MUMBAI: Public relations (PR) agency Weber Shandwick has been awarded a contract to support football's governing body Uefa’s marketing and media management division (UMMM).

The firm was appointed following two projects it carried out for the Uefa in June and July 2005 around the Uefa Women’s Euro 2005 and the launch of the official Uefa Euro 2008 logo.

 
Weber Shandwick will work with UMMM to develop strategic communications targeting the European trade, marketing and business media. Weber Shandwick also will help UMMM raise awareness of its Eurotop programme. This is a new marketing concept that regroups Uefa’s professional National Team Competitions, which offers a comprehensive four-year sponsorship programme to its partners.
 
 
UMMM COO Philippe Margraff says, “We wanted to communicate the innovative marketing and commercial programmes that we are putting into place for our next sponsorship cycle in 2006. We feel that Weber Shandwick has the sports experience, capabilities and global network to help us communicate our message to the business community, National Associations and media.”
 
 
Weber Shandwick will manage the programme from its office in Geneva and will work with UMMM to enhance its profile and the awareness of its marketing operation in the UK, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

UEFA has announced three of its six EUROTOP partners, McDonald’s, Carlsberg and JVC, and recently concluded a four-year strategic licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Weber Shandwick is also working with Uefa on a broader review of its overall communications offering to its relevant stakeholders; from the media and fans to the National Associations.