Aberdeen Asset Management were crowned winners of the Business-to-Business category at the prestigious 2013 ESA European Sponsorship for their sponsorship of the 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.
The Awards Ceremony, which took place at Plaisterers’ Hall in London, was hosted by UK Radio/TV presenter and former British Olympic swimmer, Steve Parry, and ESA Head of European Policy and Chair of Judges, Helen Day.
The event recognises excellence within the sponsorship industry across Europe and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open submission highlighted how the sponsorship activation programme targeted key audiences in the UK and the US through extensive broadcast coverage and PR initiatives as well as showcasing the client engagement, promotional and CSR aspects of the campaign. Notably the 2013 event was the first regular European Tour event to be broadcast live on NBC network television in the USA.
The 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, played at the magnificent Castle Stuart Golf Links near Inverness, won the award from a competitive shortlist including, Audi, Evonik and Heathrow Express, to become the first European Tour event to receive the prestigious award.
More than 65,000 spectators witnessed a world class field compete for one of the Tour’s leading titles, with American Phil Mickelson eventually prevailing over South African, Branden Grace after a sudden-death play-off at the climax of a tremendous week on the Moray Firth coastline. Mickelson went on to win The Open Championship just one week later.
Jill Maxwell, Sponsorship Manager of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “We are so pleased to accept this prestigious award on behalf of everyone associated with the tournament. The 2013 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open was a real team effort, all parties worked together to make the event at Castle Stuart as successful and enjoyable as possible, for both the players and the spectators. I’d like to thank The European Tour, EventScotland and WSM Communications for their continued support and look forward to the 2014 tournament at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club."
ESA Chairman Karen Earl, said: “It was a great pleasure to award Aberdeen Asset Management for their sponsorship of the Scottish Open. To combine many of the cornerstones of business-to-business marketing within one property was a great achievement and one which has undeniably increased the potential for new business opportunities.”
Peter Adams, Championship Director of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, said: “This is the first time a sponsor has won this prestigious award for supporting a European Tour event, so great praise should go to Aberdeen Asset Management.
“The teamwork of the Scottish Government, led by the First Minister Alex Salmond, also deserves great credit as do EventScotland for the superb job they have done, and indeed continue to do, in strengthening and promoting this tournament and the country’s events industry in general.”
The Business-to-Business campaign was one of several awards presented to leading sports agencies and brands during an entertaining evening where Aberdeen Asset Management’s sponsorship of Cowes Week was also highly commended in the Business-to-Community category.
The 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open will move to a new venue at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and takes place from the 10th to the 13th of July. For more information please visitwww.aamscottishopen.com
For a list of all the 2013 ESA European Sponsorship Award winners please visitwww.sponsorship.com
For further information about Aberdeen Asset Management’s sponsorship of the Scottish Open, contact Robin Spring on + 44 (0) 207 183 4636, or by email viarobin.spring@wsmcommunications.com
