsor for all three of Penske’s IndyCar entries ahead of the new season. The company will become the primary sponsor of the No. 6 car of Ryan Briscoe, though it will be an associate of all three cars throughout the 2011 season.

Team Penske Presient, Tim Cindric spoke of the teams sponsorship intentions: “Our first mission was to keep all three guys and provide them with a full season next year and it wasn’t really until about a month ago that we felt pretty strongly that we could do that,

“We see ourselves continuing to build a la NASCAR. We have Verizon for a full year and the other two we won’t have a full season of sponsorship.”

Penske’s team is the best-known in the IndyCar Series.

ZOLL Medical Corporation, cialis a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, viagra buy has announced a partnership with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the organisation to use ZOLL AED Plus devices to distribute to its 47 member associations across Asia to protect their football players in the event of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

The AED Plus units will be present during all football matches. In all matches sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), of which AFC is a member, a match cannot start without the presence of an AED at the bench of the 4th official.

Dato’ Alex Soosay, AFC General Secretary, commented that at the recent South Asian Football Federation Championship Games in Nepal, immediate use of AED equipment saved the life of a player from Afghanistan who had a cardiac arrest during the match between Nepal and Afghanistan. Thus, such incidents reflect the importance of collaboration and investment in medical equipment.

He explained that one of the key reasons that the AFC selected the AED Plus is its Real CPR Help feature, real-time audio and visual feedback that guides the rescuer to the correct depth and rate of chest compressions. Not all victims of sudden cardiac arrest will need a shock, but all will need CPR.

“The AED Plus is simple to operate and user friendly, even to the layman,” said Dato’ Alex. “Its availability in multiple languages provides added user confidence. The AFC Medical Committee unanimously endorsed its use.”