Thousands of companies will for the first time be able to use their involvement as suppliers to the London Olympics as a promotional tool to sell their products and services. The British Olympic Association has announced details of the first ever Supplier recognition Scheme, with the blessing of the International Olympic Committee and the support of the British Government.
It has previously always been a condition of a contract as an Olympic supplier that no use could be made of the association in printed or promotional material. This was to protect the rights of the principal Olympic sponsors like Coca Cola and Samsung who pay many millions to use the magic of the games as a powerful sales association.
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[ismember]There will still be significant restrictions. No use of the Olympic rings will be permitted and reference in paid advertising will still be forbidden but it is a start.
The deal was brokered with the help of the British Government as a means of delivering something of a real business legacy from the Games and has been warmly welcomed as a good opportunity for companies to compete better with the validation that comes from having contributed to such an iconic event.
The main beneficiaries will be in the construction and related sectors among those who helped build the Olympic Park, other venues around the City, and provided goods and services to LOCOG, the organising body.
The opportunity is restricted to UK companies but it is expected this will include many of the Irish businesses who did work on the games through UK subsidiaries or partnerships.
The new deal will benefit tens of thousands of British companies which were involved in the staging, construction and infrastructure of London 2012. Amongst others, these will include firms who built or designed the stadiums and venues, those responsible for clearing and preparing the Olympic Park and maintaining it in top condition during Games-time, as well as those with a role at venues outside London.
The Government has committed £2 million to the British Olympic Association to allow them to establish and operate the new ‘supplier recognition scheme’. Companies will be able to apply to the BOA for a free licence from January 27. On receipt of the free licence they will be able to promote their work at trade shows both in the UK and internationally, apply for industry awards for their London 2012 work and use their involvement in direct pitches and tender documentation when competing for international contracts.
Additionally, the licence will give businesses exclusive access to the Olympic Delivery Authority’s (ODA) library of more than 4,000 photographs from the project.
This agreement marks the first time that, following an Olympic and Paralympic Games, companies that supplied goods and services will have the opportunity to promote their involvement to help develop new business.
“Businesses in Britain can now really build on the huge amount they have already achieved,” said Sir John Armitt, Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority. “UK firms won 98 per cent of more than £6 billion worth of contracts to construct venues and infrastructure for the Games, helping their finances in a difficult economic climate, keeping workers in jobs, boosting skills and equipping firms to win lucrative contracts in the future, at home and abroad. This ground-breaking new scheme will let them make the most of London 2012 and their involvement.”
Businesses involved in the staging of the London Games have the potential to win significant contracts from future host nations.[/ismember]
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Olympic Credit for Supplier Businesses
