R4E.L Regulatory News (R4E)

22 Nov 2005 07:00

FIRST ARTIST LAUNCHES NEW ENTERTAINMENT DIVISION First Artist Corporation PLC (AIM: FAN), the acquisitive sports andentertainment group, today formally launches its celebrity representationbusiness, First Artist Entertainment. The move forms part of the Company'sstrategy to create a broad-based group delivering representation and wealthmanagement services to sports players and celebrities, and event management andspeaker services to private and public sector organisations.The result of organic growth within its sports representation business, FirstArtist Entertainment already has some 30 celebrities on its books includingRuud Gullit, Suzanne Shaw, Dennis Taylor, Andy Gray and Tessa Sanderson. FirstArtist Entertainment provides a range of contract negotiation, PR, commercial,and media placing services to its clients.Jon Smith, Chief Executive of First Artist Corporation PLC, commented:"The creation of First Artist Entertainment has been born out of the success ofour core sports representation business. Over the last two years we haveestablished excellent working relations with many of the leading media andpublishing groups in the UK and Europe. This has led to many non-footballingpersonalities wanting to join the business. We are now formalising this part ofour activity under the First Artist Entertainment brand and are looking toexpand it rapidly."First Artist Entertainment is headed by Corrinne Goodall. Clients of FirstArtist Entertainment have recently featured in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, 5'sWorst Celebrity Driver and BBC 2's Parlez-Vous?, as well as in mainstreamsports, entertainment and news programmes and leading consumer magazines. Artists represented by First Artist Entertainment, will also be featuring in,or presenting, seven shows due to break on ITV, BBC, Sky 1, and Channel 5 inSpring 2006.- ends -Notes to EditorsFirst Artist Corporation PLC (AIM: FAN) is a leading sport and entertainmentrepresentation and event management group. With offices in London, Milan, theUSA and Middle East, it provides four distinct services: sports playerrepresentation, celebrity representation, wealth management, and eventmanagement. Its player representation division, First Artist Management isrecognised as one of world's leading football management groups.For further information:First Artist Corporation plcJon Smith, Chief Executive Tel. + 44 (0) 20 8900 1818Richard Hughes, Finance DirectorShore Capital Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7408 4090Alex Borrelligth media relationsToby Hall/Jade Mamarbachi Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7153 8039/8035FIRST ARTIST CORPORATION PLC