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The FIVB and IMG Sports Media, the sports production and distribution division of IMG Worldwide, announced a four-year partnership, commencing in 2009, which will see IMG Sports Media exclusively distributing key FIVB tournaments worldwide as well as acting as the official audio-video media rights and event consultant and TV coordination agency of the FIVB.

Under the terms of the deal, IMG Sports Media will distribute all media rights for Beach Volleyball's SWATCH FIVB World Tour (men's and women's) and SWATCH FIVB World Championships (men's and women's, 2009 and 2011), the annual FIVB World League and FIVB World Grand Prix events and the 2011 FIVB World Cup (men's and women's).

In its role as the TV coordination agency, IMG will advise the FIVB on all production matters, working onsite with host broadcasters across the globe to make sure that all production standards are met up to and during each event. IMG will be the central point of broadcast information for the rights holders, promoters and national federations.

IMG will also manage the satellite distribution of the events and news access worldwide.

FIVB President Jizhong Wei said: "I am very happy with the new contract and I hope this will give greater visibility worldwide, including more TV news coverage of FIVB events. I am expecting a very professional job from IMG Sports Media."

Ioris Francini, Senior Vice President IMG Media, Head of Sales EMEA, said: "We are thrilled to be working with the FIVB. This is an important time in the world of Volleyball, a sport which has evolved and developed considerably over the past few years, and a very exciting opportunity for IMG to take on a global sport that is brand new to us. We will offer the FIVB an excellent and dedicated sales team of 150 people devoted to raising the popularity and profile of this first-class sport."

Michel Masquelier, Executive Vice President IMG Media, Head of Acquisition and Sales Worldwide, said: "Volleyball is a true global, Olympic sport, and IMG is the ideal partner to service its ambition."

(Source: IMG)