IMG Unveils 'Miami Open presented by Itaú'

4/28/2016 1:18:28 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

MIAMI, FL (August 19, 2014) - IMG unveiled today a new brand identity for its prestigious tennis tournament in Miami.  Itaú (NYSE:ITUB), the largest privately owned bank in Latin America, will be the presenting sponsor of Miami’s tennis event from 2015-2019. The tournament will now be known as the "Miami Open presented by Itaú’’, and will take place during March 23-April 5, 2015 at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne.

The tournament will feature the ‘’Miami’’ brand in its name, perfectly aligning the event with all that is Miami: luxury hotels, exquisite cuisine, world renowned art scene, and pristine beaches. As one of the world’s most glamorous and cosmopolitan cities, the ‘’Miami’’ brand gives the tennis event a multi-dimensional appeal.

The new Miami Open visual identity was developed by Itaú’s in-house design team and features a fresh and sleek colorful look, highlighting the flavor and panache that is uniquely Miami. The new brand identity will be felt and featured throughout the tournament site, starting with a new entrance. Inside the venue, attendees will be treated to the best of tennis competition, as well as exciting shopping experiences and food offerings, in keeping with the event’s glamorous and energetic atmosphere.

Andrea Pinotti Cordeiro, Itaú Unibanco’s Institutional Marketing Director said: “At Itaú, we think of sport as one of our main brand values because it strengthens, unites and transforms people.  Because we believe in investing in sport, we are proudly taking our sponsorship of the Miami Open to a new level.  Leveraging the Miami brand is a great effort to strengthen Miami’s reputation as an epicenter for sport and entertainment.  The city is also home to Itaú’s international private banking operations, which is why we see the Miami Open as a perfect platform to strengthen our relationships with our clients around the world.’’

‘’The Miami tennis event is a staple of IMG’s event portfolio and is one of our most important properties.  We couldn’t be more proud to bring in Itaú as a presenting partner of the event for the next five years and look forward to leveraging the company’s expertise and understanding of the international consumer to take the Miami Open to a new level,’’ said Fernando Soler, Managing Director of IMG’s Tennis division.

Adam Barrett, Miami Open Tournament Director said: ‘’We are proud to announce a new model for the Miami Open which will help take our event to an unprecedented level of international appeal and fan engagement. Itaú’s understanding of the international consumer experience, innovation, entertainment value, and commitment to the growth of tennis makes the company an ideal partner for the Miami Open.”

As part of the agreement, Itaú will enjoy extensive on-court brand presence, global advertising and promotional rights, and top level hospitality. A partner of the Miami tournament for the last six years, Itaú has a long term legacy in tennis, having first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Additionally, Itaú is the leading sponsor of the Rio Open - the only combined ATP/WTA tennis event in South America – and was the Official Bank of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, as well as the sponsor of the Brazilian National Football Team.

The Miami Open is a mandatory tournament on the ATP and WTA calendars.  Played in one world’s most exotic locations, the tournament’s reigning champions are World No.1’s Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. Featuring an international fan base that is uniquely Miami, the Miami Open is the most cosmopolitan, energetic and glamorous event on the ATP and WTA tours.  The Miami Open attracts more than 300,000 spectators each year, is broadcast in 193 countries, and carries 13,000 hours of worldwide coverage, with the men’s and women’s finals being shown live domestically on ESPN. 

One of the most storied and prestigious tennis events in the history of the sport, the Miami Open calls the legends of the game its former champions, including Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Martina Hingis, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, among others.  The Miami Open has a unique portfolio of international sponsors, which includes Fed Ex, Bacardi, Rado, TAM/LAM, MasterCard, Nespresso, PWC, USANA and SAP, among others.  

Ticket packages for the 2015 Miami Open presented by Itaú go on sale Monday, August 25, 2014. To purchase tickets, visit www.MiamiOpen.com or call the Miami Open ticket office at +1.305.442.3367.

The Miami Open is also offering Patron sponsorship opportunities. These highly sought-after sponsorships offer businesses or individuals the ability to entertain clients and guests  by providing access to special tournament amenities including access to the best 100-level seat locations, VIP parking, access to the exclusive air conditioned patron lounge and name recognition at your seat location, the front entrance and promotional materials.   For more information on these opportunities, please call +1.305.461.9282.

About Miami Open presented by Itaú:

The 2015 Miami Open will be played March 23-April 5 at the Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men's and women's tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.