Poker Firm To Sponsor ITV2 Branson Series

Online gaming firm, 24h Poker, will be sponsoring ITV2’s exclusive new peak series, The Rebel Billionaire, with the deal putting the online gaming site on one of the most watched channels in multi-media homes.

24h Poker is a Swedish-owned company within the gaming industry, operating a gaming website, 24hpoker.tv 24hpoker.tv, and designing software for online gaming companies.

The deal starts on 1 July and was negotiated by Ryan Illingworth at BluStar Communications on behalf of 24hpoker.com and Luciana Limongelli of ITV Sales.

The Rebel Billionaire features entrepreneur and founder of The Virgin Group, Sir Richard Bransan and his search for a budding business superstar to follow in his footsteps.

The programme will watch a group of 16 entrepreneurs put through a series of physical, mental and business challenges as they aim for a top prize of $1 million and what they believe is a job at Branson’s Virgin company.

However, in a shocking twist, Branson will relinquish is own job as president of the Virgin Group, giving the winner a chance of a lifetime at the helm of the world famous company.

Commenting on the deal, Limongelli, sponsorship and branded content assistant at ITV Sales, said: The Rebel Billionaire is an exciting new series for ITV2 and highlights ITV’s commitment to its multichannel offering.”

Illingworth, business development manager of BlueStar Communications added: “24hPoker is delighted to be associated with the Richard Branson series, The Rebel Billionaire. This is a great occasion for Europe’s premier poker room.”

ITV recently retained mobile phone giant, Nokia, as the exclusive sponsor of X Factor’s high-profile second series, due to air in the autumn, providing the firm with coverage across what promises to be one of ITV’s top performing shows of the year (see ITV Retains Nokia For X Factor Sponsorship).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com