Sponsor Spotlight -- New IOC TOP Sponsor; Samsung Chair Awakens

(ATR) New head of the IOC marketing commission Tsunekazu Takeda appears to have sealed his first TOP sponsorship deal with tire giant Bridgestone.

The IOC is reported to be on the verge of inking a top-tier partnership with the Japan-based company, according to the Asahi Shimbun.

The 10-year deal would cover Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the 2024 Summer Games.

The agreement would give Bridgestone global rights to use the Olympic logo.

The head of the Japanese Olympic Committee was appointed as the IOC’s marketing chief in April, with a specific remit to bring in sponsors for the next two Games. He succeeded Norway’s Gerhard Heiberg.

Around the Rings is told that the IOC had been in talks with several Japanese companies in recent months.

Bridgestone is set to formalize the contract next month when IOC president Thomas Bach visits Japan, the Japanese newspaper reported.

Panasonic is the only other Japanese TOP sponsor. Earlier this year, the electronics company extended its sponsorship with the IOC until 2024.

The IOC did not confirm Bridgestone as a new sponsor.

"We are in discussions with a number of companies about joining the TOP program but will only comment if and when an agreement is finalized and announced," IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau told ATR.

Samsung Chairman Emerges from Coma

Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee regained consciousness in a Korean hospital Sunday, two weeks after suffering a heart attack.

Lee suffered the heart attack on May 11 and received treatment at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul following in incident.

After the initial surgery, Lee received close to 60 hours of hypothermia treatment to prevent his body from developing toxins.After the treatment, he remained in an unconscious state until Sunday.

Doctors say that the prognosis for Lee’s neurological state is "hopeful," and that his heart, lungs, and other organs remain in "perfectly normal" shape.

"Lee was transferred to the ordinary ward and has recovered from an unconscious state," the medical team said to the Korea Herald.

"His response to diverse stimulus is showing signs of improvement."

McDonalds Brings Fans to Rio

Ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, McDonald's launched its "Peel. Play. Olé, Olé" game, while redesigning its iconic french fry boxes.

The contest will offer fans a chance to win a trip to Rio de Janeiro for the World Cup final as well as U.S. Soccer gear and McDonald's products and gift cards.

To celebrate the World Cup, McDonald's fry boxes will feature designs of famous Brazilian street art, which will unlock the new "GOL!" mobile app.

Also, McDonald's has introduced country specific sandwiches available for purchase in Brazil.

Fans can buy the McBrazil, McSpain, McGermany, McFrance, McItaly, McArgentina and McUSA to cheer on their favorite country through McDonald's in Brazil.

Each sandwich will only be available one day out of the week through June 25.

The FIFA World Cup starts on June 12 in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Written by Mark Bisson andAaron Bauer

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