Origin chooses marketing team for America’s Cup bid

Origin, a new British America’s Cup Team, has appointed a commercial director and marketing and communications director to spearhead its bid to win the Cup in 2009 and 2011.

The team has appointed Nick Masson as commercial director and former WPP executive Leslie Ryan as marketing director.

Masson, who joins from Alinghi, the defending Swiss America’s Cup team, will be responsible for sponsorship, commercial concerns, in-vestor strategies and activities. Ryan will manage the team brand, identity and image.

Ryan, has worked in branding and marketing consultancy with WPP and ran sponsorship and marketing for GBR Challenge, the 2000-2003 British America’s Cup team.

She was also sponsorship manager for Skandia Team GBR, the British Olympic sailing team training for Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

She says that the team is seeking sponsors from a variety of sectors including technology, luxury goods and cars. She adds that the team may consider a brand association with a title sponsor.

Sir Keith Mills, who oversaw London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, set up the Origin team specifically to compete in what is the world’s oldest sporting event.

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