NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - May 2, 2013) - Hillary Mandel, Senior Vice President of IMG Media, a division of IMG, the global sports, fashion and media company, has assumed responsibility for operations in the U.S. for acquisitions and distribution of IMG Media programming, it was announced by London based Ioris Francini -- Executive Vice President, Head of Acquisitions and Sales Worldwide, IMG Media -- to whom she reports.
Mandel has worked for the company in various media capacities for 14 years and has been involved in many areas of business including, media consulting, programming development, property representation, and media sales. Mandel also co-manages IMG Media in Canada alongside longtime IMG Senior executive Peter Smith.
"Hillary's understanding of the North American marketplace is second to none and covers the entire media spectrum, from established national networks to the niche sport channels that have been emerging both in Canada and U.S. in recent times," said Francini. "In addition to this, Hillary's extensive experience at IMG Media has provided her with a unique insight into the international markets as well as with a comprehensive up to date knowledge of the full range of IMG Media's services to clients around the world. This appointment is the natural step for Hillary and will further strengthen the bonds with our Northern American-based clients and customers."
Over the last several years, IMG Media has fortified its position as the world's largest independent distributor, both domestically and internationally, of premier sports programming, representing over 20,000 hours of live programming per year. In helping build on that reputation, Mandel has led the way in selling world championship properties into the U.S. as well as creating partnerships with some of the biggest broadcasters, ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX and targeted cable networks like The Tennis Channel for such prestigious sports properties as Wimbledon, Australian Open, Premier League, the NYC Marathon, the IRB, Diamond League, FIVB and dozens of other properties represented by IMG.
Mandel, who has also been instrumental in establishing IMG Media's partnership with the NFL by representing their foreign rights to over 70 countries, also manages the international business for the US Golf Association and continues to grow the portfolio with media consultancy and representation for companies like Feld Motor Sports, Super Cross and Monster Jam. She has also worked for IMG clients including the ACC, BCS, Indycar and PBR.
While the majority of Mandel's focus is in sports, under her watch IMG Media continues to develop its event and entertainment properties including TV specials-for ABC stations, "Road to the Academy Awards," "Boston Pops 4 th of July" on CBS and critically acclaimed documentaries like "My Moment with Lindsey Vonn."
Barry Frank, Executive Vice President of IMG Media Worldwide and Mandel's longtime mentor, continues with IMG as a senior executive consulting across many sectors of the company. Frank, with more than 45 years in the sports industry, over 40 of them spent at IMG, is regarded as a true pioneer of the sports TV business and one whose contributions have shaped IMG as a leader in the sports media industry.
"In the 14 years we have worked together at IMG Media, I have watched Hillary develop into a brilliant executive," said Frank. "She is smart, popular, industrious, reliable and far-sighted, the ideal person to take on the responsibility for running IMG Media in the U.S. and Canada. It has been a thorough delight to be her partner and I look forward to a continuation of our relationship in the years to come."
ABOUT IMG Media IMG Media is the world's largest independent distributor of sports programming, distributing over 20,000 hours of content to major global broadcasters annually. This content originates from more than 200 clients and events including AELTC (Wimbledon), Tennis Australia (The Australian Open), TPL (ATP Masters 1000s), The R&A (The Open Championship), International Rugby Board (Rugby World Cup), Dorna (Moto GP), National Football League (NFL) and International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). IMG Media operates from over 30 offices worldwide and has daily exchanges with over 4,000 key media contacts. IMG Media distributes across all forms of media including TV, Audio, Fixed Media, In flight and Closed Circuit, Broadband and Mobile. IMG Media also maintains the world's largest sports archive with more than 250,000 hours of footage.
Contact: Jim Gallagher IMG (212) 774-4419 Email Contact Jennifer Bozzelli IMG (212) 774-4416 Email Contact
