IMG shuffles senior Euro posts after rejig

Sports agency IMG has made two senior promotions three months after announcing a restructure that sparked a number of departures.

IMG president of Europe, Africa and the Middle East Eric Drossart becomes chairman of IMG Europe. Senior international group vice- president Andrew Hampel has been appointed managing director of IMG Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Hampel will be responsible for all IMG’s operations in the region.

Both Drossart and Hampel will report to Alastair Johnston and Bob Kain, who are co-chief executives and presidents. Both took over the running of IMG after the death of founder Mark McCormack in May. Kain focuses on the American territories while Johnston is responsible for the rest of the world.

IMG moved its European football division into its London-based television distribution arm TWI in June (MW June 19). Managing director Philip Grother, who headed the football division, and senior executive Philip Hauber are no longer with the company.

Drossart recently admitted that IMG was considering withdrawing from player management, with a sale tipped as a strong possibility.

Jonathan Hill, former head of the football division at IMG, left to become marketing director for Wembley National Stadium in January. He is overseeing the hunt for an advertising agency to help sell seats at the new Wembley stadium (MW July 10).