New FIFA Communications Director Meets Russian Media - Fifa.com

FIFA's new Director of Communications and Public Affairs Walter De Gregorio visited Moscow on December 8 and 9 to meet heads and editors of leading Russian mass media outlets.

“I became FIFA’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs two months ago, and it’s only natural that I wanted to meet the key players in the Russian media market in person, to establish contacts, and to discuss cooperation in covering Russia’s preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Journalists should feel that FIFA is working in close contact with the 2018 Russia Local Organising Committee and that at any moment they can get any information from both the LOC and FIFA,” Walter De Gregorio said on the purpose of his visit.

At his meetings with Russian media representatives the editors wanted to learn what would be the accreditation quota for media representing the host country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Walter De Gregorio pointed out that it would be significant and expressed confidence that the Russian media would make excellent use of this privilege to provide excellent coverage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“From the meetings I had during my visit I see Russian journalists are ready to work at the 2018 FIFA World Cup tomorrow. They are very well informed and enthusiastic about Russia hosting such a tournament. Russia is indeed a sports-loving nation. At one of the news agencies they showed me a printout of the football news for just one week, and it was an impressive wad of paper. There is no doubt about the interest to the World Cup growing in the country as the tournament approaches,” FIFA’s Director of Communications said.

“FIFA and the media have the same goal – to experience a fantastic 2018 FIFA  World Cup, although we’re coming at it from different directions. I believe that keeping in constant contact will help us avoid any misunderstandings or distorted information from appearing in the news. For example, despite recent reports in a number of European and Russian publications, FIFA is not conducting any investigation into the Russian bid for the 2018 World Cup. Russia delivered a very good bid and we are confident that Russia will host a wonderful World Cup. I have reiterated our position to the Russian media during the visit,” Walter De Gregorio pointed out.

FIFA’s Director of Communications also said that he would visit Russia regularly, starting next year, in order to establish and maintain close working contacts between FIFA and the Russian media.

Office of communications true opens Rio-insideworldfootball (blog)

25 may-international sports consultancy based in London Real Communications, founded by Mike Lee (pictured), today announced the launch of their first overseas office in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, which formally opens today under the name of true Communications Company MLA.

True was born in January 2006 by Lee, the former Director of communications and public affairs during successful 2012 Olympic bid London, offer, he argues, is a communications campaign style, brand positioning, campaign planning and media relations solutions to customers.

Based on Actual experience, which includes the success of the Rio 2016 Olympic campaign Bid, MLA will capitalize on true communication opportunities in Brazil before sports sector the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Brazil's presence on the world scene is more than ever, and we look forward to being part of that first World Cup and Olympic Games," said Lee, Chairman of the truth.

"I had a fantastic experience, working with the team of Rio 2016 and now we are excited to launch MLA true Communications to offer our services in Brazil-a dynamic country in an exciting phase of its growth."

MLA real communication will be headed up by Hettie Paul, who was appointed to lead and develop a Brazilian consulting operation.

"Brazil is a wonderful place to be right now, both in economic terms and sports and to maximize creative opportunities that await us with organizations and companies in Brazil, the United Kingdom and around the world who want to develop their presence," said Paul.

Paul joins the real as manager in Brazil, after having worked in marketing and communications sector, in the last ten years that are globally recognized brands, Pernod Ricard as Nestlé and Cadbury.

"Hettie is a great event for us," Lee said.

"She brings all the right credentials to work, coupled with a passion for the country, and I think you can make a real contribution to the continued development of the market for Brazilian sport."

It has played a key role in the contested decision to take the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, last year and were involved in the recent move to bring the artistic gymnastics Championships in Scotland in 2015.

Among current customers of real Rio 2016 Committee are Bid 2018 Pyeongchang, International Rugby Board, the International Cricket Council, the Qatar Olympic Committee and UK Sport.

Lee also attracted controversy when he worked on the donation of Tottenham Hotspur's failure to take delivery of the Olympic Stadium.