An agreement between the European Broadcasting Union and the Austrian-based bank holding Raiffeisen International has been signed today. Thus, Raiffeisen becomes the official presenting sponsor for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in May in Belgrade (Serbia).
Raiffeisen International is a well-stablished bank entity. Based in Austria, Raiffeisen develops its activities across many Central and Eastern European Countries. This widespread presence in Europe has made possible an agreement between Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG and the EBU according to which the bank will act as official presenting sponsor for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. It includes extensive association covering a big part of the European continent, event and media rights. These sponsoring rights cover several countries located in Central and Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Slovenia and Hungary.
Signatories of this agreement have stressed its relevance and future consequences. Bjørn Erichsen, director of Eurovision TV has welcomed this collaboration: “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”.
Michael Palzer, Head of Communications at Raiffeisen International has evaluated the Contest as a good opportunity for the bank to consolidate its market and get new clients: “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”.
Once again, Television Event and Media Marketing AG (TEAM) have negotiated the agreement. Since 2004, TEAM is EBU's worldwide exclusive marketing partner for Eurovision Song Contest.
