IOA ropes in IOS as sole marketing partner for two years

Indian Olympic Association today announced the roping in of sports management company IOS Sports & Entertainment as its sole commercial and marketing partner for two years to generate sponsorship revenue for Rio Olympics and other national and international events.
This is the first time in the history of IOA that any professional sports marketing agency has been appointed to generate sponsorship revenues for Indian athletes, including for the contingent that will participate in the Rio Games later this year.
IOS won the right to become the exclusive agency of IOA in a "multi-pitch battle", according to a release.
IOS will now manage sponsorships, handling operations, all media and public relations related works and image of IOA for all major national and international events, including Rio Olympic Games.

IOS will strategise the commercial plan for IOA so as to raise the sponsorship for the Indian contingent that will represent the country in the Games and all other national and international events, the release said.
The company is targetting to generate a minimum of Rs 10-12 crore for the Indian contingent that will take part in Olympics through principle and associates sponsors, as well as partners.

IOS is also planning to develop new intellectual properties in partnership with IOA and will be working in tandem to unlock the commercial potential of the IOA.
Commenting on this new association with IOS, IOA President N Ramachandran said, "I would like to welcome on board IOS Sports & Entertainment as our exclusive Sports Marketing Agency. We are sure they will deliver their best while working with IOA.

"We were looking for an agency that had the required expertise and credentials to raise sponsorships for Indian Olympic Association and after multiple rounds of discussions and presentations, we found that IOS was the best candidate to meet our goals," he said.
Speaking on this new journey with the IOA, Neerav Tomar,
MD & CEO IOS Sports & Entertainment said, "It is a matter of great pride to be associated with the IOA. We are glad to have been given this opportunity to be a part of the body that governs Olympic sports in the country.
"We will strive to deliver our best in all areas -- sponsorships, building intellectual properties, operations and media & PR. We have developed a structure for upcoming Olympic Games. We are looking at three principle sponsors and few associates and partners. We are very excited and looking forward to working together for achieving our partnership goals," he said.

IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said, "We were impressed with IOS's experience in sports management that stretches from team sponsorships in top sporting leagues to individual player management. They offered some great creative and commercial ideas that will help us unlock the potential of this association."
London Olympics bronze medallist and world number two badminton star Saina Nehwal said, "I am happy to know IOA's decision to appoint IOS as its exclusive agency which will help build the image and generate revenue for Olympic sports in the country. I am confident that they will achieve new milestones in raising sponsorships for IOA."

London Olympics bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang said, "I applaud IOA's decision to appoint a sports marketing agency to look after its marketing and raise its brand value. The kind of work IOS has done in sports arena in last 10 years makes me confident that they will deliver their best."
Another 2012 Olympics bronze medallist, boxer Mary Kom said, "This is a great step taken by IOA ahead of Rio Olympic Games. IOS signed me in 2009 and they have supported and managed me for more than six years now. I am confident of their ability to deliver and also wish them good luck."

Bejing Olympics bronze and London Olympics silver medal winning wrestler Sushil Kumar said, "This is a new era for Olympic sports and one of India's top company who I have known for over seven years now has joined hands with IOA. I would like to wish both IOA and IOS in building this partnership."
An established player in sports marketing industry in India for over 10 years, IOS specialises in consulting, film branding, talent management, sports infrastructure, rights management, outdoor advertising and PR & media.
IOS had recently worked as an exclusive agency for Indian Super League team Delhi Dynamos. It had also worked with Hockey India League side Delhi Waveriders for two seasons.

Talent division of IOS exclusively manages country's top sportspersons including Nehwal, cricketer Suresh Raina, Mary Kom, Sushil and Vijender Singh.