Powerboat P1 strengthens team
The Powerboat P1 World Championship has announced the appointment of senior WPP Sports and Entertainment Executive, Jim O’Toole as Commercial Director.
O’Toole was previously Chief Executive of Ogilvy’s 141 Worldwide Sports and Entertainment unit where recent clients included AIG, Manchester United, FIFA, Blackberry and Aston Villa. A founding Director of Premiere Consulting, which was acquired by WPP in 2000, he integrated the business into Ogilvy’s activation arm in 2006. He will take up his new position in mid-August.
Commenting on the appointment, Powerboat P1 Chairman Asif Rangoonwala said;
“Jim brings 20 years experience in dealing with major teams, federations and global brands and will add significant value to our commercial proposition. His is the first of a number of senior appointments as we enter an exciting and challenging phase of our plan to further develop the fastest growing powerboat racing series in the world.”
P1 is the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) world endurance racing series and has two classes, SuperSport and Evolution. The series has evolved rapidly from a single annual event prior to P1’s acquisition of the sport in 2002, to a six event 12 race series in 2007. There are aggressive plans to extend global reach over the next three years.
The sport now includes 20 international teams with increasing participation from engine and boat manufacturers. The current schedule includes Grand Prix of the Sea in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Malta, Portugal and the UK. The 2007 P1 British Grand Prix of the Sea taking place over August Bank Holiday weekend.
