Hollis Sponsorship Bulletin

BT is to be the headline sponsor of BT London Live, a celebration of sport, music and other entertainment in Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square this summer as part of the city’s London 2012 celebrations. BT London Live will be free apart from the Opening and Closing Celebration Concerts at Hyde Park.
There will be outdoor screenings of the sporting action, entertainment every day of the Games and the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at free sport participation zones. As a result of its sponsorship of London Live, BT customers will have 48-hour priority access for tickets for the special Opening and Closing Celebration Concerts held at Hyde Park on 27 July and 12 August, via www.bt.com/londonlive.
Gavin Patterson, CEO, BT Retail, said, “London 2012 will not just be about sport – it’s also about people experiencing the amazing atmosphere the Games will bring to the capital. Through BT London Live we’ll give close to a million people a fantastic free experience this summer. Priority access is a great way to say thank you to our customers and employees and we’re delighted to offer this starting with the Opening and Closing Ceremony Celebration Concerts. Everyone will remember where they were when British gold medals were won – it’s great that for many people, those memories will be of BT London Live.”
Acts and ticket details for BT London Live will be announced over the coming weeks.

As official airline partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, British Airways is giving its support to British talent through a series of brand and athlete partnerships. The airline has partnered with both UK Athletics (UKA) and British Swimming offering discounted and complimentary flights and support to UKA athletes, coaches and staff in the run up to the Games. This support extends to the GBR Swimming, Disability Swimming, Diving, Synchro and Water Polo teams.

British Airways is also supporting individual talent on their way to the London 2012 Games, and has signed up World Champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis, who joins sailing Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie, gymnast Olympic medallist Louis Smith and Paralympic medallist Shelly Woods as BA ambassadors.

These sporting heroes along with UKA and British Swimming athletes feature in a new print advertising campaign.  The athletes and governing bodies will also work with the airline to help spread interest in the 2012 Games internally through British Airways’ employee engagement programme. 

A PR and media campaign has been launched to support this and demonstrate how British Airways is helping athletes – whether through flights for training, qualifying or competitions, a bespoke fear-of-flying course, or a holiday from their training schedule.

Luisa Fernandez, British Airways global sponsorship manager, said: “We are delighted to work with such talented athletes who are set to soar to new heights at the London 2012 Games. They are a true inspiration to current and future generations of British talent, and we are proud to support them on their journey.”

This British Airways London 2012 activity forms part of the BA Great Britons programme, which alongside celebrating the best of British sporting talent offers career-defining opportunities in the fields of food, film and art.  Budding British talent can apply to collaborate with Heston Blumenthal, Richard E Grant and Tracey Emin on a creative project running up to the London 2012 Games – applications are open until July 27, 2011 at www.ba.com/greatbritons.com

Forming part of its campaign running up to Olympic Games, London 2012 Official Partner BT is sponsoring Road To 2012 – Changing Pace at the National Portrait Gallery, London – an exhibition of portraits of those helping to make London 2012 happen.  The exhibition runs from July 25th 2011 to September 25th 2011.

Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Wenlock, the official London 2012 Olympic mascot, were at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre yesterday to launch BT’s search for members of the public to become the storytellers of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The BT campaign is looking for people from all walks of life to share their experiences and thoughts about the London 2012 Games in a variety of creative ways. Whether they are budding writers, keen social networkers, amateur photographers, film-makers, artists or musicians – anyone with an interest in London 2012 is invited to participate.
People are invited to register on the new storytellers’ website (www.bt.com/london2012), with applications open from today until June 2011. Then, the chosen storytellers will be invited to submit their stories, tweets, photos, film clips and blogs to be published on the dedicated website from 27th July 2011, which will mark the official one year to go countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games, right through to the end of the Paralympic Games in September 2012.
The chosen storytellers will have exclusive access through BT to events and people connected to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Their work will be showcased on a dedicated website, and could also be published through mainstream media.
Suzi Williams, director, BT Group marketing and brand said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games are all about creating stories that will last through the generations – and there is nothing more important than sharing these stories with each other. The greatest show on earth deserves the greatest storytellers, and we’re delighted to be starting the search for them today.”

As anticipated, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has appointed Heineken UK, Britain’s leading brewer, as Official Lager Supplier and sponsor of London 2012 in a tier three sponsorship deal. As part of the deal the company’s flagship premium beer, Heineken will be the branded lager served at the Games and Heineken UK will have exclusive pouring rights for its portfolio of beer and cider brands at all London 2012 venues where alcohol is served.

As an Official Supplier of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Heineken will be able to utilise exclusive hospitality and marketing opportunities associated with the event. It will also benefit from sponsorship and venue supply rights associated with the British Olympic Association, Team GB, the British Paralympic Association and the Paralympics GB team.

London 2012 Commercial Director Chris Townsend said: “Like many major events, the provision of food and drink is a part of the overall experience and this year sees our plans in this regard move up a gear. We are especially pleased to be working with Heineken, as we have a shared goal of encouraging adult visitors to our venues where alcohol is served to celebrate responsibly. We welcome Heineken to the London 2012 family and look forward to working with them between now and the summer of 2012.”

Alexis Nasard, Chief Commercial Officer, Heineken N.V. said: “There are no bigger, global or more spectacular events than the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. We selected this opportunity as it fully reflects Heineken’s global brand position. It also provides a wonderful platform for the promotion of responsible drinking. Based on the experiences gained from being a long-term sponsor of premier sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League and the Rugby World Cup we will utilise London 2012 to celebrate with the world in a way that only Heineken can do.”

