
Raiffeisen to present Eurovision Song Contest 2008
11 January 2008 at 03:12 CETAustrian-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.
“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.
The Eurovision Song Contest has a rich tradition and heritage, dating back to 1956. It is one of the few truly pan-European television programmes transmitted live via the Eurovision satellite network, in prime-time on free-to-air television and is watched by some 100 million viewers throughout Europe and beyond.
Eurovision TV is a brand of the EBU - European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the largest association of national broadcasters in the world (75 active Members, 45 associate Members). The EBU helps public service broadcasters to deliver unique high quality programming to their audiences. It offers Members technical, operational and legal services, and coordinates a growing supply of quality content for radio, television and new platforms. It provides Members with information and analysis on media trends, and training designed to meet their needs. The EBU works to secure recognition of the crucial role of public service broadcasters in the digital audiovisual landscape.
Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG
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.
http://www.ri.co.at, http://www.rzb.at
T.E.A.M. Television Event And Media Marketing AG
T.E.A.M. is a full-service sales and marketing company that specializes in exploiting commercial rights for televised content internationally. The company employs over 110 professionals at its offices in Lucerne, Switzerland, and is widely known as the exclusive marketing partner of UEFA (the governing body of European football) for its flagship competition, the UEFA Champions League, since its inception in 1992.
For further information
European Broadcasting Union
Bjørn Erichsen, Director Eurovision TV, Tel. +41 22 717 24 01, [email protected]
Raiffeisen International Bank Holding AG
Michael Palzer, Head of Communications, Tel. +43 1 717 07 1504, [email protected]
T.E.A.M. Marketing AG
Ferdinand von Strantz, Head of Sales & Projects, Tel. +41 41 368 18 18, [email protected]