2013 SU Update: Three Big Name Companies to partner with Kazan 2013

KAZAN – The Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate and three global heavyweights such as the Coca-Cola Company, Hyundai Motor CIS and McDonald’s have signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic partnership. A solemn signing ceremony took place in Kazan on February 29^th.

The event saw the participation of Kazan 2013 Organizing Committee Chairman and 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Igor Shuvalov, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin.

After the letter of intent was signed, the Kazan 2013 Organizing Committee and its partners discussed vital questions regarding the cooperation in the run up to and during the Universiade. Igor Shuvalov thanked the partners for their support of such a high-profile event as Kazan 2013 and assured of the Russian Government’s readiness to render its full support to the partners. For his part, Rustam Minnikhanov expressed hope that businesses helping to make the Universiade happen will be only positively impressed by the 2013 Games. The relationships established with big name brands in the lead up to the Games may be the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership, the President said.

To turn Kazan 2013 into a great beverage experience, the Coca-Cola Company will provide the organizers with soft drinks, equipment and merchandise products, as well as support staff services. The letter of intent was signed by Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate Vladimir Leonov and Stuart Cross, Global Director for Sports Strategy of the Coca-Cola Company.

As the General Partner and Official Transport Provider of the 2013 Summer Universiade, Hyundai Motor CIS will be supplying passenger cars, microbuses and buses to move athletes and officials between the large network of Kazan 2013 venues. On the side of Hyundai Motor CIS, the document was signed by Director General of the company’s European division Rhim Byung Kwon.

Acting as the Official Partner for Kazan 2013, McDonald’s will serve free food to Games participants. The agreement was signed on McDonald’s side by the company’s Vice-President for Development in Russia Viktor Eidemiller.

The solemn ceremony was also attended by representatives ofKazan2013′s current partners – MegaFon, Ak Bars Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

MegaFon is the General Partner and Official Mobile Operator of the 27th Summer Universiade inKazan. The agreement with Kazan 2013 was signed in 2010. As the official communications services partner, the company is responsible for providing the organizers, visitors and participants of the Games with reliable communication services and Internet, and also for ensuring that everybody stays connected during both official events and test competitions in the build up for the 2013 Summer Universiade.

Ak Bars Bank acts as the General Partner and Official Banking Service Provider of the 27th Summer Universiade inKazan. The agreement with Kazan 2013 was signed on September 22nd, 2011. In the lead up to the 2013 Summer Universiade, the bank plans to introduce innovative payment systems inKazan. Such new services as MasterCard’s PayPass contactless payment system and e-ticketing will be put into service at Games time.

In its role as Partner and Official Professional Services Provider of Kazan 2013, PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL) provides the Universiade organizers with business consulting, tax, legal and advisory services and offers experiences and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and to achieve better efficiency on the threshold of the 2013 Games.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)