Sports marketing, media, management and professional services group Essentially has been appointed by World Snooker to market and sell sponsorships for the UK Championship, The Masters and The Welsh Open snooker tournaments.

The three competitions will all feature many of the world's top players. The UK Championship in Telford on December 5th to 13th, the Masters on 10th to 17th January at Wembley Arena and the Welsh Open on 25th to 31st January.

"World Snooker is looking forward to working closely with Essentially to extend our sponsorship marketing activities," said Miles Pearce, World Snooker commercial director. "Our tournaments provide sponsors with uniquely clean, creative branding opportunities and deliver considerable brand exposure throughout the UK, Mainland Europe and the Far East."

Nick Hoyle, sales director of Essentially, added: "Essentially is delighted to be working with World Snooker and look forward to delivering new sponsorship for the best snooker tournaments in the world, being broadcast to significant audiences on BBC and internationally."