BEIJING, 31 July 2008 ? Lenovo today unveiled a marketing program designed to introduce the company?s personal computers, people, values and involvement in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to a global audience.
As Worldwide Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Olympic Torch Relay, Lenovo is providing more than 30,000 pieces of computing equipment and nearly 600 engineers and technicians to support the successful management of the most complex sports event in the world. The company has also created Internet lounges for athletes, trainers, media and other members of the Olympic family near competition venues.
Leading with the tagline ?Powering the World?s Biggest Idea,? Lenovo will build brand awareness through worldwide advertising, online programs, and on-site activities at the Olympic Games.
?Lenovo computing equipment and engineers will keep the Games operational on a daily basis,? said Deepak Advani, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Lenovo. ?Our Olympic tagline — ?Powering the World?s Biggest Idea? — reflects Lenovo’s belief that the Olympic Games are one of mankind?s great inspirations and that Lenovo is proud to be a driving force behind them. Every element of our marketing program underscores Lenovo?s integral role at the Games and reinforces the fact that Olympic values are Lenovo values ?- global goodwill, the pursuit of excellence and world-class performance.”
Visual elements featured in the Lenovo Olympic marketing programs include PC product images that convey the company?s core mission, a stylized light bulb that embodies the current advertising campaign and the cloud motif used in the Lenovo-designed Olympic Torch, appearing in the five colors of the Olympic rings. Athletes from the Lenovo Champions ambassador program are also incorporated in the visuals.
Advertising
Lenovo advertising is pervasive in billboards, buses, bus stations and other out-of-home venues throughout Beijing. Advertising leading with the ?IdeaPad? PC line highlights the ability of Lenovo PCs to support and originate ideas everywhere and includes a yellow light bulb recognized by cultures worldwide as a symbol for ideas. Product images are presented on a crisp blue or white background and sometimes incorporate athletes such as Chinese 110-meter hurdler Liu Xiang.
Architecture
Lenovo has built several structures on the Olympic Green in Beijing that will host members of the Olympic family and visitors. The Lenovo Showcase @ the Olympic Games is a 1,550-square-meter (17,000-square-feet) facility that features exciting interactive experiences that highlight technology innovations and engage participants. For example, visitors can experiment with Lenovo?s facial recognition technology or create a photograph of themselves carrying the Olympic Torch. The sleek exterior of the building features light-weight materials and a bold design that evokes a bird in flight and provides an optimistic view of technology and the future.
Seven Lenovo Internet lounges in the Main Press Center and Olympic Villages in Beijing, Hong Kong and Qingdao will enable athletes, coaches, trainers and journalists to e-mail, surf the Internet, play games, maintain blogs, keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues and watch the ongoing competitions.
Pin Program
The Lenovo team launched more than 10 pins, a universally adored element of goodwill, trading and friendship. The pins combine Lenovo technologies with iconic venues and images of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, such as the ?Bird?s Nest? National Stadium and the ?Water Cube? National Aquatics Center. They sometimes contain moveable parts, including notebook PCs that flip open to reveal Olympic athletes on the display.
Uniforms, Retail and On-Site Features
With nearly 600 engineers and technicians representing Lenovo in Beijing, the Lenovo Olympic team created a uniform that introduces them as brand ambassadors and keeps them cool in the heat. The uniform features the five Olympic rings colors in designs from the ?cloud of promise? motif of the Olympic Torch, placing them on a cool, white background. The design will also be featured in signage, lanyards and identification passes. In addition, a Lenovo retail store inside the Olympic Games Superstore will offer Lenovo licensed products such as torch-themed USB memory keys, Olympic mascot-shaped mouse devices and other items.
Employee Recognition
Lenovo employees from all over the world will enjoy the Olympic Games in Beijing, experiencing athletic competitions, Chinese history and culture, and taking pride in the company?s computer systems in operation for the Games. Employee events and communications have focused on the Olympic Games for several months, and include sport-themed employee gatherings, photography competitions and Olympic trivia contests.
Web
Lenovo launched a blogging program and website, www.lenovo.com/voicesofthegames, for athletes training to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Lenovo provided IdeaPad and other notebook PCs and video cameras to more than 100 athletes from more than 25 countries and 29 sports.
Lenovo Olympic Marketing Team Background
Lenovo?s marketing program was created by the Lenovo Olympic Marketing Team, a global team including core members from China, US, India and other countries.
?Our marketing program at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is a highly integrated one supported by an outstanding global team working hour upon hour with experts from marketing, communications, advertising, graphic and architectural design, web and multimedia production,? said Alice Li, Lenovo?s vice president of Olympic marketing. ?We have been sourcing expertise and resources globally and have engaged well-known international agencies. The Olympic Games have been a great way to unite Lenovo and our marketing partners in an efficient global team.?
About Lenovo
Lenovo (992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building the world’s most innovative personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. For more information, see www.lenovo.com.