The
Marketing Program for the 2008 Olympic Games was officially
launched on Monday here by the Beijing Organizing Committee
for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).
International Olympic
Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge and Liu Qi, the
BOCOG president, use an golden key to unlock a door
symbolizing the Beijing 2008 marketing opportunities for
Chinese and international companies. The marketing launch
ceremony,attended by more than 600 business leaders,
officials, potential sponsors and media, was staged to
outline the benefits of Olympic sponsorship.
"We launch the marketing
program in a country of over 1.3 billion inhabitants. We are
literally and symbolically opening the door to the
future." said Rogge, "The purpose of our
marketingprogram is to help fund the costs of the Games and
support the development of Olympic sports and athletes
around the globe."
Later
this year, BOCOG will launch sponsorship programs, which
include Beijing 2008 partner, Beijing 2008 Sponsor and
Beijing 2008 Supplier, according to the organizers.
BOCOG will also manage
licensing programs that will authorize companies to produce
and sell products with the official Olympic logo.
"We expect the marketing
partnership between the business community and the Olympic
Movement to reach new heights and generate a new level of
benefits." said Gerhard Heiberg, the chairman of IOC
marketing commission, "Through their association with
the Olympic Games, companies are able to build competitive
dominance."
Following the
launch, BOCOG will fully outspread its efforts toprovide
Sponsors with quality service.
"Olympic Marketing will
not only provide sufficient financing for the Games, but
also offers experience for ensuring an ideal development for
all industries." said Yuan Weimin, chairman of Chinese
Olympic Committee and president of the State Sports
Administration of China.
(fromhttp://www.xinhuanet.com)