Commonwealth Games 2002

4imprint Group PLC 10 December 2001 Press Release 10 December 2001 4imprint Group plc becomes joint approved premium promotion licensee for the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games 4imprint Group plc, the leading global distributor of imprinted promotional products, today announces that it has been appointed as joint official premium promotion licensee for the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games (M2002) merchandise programme. 4imprint is a Manchester based company supporting what promises to be the largest multi-sport event ever staged in the UK. 4imprint will sell solely to the M2002 organising committee and the sponsors, who currently include Adecco, ASDA, Atlantic Communications, Cadbury, Cussons, Guardian Media Group, Manchester Airport, Microsoft and Xerox. In addition to the product development and sourcing services, 4imprint will also provide the merchandise catalogues, handling and fulfilment to those clients that require it. The products supplied to the organisers of M2002 include document bags, car stickers and mouse mats. 4imprint is also offering a full range of product ideas to the sponsors including clothing, desktop items and novelties, such as plush mascots, key rings, and pin badges amongst other items. The official mascot for the games will be 'Kit' and he will represent Manchester and England for the XVII Commonwealth Games in 2002. The merchandise will be supplied through the Commonwealth Games store, preferred retailers and specialist stores across the nation in late 2001 right up to and during the Games. Combined sales of over £1 million are expected over this period. The XVII Commonwealth Games hosted by Manchester will offer over 10 days of sporting competition from 25 July to 4 August 2002. M2002 will be the most significant multi-sport event to be hosted by the UK since the Olympics of 1948. The event will also be the largest ever Commonwealth Games with athletes from 72 countries. For the first time, women will comprise 41% of the athletes participating and everyone involved in the games has an equality of opportunity irrespective of colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, religion, age or disability. Dick Nelson, CEO of the 4imprint Group plc commented: 'This is an exciting event for Manchester and the UK. 4imprint's role is simply to design, source and supply promotional merchandise for this event. With our experience in working with major sponsors of both International and European sporting events we welcome the opportunity to help define how the right promotional products can generate a real return on investment for the M2002.' Jason Harborow, General Manager Commercial for M2002 Licensing said: 'We were looking for some very specific qualities in the licensees we wanted to work with and 4imprint passed with flying colours. The partnership between us offers high quality products that have been created and designed superbly specifically for these Commonwealth Games.' - Ends - For further information, please contact: 4imprint Group plc Tel: +001 920 236 7270 Dick Nelson, CEO Email: dnelson@4imprint.com Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002 Tel: +44 0161 240 2002 Jason Harborow, Head of Licensing Email: jason.harborow@manchester2002.co.uk Issued by: Bankside Consultants Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7444 4140 Russell Elliott / Henry Harrison-Topham Email: russell.elliott@bankside.com Notes to editors: The 4imprint Group plc is a leading international network of wholly owned companies in the highly fragmented $30B promotional products industry. Globally, the Company is the largest direct marketer of imprinted promotional products, and the fourth largest distributor. The Company's blue-chip roster of clients includes BT, DaimlerChrysler UK, British Airways, Microsoft, BMW, Mercedes, Hitachi Database Systems, Crawford, Amec and Saturn and other leading companies who use promotional products to build their brand and increase customer loyalty. The Company operates in four distribution channels: direct marketing, corporate programmes, premium and incentive promotions and partner services. The Group headquarters is in Manchester with other UK facilities in Woking, Whitefield, Vauxhall and Bristol. The 4imprint US offices are located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and Quincy, Massachusetts. In addition, 4imprint has operations in France, Germany, Canada and China. 4imprint has worked closely with clients for over 25 years in the use of branded promotional products to support customers' marketing and branding efforts. The Company offers the only global solution in the industry in the areas of product sourcing and services. The Company has developed proprietary systems that provide the easiest way to order imprinted promotional products. Its full e-commerce enabled online solutions provide customers with 24/7 access. 4imprint has 700 highly trained employees and currently provides services to more than 200,000 customers, including all of the Fortune 100(R) companies. 4imprint is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol FOUR. The company has established an American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme in the US for US-based investors. Website: www.4imprint.com www.4imprint.co.uk www.4imprint.com/canada
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