SAMIA is focused on the development of a vibrant, sustainable and dynamic South African motorsport industry, developing motorsport as a viable and attractive marketing tool for companies from other business sectors and presenting it as a professional and responsible industry that operates within an ethical code of practice and understands the need for measurable returns on investment.
“We are thrilled to become the Official Research Partner to SAMIA,” says Marc Jury, managing director of IFM Sports Marketing Surveys South Africa. “As a global group, our proud association with motorsport-related properties and events stretches back almost 20 years.
This partnership is true to our vision to be the leading research provider to the global motorsport industry.”
Brian Sims, founder and CEO of SAMIA, says, “Faced with the challenging task of developing a sustainable South African motorsport industry, SAMIA requires accurate, well structured research and evaluation information. As such, we are delighted that SMS has agreed to become SAMIA's Official Research and Evaluation Partner and we look forward to working closely with them to deliver on our objectives.”
Sims worked with SMS previously during his career at Benetton and Lola Ferrari F1, as well as in his role as CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association in Britain. “Motorsport is one of the most overtly commercial of global sports and the need for accurate and up-to-date data, research and evaluation information is always vital in making major business decisions. I have always been impressed with the way in which SMS provided me with such information timeously and accurately.”
A large focus of SAMIA is to harness the power and attraction of motorsport amongst young people to encourage them to take up engineering and technical skills training. The organisation provides a platform for a significant level of job creation, engineering and technical skills training and SMME start-ups, in particular within previously disadvantaged communities.
“SAMIA has great potential to be the body that helps South Africa realise the true value that Motorsport brings to the South African economy through so many more avenues than simply racing around a track. We look forward to working with SAMIA and all of the member organisations in providing relevant data that underlines this value and allows them to capitalise on many social and business opportunities in the industry,” says Jury.
Go to www.sportsmarketingsurveys.com for more information.
