A master schedule for the delivery of milestone projects and programmes for the London 2012 Olympic Games was announced today at an orientation seminar involving the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).
The schedule (see Editors’ Notes below) was announced by IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, and relates to the delivery and development of key London Olympic Games venues, services and programmes including revenue raising programmes, highlighting the power of the Olympic brand and the importance of sponsor protection.
“Following the IOC’s experience with previous Olympic Games we have put together a master schedule – a timeline of milestones that need to be met for the Games to be delivered on time,” Mr Felli said.
Milestones in the first part of the schedule, which covers the next two years of the London Games preparation cycle, include establishment of the first Games Budget; assessment of transport needs; review of venue locations and scope and signing of IOC-LOCOG marketing plan agreement.
London 2012 Chief Executive Keith Mills emphasised that he is confident that British companies would be excited by the opportunity to participate as domestic sponsors of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
London 2012 Marketing and Sponsorship Plans
“We plan to outline our sponsorship strategy in the first half of next year. This will enable companies to understand the categories of sponsorship that are available and the tremendous and unique marketing opportunities that come from combining the worlds most powerful brand with one the world’s most iconic cities.
“I am sure that British businesses will understand the unique opportunity to be associated with the Olympic brand through sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games,” Mr Mills said.
Mr Mills also highlighted the importance of protecting sponsor investment and praised the IOC’s comprehensive brand protection programme as the foremost event property scheme in the world.
“Olympic partners, sponsors and providers are the lifeblood of the Olympic Movement and have made outstanding contributions to success of the Olympic Games and deserve our continued support and protection.”
Mr Mills, London 2012 chief executive, was speaking on the final day of the IOC-LOCOG Orientation Seminar – the first to involve the IOC and a Summer Olympic Games organising committee – which outlined key revenue sources for London Olympic Games Organisers.
These include revenues from IOC administered broadcasting rights and the Worldwide Olympic Partners (TOP) programmes, while London organisers are required to maximise revenues to stage the Games from ticket sales, licensing (including merchandise, coins and stamps) and domestic sponsorship and suppliership programmes.
IOC Director television & marketing Services, Timo Lumme, strongly endorsed London 2012 plans aimed at protecting the investment of companies wishing to become Olympic sponsors.
“Strong controls on the use of the Olympic symbols and brand are essential for creating the right environment for attracting and supporting companies who wish to become Olympic sponsors,” he said. “The London Olympic Games organisers have adopted the right approach and I am confident LOCOG will draw an impressive roster of sponsors and suppliers.”
Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), said: “The London 2012 Games will minimise the planning and operational differences between these two multi sport events and lead to new commercial opportunities for the Paralympic Games. This is a great environment which will help to get the best results for the Paralympic Games.”
Chairman of the British Olympic Association, Colin Moynihan, said: “The BOA supports this approach because it will present LOCOG with the right environment to generate the significant private sector funding required to stage the Games and to make an appropriate operating surplus. This surplus is critical to the future of British sport, with the lion’s share being used to support sport in the UK.”
Mr Mills said London Olympic Organisers had identified a list of priority activities over the next six months to ensure successful outcomes for potential sponsors of the London Olympic Games.
These included further development of London 2012’s marketing plan; the education of stakeholders and partners on Olympic marketing principles and developing protection strategies for the London 2012 brand.
For more information regarding the IOC, please contact: Mark Dolley, Communications Manager, Olympic Games on +41 79 216 8631
Or the IOC Press Office Tel: +41 216 216 111 Email: pressoffice@olympic.org
For more information regarding London 2012, contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)20 7093 5100.
Key IOC Master Schedule Milestones
2006
Marketing Sign IOC-LOCOG marketing plan agreement. Develop and launch Sponsorship
Standard Rights Package
Image & Identity Define approach for emblem design
Finance Establish first LOCOG Budget
Transport Define and assess constituent transport needs
2007
Planning & Coordination Complete Games foundation plan
Sport Input into venue design
Venue Development Review venue locations and capacities with IFs and submit first venue and
infrastructure schedule
Village Detailed planning
Accommodation Develop standard contracts for accommodation facilities