BALLANTINE'S CHAMPIONSHIP MAK

RNS Number : 8522S

Parallel Media Group PLC

17 September 2010

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     

Parallel Media Group Plc

BALLANTINE'S CHAMPIONSHIP MAKES CAPITAL MOVE

17th September 2010, Parallel Media Group Plc, a leading sports marketing and media group, is delighted to announce the start of a new era for the Ballantine's Championship, the golf tournament co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korean PGA, which is relocating to Korea's capital city Seoul.

The 2011 Ballantine's Championship will be played at the prestigious Blackstone Resort in Icheon, just south of Seoul, from 28^th April to 1^st May, following three successful years at the Pinx Club on the Jeju Island. The move to Seoul marks the next step in the tournament's development, as the increased scale will provide access to a greater audience base.

David Ciclitira, Chairman, Parallel Media Group, commented:

"The move to Blackstone is a very exciting step in the tournament's development - a chance to stage the event at a world class venue in the city of Seoul. The new venue will provide the platform to create something beyond a golf tournament, increase revenues and profitability, alongside opening up the accessibility of the Championship to a greater audience

The venue selection has been made with our sponsor Pernod-Ricard to ensure that we are able to build upon the corporate value of the tournament and to make sure we continue to offer a first class service to all guests who attend. 

The people at the Pinx Club were fantastic hosts and their contribution towards establishing the Ballantine's Championship as a hugely significant Asian golf tournament will always be remembered."

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of the European Tour, said the move would raise the tournament's profile even higher:

"Over the last three years, The Ballantine's Championship has become firmly established as one of the premier events in the Asian region and this move to Blackstone, a world class venue close to the capital Seoul, will further enhance the tournament's credentials.

Commenting on the announcement, Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine's said:

"Ballantine's and golf share a long history and with this move we are confident that the Ballantine's Championship will go from strength-to-strength by attracting new players and visitors, and subsequently offer us the opportunity to continue to build our heritage and credibility in the world of golf."

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Notes to Editors

Parallel Media Group

Parallel Media Group plc is a leading sports marketing, media and event management group, founded in 1987 by its Chairman David Ciclitira and has been listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM since 2001. PMGspecialises in executive sports, focusing on golf and aims to provide its clients with world class professional service, combining local market knowledge with international business expertise to deliver a new vision for sport.

Ballantine's

Korea's favourite Scotch, Ballantine's, is also the No.1 Scotch whisky range across the Asia Pacific region (17 years old and above - IWSR) and the No.2 Scotch whisky brand in the world. Ballantine's has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions in the past 10 years for quality, as a result of its unique richness of character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine's Finest to the iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world and is maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to 1827.

Ballantine's is the title sponsor of the Ballantine's Championship and an official sponsor of both the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China and the Barclay's Scottish Open held in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

For further information about the Ballantine's Championship, please contact:

Parallel Media Group

David Ciclitira, Chairman and Founder    020 7225 2000        [e-mail]                

Stewart Mison, Managing Director           020 7225 2000           [e-mail]             

Bishopsgate Communications (media relations)        [e-mail]                                            

Alex Giacchetti / Laura Stevens/Natalie Quinn                                                        020 7562 3350

 

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