Helios and Amaury Group launch Helios Partners Europe

Atlanta based Helios Partners, in a joint statement with its sister company Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), announced the formation of Helios Partners Europe, a new business unit that will capitalize on the opportunities and rapid growth of the sports marketing industry throughout Europe.

Helios Partners Europe will focus on global business development in close collaboration with A.S.O. The unit will be led by Chris Renner, a 20-year industry veteran who most recently oversaw the company’s Beijing-based division as President of Helios China. While assuming responsibility for developing the European market, he will continue to oversee Helios’ operations in China. With Renner’s relocation to Paris, Helios establishes a centralized European operation that will provide an ideal foundation for aggressive growth through stronger alignment and resource efficiencies with A.S.O.

“We are looking forward to sharing our skills with Helios Partners Europe, who will bring to the business its strong bid city and brand consulting expertise in relation to big events such as the Olympic Games. The blending of our complementary strengths will create additional value for our clients and events alike,” said Yann Le Moenner, CEO of A.S.O.

Renner began his sports marketing career in Switzerland with ISL Worldwide. During the late 1990s, Renner developed ISL’s Asia Pacific business. Along with opening offices in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, Renner also oversaw development and sales of a record-breaking sponsorship program for the Asian Games. Moving to Beijing in 2005, Renner developed Helios Partners into one of China’s leading sports marketing consultancies, representing international blue-chip clients and some of the country’s most prestigious brands including FedEx and Lenovo, as well as a roster of sports properties such as Major League Baseball International and FIFA.

“I am energized by the prospect of working with our partners at A.S.O., who have a proven expertise and record of success in all areas related to the creation, production and promotion of sporting events,” said Renner. “In addition, with the next two Olympic Games taking place in London and Sochi, we have an excellent opportunity to leverage Helios’ collective sponsorship and consulting experience to grow our business in the UK and Russian markets.”

Serving a wide range of global clients, with offices in Atlanta, London, Paris and Beijing, Helios Partners specializes in sponsorship consulting, sports property representation and bid city and organizing committee consulting.

A.S.O. is a global leader in sport event management, owning and operating 25 events across four continents, with world-renowned properties such as the Tour de France, Dakar Rally and the Paris International Marathon among those in the company’s portfolio.