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PhelpsSports.com Reaches Agreement with Ireland’s Louise and Tony Parkes

Written by: Kenneth Kraus
Client: PhelpsSports.com http://phelpssports.com/
Release Date: 2006-01-20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenneth Kraus for PhelpsSports.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Kenneth Kraus of PhelpsSports.com at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Releases and Photos are available for download at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/

PHOTO CREDIT: Louise and Tony Parkes. Photo by Tony Parkes

PhelpsSports.com Reaches Agreement with Ireland’s Louise and Tony Parkes

Wellington, FL – January 20, 2006 - The Phelps Media Group, Inc. International, (PMG) and PhelpsSports.com of Wellington, Florida, announced today that they’ve reached agreement with two new associates. Ireland’s Louise and Tony Parkes will be joining the staff of PhelpsSports.com in preparation for the upcoming debut of the website later this summer.

PhelpsSports.com is a new and highly innovative equestrian sports website offering equestrians and fans of equestrian sports from around the world a single web address for the latest breaking news of the Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, and High Performance disciplines. The website will include up to the minute audio reports, live video interviews and features from around the globe, photography, and the creative writing and reporting of some of the finest equestrian journalists in the world.

The website is scheduled to make a worldwide debut in August to coincide with the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

“We are pleased to announce that Louise and Tony Parkes have agreed to come on board for the debut of PhelpSports.com,” said Mason Phelps Jr., the President of Phelps Media Group, Inc. International. “Louise Parkes has set a reporting standard that others can only hope to match. With enthusiasm, we’ve followed her writing and journalistic excellence in her continuing coverage of the Samsung Super League, the World Cup and in her writing for the Irish Independent,” he said. “We’re thrilled that she’ll be adding that special writing flair and her creative journalistic touch to our venture,” Phelps added. “Tony’s photography work is unparalleled and we’re excited about adding his creative genius to PhelpSports.com as well,” he said.

PhelpsSports.com Executive Director Kenneth Kraus said, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tony this past summer during the Samsung Super League tour. His photos are superb and he’s a class act,” he said. “Louise and I have known each other since the first Budweiser World Cup in Las Vegas in 2000. She’s a great writer. Each news release she writes tells a detailed story with that wonderful Irish flair,” Kraus said. “I’m thrilled that she will be both reporting, and doing features for PhelpsSports.com.”

Louise and Tony Parkes will cover, on a weekly basis, major equestrian events In Ireland, Great Britain, the Samsung Super League and equestrian events around the world for PhelpsSports.com

Dublin-born Louise worked in administration and public relations with Bord na gCapall (Irish Horse Board) during the 1970's before becoming a freelance photo-journalist in the 1980's. She has concentrated solely on journalism since she was appointed Equestrian Correspondent for Ireland's biggest-selling daily newspaper, The Irish Independent, in
1994 and freelances for many of the world's top publications. Editor of Ireland's Horse & Pony magazine, she is probably best known internationally for her reporting on both the World Cup and Samsung Super League series for the FEI (governing body for international equestrian sport). A keen amateur show jumper and producer of Connemara
ponies, Louise is also a qualified psychotherapist.

Following in a family tradition, Englishman Tony joined the Royal Air Force after leaving college and served in the Mediterranean and Middle East before moving to Ireland in 1977. He trained in photography at a top Dublin studio, and since setting up his own business in 1980, has established himself as Ireland's leading equestrian photographer. His Equestrian Photographic Services company is recognized worldwide but Tony, who in 2005 received an internationally-acclaimed Arts award, also includes an impressive line-up of major Irish business organizations and individuals on his client list.

The PhelpsSports.com website is being designed by Jake Cormier, designer of the Phelps Media Group website and the brand new United States Equestrian Team Foundation website. Jon Kassel will join Cormier in the programming of PhelpsSports.com. Kassel has developed websites for Showplace Productions, Equestrian Management Group, the Capital Challenge Horse Show, the Royal Winter Fair, and the Hampton Classic.

The line-up of talent at PhelpsSports.com includes the writing and reporting of Peter and Jean Llewellyn, Diana DeRosa, Hans Gerling, Ken Braddick, Mary Hilton, Kenneth Kraus, Jennifer Wood, Jenny Ross, Kendra Cecieta, Amber Heintzberger, Hallie McEvoy, and many others.

“The addition of Louise and Tony Parkes and their coverage of the Irish and British beat enhances an already star studded line-up of talent,” Phelps said. “We’ll continue to add to this gifted staff so that PhelpsSports.com will have a reporter or photographer strategically placed to be there wherever equestrian news is being made. In fact, I’m currently searching the West Coast for the best California writers and photographers I can find,” he added.

PhelpsSports.com will be strictly dedicated to reporting equestrian news, in depth coverage of equestrian competitions, and the people who make those events happen.

“We’ll continue to represent our clients through Phelps Media Group, while PhelpsSports.com will be its own autonomous news operation with headquarters in Wellington, Florida,” Phelps explained. “I believe that the future of equestrian sports coverage is on the Internet, and the future of Internet equestrian sports coverage IS PhelpsSports.com.”

First time and early subscribers will be offered a discounted rate when the website debuts later this year.

PHOTO CREDIT: Louise and Tony Parkes. Photo by Tony Parkes