Raiffeisen 2008 Presenting Partner

 Austrian-based Raiffeisen International, one of the leading banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe, has been granted extensive pan-European association, event and media rights for the upcoming event in Belgrade. The sponsoring rights cover Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Slovenia and Hungary. The 53rd Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted by the Serbian national broadcaster RTS. It will comprise three live televised shows in one week: the Semi-Finals on 20 and 22 May and the Final on 24 May 2008. 

Excellent reputation

“We are pleased to see that Europe's biggest TV entertainment show will be supported by Raiffeisen International, a company with an excellent reputation and strong presence in many of the participating countries. The EBU welcomes Raiffeisen International as the presenting sponsor of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008”, says Bjørn Erichsen, Director of Eurovision TV. 

 “Given our continuous expansion across Central and Eastern Europe in the past years it is essential for us to further strengthen our position and awareness in this region. The Eurovision Song Contest addresses an ideal mix of viewers and provides us with an excellent communication and media platform towards existing and future customers”, comments Michael Palzer, Head of Communications at Raiffeisen International. 

 The agreement, which is part of an international marketing platform developed by the EBU, was negotiated by T.E.A.M. (Television Event and Media Marketing AG) based in Lucerne, Switzerland. Since 2004, T.E.A.M. is the worldwide exclusive marketing partner for the Eurovision Song Contest events.

About Raiffeisen International 

 Raiffeisen International operates one of the largest banking networks in CEE. 18 markets of Europe's growth region are covered by subsidiary banks, finance leasing companies, two representative offices and a number of other financial service providers. Over 13 million customers are attended to through more than 3,000 business outlets. Raiffeisen International is a fully consolidated subsidiary of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB), which owns 68.5 per cent of the common stock. The balance is free float, the shares are traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange. RZB is a leading corporate and investment bank in Austria and the central institution of the Austrian Raiffeisen Banking Group, the country's largest banking group.