“It puts us in a really strong position in Japan and Asia as we build into and away from Rio 2016, and then towards PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020, and also helps us to meet our goal of promoting para-sport around the world.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has appointed Dentsu Inc. to lead its marketing efforts in Japan in the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The five year agreement gives Dentsu the exclusive rights to sell partnership and sponsorship packages to Japanese companies for all 10 summer and winter sports that the IPC acts as the International Federation for; athletics; swimming; powerlifting, shooting; alpine skiing, snowboard; ice sledge hockey; cross-country skiing; biathlon and wheelchair dance sport.

In addition to these package sales, Dentsu will provide support for promotional activities in Japan as well as for communications between the IPC and its Japanese sponsors.

Moreover, Dentsu will work with the IPC to enhance its marketing programmes with the aim of furthering the spread of para-sport worldwide.

Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since Tokyo was announced as the host city of the 2020 Paralympic Games we have seen more demand than ever from potential partners in Japan. This is across summer and winter sports and presents a unique opportunity for spreading the word about para-athletes, para-sport and the Paralympic Movement to huge audiences.

“We are therefore really pleased to appoint Dentsu to support us with developing those opportunities, allowing us to capitalise on the interest we have already experienced.

“It puts us in a really strong position in Japan and Asia as we build into and away from Rio 2016, and then towards PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020, and also helps us to meet our goal of promoting para-sport around the world.”