The American company have vast experience in delivering major ceremonies having worked on the FIFA World Cup at South Africa in 2010 and the 2004 Olympics in Athens, as well as the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne respectively. 

In collaboration with Glasgow 2014, Jack Morton Worldwide will now conceive, plan and deliver both the Opening Ceremony which takes place on July 23, 2014, in front of a live audience of 60,000 at Celtic Park and the Closing Ceremony which will be held at Scotland's National Stadium, Hampden Park, before a live audience of up to 44,000 on the August 3, events which organisers claim will have a worldwide audience of one billion. 

Jack Morton Worldwide, who are based in Boston, will have a budget of £14 million ($22 million/€18 million) to deliver both events, whicth are expected to be attended by the Queen and other leading members of the Royal Family. 

London 2012 had a budget of £41 million (£64million/€52 million) for its ceremonies. 

"The Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games represent a unique and unprecedented opportunity to inspire national and international audiences with a dynamic and vibrant experience of Scotland," said David Grevemberg, the chief executive of Glasgow 2014.

"They are also one of the highlights of a Games and this investment has the potential to bring direct economic benefits to our creative industries, boosting jobs and contract opportunities in one of Scotland's high-growth sectors.

"Jack Morton Worldwide has an impressive track record of culture, creativity and legacy and the profile they have created at global events speaks for itself.

"I forward to seeing plans now being developed further, particularly since it will be engaging with the creative sector in Scotland to make sure we truly showcase the country at its best."

The agency was last year in charge of delivering the live celebration sites at key locations across London for the wedding of Prince William, events attended by more than 200,000 people. 

The Manchester-born David Zolkwer, Jack Morton's director of public events, will oversee the Ceremonies at Glasgow 2014. 

He had a similar role at Manchester 2002 and was a creative consultant for the ceremonies at Beijing 2008, generally considered to be the best in Olympic history. 

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010, an event overseen by Jack Morton Worldwide

Zolkwer also worked on the critically-acclaimed ceremonies at the World Cup in South Africa.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Glasgow 2014 to deliver unique 21st Century Ceremonies that will capture the true spirit of the city and the region," he said.

"I'm particularly looking forward to engaging with both the creative sector and the extended community to create Ceremonies that make Scotland proud and inspire the watching world."

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