The Frenchman, 47, will be responsible for developing media awareness and coverage of the European Games around the world, and this will require all of the senior executive experience he has acquired across a range of sporting and business roles.

Most recently he worked for Trace TV, a French based multi-media group operating in 160 countries, where he held the position of senior vice president.

He also served as London 2012 Olympic Games project manager, after working on Atlanta 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup as communications manager for Coca-Cola France, a position he held from 1994 until 1999.

He has also worked for the French Olympic Committee and the Tour de France, among other French and international sporting brands.

William Louis-Marie will work with another new appointment at Baku 2015 with plenty of Olympic experience, chief operating officer Simon Clegg ©Baku 2015



Louis-Marie will take up the role originally offered to Darryl Seibel, the former United States Olympic Committee and British Olympic Association communications director.

He decided not to take up the role after leaving his BOA post last month, and has instead been appointed assistant director of sport at the University of Las Vegas.

Welcoming Louis-Marie, Baku 2015 chief operating officer Simon Clegg claimed he "has a fantastic breadth and depth of communications experience within the commercial sector to draw on as he leads our communication strategy and delivery.

"His international reputation and passion for sport will greatly enhance the existing team and will contribute to the successful delivery of an inaugural European Games in Baku next June."

Louis-Marie added: "I am more than delighted to be taking this wonderful opportunity to join the Baku 2015 team as the 'One Year To Go' date approaches on June 12".

"It is an honour to be joining such a talented team and I am looking forward to helping build
awareness of this innovative event globally.

"We want to showcase Azerbaijan as a destination for elite sport, as well as a modern and dynamic European country.

"The European Games will be a celebration of sport enjoyed by the entire continent and the Azeri population."

The Games are due to take place for June 12 until the 28 next year, and will see more than 6,000 athletes from across the continent participating in 19 different sports.

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Related stories
March 2014: Seibel leaves BOA but opts against taking up Baku 2015 role
October 2013: British Olympic Association head of communications joins Baku 2015