Clipper Ventures & Sports Marketing Surveys Announce Unique Research Partnership

Clipper Ventures Plc, the AIM-quoted marine events company, and Sports Marketing Surveys have signed a unique partnership agreement to provide global TV and press evaluations to the competing cities and their sponsors, for the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race. Sports Marketing Surveys is the Official Research Supplier for the Race.

Following meetings and discussions to understand the sponsoring cities’ requirements, the media evaluation programme has been designed to evaluate the full scope of global coverage that the race is expected to achieve for all parties.

In addition, cities and their sponsors benefit from the ability to personalise their own programmes with additional economic impact studies, spectator and hospitality research based around hosting events and stopovers during the Clipper 05-06 Race, which begins in Liverpool on September 18th 2005.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures, said: "As an innovative company we always search for like-minded partners to help us deliver our objectives. Sports Marketing Surveys’ expertise in the analysis field and their experience of the sports industry will contribute to the ongoing commercial development of our flagship event - the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race".

"The Sports Marketing Surveys evaluation model uses experienced researchers and the Clipper 05-06 analysis approach is designed to offer flexibility in order to meet all of the different needs of our event sponsors.

"There is a need to be equipped with an accurate concise synopsis of media exposure and economic impact for our events, in order to be successful our dealings with the host ports and race partners, and we are confident of Sports Marketing Surveys’ ability to delivery this," he concluded.

Sandra Greer, Consultant, Sports Marketing Surveys, added: "We are delighted to be working with Clipper Ventures on this exciting project. Clipper have worked with their partners and tailored a unique approach of providing insightful and essential media data to enable cities to be accountable in evaluating their involvement in the Clipper 05-06 Round the World Yacht Race. The data will also provide guidance for cities already signed up for the next 2007-08 Race"

For more information contact:
Sandra Greer
Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd
Tel: +44 1932 350600
Email:sandrag@sportsmarketingsurveys.com
www.sportsmarketingsurveys.com


Loretta Spridgeon
Clipper Ventures
Tel: + 44 (0) 2380 237088
Email:lspridgeon@clipper-ventures.com
www.clipper-ventures.com

18th July 2005


Editor’s Notes:

Sports Marketing Surveys Ltd – is one of the world’s leading sponsorship and sports research agency. Established in 1984, Sports Marketing Surveys is entirely independent with over 20 years experience in the industry. The company has its headquarters in the UK and through its network of international offices provides multi-country research to sponsors, rights holders, federations, sports goods manufacturers and those wanting information on the industry.


Clipper Ventures - this year marks the 36th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s historic solo and non-stop circumnavigation. Now, as Chairman of Clipper Ventures PLC, he is at the forefront of promoting round the world yacht racing. Clipper Ventures, the marine sports company founded in 1995 and listed on AIM in 1999, is focussed on developing and promoting major events capable of attracting significant participation, income, media coverage and associated sponsorship revenue.