Dance event in US hunts UK backers

The organiser of music event the Mobo Awards is looking for UK companies to sponsor an American dance music spectacular.

DanceStar USA The American Dance Music Awards will take place in March 2003 in Miami as an open-air event and will be broadcast on MTV2 in the US, on MTV Europe and on Star TV Asia.

DanceStar has a number of sponsorship packages it believes are suitable for the right UK brands. It is not ruling out American brands, but a spokesman says the company wants to widen its net of partners by talking to UK companies. Computer games publishers, mobile phone companies or non-alcoholic drinks brands could make suitable sponsors.

Chief executive and founder of DanceStar Andy Ruffell says: “DanceStar USA presents an immense opportunity for UK multinational businesses which not only wish to reach their international market, but are also looking to penetrate the US market through a long-term, high-profile brand association.”

The packages available include title, presenting, award category and global broadcast sponsorships.

The first DanceStar USA awards took place in March this year but carried no sponsorship.