Tech entrepreneur Andrew Paulson and his company Agon have struck a long-term deal with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) for the commercial rights to position the sport as a global entertainment form with interactive potential through the Internet and mobile technology. The deal could open the door to branding opportunities for the sport. Steve Martin, chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sports, says chess is the “sleeping giant” of the sports/entertainment world. “It’s rare to get something so untainted by previous branding,” he adds. Chess continues to draw a strong community of players. Polling organization YouGov has released new data showing that chess is played regularly by 605 million adults worldwide, 15% of those in the US. Our own editor-in-chief and self-confessed chess nerd Steve Barrett will help raise funds for the Lagrant Foundation at the PRWeek Conference on November 14 by challenging people to play him in chess. Players who want to take on Steve must donate $100 in aid of the charity. PRWeek will match fund the $100 for anyone who beats him and $50 for anyone who makes a draw. Do you think you have what it takes? Please contact adele.durham@haymarketmedia.com to reserve your spot in the charity chess match. (Pictured above: US chess champion Hikaru Nakamura alongside the largest chess piece in the world.)

Tech entrepreneur Andrew Paulson and his company Agon have struck a long-term deal with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) for the commercial rights to position the sport as a global entertainment form with interactive potential through the Internet and mobile technology.

The deal could open the door to branding opportunities for the sport. Steve Martin, chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sports, says chess is the “sleeping giant” of the sports/entertainment world. “It’s rare to get something so untainted by previous branding,” he adds.

Chess continues to draw a strong community of players. Polling organization YouGov has released new data showing that chess is played regularly by 605 million adults worldwide, 15% of those in the US.

Our own editor-in-chief and self-confessed chess nerd Steve Barrett will help raise funds for the Lagrant Foundation at the PRWeek Conference on November 14 by challenging people to play him in chess. Players who want to take on Steve must donate $100 in aid of the charity. PRWeek will match fund the $100 for anyone who beats him and $50 for anyone who makes a draw.

Do you think you have what it takes? Please contact adele.durham@haymarketmedia.com to reserve your spot in the charity chess match.

(Pictured above: US chess champion Hikaru Nakamura alongside the largest chess piece in the world.)

Chess PRWeek Conference