By Clare Ogilvie
Olympic organizers continue to ramp up their marketing plan with the announcement this week of another “supporter”.
This time it is Vancouver-based mining giant Teck Cominco who has stepped up, signing on for a $15 million sponsorship. That brings VANOC sponsorship this year to more than $100 million.
“Our team’s goal for 2006 was to raise more than $100 million in sponsorship revenue and we will surpass that goal because of the unprecedented support of great B.C. and Canadian companies who share our vision and believe in the power of the Olympic and Paralympic movement,” said Dave Cobb, VANOC’s executive vice president of revenue, marketing and communications.
“Our team’s goal for 2007 is to continue to build on the momentum and we look forward to unveiling a number of new corporate partners early in the New Year.”
Teck Cominco, best known for its zinc mining, will be producing the metals for the 837 gold, silver and bronze medals of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic events.
“Teck Cominco is thrilled to become part of Canada’s Games, and to help welcome the world to Canada and British Columbia in 2010,” said company president and CEO Don Lindsay.
“The Olympic and Paralympic medals inspire people everywhere to realize their full potential, in whatever they do. We are proud to supply the gold, silver and bronze for the medals that are the source of so much inspiration for the world.
“This is a great opportunity for all of us at Teck Cominco to get involved in a once-in-a-lifetime event, and to make a real difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. We are excited to be on the Vancouver 2010 team and to have this opportunity to participate.”
Said VANOC CEO John Furlong: “Athletes around the world are training to earn the right to stand on the podium in 2010 and Teck Cominco will play a key role in ensuring their medals — the ultimate symbol of athletic excellence — are shining examples of Canada’s mining industry.”
Both VANOC and Teck Cominco have also pledged to work together on issues of sustainability.
“Staging sustainable Games that leave lasting legacies for generations to enjoy is part of VANOC’s vision for 2010 and we are committed to working with partners like Teck Cominco to ensure we are leaders in environmental innovation and footprint reduction,” said Furlong.
Teck Cominco’s six-year partnership with VANOC provides sponsorship rights for the 2010 Winter Games, and the Canadian Olympic Teams participating at the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Teck Cominco’s commitment will also involve working with VANOC and the Royal Canadian Mint in the development and production of Olympic and Paralympic medals for 2010.
This week it was also revealed that the Mint is working on a large series of commemorative coins for the 2010 Games. They are likely to depict a biathlete aiming his rifle, a wheelchair curler and a freestyle skier. The coins will begin to circulate next year. There will be two special edition loonies and 10 quarters that feature both Olympic and Paralympic images.
To date national sponsorship for VANOC stands at about $530 million. VANOC's marketing program is focused on securing mutually rewarding partnerships with shared values to generate sufficient revenue to host successful Winter Games in 2010 and to leave a financial legacy for sport. Its International Partners include Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega and Visa.
The National Partners are Bell Canada ($200 million), Hbc ($100 million), RBC Financial Group ($110 million), GM Canada ($53 million), Petro-Canada ($62.5 million), and RONA ($68 million). VANOC’s Official Supporters include the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, the Royal Canadian Mint and Teck Cominco Limited. The Official Suppliers are Dow Canada, EPCOR, Haworth Canada, Vincor and Workopolis.
