New ownership sees ambitious plans and new office locations
Global sport and entertainment business, CSM, today announced it is setting its sights on investing in North America and Asia following the completion by Providence Equity Partners (“Providence”) of the acquisition of Chime, CSM’s parent company.
Investment in these regions will be complemented by the strong organic growth that has been the hallmark of CSM’s agencies in creating the leadership positions they enjoy.
Commenting on the future plans for the organisation, CSM Group CEO, Zak Brown said: “The global sponsorship market is strong and growing steadily. North America is the largest sponsorship market by region and the biggest sports market in the world, while Asia is the fastest growing so it makes sense that our investment focus is in these two regions.
“This is an exciting time for the world of sport. We will see many changes in sport, from governance and the role of sponsors to fan engagement and evolving sport formats. Through our presence in 19 countries, CSM is active in every sport with world-class services from strategy to execution. Beyond sports business experts and sports enthusiasts, our leadership team have also competed in sport at the top level from the Olympic Games to motor racing, international hockey and cricket. Using the insights and instincts from that competitor experience, we will be at the heart of this growing industry challenging the status quo and driving innovation, engagement and activation,” added Brown.
Chaired by Olympic gold medallist, Sebastian Coe, CSM will build on its strong base across Asia and will open a new office in Japan.
“Sport is the greatest human connector and the most effective social network on the planet,” said Coe. Asia, in particular provides us with great opportunities. 51% of the world’s population and 60% of the world’s population under 24 years old live in the Asia Pacific region. It boasts six of the top 10 fastest growing economies and is hosting a staggering number of world sporting events between 2018 and 2022 including three Olympic Games, two Asian Games, a Commonwealth Games and a Rugby World Cup. This will be an extraordinary decade for sport in the Asia Pacific region and we have significant experience and expertise to share.”
While the investment focus in the short term is on North America and Asia, CSM’s European, Middle East and Latin America operations will continue to grow strongly, particularly on the success of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Following a busy Football World Cup in Brazil last year, CSM Latin America is looking forward to an equally strong 12 months with significant contracts in place for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.
CSM has already started working with new owner Providence on a growth plan that will include both acquisitions and organic growth.
“Providence has experience, knowledge, vision and funds that will enable us to invest in CSM’s global business. It also has a great portfolio of businesses around the world in sport, entertainment, telecommunications and education. These business provide new opportunities for us and for them,” said Brown.
–ENDS–
Enquiries
Jackie Brock-Doyle, CSM Communications Tel: +44 20 7593 5204 Mbl: +44 7876785756
Notes to Editors
About CSM
CSM is a global leader in the business of sport and entertainment and is part of Chime, now owned by Providence Equity Partners.
CSM is made up of 14 specialist agencies and operates on every continent with over 800 people across 24 offices in 19 countries.
CSM is active in every major sport through world-class services from strategy to execution. These include activation, athlete management, branding, broadcast, consultancy, content and digital, planning, PR, hospitality, rights sales, social media, strategy and management of live events.
CSM serves the biggest brands and rights holders in the world, including Unilever, HSBC, Diageo, Verizon, UBS, Samsung, Subway, Dow, IOC, UEFA, Formula One Management, the Premier League and the PGA.
FACTS at a GLANCE
* Employees: 800+
* Office locations (24): Abu Dhabi, Adelaide, Auckland, Berlin, Cape Town, Connecticut, Doha, Dubai, Dunedin, Hong Kong, Indianapolis, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Moscow, Muscat, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo
* Countries (19): Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA
* Agencies (14): CSM Soccer, CSM Strategic, Essentially, Fast Track, Full Access Hospitality, Golden Goal/CSM Brasil, Good Relations, ICON, iLUKA, JMI, People Marketing, SJX Partners, Sportseen, The Blaze Agency
* Key clients: Companies – DIAGEO, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, UBS, Unilever, UPS Rights Holders – UEFA, FIFA, Spanish Football Association, Williams F1, World Rugby, England & Wales Cricket Board
A little more about CSM’s world leading agencies:
Essentially: Offering a forward-thinking approach to sport and entertainment marketing; Essentially specialise in athlete management, brand consulting, commercial rights sales & delivery and hospitality & events with a particular strength in rugby, cricket and music. Clients include Chris Robshaw, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Victor Matfield, World Rugby, England & Wales Cricket Board, Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football League, British Phonographic Industry, Vitality, Unilever, SABMiller, Waitrose and Accolade Wines. For more information visit: www.essentiallygroup.com
Fast Track: Putting brands at the heart of the most compelling sports stories, to achieve measurable business goals, offering services in consulting, content and live events. Clients include HSBC, GSK, Land Rover, Longines, AIA, Manchester City, MetLife, McLaren, Mubadala, and Jacksonville Jaguars. For more information visit: www.fasttrackagency.com
ICON: Bringing brands to life by creating and delivering brand and live experiences around the world for clients in sport, retail, corporate and public sectors. ICON’s clients include: Rio 2016 Olympic Games, FIFA, UEFA, Formula E, L”Oreal, Thomas Pink, GE, Barclays and the London Legacy Development Corporation. For more information visit: www.icon-world.com
iLUKA: A specialised event agency that creates and delivers immersive brand experiences and operational delivery for sponsors and stakeholders at global sporting events. Clients include adidas, Dow, Visa, Bradesco, The Coca-Cola Company, McDonald’s, International Olympic Committee, Samsung, Hyundai and Yokahama. For more information visit: www.iluka.co.uk
JMI: Exclusively in motorsports representing brands and corporations in all forms of premier motorsports worldwide.. Clients include Bose, Castrol, DIAGEO (Crown Royal & Johnnie Walker) GSK, Mazda, UPS, Unilever, UBS and Verizon. For more information visit www.justmarketing.com
CSM also comprises additional specialist companies and local market specialists in Asia, North and South America, Middle East and Europe.
About Chime
Chime is a sport, entertainment and communications group present in six continents, 20 countries and 32 cities. The group comprises CSM in sport and entertainment; the VCCP Partnership in marketing communications; OPEN Health in healthcare communications, public relations and market access; CIE in market research; Good Relations, Teamspirit and Harvard in PR; and the Chime Specialist Group for communications in specialist market places. For more information, please go to www.chimegroup.com
About Providence Equity Partners
Providence Equity Partners is the world’s leading global private equity firm focused on equity investments in media, communications, education, and information companies. The firm manages funds with over $40 billion in commitments and has invested in more than 140 companies globally since its inception in 1989. Providence is headquartered in Providence, RI and also has offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Delhi. Visit www.provequity.com for more information.
