API doesn’t ‘run’ Whitbread race

I would like to comment on your article regarding the Interpublic purchase of 60 per cent of API and 100 per cent of Advantage International (MW May 29).

The article infers that API boasts of having the Whitbread Round the World Race as if it was the managing agency for our race.

It is not, and the facts are as follows.

API was appointed by the Whitbread Round the World Race in November 1995, to assist us in finding sponsors (which did not preclude our own team from looking for sponsors) on a one-year contract of exclusivity.

At the end of the exclusive contract period, we did not have any sponsor supporting the race which had resulted from an introduction by API under the terms of its appointment.

We therefore saw no tangible benefits in renewing the contract with API, which had been an option open to us. (By contrast, our own team was able to find ten sponsors for the race).

To infer API’s continued exclusivity is both misleading and potentially damaging to us, and others working with us, and it is correct to set the record straight.

Stuart Aitken

Managing director commercial activities

Whitbread Round The World Race

Whitbread Centre

Southampton