The Kent-based company, which was involved in Sochi's winning bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and is currently working on Munich's campaign for the 2018 Games, has been involved with Manchester United since January, working alongside Phil Townsend, the club's communications director.

"Jon's reputation and professionalism make him the ideal person to help modernise our corporate communications," said Townsend.

"What the club is seeking is a greater understanding of the international profile of Manchester United and what the owners are trying to achieve."

JTA was set-up by Jon Tibbs, who is recognised as one of the most respected strategic international communications experts in the Olympic Movement and the sporting world.

He begun his Olympic work at Hill and Knowlton where he was responsible for the International PR for the Athens 2004 Olympic bid.

After their success, Tibbs led the European element of the crisis management for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following the Salt Lake City scandal.

As managing director of Bell Pottinger Sport, he went on to co-lead the award-winning international communications for the Beijing 2008 Olympic bid with Weber Shandwick.

Tibbs is also the chairman of the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Global Sports Projects Sector Advisory Group, which advises the UKTI on its strategy, objectives and activities in relation to global opportunities in major sporting events for UK companies.

He also sits on the UKTI London 2012 Task Force and on the advisory board of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce.

Manchester United are currently heading for a record 19th English Championship title - they are six points ahead of second-placed Chelsea in the Premier League - and last night beat Germany's Schalke 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final to set themselves up for an appearance in the final at Wembley next month.

"This is one of the great jobs in PR and represents a significant new development for JTA," Tibbs told insidethegames.

"Under the ownership of the Glazer family, Manchester United has become one of the most iconic and successful sports brands in the world and I relish the challenge of working closely with the club to maintain and strengthen that status."

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