(August 19, 2002)                                                                                             Hot News Main Page

IMG/TWI Surfing Alliance Established

AUSTRALIA (August 19, 2002) The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) has signed a crucial deal aligning themselves with the combined resources of International Management Group of America Pty Ltd (IMG) and
their subsidiary television production company Trans World International (TWI). The unparalleled level of experience IMG/TWI hold in the key areas of television production, distribution and sponsorship sales will solidify professional surfing's place in the competitive arena of world sports.

After 18 months working alongside Chilli Productions, the ASP now enters an exciting new chapter of self-realization. IMG/TWI offers a one-stop sport media marketing service. They will develop a specialized surf production unit built on 30 years of international broadcast experience across a variety of sports & events. Beyond the production and distribution of TV news feeds and the World Championship Tour (WCT) programs, IMG will aggressively market the ASP in search of global sponsors for both the men and women's tours.

IMG, established in 1960, has now become the worlds' pre-eminent sports marketing organization with 2500 employees in 100 offices across 32 countries. In essence, sponsorship sales are IMG's business, delivering more sponsorship dollars to events and sporting federations than any other company on earth.

"Its very exciting for IMG to be involved in a partnership arrangement with the ASP, said IMG Australia, General Manager, Mal Peter. "Whether through film, language, fashion or music, no other sport in the world has had such a
profound effect on society & culture than surfing.

"The sport of surfing offers companies a unique opportunity to become involved with this highly inspirational lifestyle sport, and we are looking forward to taking it to market in a fully integrated fashion that combines the event benefits with the television benefits."

TWI is the largest independent production, packager and distributor of sports programming in the world. They annually produce and distribute more than 6000 hours of original programming to more than 200 territories and broadcasts sports television and special events to every corner of the globe.

"Surfing is a very exciting sport for us to be associated with, says Richard Scotts, head of TWI Production, Australia "There has been a huge push towards lifestyle sports & we recognize surfing as the number one lifestyle sport in the world today.

"Surfing is the ultimate in escapism; it's about young, healthy athletes chasing the perfect wave in some of the world's most exotic locations.

"Our objective is to build a stronger media platform & in so doing lay the platform for stronger corporate support."

The WCT programs will be tailored to the needs of the ASP, the sponsors and international broadcasters. Each will incorporate travel and lifestyle aspects, detailed surfer profiles and futuristic onscreen graphics outlining rules and scoring, in order to educate the viewer. In an effort to put the viewer into the drivers' seat new state of the art production technology
will also be explored. The program will also focus on more behind-the-scenes action in an effort to capture life on tour.

IMG's Australian Sales and Marketing Director Mal Peter, together with ASP's President/CEO Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew will travel to each of the key sales regions in coming months, detailing the huge opportunities to potential sponsors.

"This momentous announcement puts a real spring in the step of ASP," explained Bartholomew. "By aligning with IMG/TWI we now set sail on a course that will write a dynamic new chapter into the story of professional surfing. I can't wait to get on the road with these guys."

"In any major development, there is always a transition period and Stuart Sawyer and the crew at Chilli Productions have provided a wonderful assist to the new foundation."

1999 ASP World Champion Mark Occhilupo (Aus), currently rated #5 on the WCT, was beaming when told the news.

"I've been on the tour for 15 years and watching ASP evolve into this great working unit," said Occhilupo. "This alliance with IMG/TWI makes the machine strong and now we have no limits to Pro Surfing's potential. I'm stoked this is happening and just really pleased for all the young surfers and the future of the sport."

Megan Abubo (Haw), ASP Women's representative and former World #2 had the following to say: "This new relationship between the ASP and IMG/TWI promises to bring a new level of sophistication and sponsorship into the sport of surfing," said Abubo. "The public will have more of an opportunity to view our exciting sport through increased media coverage. This is key to Women's surfing."

Further information:

Wayne Bartholomew
President/Chief Executive Officer, ASP Int'l
rabbit@aspworldtour.com <mailto:rabbit@aspworldtour.com>
Ph: +61-(0)-7-5599-1550

Mal Peter
General Manager, IMG Australia
mpeter@imgworld.com <mailto:mpeter@imgworld.com>
Ph: +61-(0)-2-9260-2322

Richard Scotts
Head of Production, TWI Australia
rjscotts@imgworld.com <mailto:rjscotts@imgworld.com>
Ph: +61-(0)-2-9260-2350

Peter Whittaker (peter@aspworldtour.com)
Chief Operating Officer
ASP International
Ph 61-7-5599 1550 Fax 61-7-5599 3550

[Source: Jesse Faen, Media Director, ASP Int'l, jesse@aspworldtour.com <mailto:jesse@aspworldtour.com, www.aspworldtour.com http://www.aspworldtour.com, Mobile: +61-(0)-407-189-289
ASP Int'l office (Aus): 617-5599-1550]