IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, based in the U.K., has sold its U.S. sporting goods research business Sports Marketing Surveys Inc, based in West Palm Beach, FL. The new ownership group is headed by Keith Storey, currently VP, according to Research magazine.
The U.S. business was once part of the original Sports Marketing Surveys, but was spun off as a standalone company ahead of the sale of the
rest of the firm to IFM in 2008.
The sporting goods business, which provides equipment usage, brand and participation data to manufacturers, distributors and sport federations, employs nine staff, all of whom remain with the business and continue to be based out of their existing offices in Wisley, Surrey following the sale.
It supplies the equipment census for all European Tour golf events worldwide,The Open Championship and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
IFM Sports Marketing Surveys director Nigel Geach said: “This is a strategic move. We are a worldwide provider of sponsorship research and evaluation and we intend to focus on our success and reputation in this field. Our work in the sports goods market, although complementary, is not considered core to our future success so we took the decision to divest this part of our business to focus on what we do best.”
