LONDON, ENGLAND: The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) today announced that it has appointed Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and marketing solutions agencies, to provide global communications support alongside promotion of the upcoming PTO flagship event – the Collins Cup on 28th August at the extraordinary x-bionic® sphere in Šamorín, near Bratislava, Slovakia.
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) is a not-for-profit entity consisting of both men and women professional triathletes who have come together to form a representative body which not only gives them a meaningful voice in the way the sport is operated but a means to contribute to its growth for the benefit of the entire triathlon community. The PTO seeks to showcase the passion, talents, determination, struggles and achievements of its dedicated professionals through iconic events, reimagined broadcast and compelling storytelling, inspiring global sports fans to watch, engage and participate in Triathlon.
Alongside raising the profile of the PTO, a key focus of the brief will be the promotion of the inaugural Collins Cup – a new race format modelled after the Ryder Cup, which will see teams of International, European and USA athletes pitted against one another. The Collins Cup aims to create and leverage the excitement, rivalry, drama and personalities of the sport of triathlon to attract a wider fan base.
Tim Godfrey, Chief Marketing Officer of the PTO, stated: "Through our innovative ownership model, market leading gender equality policies including equal prize purses, equal broadcast airtime and paid maternity leave as well as the global broadcast of The Collins Cup, with a record-setting prize purse of $1.5M, the PTO is impacting the sports world and bringing new opportunities to athletes and fans like never before. We are looking forward to working with Weber Shandwick as we continue to build our platform and tell the amazing stories of our athletes."
The move signifies the PTO's commitment to not only raise the profile of the PTO Professionals but to raise awareness and the status of the sport of triathlon to attract a wider fan base.
Chris Smith, senior vice president, consumer marketing, and a senior sports marketing strategist at Weber Shandwick, stated: "The Professional Triathletes Organisation continues to change the way athletes are seen and respected in their sport. We look forward to helping craft and elevate PTO's message and share their story – not just within the sports field, but to a global audience. Our team brings deep experience in the world of international sports, and we are excited to partner with such an innovative, forward-thinking sports organization."
About the Professional Triathletes Organisation
The PTO is a not-for-profit entity consisting of professional triathletes who have come together to promote and contribute to the triathlon community and celebrate the sport of Triathlon. A professional representative body is the natural evolution for sport and with its investment partner, Crankstart Investments, the PTO is now able to contribute its resources and the collective voice of professional triathletes to help our sport grow and thrive.
About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, they have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Weber Shandwick was named in Ad Age's Agency A-List in 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019 and was honored as PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and PRovoke's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The firm earned 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com
