The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of
the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG)
signed its first sponsorship agreement yesterday, with US-based
couriers UPS the first to come on board.
Started on March 31, the sponsorship program is the
second stage of the BOCOG's marketing plan, the first being the
partnership program that nine organizations have so far signed up
for.
UPS was selected as the official logistics and
express delivery sponsor and will provide logistics consultation
and assist in developing and executing the Games' logistics
operating plan. It will also provide express delivery services to
all venues nominated by the BOCOG.
The agreement covers the Olympic Games, the Beijing
2008 Paralympic Games and the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as
the Chinese teams competing in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in
Turin, Italy and in 2008.
Yuan Bin, director of BOCOG's Marketing Department,
said sponsors are being chosen under the principle of being "open,
transparent and fair," adding, "Strong servicing capabilities, rich
experience in sponsoring big events and a healthy development
strategic objective are the important factors we look at when
choosing our sponsors."
The sponsorship program is due to be completed by
the end of the year, Yuan said, after which the third stage of the
marketing plan focusing on suppliers will begin.
(China Daily July 28, 2005)