Under the deal, Sport Media will produce and distribute, in print and electronic format, all 48 Match Day Programmes, plus the Official Pre-Tournament Magazine, and will use its reach of leading regional news brands to assist with promoting and marketing the tournament, which kicks off on September 18.
The programme of bespoke publications will complement Rugby World Cup’s extensive digital and social media platform that looks set to generate a record audience for the world’s third largest sports event.
RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The appointment of a publisher with significant digital and print reach is an important pillar of the Rugby World Cup 2015 outreach and engagement programme to ensure that the tournament is accessible by as many people as possible in the UK and beyond."
"Through an extensive portfolio of news and sports titles, Trinity Mirror is recognised as an innovative leader in its field and will play an important PR role for what promises to be an outstanding Rugby World Cup."
Sport Media has a strong track record in sports publishing and officially partners with some of the UK's biggest sporting brands, including English Premier League football clubs Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, and Celtic in Scotland. Rugby is also at the heart of their portfolio and partners include the Welsh Rugby Union.
Trinity Mirror Chief Executive Simon Fox said: "Trinity Mirror is delighted to have won this important digital and print publishing contract and we look forward to playing our part in delivering a successful Rugby World Cup in 2015."
Regional Managing Director Steve Anderson Dixon said: “Rugby World Cup is one of the most iconic and celebrated global sporting occasions and we are especially thrilled to have been chosen by RWCL as the official publishing licensee of what will be a spectacular event.”
He added: “In the last 12 months Sport Media has been awarded a number of new contracts, further strengthening our position as the leading sports publisher and this is further recognition of the talented people within our company.”
Ken Rogers, Managing Director of Trinity Mirror Sport Media said: “We look forward to expressing our passion for Rugby to benefit the sport's showcase event and fans around the world.”
