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| Helsinki 2012 Local Organising Committee President Antti Pihlakoski addresses the press conference in Helsinki on Wednesday. |
A remarkable 80 percent of sponsorship revenues for the Helsinki 2012 European Athletics Championships have already been secured more than a year before the event.
The Helsinki 2012 Local Organising Committee introduced Li-Ning/L-Fashion Group, Securitas, Puustelli Group, Sodexo, Valio and Veikkaus as National Partners at a press conference in the Finnish capital on Wednesday.
They will join European Athletics International Partners SPAR, Omega, Le Gruyére and Eurovision in supporting the 27 June to 1 July event.
Sponsorship revenues of 2 million euros out of a total revenue target of 2.5 million are now in place. The total budget for the championships is 14 million euros.
Helsinki 2012 marketing director Jari Töykkí¤ said interest from the Finnish business community has been extremely strong for the 21st edition of European Athletics' flagship championships as it switches to a two-year cycle for the first time.
“Sales have exceeded our expectations and we are very pleased to see this many companies already onboard. It is great to see this high an interest level for athletics among the Finnish corporate world,” said Töykkí¤.
“The success of Göteborg 2006 and Barcelona 2010 has proved that the host city of the European Athletics Championships greatly benefits from the event. It gives unique visibility to the city and the companies involved, and brings in extra revenue for both the city and the organisers of the event,” said Antti Pihlakoski, president of the Local Organising Committee.
National Partner CEOs said they are pleased to align their companies with athletics’ biggest continental championships.
“We are about to introduce a new sports clothing brand Li-Ning for Finnish customers, and what would be a better way to launch it than the European Athletics Championships,” said Vesa Luhtanen from L-Fashion Group. “In our view Helsinki 2012 is one of the most exciting opportunities among events organised in Finland.”
Puustelli Group’s Jussi Aine said, “Athletics has a strong foothold in Finnish society. We at Puustelli Group want to be a part of organising a successful and high quality event with unforgettable experiences and enjoyment for the whole athletics family. These championships will strengthen the role of Finnish athletics also in the future.'
Helsinki 2012 organisers also announced contracts with the following National Suppliers: Maan Auto/Peugeot, Hartwall, Stopteltat, Sokotel/Radisson Blu and Sokoshotels-chains, Mondo, Punamusta, Niemi palvelut and Lippupalvelu.
Helsinki 2012 Media Partners are Clear Channel and SBS Media. In addition, the Ministry of Education and Culture, City of Helsinki and the Helsinki Regional Traffic Bureau are giving their institutional support to the championships.