Arabian Sponsorship Forum Ends High

Abu Dhabi, December 9th 2010: The Arabian Sponsorship Forum closed today after a successful two days which saw world-class speakers address the audience, including Kevin Roberts, Global CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi, and Dr Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Moderated by Olympic legend Sir Matthew Pinsent, the Forum was attended by more than 300 delegates. It saw lively keynote speeches and panel discussions addressing current marketing and commercial issues.

Jamie Cunningham, Founder of the Arabian Sponsorship Forum was pleased with the Forum's success: "The 2010 Arabian Sponsorship Forum has built upon the success of the inaugural event held in 2009. It's been great to see so many brands attend this year's event which is a definite reflection of sponsorship's growth as a commercial tool in the region".

"It was also great to see so many local students attend the Introduction to Sponsorship, which we added this year and has added a great dimension to the Forum."

More than 150 graduates and undergraduates attended the 'Introduction to Sponsorship' workshop hosted by one of the world's leading sponsorship and sports marketing academics, Professor T.Bettina Cornwell, from the University of Oregon, USA, as well as Etihad Airway's Head of Sponsorship, Nick Cottage.

The key theme of the Forum was the use of sponsorship as a multi-dimensional sales and marketing tool which can aid companies as a story-telling mechanism to engage consumers.

Keynote speakers and panelists included Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars, Germany, Jocelyn Robiot, SVP Global Sports Marketing, adidas International and Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi, UAE as well as panellists including HE Mohamed Khalfan, Al Rumaithi the President of the UAE FA and Boutros Boutros the Divisionl Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Emirates Airline and Group.

Professional Sports Group the organisers of the Forum will be releasing a new guide to sponsorship called Opportunities 2011 which will be sent to all delegates and the region's leading companies at the end of December.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Anna McGovern
anna@profsports.com
050 668 4026

Yanal Almir
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050 6851 978

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