Sponsor Spotlight - Harry Potter Actor Hits Velo; U.S. Athletes Get Trading Cards

Harry Potter Actor Takes to Velodrome

Actor Timothy Spall is one of the first to take a spin at the Velodrome in London Olympic Park.

Spall, who played Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potterseries, is starring in a short film shot around London. The film will be shown at an official event before the Olympics and on British Airways flights.

The film’s writer Prasanna Puwanarajah said his work is about a "father and a son and a journey of forgiveness and absolution."

He added: "I hope people will enjoy watching it as much as we have enjoyed making it. It was a real coup to get Timothy Spall cast in the lead role and he gives a beautiful performance."

USOC Gains Partner

The Topps Company is now Team USA's exclusive trading card producer for London 2012.

The company will release a collection this spring featuring top athletes such as track star Allyson Felix, swimmer Michael Phelps and soccer player Hope Solo.

"It is an honor for the company to commemorate the pinnacle of sports and this country's best athletes," said Doug Kruep, Topps’s general manager of sports and entertainment. "We look forward to offering supporters of Team USA athletes a truly unique keepsake and collectible."

Some of the proceeds from each purchase will go towards supporting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

BMW Taps ME London Hotel

BMW will hold events at the ME London hotel during the Olympics.

The hotel, which is owned by Melia Hotels International, will open in June near Trafalgar Square, according to a trade publication.

John Kelly, Melia’s director of global sales, meeting and events, says the company hopes the Olympics will boost bookings in Europe.

"We have a much greater amount in the pipeline than in late 2010. Nobody knows what the Olympics will bring," Kelly was quoted by Conference & Incentive Travel.

"We are hoping that those clients who want to stay away from London will look to the continent where they can get more for their spend, particularly in Barcelona or Madrid."

Grape-Nuts Supports Cycling Champs

The cereal producer Grape-Nuts is sponsoring the USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships.

The competition kicked off Wednesday and runs through Sunday in Madison, Wisconsin.

Clipper, Qingdao Partner

Clipper Ventures Plc is continuing its relationship with Qingdao, host of sailing events for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Chinese city will continue to participate in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race through 2016.

"I am proud of the role the Clipper Race has played in helping Qingdao to be successful, promoting its sailing achievements and helping to tell its story around the world," said Clipper Ventures CEO William Ward.

"It also brings our sponsors togetherin Qingdao to stimulate international trade between China and the rest of the world."

Nikon Launches Camera

Nikon will release its much-anticipated D4 model in February ahead of the London Olympics.

The British Journal of Photography reports that Jeremy Gilbert, Nikon UK’s group marketing manager, says the camera is being launched in preparation for the Games.

"It's going to be a huge event for London and the UK, and it's also going to be a massive event for Nikon, with 80+ Nikon Professional Services staff coming from all over the world to support it," said Gilbert.

"Our [presence] will include both retention and acquisition activities. I'm confident that the [D4] will be at the forefront of image taking at the event."

Omega Reviews Watches

Olympic sponsor Omega put together a short video highlighting its favorite watches from last year.

To view the video, which includes London 2012 watches, click here.

USA Cycling Partners with Exergy

USA Cycling is partnering with the renewable energy company Exergy.

SportsBusiness Journal reports that U.S. cyclists will don its logos on their national team and championship jerseys.

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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