Sportsworld appoints FIFA brands chief

Sportsworld Media Group, the entertainment and sports marketing agency, has appointed Tony Simpson to the newly created position of head of brand marketing.

Simpson – former deputy managing director and vice-chairman of sales promotion company Team LGM – will work with FIFA World Cup sponsors, which are as yet unknown. He says: “My job is to help maximise the leverage of these brands.” Simpson will be recruiting and heading a team to achieve this aim.

He was previously managing director for Citigate Sponsorship, a Team spin-off that was dissolved after parent company Incepta Group acquired rival agencies Redmandarin and Karen Earl (MW October 11).

Last week, the Rugby Football Union announced that Powergen is to be the title sponsor of the 2002 National Cup, in a deal negotiated by Sportsworld. Under the sponsorship, from December 15 the competition will be known as The Powergen Cup. Sportsworld has also been appointed to manage Cheltenham & Gloucester’s sponsorship of the English Cricket Board.

Other Sportsworld clients include Pepsi, clothing company O’Neill and the Accident Group.