SÃO PAULO—Ketchum has expanded its sports and entertainment marketing presence to Brazil as the country prepared to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

With teams already based in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Austin and Atlanta, São Paulo represents Ketchum Sports & Entertainment’s first overseas operation. KSE Brazil will offer clients services that include media relations, crisis management, spokesperson training, event management, stakeholder engagement, digital and social media, social responsibility and internal communications, among others.

“With Brazil preparing for two of the world’s largest and most celebrated sporting events in the next five years, there is a great energy and a unique business opportunity for brands looking to get involved,” says Ann Wool, partner and global director of KSE. “The eyes of the world are focused on Brazil, and from a marketing perspective, the games have already begun.”

The local team is led by Vania Ciorlia, executive director of KSE Brazil. Ciorlia brings nearly 25 years of public relations, event production, internal communication and journalism experience, having held roles at Brazilian magazine Veja, and having recently coordinated branding work for Brazil’s Figueirense soccer team.