Iaaf Appoints Havas S&e For Global PR

Havas Sports & Entertainment has been appointed as the corporate PR agency of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) following project work in 2013 where they developed a corporate communications strategy.  

As part of this new two-year brief HS&E, the global brand engagement network of the Havas Group, will help the IAAF promote its 2014 to 2016 strategic plan, which features a range of innovations and social inclusion initiatives, to showcase athletics’ status as the number one Olympic sport.

Founded in 1912, the IAAF is responsible for the administration and organisation of major athletics competitions worldwide, which form part of the World Athletics Series; these include the World Championships and the Diamond League events.   

HS&E will be delivering the PR programme in partnership with sister agency Seven46 who have been the IAAF’s corporate editorial agency since 2008. 

Earlier this year HS&E helped the IAAF launch its new social responsibility programme; Athletics for a Better World (ABW), which aims to use the global reach and universality of athletics as a platform for social good in the areas of peace, social inclusion, health and religion. 

Commenting on the appointment, Nick Davies, IAAF Deputy Secretary General said: ‘The IAAF is delighted to welcome Havas Sports & Entertainment into the athletics family as our corporate PR agency. They’ve been integral to the development of our 2014-16 communications plan and are already playing a crucial role, this year, in helping us become more active in the international sports community.’

‘This partnership builds on a long-term relationship with Seven46 and will enable us to benefit from HS&E’s global network and deep experience in the sports industry with both federations and commercial brands.’

President & Global CEO, HS&E, Lucien Boyer added: ‘Athletics is the world’s most universal sport and has the power to change lives by getting more people running, jumping and throwing.’

‘This fits perfectly with our ‘meaningful brands’ philosophy so we are thrilled to be working with the IAAF to help them play an active leadership role in the global sports community as the number one Olympic sport.’

Havas Sports & Entertainment UK clients include Coca-Cola, The FA, AEG, Sport England and Yahoo!