IPG lands Lanka Premier League contract

Innovative Production Group (IPG), the Dubai-based sports marketing agency, has been awarded marketing and organisation rights for the Lanka Premier League, a new Twenty20 cricket tournament in Sri Lanka.

IPG emerged as the winning bidder out of more than 25 companies that submitted an expression of interest for the package, which covers team ownership rights, media rights, ground sponsorship rights and audiovisual production.

IPG has agreed a five-year deal with Sri Lanka Cricket worth $2m (€1.7m) annually, Sri Lankan newspaper Ceylon Today reported.

IPG is headed up by sports broadcasting veteran Anil Mohan. The firm has previously worked with Cricket South Africa, the Pakistan Cricket Board, Zimbabwe Cricket, Cricket Ireland, the Asian Cricket Council, the Caribbean Premier League and the Afghanistan Cricket Board.

Sri Lanka Cricket announced last week that the tournament would launch in August, pending government approval. The body had previously proposed dates of August 15 to September 4.

The Lanka Premier League will feature five teams competing over 23 games, with more than 70 international players set to feature. Games will take place in four venues, including the R Premadasa, Pallekele and Rangiri Dambulla international cricket stadiums.

Sri Lanka Cricket began advertising for a sports marketing agency to promote the competition in June.