The three-day ICC Broadcast and Sponsor Forum, involving ICC’s broadcast partners, licensees, sponsors and service providers, is taking place this week in Dubai.

During the meeting, which began on Monday, the delegates are receiving presentations on broadcasting and sponsorship and are discussing a range of topics, including the marketing of ICC Events and developing and delivering world-class ICC events.

ICC General Manager – Commercial, Campbell Jamieson, said the forum is helping the relationship building between ICC’s commercial partners.

“The inaugural forum provides an excellent opportunity for the ICC and its valued commercial partners to assemble in one place to discuss and devise event-specific marketing plans for the next 12 months,” said Mr Jamieson.

Anurag Dahiya, Vice President, Programming, ESPN-STAR Sports, said: "This is a unique and very welcome opportunity for various broadcast licensees and the ICC sponsors to come together and become sensitive to each other’s operations and needs.

“We are glad to have been provided this opportunity to brainstorm with the various commercial stakeholders of the ICC and to discuss various ideas for developing the ICC events further, while, at the same time, integrating the ICC's sponsorship and broadcast licensing programmes in a meaningful manner.

“We are sure these discussions will be a huge benefit to ESPN-STAR Sports in our efforts to continually improve broadcast coverage of the ICC events, something that will also contribute to their greater financial success.”

Sandeep Singh Arora, Executive Vice President Marketing, PepsiCo India, said: “We are conscious of the changes that are happening in the world of cricket and are excited about the opportunity to partner with the ICC in the marketing and development of the game.”

Arpana Pujar, Director, Media and Entertainment, Yahoo!, said: “It gives us an understanding of the needs of ICC’s other commercial partners, especially as we are delivering a cricket product and a platform essential to others.

“It helps us to understand their needs to drive audiences to the official site and build advertising opportunities which will benefit all the commercial partners.”

Spokesman for Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group said: “It is a good strategic move to get all the commercial partners together to have a better understanding of the ICC and its events.

“It is also an excellent opportunity for all the stakeholders to interact with each other and develop a better understanding which, in a larger scale, will benefit the sport.”

(Source: ICC)