IMG wins shootout for biggest Visa properties

IMG Consulting has triumphed in one of the largest and most scrutinized agency shootouts of 2014, winning a review to handle Visa’s sports marketing activities consolidated across its biggest properties.

Those larger properties include Visa’s Olympic TOP sponsorship, the FIFA World Cup and NFL rights. Those marketing responsibilities had been split between multiple agencies, including GMR, IMG and Team Epic. Sources said that those incumbent shops, along with Lagardère Unlimited and a Brazilian sports agency, participated in the review, which included Visa’s sports properties, culinary events and other experiences for holders of the top-shelf Visa Signature card.

Ricardo Fort, Visa senior vice president, global brand, product and sponsorship marketing, was the ultimate decision-maker.

IMG Consulting officials did not return phone calls seeking comment. The Visa business is IMG’s biggest win since its $2.37 billion acquisition by William Morris Endeavor was finalized in May.

— Terry Lefton