Ketchum Greater China has been appointed to provide international PR and media communications support for the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou in 2010. The agency was awarded the contract by the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC), the municipal government body responsible for the event, after a competitive pitch.

Held every four years, the 16th Asian Games opens in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010 bringing together 10,000 athletes from 45 countries taking part in 42 sports. Themed “Thrilling Games, Harmonious Asia,” the Guangzhou 2010 Games are set to become the largest in Asian Games history. The previous Games were held in Doha, Qatar in 2006. Organizers are looking to build on the success of the Beijing Olympic Games and put Guangzhou and China firmly on the international map.

“This is a fantastic win for Ketchum illustrating the strengths and capabilities of our Greater China teams as well as our global network reach and established expertise in sports communications on many recent Olympic milestones,” said Kenneth Chu, partner and CEO, Ketchum Greater China. Ketchum provided support to sponsors and organizers of the summer and Winter Olympics since 1996 including last year in Beijing.

The PR support will be coordinated out of Ketchum’s Guangzhou and Hong Kong offices led by Chris Liu, partner and chief business officer, Greater China, supported by Joe Tong, director of Ketchum Guangzhou. The 18-month program starts July 1 2009 and includes strategic communications planning for international markets, overseas media relations, media monitoring and issues and crisis management. Over 10,000 journalists are expected to descend on Guangzhou to cover the event.