Collective Media Sport, the sports division of premium factual producer Collective Media Group, has been appointed by Ryder Cup Europe to develop and produce the live TV ceremonies that will start and end the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy next year.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting events in the world and an event that transcends the sport of golf, the biennial Ryder Cup sees 24 of the best professional golfers from Europe and the United States go head-to-head in a match play contest.
Taking place at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, the week of the 44th Ryder Cup runs from 26 September to 1 October 2023 and is going to be the most eagerly-anticipated staging of the event in history, as Europe look to avenge their defeat by the USA at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Matt Wilkinson, Creative Director at Collective Media Group, was the Executive Producer for the Opening Ceremony of the Ryder Cup in Paris 2018 – widely regarded as the best in the competition's illustrious history – and he will assume the same role for the shows in Rome.
Wilkinson said: “The Ryder Cup is quite simply one of sport’s most famous team competitions and it’s an honour for us to be trusted to produce the shows that kick off and end what is certain to be the most talked-about and most watched Ryder Cup in history. We can’t give away too much at this stage, but rest assured the shows will be packed with must-see moments that you won’t want to miss.”
In June, this year, Collective Media Sport produced the TV content of The Icons Series, a world first sport and entertainment concept. The event saw global Icons from world sport such as Harry Kane, Ash Barty and James Milner participating, as the USA took on the Rest of the World in a match-play golf competition. The division also delivered the highlights show for golf’s The Legends Tour - which is distributed in around 40 international markets.
Wilkinson added: “Following our work on the Icons Series, we are delighted to further establish ourselves as producers of innovative coverage around high-profile sporting events.”
Guy Kinnings, Ryder Cup Director, said: “Matt played a pivotal role in the huge success of the Opening Ceremony for the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris, and we are therefore delighted to be working with him and the team at Collective Media Sport on the Ryder Cup in Rome and are confident that they will deliver ceremonies that will live long in the memory.”
Launched earlier this year, Collective Media Sport offers creative consultancy and production expertise to sports rights holders, governing bodies, clubs and brands, to help develop and distribute content around their IP.
Rebecca Knight, Co-CEO, Collective Media Group added: “For prestigious events such the Ryder Cup, we offer an innovative approach to production. The Opening Ceremony, as well as the other content we are producing for the event, will have all the hallmarks of Collective Media Sport’s fresh approach. Our work with rights holders helps them to not only broaden their audience, so that they can remain competitive in this ever-changing content landscape, but reap all the benefits of their unique IP.”
As well as working with sports rights holders, Collective Media Group creates its own IP and unscripted programming. Most recently it announced it was joining forces with Entourage Sports & Entertainment and Trailer Films to bring to the screen Brazil 2002: The Real Story, an exclusive view of one of the most iconic World Cup tournaments on its 20th anniversary, with Iconic players Roberto Carlos and Juliano Belletti attached as Executive Producers.
