WTA & Perform Name WTA Media Executive Line-up and Begin Broadcaster Discussions

WTA & Perform Name WTA Media Executive Line-up and Begin Broadcaster Discussions

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --




- Sports and entertainment production veteran, John Learing, named Managing
Director
- Bruno Rocha named Executive Vice President
- WTA Media starts conversations with major broadcaster groups
- WTA Media set to produce over 2,000 matches from 2017


The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and Perform, a leading digital sports content
group, announced today the appointment of John Learing as Managing Director and Bruno
Rocha as Executive Vice President of new broadcast production and distribution partnership
WTA Media, launched April 2015.



(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/739035 )




The creation of WTA Media is the first step between the two organizations who agreed
to a half billion-dollar live media deal in December 2014, the largest in women's sports
history.



A major strategic move for the WTA, this sees all WTA tournament rights being
aggregated, centralized and delivered under one media rights owner. From 2017, all main
draw singles matches (over 2,000) plus doubles semifinals and finals will be broadcast.



WTA Media will increase news content by 40 percent, and deliver magazine shows and
off-court content, supporting the WTA's strategy to deliver premium, compelling content
across TV, digital, mobile and social platforms.



Learing brings over 20 years of experience in sports and entertainment production. He
previously held positions at ESPN, the PGA Tour and, currently, the WTA. Bruno Rocha,
Perform's current Senior Vice President of Distribution and Client Services in North
America, oversees content distribution. Based in New York, Bruno has been with Perform for
four years, having previously worked for the NBA.



WTA Chairman & CEO, Stacey Allaster, said, "From 2017, for the first time ever, fans
around the globe will be able to access 2,000 main draw singles matches and consistently
follow their national heroes and favorite players all season, on and off court. This is
game-changing for our sport and very exciting for our fans."



Perform's CEO, Simon Denyer, said, "Following a decision to keep all WTA Media sales
in-house, we are pleased to announce the appointment of John and Bruno. Conversations have
already started with major broadcast groups in key regions and, with the support of our
staff and offices around the world, we look forward to delivering this great content to
the WTA's global fan base in conjunction with a whole host of existing and new partners."






Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/739035


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/739035
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and Perform Plc

CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Bowler, WTA, +44-78-8596-6355, hbowler@wtatennis.com ; Sarah Butler, PERFORM, +44-74-1566-3582, sarah.butler@performgroup.com


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