M&C Saatchi & Sky Sports Recognised At Sia2012
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment has won the coveted title of Sport Agency of the Year, sponsored by Colouration, collecting the prize for the fourth time in five years at the star-studded Sport Industry Awards ceremony.
The agency beat off a record number of entrants in the category and a fiercely competitive shortlist to secure its trophy in what the Sport Industry Awards Judges described as the most competitive fight for the title since its creation. The other agencies shortlisted for the prize – H+K Strategies, IMG Consulting, Octagon UK, Pitch, and Synergy – could each point to outstanding performance across 2011.
M&C Saatchi’s continued innovation and its growth since last winning the Sport Agency of the Year Award in 2010, though, were enough to secure it the prize. The agency recorded its seventh consecutive double-digit growth year in 2011 and its continued high level of performance was rewarded with five nominations across the other Sport Industry Awards categories, and trophies for its work with both Castrol and NatWest.
The Award for Sport Brand of the Year, sponsored by Pinsent Masons, was won by Sky Sports in the organisation’s 20th year, with emphasis placed on its development from a fledgling sports broadcaster into a partner and major investor into sport from the elite to the grassroots level. Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis received the Award from Ryder Cup-winning golfer Paul McGinley and former Formula One star Mark Blundell and spoke warmly of his pride in Sky Sports’ growth.
The very best work that the industry produced across 2011 was rewarded at the Sport Industry Awards ceremony, with the winners of each category announced following an extensive judging process involving more than 40 key figures from across the industry and 50 hours of intensive judging – fully overseen by Deloitte, the Official Independent Scrutineer of the Sport Industry Awards.
Nick Keller, the Chairman of the Sport Industry Group, commented: “Every year the quality of work produced by this industry continues to astonish us all. To be on the shortlist is a stellar achievement in itself, and to come out of that shortlist as the winner of a Sport Industry Award is evidence of simply outstanding work. Our congratulations go to all the winners, and our thanks go to every member of this industry for their part in making this the most exciting marketplace in world sport.”
The official partners of the Sport Industry Awards are Barclays, Deloitte and Eurosport.
