ITMS Marketing - ITMS signs Burger King as partner for Major League Baseball in Germany

American Quick Service Restaurant Chain to support Baseball

(Bad Nauheim, Germany, May 10, 2002) -ITMS Sports, a subsidiary of ITMS Marketing, has signed Burger King as sponsor for the German wide MLB grassroots program “Play Ball”, which ITMS Sports organizes and implements for Major League Baseball in Germany. Various promotional campaigns and integrated communication activities surrounding Play Ball! and its three youth initiatives the “Play Ball! Schools Program”, the “Play Ball! Roadshow”, and the “Play Ball! Youth Leagues” will be part of the partnership focused on developing baseball in Germany.

“The partnership with Burger King gives us unparalleled marketing reach. It provides us with the opportunity to increase the popularity of baseball in Germany and further develop the MLB brand in a key European market,” said George Pascal, President of ITMS Marketing, commenting on the synergies MLB can draw from this partnership.

Pascal Le Pellec, Managing Director of Burger King Germany, added: “MLB’s programs are exemplary youth development programs as baseball continues to increase in popularity in Germany. We are honoured to be part of this development and growth.”
Burger King Corporation is a subsidiary of Diageo, an international corporation for food and beverages. With more than 300 Burger King outlets throughout Germany, Burger King is one of the fastest growing quick service restaurant chains.

Major League Baseball is focused on growing the game of baseball globally through game development, broadcasting, special events, sponsorship and licensing. In Germany, MLB is represented by ITMS Sports, a subsidiary of ITMS Marketing. ITMS Sports’ efforts in Germany significantly support the German Baseball and Softball Federation’s game development efforts in establishing baseball at the club and school level.