Westfield Hoping to Host More Broadcasters During London ’12

Major new £1.45bn (US$2.35bn) retail and leisure development, Westfield Stratford City, that will form the gateway to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, is still looking to host both rights-holding and non-rights-holding broadcasters during the Games with facilities in place that offer a spectacular view of the Olympic Park.

Westfield Stratford City will be the largest urban shopping centre in Europe with 1.9 million square foot of retail and leisure land, 300 shops and over 50 places to dine upon its scheduled opening on September 13.

There is still a limited number of leases available, including space on the top floor of the venue for rights-holding and non-rights-holding broadcasters.

Westfield Stratford City are due to host two non-rights-holding broadcasters during the London 2012 Games already, and with the location offering arguably the best view around of the Olympic Park as well as brand new facilities able to cater for all media demands, the retail centre are confident they will have at least five or six broadcasters working at the venue during the Games.

Mark Zimmer, the Westfield Stratford City Head of Olympic Brand Alliance, stated: “At present, we are set to have two non-accredited broadcasters broadcasting from this venue but we are currently in talks with a number of accredited broadcasters and by the time we get to London 2012; I imagine we will have a combination of both here.

“It obviously works for both because the venue is not actually on the Olympic Park but offers a spectacular view of it and it also has all the facilities to cater for the media following an in-depth feasibility study from us.

“The location is obviously a fantastic one for all of our partners and during the Games, we have so far confirmed that two major National Olympic Committees will be hosting cooperate functions with us.

“Retailers leasing here also have a huge advantage as 70 per cent of visitors to the Games will pass through Westfield City Stratford and therefore walk directly past the retail shops.

“We will clearly have to be careful regarding ambush marketing on the Olympic Games and abide by the strict laws in place.

“We also want to be good neighbours to the London 2012 Organising Committee so the Official Olympic Sponsors have been offered first refusal on taking up the space here.

“However, that doesn’t rule out other companies being based here and receiving the huge advantage of having so many people here before, during and after the Games.

“Around 10 million people will visit the 2012 Olympics including 20,000 journalists, 10,500 athletes, 5,000 sponsors, 70,000 volunteers and 9.7 million ticketed spectators so to have around 70 per cent of them coming through Westfield City Stratford is a huge boost and illustrates the phenomenal benefits to retailers based here.”