SIA 11: Img’s 50 Years Honoured
The long-standing achievements of IMG, the global sports, fashion and media company celebrating its 50th year in 2011, have been recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to British Sport Award at the Sport Industry Awards 2011 ceremony on 11th May, the 10th anniversary of the prestigious event.
Mike Dolan, the newly appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of IMG Worldwide, received the Award on behalf of the company from long-term client and Formula One legend Sir Jackie Stewart in front of a packed room of 1,700 industry executives and sporting celebrities.
IMG founder Mark McCormack is widely credited with having spawned the sports marketing industry following his legendary handshake with golfer Arnold Palmer which marked the first commercial contract in sport.
Over the last 50 years, the company has since set up offices across the world and includes the likes of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer on its client list.
In accepting the Award, Mike commented: “On behalf of our Chairman and CEO Ted Forstmann, the late Mark McCormack and our nearly 3,000 employees around the world, we are honoured to accept this recognition. Our work with the best of British sport has been a very important contributor to our success throughout the past five decades. We look forward to continuing serving these great institutions for many years to come.”
Previous winners of the Outstanding Contribution to British Sport Award have included Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (2010), the London 2012 Olympic Bid Team (2006), and iconic footballer David Beckham (2007).
