Companies from six categories will this year be offered the opportunity to become official partners for the 2012 Games, which will give them the right to use the iconic rings exclusively in their area.

 

The categories are banking, insurance, ulitity services (electricity and natural gas), oil and gas, automotive and telecommunications.
 
Companies in the banking and insurance categories will be the first to have the opportunity to tender for partner status. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) for these categories will be issued next month.
 
Tenders for the remaining categories will be issued in the next few months.  The ITT will set out in detail the opportunities, processes and timelines for companies to bid for marketing rights to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Team GB and Paralympics GB.

“This is a milestone moment for the Organising Committee of the London 2012 Games and the business world," said Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012.

 

"Staging the Games will be the one of the most exciting things to happen in this country in our lifetimes and we are delighted to announce today that companies from key sectors will have a unique opportunity to become official partners of the London Games.

 

"The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games bring together two of the world’s most iconic and powerful brands in a dynamic and highly sophisticated commercial setting – London, one of the world’s most vibrant, diverse and creative cities and the Olympic Games, the world’s biggest and most inspirational event.

 

"It’s a very powerful combination and it’s understandable that corporate interest is strong, but a company can only have an association with the London Games as an official partner of the Organising Committee."

Outlining the process, Chris Townsend, the commercial director for LOCOG, said: “The business and economic benefits from a partnership with London Games organisers will transcend the boundaries of traditional sponsorship.

 

Chairmen, CEOs and Board members are constantly searching for the ‘holy grail’ of market differentiation, greater productivity and efficiency and new customers and markets, and an association with the London 2012 Games could provide the opportunity to achieve this and more.

"Partner companies that integrate and align themselves with our vision, to use the London Games as a catalyst to strengthen communities and change lives on and off the sporting field, will themselves enjoy unique and long-lasting corporate and community legacies from their association with the Games

"Successful partner companies will have exclusive access to a range of powerful business benefits and opportunities as well as Games programmes and properties through their association with Games organisers. These companies will play a key role in helping to stage the 2012 Games and will help to create history for London, the UK and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement “

Under the terms of the ITT, companies will be asked to submit their bids. The bids will be evaluated and any clarification sought before Games organisers enter into a period of negotiation with selected companies.

Revenue raised through these business partnerships will make an important contribution to the £2 billion cost of staging the London 2012 Games. Revenue will also be raised through ticketing and merchandise programmes as well as Olympic broadcasting rights and the Worldwide Olympic Partner programme.   

The first successful partner companies are expected to be announced before the end of the current financial year in March 2007, enabling  partners to maximise the benefits of their association with the London Games over a period of almost six years.

The tender process is expected to be highly competitive with successful companies securing exclusive commercial rights in the UK in individual product and service categories.

Successful companies will be required to demonstrate a commitment to the London 2012 Organising Committee’s vision to stage spectacular Games that inspire young people and leave long-lasting economic, social and environmental benefits for the communities of London and the UK.