21st century technology employed to showcase London to the world during 2012 Games

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has today assembled a top team of experts to help the world’s media tell London’s story during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Event management firms, including broadcast and telecommunications specialists, will build and deliver the world-class press and broadcasting facilities in the London Media Centre at one Great George Street. This has been established by the Mayor to ensure that media coming to London for the 2012 Games can cover everything that is happening in the capital during this momentous period in its history and showcase unique stories from the Host City to their audiences. London is expecting to welcome up to 25,000 journalists during Games time.

Global producers of world class entertainment and live broadcasting, North One Television, and Flint London have been appointed as the broadcast and digital services production partners both at the London Media Centre and at iconic filming locations around the capital.

Event telecommunications networking specialists Etherlive and Easynet will be responsible for ensuring continuous transmission of hundreds of thousands of hours of video content and voice calls. They will also establish internet and intranet connections throughout the centre, and to and from the key broadcasting positions across the capital.

International event management specialists, Rushmans, will be responsible for the operation and smooth running of the London Media Centre, integrating all the broadcast and telecommunications services. They will also handle the accreditation of media using the media centre and manage all their daily requirements.

It is the Mayor’s aim that London’s media operation in 2012 will set a new benchmark for broadcasting major events and activities in today’s multimedia world. As well as providing these unique facilities, the Mayor and his new international promotion agency, London & Partners, will be providing news content and story angles for the media.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:

“The 2012 Games will be a stunning chapter in the great story of London, as the capital celebrates hosting the greatest show on earth. Welcoming the world’s media and helping them with unparalleled access to that story will be crucial in reaching the huge international audiences that will be focussed on London.

“I am confident that these leaders in their fields will deliver the cutting edge services that are essential for the 25,000 media descending on the capital for the Games to quickly report around the globe what an amazing place London is to visit, invest and live in.

“The firms we have appointed today have unrivalled experience and will play a vital role in showcasing the story of the city throughout the Games.”

Neil Duncanson, CEO of North One Television said:

"We are delighted to be involved in this prestigious project, in partnership with Flint. The North One team has a wealth of operational and editorial experience at big events like the Olympics, Football World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and Formula 1. And with Flint, we can make this the most digital media centre ever, combining web distribution, social media and broadcast to engage the widest possible audience and showcase London and the UK as one of the world's greatest destinations."

Chris Green, MD of Etherlive and Justin Fielder, CTO of Easynet said:

“Etherlive and Easynet’s capabilities are proven and tested, and we are delighted that the London Media Centre has chosen our partnership to support their demands during this once-in-a-generation event for London. Together we are confident that we will be able to provide the infrastructure needed, as well as the all-important service wrap to deal with the inevitable last minute changes that will be required. We are proud to be making such a significant contribution to the greatest show on earth.”

Nigel Rushman, Founder of Rushmans Ltd:

“We are delighted to have been appointed by Mayor Boris Johnson and the GLA to this pivotal role.   Over the last 30 years, we have provided media and accreditation services at sporting and other major events worldwide but being part of the London Olympic experience is a very special honour.”

NOTES

1. It is predicted that during Games-time there will be upwards of 25,000 international and UK media professionals (accredited and non-accredited) in London. Up to two-thirds of these of these journalists will be accredited by the National Olympic Committees of competing countries and eligible to use their facilities in the Olympic Park, namely the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Press Centre.
2. The non-accredited media will not have rights to the Games but will be in London to cover news and features on London as a venue and the 2012 Games.  The content of their work will be informed by a pre-planned programme of activities and editorials designed specifically to showcase London to their audiences.  The non-accredited-by-LOCOG media professionals will also have the opportunity to access not just the London Media Centre (LMC) but also its satellite broadcast positions, which will be in key iconic locations around the city. 
3. About One Great George Street: Located in the heart of London’s cultural and political life, the One Great George Street conference and wedding venue is surrounded by many fantastic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and one of London’s most ornamental parks, St James’s Park. This elegant and historical building has been described as a ‘monumental neo-classical design’ and a ‘modern rendering of the late Renaissance’. The exterior, foyer and grand staircase are made of Portland stone and many of the rooms are ornately decorated with French Walnut and oak panelling, elegant carved plaster ceilings and elaborate crystal chandeliers.
4. North One has extensive experience in production and programme making across a number of areas including Formula 1 and World Rally Championships in the sporting world and numerous entertainment and factual programmes. With offices in London, Birmingham and Sydney, North One is able to deliver a world- wide service to the LMC using its extensive Olympic related knowledge during Games time and preview material.
5. Flint is a video communications agency with offices in London and São Paulo. Specialising in digital integration and delivery, combining live broadcast, webcasting, video production and motion graphics, Flint brings projects to life including music events, interactive/experiential digital projects and corporate activities.
6. Rushmans has a long history of providing media centre management and accreditation solutions across numerous events around the globe. Rushmans will manage the London Media Centre build and delivery, working with the appointed broadcast and telco suppliers, to ensure a world class venue and services is delivered to accommodate the media covering the city story in London during the 2012 Games. A huge experience gained working within sport and major conferences gives Rushmans huge experienced needed to deliver a multifaceted Media Centre. Having worked on the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies in 2010, Euro ’96 in London and the 2006 Asian Games amongst many events, whether it is build or accreditation, Rushmans are perfectly placed with their team of internationally experienced staff to deliver for London.
7. Etherlive is an event technology services company with a broad range of experience in delivering leading IT solutions to many prestige events in the UK. Etherlive will provide all the communications services within the LMC and at the connected media positions.
8. Easynet will provide the LMC connectivity inside the building and at the connected media positions where stand up camera positions will provide the ability for broadcasters to go live into programmes around the world from the heart of London. Having provided Sky with HD services for broadcast Easynet will be well placed to deliver broadcast solutions for 2012 and last year’s Pre Election broadcasts “The Prime Ministerial debates” were delivered by Easynet for Sky.