Stefan Orlowski, Managing Director, Heineken UK, said: “We are delighted to secure this sponsorship and supply agreement with the London 2012 Games. We look forward to working with LOCOG to capitalise on the exciting opportunities it offers for the Heineken brand and Heineken UK. It is a significant investment and undertaking for the company and one that can help build pride amongst all our colleagues, business partners and consumers across the UK”.

Bank of Scotland has secured Sir Chris Hoy, multiple world and Olympic champion, as a supporter of its London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic partnership.  Sir Chris will lend his support to promoting Bank of Scotland’s partnership in Scotland and key programmes including Local Heroes and National School Sport Week.
 
Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week, delivered in partnership with sportscotland – the national agency for sport, is taking place this week in over 700 schools throughout Scotland.  Using the power of London 2012, the programme, part of the London 2012 Get Set education programme, capitalises on the enthusiasm and appetite from young people inspired by London 2012 to take part in more sport.  Children will be encouraged to try an Olympic or Paralympic sport that they have not experienced before.
 
Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week is being supported by a regional press campaign and radio advertising.  Customers will also be able to find out more in branches, through posters and leaflets and via the website www.bankofscotland.co.uk/sponsorship.
 
Archie Kane, Lloyds Banking Group Executive Director, Scotland, said: ‘Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week is at the heart of our partnership with the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.  We are honoured to have Chris’ support as we work to inspire more young people in Scotland to get involved in sport.  I can think of no better icon to help us and we are sure his visit to Scotland to support Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week will inspire staff, pupils and parents alike.’
 
sportscotland Chief Executive, Stewart Harris said; “sportscotland passionately believes in the benefits of sport and we are supporting Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week through our Active Schools network to inspire more young people across Scotland to get involved in sport and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
 
National School Sport Week will help to raise the profile of sport and physical activity in schools, and will build upon work that schools and the Active Schools network are already delivering across Scotland. Ahead of London 2012, there will be opportunities for pupils to try a new sport for the first time and to make a Sports Pledge which reflects the Olympic and Paralympic values. The activities will not only engage children and young people, but parents, carers and colleagues too.”

GE Capital, financial services arm of GE, is joining forces with Olympic hopeful Helen Jenkins and her coach and husband Marc in the build-up to and during the London 2012 Games. The GE Capital investment in the pair follows GE’s recent decision to support the British Triathlon Federation and elite team at the Olympic Games.
 
By working closely together with Helen and Marc GE Capital is aiming to create a unique partnership between sport and business that will help improve the performance and welfare of its customers and the 500 people working for the company across the UK. Planned activity includes coaching on performance and health; triathlon-led incentive programmes; increased activity on blogs and online forums dedicated to health; and running a team triathlon challenge at this year’s London Triathlon.
 
John Jenkins, chief executive, GE Capital, commented: “By extending our investment in the sport through our partnership with Helen and Marc we aim not only to help them build on their significant achievements, hopefully culminating in success in 2012, but to enable our staff and customers to benefit from the insights, tools and techniques that top triathletes, like Helen and Marc, need to perform consistently at the highest level”

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has secured Gymnova as a Tier Three sponsor of London 2012, the 28th domestic sponsor overall. Gymnova becomes Official Gymnastics Equipment Supplier and will provide all the equipment needed for the Gymnastics events at London 2012.

Gymnova is an approved supplier of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and, as well as providing equipment for the Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline competitions, will also provide equipment for the training facilities. Gymnova provided the equipment for last year’s Gymnastics World Championships, held in London.

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe commented: ‘This demonstrates the length and breadth of our commercial programme. We’re now delving deep into the planning process and ensuring that we have the best sporting equipment for athletes, both for competition and training, is a real priority for us. It’s great to have a company like Gymnova on board and we look forward to working with them to ensure that London 2012 is a fantastic experience for athletes as well as spectators.’

Clothing chain Next has been appointed as Official Clothing and Homeware Supplier to London 2012 and has become LOCOG’s  27th domestic sponsor in a tier three deal.
Next will be designing outfits for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and formal suits for Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012. In addition, Next will be producing formal uniforms for the 4,500 technical officials required for the Games, as well as suits for LOCOG’s reception staff.
London 2012 Commercial Director Chris Townsend commented:  “Next is a great brand and I’m confident Next will create a great look for the athletes, officials and staff as well as helping us to make  London 2012 product available across the country.“

Global energy giant BP has signed as the official United States Olympic Committee energy partner. BP will be a sponsor of the 2010 and 2012 US Olympic and Paralympic Teams, as well as the 2011 US Pan American Team.
Along with BP’s sponsorship of the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams, the company will be the presenting partner of a Washington D.C. reception honoring Team USA after their return from both the 2010 and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
BP is the official oil and gas partner for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a supporter of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and British Paralympic Association (BPA).
BP Group Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Luc Bardin, commented: “BP is committed to providing the energy the US needs through a broad and diverse energy mix. The USOC is committed to more sustainable behaviours and practices. Together, we believe we can improve our energy efficiency programmes and provide opportunities for athletes and fellow Americans to do it with us. As a first step, the USOC will operate its car fleet at zero carbon by using BP’s targetneutral program. Through multiple joint activities, our partnership will allow us to demonstrate how BP is a company that operates at the frontier and makes a difference.”