Outstanding Media Programme Announced to Tell the Story of London 2012 to the World

Outstanding Media Programme Announced to Tell the Story of London 2012 to the World

LONDON, March 5, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today urged the UK and world's media not to miss
out on the opportunity to cover what is set to be an amazing summer of sport, culture and
art in the capital.

With just under one month to go before the deadline for registrations at the world
class London Media Centre (LMC) which is in partnership with Visa, journalists are being
encouraged to sign up to get the most out of what will be a 50 day programme of specially
organised media events that will show the best of what the capital has to offer.

The LMC, with support from Visa, will host up to 6,000 media representatives, will
open from 9th July through to 14th August 2012 for the Olympic Games and from the 27th
August to 10th September 2012, for the Paralympics Games.

As well as giving members of the press the chance to cover the Games themselves, the
LMC media programme will highlight the raft of activities, featuring top athletes and
celebrities, that will be taking place across the capital as well as throughout the UK
during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The free to register media centre already guarantees members of the press use of an
iconic physical working centre and free internet as well as access to media assets such as
B-roll, preview programmes and filming and photo locations. And for those media who aren't
able to physically get to London or the UK events - registration still allows access to a
special media website which will have exclusive daily stories, content, video, and images
to use for free.

The registration pass will act as a pan London filming permit which allows the world's
broadcasters to film for free in over 32 of London's boroughs, something which has never
happened in the city before.

Located in the heart of Westminster at One Great George Street, right next to
Parliament Square and the Olympic Beach Volleyball venue at Horse Guards Parade, the LMC
offers easy access to some of London's iconic locations.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "London has not just one, but many amazing
stories to tell during the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the London Media Centre will
be the place to find out about them and get them covered. The LMC will keep journalists
from across the globe on top of everything going on in our city, including a dazzling
array of cultural events that will make London the only place to be during a summer like
no other. With top notch facilities the LMC will help you get the access you need and I
urge the world's media to register before the deadline to ensure they don't miss out."

Gordon Innes, CEO of promotional organisation London & Partners who are responsible
for the 50 day programme of events said: "We understand that the world's media spotlight
will be shining on London and the UK this summer and we want to ensure that we give media
and broadcast an outstanding range of events and celebrities so they can fully appreciate
what this wonderful city and country has to offer. We want their time in London this
summer to be as exciting as possible but also easy to navigate and that's we're
highlighting to media to get signed over the next month!"

Colin Grannell, Executive Vice President at Visa Europe, said: "As a global sponsor of
the Olympic and Paralympic Games Visa is proud to support the London Media Centre which
will give media the opportunity to use this amazing central London location and its
facilities. Visa is looking forward to welcoming journalists from all over the world to
the centre and sharing our latest news on the future of payments."

Alongside Visa, there will also be a range of exclusive restaurant and food-related
events including a range of talks entitled 'Recipe for Success' - which will be hosted by
food magazine and on-line restaurant guide Square Meal and will showcase the very best of
London's leading chefs.

Former England Captain and Manchester United stalwart Rio Ferdinand will also be
working with the LMC programme, in association with his digital app and 5 magazine. Rio
will be interviewing break-through music artistes in front of a media audience and
bringing a range of sporting heroes to the centre in his capacity as a sporting
ambassador.

As the only sponsor of the London Media Centre Visa will be using the facility as a
place to share its news with international, European and local journalists. This will
include news on its latest mobile and contactless payment innovations at the Games,
updates about the athletes Visa is supporting through Team Visa and regular reports on
economic impact and consumer spending during Games.

As well as celebrities the media will also have access to exclusive behind the scenes
events and activities both in London's museums, palaces and parks but also across the UK.
Events will include great British brands and institutions such as Harrods, the Tower of
London and the Royal Mail, who are planning a number of exclusive events to showcase the
very best British products and artists, and to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games.

Media tours to England, Scotland and Wales will showcase all aspects of the country
including the birthplace of the modern Olympics - Much Wenlock, the world famous Edinburgh
Festival and Fringe and the new Wales Coastal Path where you can walk the entire length of
a country's edge.

The media centre will also host press conferences by UK government Ministers and
officials, the Mayor of London and other key figures in the UK's hosting of the 2012
Games.

Registration with the LMC will also allow journalists access to similar special media
services in other areas of the UK that are hosting Olympic & Paralympic events - for
example Weymouth & Portland, the venue for the 2012 sailing competition.

The deadline for the registration is 31st March 2012

To access the online application form and find out further information about the
registration process, visit http://www.londonmediacentre.co.uk

Background information:

The organisation of the London Media Centre is being coordinated by London & Partners
- the official promotional agency for London, the Greater London Authority, VisitBritain,
Transport for London (TfL), Film London and the Government Olympic Executive (GOE), which
is part of the DCMS.

Please note: Media outlets are responsible for covering the cost of their flights,
accommodation, meals, and transport whilst in the city.

The full editor's notes see the full version of the press release on:
http://www.londonandpartners.com/media-centre

Source: London & Partners & Mayor of London

Contact: Chloe Couchman, Tel: +44(0)20-7234-5727, email: ccouchman@londonandpartners.com

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