Payne was a senior IMG executive before leaving the company last year
Melissa Payne has been appointed chief executive officer (media) for the Ocean Globe Race (OGR) and Golden Globe Race (GGR).
Payne was formerly vice president, head of technical services and also head of sailing/nautical sports at IMG Media, before leaving after 20 years’ service last year. Her time at IMG saw her work on two America’s Cups, the World Match Racing Tour, Extreme Sailing Series, the Volvo Ocean Race and the H20 series.
For the two Globe races, Payne will oversee all media requirements for the two events, including sponsorship, media sales, production and distribution, and is in the process of assembling a team for these tasks.
The GGR is the original round-the-world yacht race, having started in 1968 when Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the only sailor to complete the first, solo, non-stop, round-the-world sailing race. It was resurrected in 2018, and will return in 2022.
Meanwhile, the OGR is a fully-crewed, retro race based on the 1973 Whitbread round-the-world Race and marks the 50th Anniversary of the original event in 2023. Starting in Europe, the 27,000 mile sprint will take in the Southern Ocean and three great Capes.
Founder of the GGR and OGR, Don McIntyre, said: “We are excited to have Melissa and her team onboard, she comes with a huge amount of knowledge and is passionate about all sports, but, in particular, sailing. She brings an impressive track record to the table and understands the value of our unique retro events, which focus on the human story, adventure and extraordinary challenges, for ordinary, not only elite, sailors.”
Payne added: “For me, it’s great to have an opportunity to look after projects from a 360° standpoint and look to secure the widest possible exposure and success, for both events.
“There will be a number of different sponsorship opportunities forbrands and companies to become involved with, in both the GGR and OGR, each of which has its own unique appeal.”
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