O2 arena completes its transformation
1.4.2008
O2 arena, the most state-of-the-art multifunctional hall in the Czech Republic, underwent a complete image change over the course of March 2008. The exterior and interior spaces of the hall were adorned with the logo and graphic of the titular and general partner, namely Telefónica O2 Czech Republic as of March 1, 2008. Now audiences of a wide variety of top sporting and cultural events will see the O2 arena in shades of blue.
O2 logos have been newly placed on three neon rooftop banners. By the end of the week, the top of the building will be lit up in blues. Changes have also been made to the gates and selected interior spaces of the O2 arena. The O2 logo can also be seen on the uniforms of employees, tickets, and posters and billboards advertising upcoming events in the hall. Changes have also been made to the hall web site, which is now accessible at www.o2arena.cz.
" We are pleased that the entire transformation of the O2 arena took place in such a short time, considering the extent of the task. We wish to thank BESTSPORT and Atelier Spektrum for their cooperation,"saysTomáš Dufek, Manager for Sponsoring and Interactive Partnerships,Telefónica O2, adding, "From now on we will gradually be providing our customers with exclusive services resulting from this partnership. Special information stands with, for instance, access to a free SMS gateway and online sales points for tickets to events taking place in the hall have already been installed in parts of the O2 arena; these features are also now accessible at the O2 Active portal."
On May 24, everyone can look forward to a day-long event with a fun-filled program for children and adults, during which visitors will have the opportunity to check out new areas in the arena for themselves. In the evening, a free concert featuring top Czech bands will be held exclusively forO2 customers. Information about the day program and registration for the evening program will be published at www.cz.o2.com during April and May.
"Partnership with a new general and titular sponsor is not limited to the name of the arena,"stated Ing. Michal Krejcar, Director of BESTSPORT, the owner and operator of the multifunctionalO2 arena. "Cooperation also includes internal and advertising spaces, rental of spaces like skyboxes, club seating, partyboxes, and meeting rooms, various corporate events, and promotional activities. We are certain that not only will both partners profit from mutual cooperation, but especially those who attend sporting, cultural, and other events taking place in the arena."< /i>
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Rebranding the O2 arena in numbers :
-the O2 graphic has been affixed to a total surface area of 1,000 m 2 - 600 m 2 of exterior entrances and exits to and from the hall and 400 m 2 tribunes and entrances from tram stops
-212 halogen lamps emitting blue light were installed
-neon effects in the hall are being produced by a 120-meter long LED diode band
-the grounds feature eight special newly-built stands with high-speed Internet access via O2 Internet ADSL
-two O2 Active bars are situated on the grounds
Currentarena successes
The multifunctional arena opened its doors four years ago, on March 27, 2004. Its program has primarily consisted of ice hockey (35%), other sporting events (20%), concerts (15%), family and adrenaline shows (15%), and other events such as ceremonies and exhibitions (15%). The SazkaTicket ticket system providing ticket services for O2 arena has already sold over three million tickets. The largest audience consisted of 18,628 people attending the Madonna concert. 17,360 spectators attended the most popular matches of the ice hockey world championships, and the Holiday on Ice review holds the attendance record for repeat performances with a total audience of over 45,000 people.
At this time, for instance, tickets to the Anděl Allianz 2007 gala evening featuring Karel Gott, Lucie Bílá, Aneta Langerová, and other celebrities, to the monumental opera Carmen, to the NestléFitness Wellness Marathon for health enthusiasts, to the Sensation White mega-dance party, to concerts by Kylie Minogue, Kiss, Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, and Avril Lavigne, and to the final match of the floorball world championships are all on sale now. Dozens of other actions are being prepared; these include unique mega-concerts and events that will be taking place for the very first time in the O2 arena.
Arenas overseas
Out of the forty-eight multifunctional arenas in which overseas professional competitions in ice hockey and basketball are held, forty, i.e. around 83%, bear the names of their respective titular sponsors. Among the sponsors presented in the names of arenas, companies in the financial (27.5%), air (12.5%), and telecommunications (10%) industries dominate. Of the fourteen arenas in which the top domestic competition, the O2 Extraliga in ice hockey, is played, nine, i.e. around two thirds, bear the name of the titular sponsor.
Contact for further information:
MARTIN ŽABKA
Press Spokesman
tel: +420 800 163 342 (800 1 MEDIA)
e-mail: public.relations.cz@o2.com
http://www.cz.o2.com
About Telefónica O2 Czech Republic
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s., is the first integrated operator in the Czech Republic, formed on 1 July 2006 by the merger of the leading fixed line operator, ČESKÝ TELECOM, a.s., and the strongest mobile operator, Eurotel Praha, spol. s r.o., into a single telecommunications organization. The organization is now operating more than seven million lines, both fixed and mobile, making it one of the world’s leading providers of fully converged services.
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic offers the most comprehensive portfolio of voice and data services in this country. Special attention is paid to the exploitation of the growth potential, particularly in the data and Internet sector. Telefónica O2 Czech Republic operates the largest fixed and mobile network including a 3rd generation network, CDMA (for data) and UMTS, enabling voice, data and video transmission. Telefónica O2 Czech Republic also runs the largest network of WiFi hotspots in the country.
About Telefónica O2 Europe
Telefónica O2 Europe comprises mobile network operators in the UK, Ireland and Slovakia, along with integrated fixed/mobile enterprises in Germany and the Czech Republic - all of which use ‘O2’ as their consumer brand. Telefónica O2 Europe also owns 50% of the Tesco Mobile and Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venture businesses in the UK and Germany respectively, and has 100% ownership of Be, the UK´s leading fixed broadband provider. Additionally, the group includes the Isle of Man fixed/mobile operator, Manx Telecom.
Telefónica O2 Europe, part of the Telefónica group, is headquartered in Slough, UK, and has more than 40 million mobile and fixed customers.
About Telefónica
Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalization. Its activities are centered mainly on fixed and mobile telephony, with broadband as the key tool for the development of both.
The company has a significant presence in 26 countries and a customer base of 225 million worldwide.
Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with in excess of 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4,921,130,397 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on the stock markets in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, New York, Lima, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.
