MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has announced the expansion of the role of Richard Young, vice-president of the companys event management group to include programme development and the promotion of Bill Cooper to director, client services, event management group.

In addition to Youngs responsibilities as head of the ESS event management group where he oversees the relationships with major rights holders and suppliers of events, as well as the operations, client servicing and broadcast elements of the group, his new role will include a focus on market driven program creation and the development of existing programming on the ESPN and Star Sports channels to better suit viewers in each market.

ESS also announced the promotion of event management groups Bill Cooper to director, client services. Coopers responsibilities were expanded to include the key role of supporting and maximizing the companys sales relationships with major sponsors. Cooper will augment his efforts for the event management group with assistance to the sales department in working with the companys top clients to maximise their benefits. He will report directly to Young.

The changes in both Young and Coopers responsibilities are anticipated to deepen ESS relationship with viewers in each market and will utilize the companys resources in multimedia, marketing and event management to further the viewing experience of the Asian sports audience.

The event management group specialises in creating, managing, promoting, consulting, producing and syndicating world class sporting events throughout Asia. The group has been awarded numerous awards, among them; Best Promoted Event in 1998 and 1999 awarded by the ATP and best sporting event in Hong Kong in 1998 and 1999 awarded by the Hong Kong Sports Development Board, and best event organiser in 2000 awarded by the Singapore Tourism Board. The group has managed over 100 events in 11 countries