Brand engagement network, Havas Sports & Entertainment (HS&E), and iSportconnect, a worldwide networking platform for sports industry professionals, today announced the signing of a global partnership that will see both parties work together to expand ‘iSportconnect Directors’ Club’ events to Paris, Munich, Moscow and New York, all before the end of 2013, as well as other locations around the world starting Q1 2014.

iSportconnect Directors’ Clubs are exclusive events that bring together influential sports industry leaders to share market insights, discuss best practices and network in a relaxed environment. Since the inaugural event in Munich in November 2011, six Directors’ Club events in London and Munich have featured high-profile speakers and guests such as Sir Craig Reedie (Vice President, the International Olympic Committee), Ed Warner (Chairman, UK Athletics), Tim Ellerton (Global Sponsorship, Heineken), Tony Scholes (CEO, Stoke City FC), Ian Ritchie (CEO, Rugby Football Union), and Mike Miller (CEO, World Olympians Association), among others.

Lucien Boyer, President & Global CEO of HS&E comments, “As a global network present in 20 markets, we are delighted to offer our reach and expertise in the sport and sponsorship industry to bring the iSportconnect Directors’ Club to new markets and build on its success.”

“We always strive to fuel conversations about industry trends and ‘what’s next’ in the sports world — the Directors’ Club gives us an excellent opportunity to get key decision-makers together globally for high-level, intimate debate. iSportconnect has already supported us on several of our thought-leadership projects, including the Global Sports Forum held in Barcelona for the past four years and the HS&E House, a daily series of seminars we organized during London 2012. This partnership will take our collaboration to the next level, and we are now looking forward to evolving this already successful programme around the world.”

Michael Cunnah, Chairman of iSportconnect, said: “Thanks to the success of our previous collaborations, it made strategic sense for our two groups to partner together on this series of global events. We are excited to grow the momentum of iSportconnect Directors’ Club and benefit from HS&E’s local knowledge to offer senior industry professionals opportunities to obtain global insight and make new connections, both online through our exclusive networking platforms and offline at the live events.”

Havas Sports & Entertainment: Julia Furman

T: +33(0) 1 58 47 82 72

About Havas Sports & Entertainment:

Havas Sports & Entertainment is the global brand engagement network of HAVAS.

Part of HAVAS MEDIA GROUP, our 35 offices in 20 markets include Havas Sports & Entertainment and ignition agencies.

Our ambition is to be the best at connecting brands with people via their passions using creativity, media and technology to deliver experiences, content and social engagement.

Together we are 500 colleagues with a diverse set of skills and backgrounds, delivering the best in strategy, research, brand communication, activation and live experience globally. This enables us to provide our clients with customized solutions based on a deep understanding of what binds people together into communities: shared passions.

Havas Sports & Entertainment agencies strategically assess how brands can create meaningful relationships with people leveraging their passion for sport and entertainment through content, SoMe, PR, and social experiences.

ignition delivers large-scale experiential marketing campaigns through socially conscious, sustainable events.

Our network benefits from the expertise of two strategic partners: Benza, our experiential marketing partner in Brazil, and London based Seven46, specializing in editorial communications and bid campaigns.

International clients include:  adidas, Atos, BBVA, BMW, BP, The Coca-Cola Company, Danone, Delta Air Lines, EDF, ESPN, Hyundai, Kia, Lloyds Banking Group, LVMH, Mars, Nike, Orange, Procter & Gamble, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Puig, Reebok, Reckitt Benckiser, Santander, the United Nations Foundation, Victoria’s Secret, and YouTube and sports organizations such as Roland Garros, the Argentinean Tennis Association, the English Premier League, FIFA, the French Golf Federation, the International Rugby Board, the Italian Rugby Federation, Major League Baseball, and the National Football League.

Further information can be found at www.havas-se.com and www.ignition-inc.com. Follow us on Twitter at @Havas_SE

Havas Sports & Entertainment is the official organizer of the Global Sports Forum (www.globalsportsforum.org)