Sponsor Spotlight -- Big Hospitality Bill Ahead; Omega Superstore Opens

$4.6 Billion Hospitality Bill in London

Corporate hospitality will bring in $4.6 billion at the London Olympics, says the official hospitality sales arm of the 2012 Games.

Prestige Ticketing Limited said at a press conference Wednesday that investors should receive a 12 percent return on investment from hospitality.

Despite these projections, only 30-40 percent of high-end corporate hospitality packages for next year have been sold, according to Reuters.

"Whilst the economic climate is challenging, we have to work that bit harder and not rely on the banking and financial sectors which are traditionally very strong in hospitality," Prestige's chief operating officer Alan Gilpin said Wednesday.

The deals usually cost about $6,933 per person and include tickets, drinks and meals in corporate pavilions.

Some of the popular 2012 events for corporate hospitality include equestrian, hockey and tennis.

A total of 120,000 hospitality tickets were allocated to Prestige Ticketing for sale.

P&G Sends Olympians' Mums to London

Mothers of British Olympians won’t miss the 2012 Games thanks to Proctor & Gamble.

P&G UK is partnering with the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association in a program to bring athletes’ "nearest & dearest" to the Games, including tickets for mums to see their sons' or daughters' first Olympic performances.

Included in the scheme are workshops for Olympians’ family and friends to learn how to best provide support in London next year.

"Our focus for next year is to make certain every member of Team GB has the resources and support they need to reach their full potential on the fields of play at London 2012," said Dave Reddin, head of performance services for Team Great Britain.

"All our research and discussions with athletes shows that strong, focused support, not just at the events but all the way through the build-up to next summer, will help our athletesperform at an even higher standard."

The "nearest & dearest" campaign is part of P&G’s "Proud Sponsor of Mums" program.

Europe’s Biggest Omega Store Opens

The biggest Omega store in Europe is up and running in the megamall Westfield Stratford City next to Olympic Park.

Trade publications report that the 8,500 square-foot facility is split over two floors and sells timepieces, jewelry, perfume and leather products. This boutique will be the Swiss watchmaker’s eighth location in the United Kingdom.

"We are delighted to continue our expansion in the UK, and our new boutique at Westfield Stratford demonstrateswhat an important market this is for us," Omega president Stephen Urquhart said.

"We are very proud to be the Official Timekeeper for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and with the Games fast approaching, the world will be watching this exciting city and the UK. We are honoured to be part of this."

Starting this month, the store will have an exhibition on timing instruments used at the Olympics, including the first photo-finish camera used at the Games.

Exec Tapped to Head NBC Sports Comms

Greg Hughes will head up communications for NBC Sports Group.

According to Multichannel News, he will take on the position of senior vice president, overseeing media relations for different networks including NBC Sports, which airs the Olympics.

Hughes will report to NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus.

"I look forward to having him lead our incredible NBC Sports Group communications team, as we head toward an exciting year with the beginning of our new NHL deal, the Super Bowl and the 2012 Summer Olympic Games," Lazarus said in the report.

In 2007, Hughes started his own public relations firm Sedan Communications, which represented NBC Sports. He also worked with Turner Broadcasting for 19 years.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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