Post by matt on Apr 27, 2004 6:37:45 GMT -5
Liverpool has been offered £10m-worth of sponsorship for European Capital of Culture year - before it has even gone looking for deals.
The Capital of Culture Company is attracting interest from a series of global companies, in spheres including telecommunications, airlines, car companies, employment agencies and soft drinks.
The Daily Post revealed that talks have taken place with companies about a series of deals worth between £1-2m each for 2008.
There has also been widespread interest in taking up sponsorship and partnership opportunities for Liverpool's 800th birthday celebrations in 2007.
The level of enthusiasm for getting involved in Liverpool's plans has surprised and delighted culture company executives, who are preparing to go out to businesses with a sponsorship package this summer, with a view to finalising deals by the end of the year.
Commercial and tourism director Jason Harborow told the Daily Post: "Companies are very eager to be associated with the renaissance and regeneration of the city of Liverpool.
"The interest is not just from a sponsorship point of view. It seems that these organisations want to be part of community programmes in the city, where their staff could be involved in initiatives like the volunteer programme and the way the city welcomes visitors here."
The culture company and Liverpool council are working on a tiered sponsorship strategy, which will allow for the full participation of major global companies, but also leave room for local businesses to get visibly involved as sponsors and partners in various aspects of the celebrations.
The money raised through sponsorship will be ploughed back into developing events for the Capital of Culture programme, improving its impact as a visitor attraction. A total of 25 category sponsorships are being sought, in areas like food, airlines and telecommunications. Expressions of interest have been received in all of them.
Some of the major sponsors will be backing the entire Capital of Culture programme, while others will sponsor individual highlights like the opening and closing ceremonies and the Tall Ships Race.
Liverpool council leader Mike Storey said last night: "What a difference that people are coming to us and the city no longer has to go cap in hand to anyone."
But he stressed that no individual sponsor would have their name associated with the overall event.
"This is Liverpool's Capital of Culture and it doesn't belong to one commercial organisation. However, we would be foolish to turn down the opportunity for commercial sponsorship and partnership."
The Capital of Culture Company is attracting interest from a series of global companies, in spheres including telecommunications, airlines, car companies, employment agencies and soft drinks.
The Daily Post revealed that talks have taken place with companies about a series of deals worth between £1-2m each for 2008.
There has also been widespread interest in taking up sponsorship and partnership opportunities for Liverpool's 800th birthday celebrations in 2007.
The level of enthusiasm for getting involved in Liverpool's plans has surprised and delighted culture company executives, who are preparing to go out to businesses with a sponsorship package this summer, with a view to finalising deals by the end of the year.
Commercial and tourism director Jason Harborow told the Daily Post: "Companies are very eager to be associated with the renaissance and regeneration of the city of Liverpool.
"The interest is not just from a sponsorship point of view. It seems that these organisations want to be part of community programmes in the city, where their staff could be involved in initiatives like the volunteer programme and the way the city welcomes visitors here."
The culture company and Liverpool council are working on a tiered sponsorship strategy, which will allow for the full participation of major global companies, but also leave room for local businesses to get visibly involved as sponsors and partners in various aspects of the celebrations.
The money raised through sponsorship will be ploughed back into developing events for the Capital of Culture programme, improving its impact as a visitor attraction. A total of 25 category sponsorships are being sought, in areas like food, airlines and telecommunications. Expressions of interest have been received in all of them.
Some of the major sponsors will be backing the entire Capital of Culture programme, while others will sponsor individual highlights like the opening and closing ceremonies and the Tall Ships Race.
Liverpool council leader Mike Storey said last night: "What a difference that people are coming to us and the city no longer has to go cap in hand to anyone."
But he stressed that no individual sponsor would have their name associated with the overall event.
"This is Liverpool's Capital of Culture and it doesn't belong to one commercial organisation. However, we would be foolish to turn down the opportunity for commercial sponsorship and partnership."
