SAM ZUSSMAN has been promoted to the newly created role of President of IMG's events group, the company said today. The group owns, operates or commercially represents hundreds of events globally, including lifestyle, entertainment and mass participation to traditional sports like golf, tennis, soccer and motorsports. The agency's roster of events include the ATP/WTA Miami Open, ATP Rio Open, WGC-HSBC Champions, World RallyCross series, London Triathlon, Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, U.S. Open of Surfing, Australian Open of Surfing, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and the global Taste Festivals series. The London-based Zussman, a 10-year vet with IMG, will report to WME-IMG co-President MARK SHAPIRO. He has spent the past two years integrating IMG's events businesses, while also developing sponsorship sales, consumer marketing and operations. Going forward, Zussman's responsibilities also will include arts events, the media company Frieze, music festivals Country Thunder and Willamette and some operational aspects of UFC and PBR events. Part of Zussman's role since '09 has involved oversight of IMG Academy in Florida, and he will continue to have that responsibility.
