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Leverage Agency to spearhead first-ever boxing advertising and sponsorship upfront. 19.01.2010

NEW YORK AND LAS VEGAS (Jan. 18, 2010) – The Leverage Agency, one of the world’s fastest growing sports and entertainment brand marketing and sales agencies, today announced they have signed a multi-year agreement to be the exclusive Agency of Record for Top Rank Inc., one of the iconic brands and promoters in the history of the sport of boxing. The Leverage Agency Chief Executive, Ben Sturner and Top Rank President, Todd duBoef announced that the first year of the partnership will include the most extensive sponsorship platform in the history of boxing, offering potential brands the ability to purchase media and sponsorship inventory for all 48 Top Rank events in 2010. In addition, the Leverage Agency will provide consulting solutions and marketing assistance for Top Rank Boxing clients and upcoming events. “The Leverage Agency is very excited to be representing Top Rank and be able to work with one of sports’ legendary promoters in Bob Arum,” said the Leverage Agency chairman Tony Ponturo. “Boxing has again improved upon its historical position as an elite sport, and the Top Rank upfront is certain to be a new and creative way for brands to embrace elite boxing events and direct sports budgets to boxing like never before.” Included in the Top Rank advertising upfront for 2010 are 12 pay-per-view events to be televised live in over 50 countries worldwide, three “super fights” (which will include world champion Manny Pacquiao's March 13 fight against Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium), and nine “top level” bouts that will air on Pay Per View produced independently or through partner HBO. The remaining 36 events will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net or Fox Sports en Espanol, with 24 taking place in the United States and 12 in Mexico. The package also gives brands an opportunity to purchase athlete apparel, in-ring signage, banners and broadcast assets such as “tale of the tape” and in-fight promotion. The entire package will officially be unveiled during an exclusive upfront presentation on Saturday, Jan. 23 at Madison Square Garden. The partnership with the Leverage Agency has already produced results for the Top Rank brand. The November 14 Welterweight Title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas saw new promotional partnerships with AT&T, AeroMexico and History, all delivered by the Leverage team. “The Top Rank team is very pleased to be again working with Tony Ponturo, as we did for 20 years when he headed up media and sponsorship at Anheuser Busch, in his current role as Chairman of the Leverage Agency,” said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. He added: “The combination of Tony’s influence and the insight and creativity of the Leverage team in developing upfront packages and driving sponsorship measurement is certain to enhance the increased scope of our boxing platform in the marketplace.” “The Top Rank advertising upfront platform is designed with the advertiser in mind,” said the Leverage Agency Chief Executive Ben Sturner. “Advertisers are not looking for one-off opportunities, they are looking for creative, robust marketing opportunities to tie their brand to. This platform allows brands to align with Top Rank Boxing and gives them the ability to purchase inventory for the entire Top Rank calendar.” “We have found Ben, Tony and their team at the Leverage Agency to be professional, well-connected and devoted to Top Rank and our efforts in building and promoting the sport of boxing worldwide, “ said Top Rank president Todd duBoef. “We are looking forward to building this relationship for the benefit of our events and our athletes such as Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Kelly Pavlik and Antonio Margarito.” Top Rank, Inc., founded in 1966 by Bob Arum, has promoted over 9,000 worldwide championship events featuring the biggest names in boxing including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.


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