History

For over 20 years we have created 100’s of Partnerships engaging 1000’s of people in over 20 countries. Some for the world’s great organisations, and some of our own. Here is a little snapshot of our history.

iMedia was launched in 2001 as an independent, privately owned sports marketing consultancy. From the beginning we were focused on creating an expert streamlined company. A focused expert team dedicated to working in close partnership with our clients to deliver results and impact through standout Partnership activations.

For 20 years we have advised and partnered with a broad portfolio of national and international brands, agencies and rights owners who aim to create the highest quality branded partnerships.

We live and breath what we advise our clients, with an active programme of iMedia events and experiences that we produce each year for our team and Stakeholder Group – from our supply chain partners and our clients. Our focus on whole-person whole-mind wellness at work and in our wider lives is one of the reasons for our long-term staff loyalty and the consistency that this gives our clients.

We work with world class brands including: Mercedes-Benz, NTT DATA and since 2001 with leading brands including Dentsu, Toyota, Lexus, Coca-Cola, Hitachi and Red Bull. We are proud to say that our client relationships are long-term, with repeat business being central to our success.

We have won and been shortlisted for a number of awards including most effective use of strategic sponsorship, and work presented to the European Commission as Industry ‘Best Practice’.

 

 

1994

Julian Hay launched career as a Planner at Dentsu’s European Head office.

 

 

1994

Toyota World Match Play Championship.

 

 

1995

Hitachi Event Production – exhibitions at CeBIT, IFA Germany.

 

 

1996

Set up Dentsu Europe’s first sponsorship/event marketing Division.

 

 

1998

Worked with English Club Rugby to set up first Commercial plan.

 

 

2001

iMedia launched with Lexus as anchor client. We designed an integrated a pan-European sponsorship and event programme.

 

 

2001

Dentsu consulting relationship started working on organisations clients included Toshiba, Toyota, LG, Panasonic, NEC, Canon, NTT.

 

 

2002

Won the ESA* International Sponsorship Award and presented to the European Commission Commercial Communications Expert Group as an example of industry Best Practice for Lexus Pan-European golf strategy
*ESA; European Sponsorship Association.

 

 

2002

Delivered Coca Cola GBs FIFA World Cup hospitality programme, Japan.

 

 

2004

Multiple Athlete endorsement agreements and creative for Toyota’s sponsorship of IAAF athletic.

 

 

2005

Awarded Lexus global sponsorship programme for The Open Championship – lasted 6 years. Work included Strategy, Activation, Events, Hospitality, PR & Measurement.

 

 

2006

Lexus sponsors’ The Women’s British Open for 2 years at Royal Lytham and the first Women’s British Open to take place on the Old Course, St Andrews.

 

 

2007

Relationship grows with Dentsu working on FIFA World Cup ticket sales, IAAF sponsorship, FINA World Swimming Championships.

 

 

2008

Launched Golf in the City at Canary Wharf.

 

 

2009

Worked with Dentsu to create a new commercial structure for RedBull Air Race – including host cities & sponsorship.

 

 

2010

Worked with Dentsu on Sony PR launch FIFA World Cup 2010.

 

 

2010

Sponsorship and creative execution for Toshiba Sponsorship activation for Rugby World Cup 2011.

 

 

2011

Won global Tender for Mercedes-Benz sponsorship of The Open Championship – including sponsorship activation, live events, national and international hospitality programmes and bespoke golf events.

 

 

2011

Worked with Dentsu to produce a series of high profile poker events to promote the newly established International Federation of Poker. Created a ‘world-first’ by staging a poker tournament in the iconic London Eye.

 

 

2012

Worked with Dentsu on Sharp’s pan-european sponsorship planning for European Football Championships 2012.

 

 

2013

Awarded NTT DATA’s sponsorship of The Open Championship including Sponsorship Strategy, Activation and Brand Events and Hospitality programme.

 

 

2015

Launched The Wondr Project, its R&D programme. This has included digital content, talks, workshops, webinars, events and training.

 

 

2016

Won tender for Mercedes-Benz sponsorship activation, brand events, international hospitality programme for The Open, as well as UKs National golf programme.

 

 

2016

The 1^st time since 2002 iMedia entered work for an award and the digital work for NTT DATA has subsequently been shortlisted for 8 awards 4years in a row.

 

 

2018

Won tender for Mercedes-Benz internal hospitality fit out at The Open.

 

 

2019

Launched Reboot2019, with talks from some of our country’s leading academics on the 4 pillars of Physical Health – Exercise, Sleep, Sunlight, Nutrition. Followed by a yearlong plan of events, activities, talks and articles.

 

 

2020

Won the ‘Experiential Marketing Award’ at the UK’s most prestigious sports awards – the 2020 Sport Industry Awards – for our work for NTT DATA at The Open Championship.

 

 

2021

In response to Covid iMedia launches a Network to support clients in incredibly difficult times, by bringing together an experienced network of marketeers from sports and entertainment. Highly vetted, award winning and endorsed. 360 degree skill sets. Multi-sector knowledge.

 

 

2021

One of the UK’s first mass participation as a government test event, with over 150,000 spectators saw us run the Patrons programmes at The Open for Mercedes-Benz and NTT DATA. Included sponsorship activation, hospitality programmes, digital campaign, hospitality fit out and branded content.

 

 

2022

Being part of Roger Federer’s last ever tournament and supporting Mercedes-Benz HQ to deliver their global sponsorship of The Laver Cup at London’s O2 Arena.

 

 

2023

iMedia worked on Neon Legacy, a joint initiative with Roger Federer and Mercedes-Benz, to create a bespoke designed street court in London. iMedia liaised with all the partners and suppliers from Roger, Mercedes-Benz, artists, governing bodies, LTA and the Royal Borough of Greenwich to launch the Courts.

 

 

2024

iMedia were awarded work with Mercedes-Benz Vans where we planned, managed and delivered both the 2024 Future Strategy Conference and 2023 Dealer of the Year Awards.

 

 

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