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MATCH Hospitality AG, the worldwide exclusive rights holder of the FIFA Hospitality Programme until 2014, has appointed SportsMark Management Group as its exclusive agent for the USA for the sales of the Official Hospitality Programme of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM).

The FIFA Hospitality Programme offers guests a wide range of services such as match tickets, facilities at the stadiums (including private suites and lounges, marquee tents, gourmet catering, preferential parking, transportation, entertainment and gifts) and, for the first time, optional Full Hospitality Packages including tourism activities, accommodation and transportation in South Africa and neighbouring countries. The full hospitality product portfolio will be offered worldwide to corporations, other entities and also to individuals.

Jaime Byrom, Executive Chairman of MATCH Hospitality commented: "MATCH Hospitality is happy to have a partner on board for the booming soccer hospitality market of the USA, a partner that has established a successful business in the USA and is well placed to sell our Hospitality Packages in this ever expanding soccer market. SportsMark's experience and existing relationships will, no doubt, contribute to the overall success of the FIFA Hospitality Programme."

"We are happy to team up with one of the key players in the hospitality business for the sale of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) Hospitality Programme in America," said Pascal Portes, Chief Operating Officer of MATCH Hospitality. "We are convinced that our sales alliance represents the best option for MATCH Hospitality due to SportsMark's existing knowledge and networks within the American market."

Steve Skubic, CEO of SportsMark, remarked, "We are proud and excited about our appointment as the exclusive sales agent of MATCH Hospitality for the United States. This partnership is a key step in expanding our global football capabilities to new and existing clients. Uniting the passion of the FIFA World Cup with the unique appeal of South Africa is truly a winning combination, as is SportsMark's partnership with MATCH."

Keith Bruce, President of SportsMark, added, "We are thrilled with this major new appointment by MATCH Hospitality. SportsMark has a strong and well developed track record around the FIFA World Cup and client activation, and this is a logical extension of our work around this incredible property. We are excited about South Africa and the opportunity to introduce American corporations to world-class hospitality services in 2010."

MATCH Hospitality and the FIFA Hospitality Programme
FIFA appointed MATCH Hospitality as the worldwide exclusive rights holder of the FIFA Hospitality Programme that includes the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in South Africa, the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011(TM), the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(TM). MATCH Hospitality AG is based in Zurich (Switzerland) with offices in Johannesburg and the company's shareholders are Byrom Holdings plc, Dentsu Inc, Infront Sports & Media AG and Bidvest Hospitality (Pty).

MATCH Hospitality is the only company worldwide that is officially allowed by FIFA to offer and guarantee exclusive hospitality packages including tickets and services for every match of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup through its appointed sales agents.

(Source: marketwatch.com)