Sponsor Spotlight - Rio 2016 Auto Partner, Marketing Team; GE Earnings

Automotive Partner for Rio 2016

A Rio 2016 official tells Around the Rings that an automotive partner "is likely to be announced next week."

The official could not disclose the name of the potential partner before the entire bidding process was complete, saying "we cannot disclose company names before all the steps of the bidding process have been completed."

The possible deal comes on the heels of Rio 2016's announcement of a new chief commercial officer and marketing team.

Rio Names "Right Guy" CCO

Olympic marketing expert Rob Prazmark tells Around the Rings that Rio 2016’s newly appointed chief commercial officer is the right man for the job.

The organizing committee announced a new marketing team this week that includes CCO Flavio Pestana, sponsorship sales director Rodrigo Frazao, partner services director Henrique Leal and head of licensing, retail and concessions Sylmara Multini.

Pestana replaces ex-Microsoft exec Maggie Sanchez, who was sacked last October over "a difference in philosophy" along with two members of her team.

Prazmark, who recently met the new marketing head and his team, expressed confidence in Rio 2016’s decision.

"I think they picked the right guy," he tells ATR. "Pestana understands marketing and sponsorship."

While Sanchez is American, the new CCO is Brazilian, and Prazmark says his nationality and his knowledge of the local market is an important factor.

Pestana was the CEO of two of Brazil’s largest business newspapers, Gazeta Mercantil and Valor Economico, as well as the Bom Dia Communication Network and the Diario de Sao Paulo newspaper.

Prazmark underscored the importance of the entire team as well and said they are committed to maximizing and protecting sponsorship rights. "It’s not just about [Pestana], it’s about the whole team."

GE Earnings Drop 18 Percent

General Electric’s fourth-quarter profits are down 18 percent.

The Olympic sponsor reported that it earned $3.73 billion during the quarter, down from $4.54 billion a year ago. GE also reported that its revenues were hurt by "slower growth in Europe."

Despite this drop, CEO Jeff Immelt said the company is poised for "double-digit earnings growth."

"We are confident in our 2012 framework to realize double-digit earnings growth in our Industrial and Capital segments, increase margins and provide dividend growth to our shareholders in line with earnings.

"We expect continued volatility in 2012 and have prepared for it by investing in new products and technology, expanding our growth market footprint and taking important steps to strengthen risk management," Immelt added.

Bhopal Group Responds to Hamilton Interview

A representative of Bhopal Medical Appeal tells Around the Rings that Dow Chemical is partly liable for the Bhopal disaster.

Earlier this month, ATR interviewed Dow VP of Olympic Operations George Hamilton and asked him about the company’s ties to the incident in 1984 in Bhopal, India where thousands were killed after a pesticide plant leaked toxins into the city.

The facility was owned by Union Carbide India Limited and Dow has been linked to the disaster because it bought the Union Carbide Corp. in 2001.

Hamilton maintained, as his company has consistently done throughout the controversy, that Dow is not liable for the tragedy.

In a letter to ATR, Chris Toogood, media coordinator for Bhopal Medical Appeal, disagreed with Hamilton’s stance.

"Dow is extremely adept at telling the story in a way that suits them, but I am afraid that Mr. Hamilton is being extremely economical with the truth here as Dow clearly did inherit some liability," he said.

In reference to Hamilton’s argument that the Supreme Court upheld a settlement in 1991, Toogood said, "he carefully omits to mention that: the settlement was modified (also in 1991) by the Supreme Court to revive criminal charges against UCC; that the criminal charges are still pending; that UCC remains a fugitive from justicein India."

"Nor does he mention that the issue of water contamination was not covered by the 1989 settlement; and that the Indian Ministry of Justice holds Dow to have inherited UCC's Bhopal liabilities."

British Airways Celebrates London 2012 with Dove Design

British Airways aircraft will resemble doves in celebration of the London Olympics.

A fleet of planes will be repainted to include the design of Pascal Anson of Great Britain.

"It would have been easy to put a motif or a pattern on the side of an aircraft – but Pascal’s design takes it to another level," said Tracey Emin, one of the judges that selected the artwork.

"He uses the entire livery of the aircraft to redefine the way you look at it. The dove is a stunning piece of work and will bring real excitement to anyone who flies on one of the repainted planes," she added.

FIFA Teams Up with Sports Business Summit

FIFA will partner with Sports Business Summit (SpoBiS) for the first time ever.

The football federation will have stands at the exhibition, which will be held Feb. 13-14 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

FIFA joins the German Football League, the German Olympic Sports Confederation, the German Professional Sports Initiative and the German Sports Aid as partners.

Speedo Sponsors UIPM

Speedo will continue to partner with the International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM).

Through this agreement, the sportswear company will be the worldwide swimwear supplier for the sport until 2013.

"On this occasion of our sport's 100 years anniversary, UIPM is pleased to be continuing this relationship with Speedo," said UIPM vice president for business affairs John Helmick.

"It provides not only cash for UIPM to continue to develop our sport into our next century, but moreover, provides valuable equipment to our top athletes, including the most technically advanced racing suits."

Written by Ann Cantrell.

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