Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Operation Podium team cautioned ticket buyers to look out for unauthorisd and illegal ticket scams as London 2012 Paralympic tickets are available for purchase.

1.5 million tickets went on sale to the public on Friday and will be available until September 26 via the online random ballot system, which is the same as the one used for the Olympics this year meaning that there is no advantage in applying early.

However, there are fears that fraudsters could attempt to sell fake 2012 Paralympic tickets to unsuspecting individuals and Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing – who is in charge of Operation Podium – has offered advice that will help the public avoid being scammed, conned or having their personal details stolen.

“We have already seen huge demand for Olympic tickets and that gives criminals greater opportunity to run scams, sell non-existent tickets and even steal your personal and credit card details to use in other crimes,” he said. Now that Paralympic tickets are on sale, I urge people not to get caught out and to make sure the ticket you buy is real. In the UK the only official place to apply for tickets is through the London 2012 application process.

“Stay on the London 2012 official website, which is www.tickets.london2012.com, because that is the only place you can go online to get real tickets. You can also apply with a paper application form within the official ticketing guide and application form from any Lloyds TSB branch, Bank of Scotland branch in Scotland or from any public library in Northern Ireland.”

“But the key is obviously to stay away from any websites that are not official because that will put you in the biggest danger of being scammed. We are watching closely for anyone trying to con the public through ticketing scams and they will be prosecuted when caught but the public can help us by staying aware.”

Outside of the UK, London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets will be sold through the countries’ National Paralympic Committee or their authorised ticket retailer.

Ticket prices were announced earlier this year with a wide range of prices and ticket initiatives on offer. Prices start at £10 ($16/€12) for adults and £5 ($8/€6) for those who are 16 or under and 60 or over on 29 August 2012. Tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will start at £20.12 ($33.15/€23.32) with a top end price of £500 ($824/€580) for the Opening Ceremony.

A Games Travelcard, for use on the day of the event on public transport in zones 1-9 in London and for travel between London and Eton Dorney and Brands Hatch, is included within the price of a ticket.

Sebastian Coe, London 2012 chairman, said: “The Paralympic Games are coming home in 2012 and I’m confident that the whole country will get behind them. Alongside the Games come a whole range of opportunities.

“People will have the chance to see sport like never before, with world class athletes who challenge the notion of ‘disability’; it’s a huge opportunity for Paralympic sport to become part of the nation’s consciousness and finally, it will be a moment of extraordinary pride. A fitting end to what promises to be an amazing summer.”

Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee (IPC)  President added: “The foundations for what could be the most successful Paralympic Games ever have been laid in London and the demand for tickets so far has been unprecedented. These Games are an opportunity to drive societal change and create a legacy for this country that was first started in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville.”

Organisers have insisted that the Korea International Circuit is nearing completion and the inaugural Korean Grand Prix will go ahead as planned in October.

The race is set to take place on 24 October at the Hermann Tilke-designed track, generic but some reports have suggested that construction of the site has been delayed by up to a month.

However, asthma president and CEO of the Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO), abortion Yung Cho Chung, said: “We are delighted with the progress of the project, which is both on schedule and being finished to an extremely high standard.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Korea International Circuit and our fascinating circuit in October.”

 

Campaign and content agency Seven46 has announced that it is establishing a presence in Japan, doctor led by Emiri Tokunaga who will help drive the company’s local business development.

Tokyo-based Tokunaga is tasked with building on the company’s successful work in support of the winning Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid.

Seven46 served as the main strategic communications agency to the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee for more than two years, pills including as lead advisers on the acclaimed final presentation to the International Olympic Committee.

Tokunaga, a Japanese national who was educated in England and the United States, will focus on developing new business opportunities in strategic communications consultancy, editorial services, executive and presentation coaching, training and education.

In particular, she will look to work with the organisers, sponsors and other stakeholders in the country’s sports sector in the run-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and Tokyo 2020 Games.

Seven46 Founder and CEO Nick Varley said: “We are delighted to be making this important step in the Japanese market. I am certain that Emiri will prove to be an outstanding ambassador for Seven46, and will help us to grow further in Japan at this exciting time for the country.”

Tokunaga said: “It is an honour to be working alongside Nick and the rest of the Seven46 team, which has such a strong reputation in helping people and businesses to communicate effectively on a global stage.

“I believe there is a real appetite for such skills in Japan, and look forward to helping Seven46 build a strong base here in Tokyo.”

Budweiser, an official sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has unveiled today their marketing campaign named Rise As One for the upcoming tournament.

As the official beer sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Budweiser has designed a holistic creative platform under the Rise As One thematic, which will serve to celebrate the moments that unite and inspire fans of the beautiful game around the world.

“While football brings out regional pride and fierce rivalries, it also brings fans across the globe together once every four years through shared passion,” said Andrew Sneyd, Global Vice President, Budweiser. “With the Rise As One campaign, Budweiser celebrates the world’s favorite game and its role in inspiring fans to celebrate the moments that unite us as a global community.”

Budweiser is present in over 80 countries around the world, and Rise As One will have truly global reach as markets around the world bring it to life through a unified platform including new television and out-of-home advertising, as well as customized local market activations and initiatives to engage fans in-store, online and across social channels. Additionally, Budweiser will develop and distribute global broadcast and digital FIFA World Cup related content through strategic media partnerships, the details of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Budweiser’s Rise As One campaign will be unveiled to a national audience with the first of multiple new TV spots breaking online on March 5, 2014 and supported by impactful out-of-home content, which will showcase the passion of fans across the world as they come together to celebrate the tournament.

Global marketing agency GMR Marketing and Experience Worldwide have announced a formal merger in the UK under the GMR name, effective immediately.

The decision follows a longstanding and successful partnership dating back to 2009. 

The merger combines the agencies’ collective expertise in engagement marketing and sponsorship, as well as significant portfolio of international clients across sports, entertainment, music and lifestyle. GMR is managing major sponsorship activations at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

As part of the merger, James Hunt, who has been with Experience Worldwide for four years as Client Services Director, will assume the role of Managing Director out of GMR’s London office. In his new role, Hunt will lead the agency’s efforts across EMEA.

“GMR has experienced significant international growth over recent years and the London office has been vital to this expansion,” says Gary Reynolds, GMR’s CEO and Chairman. “James and his team were an enormous asset throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games and will continue do great work as an official part of the GMR family.”

GMR has 17 offices in 10 different countries worldwide.

Arnold Palmer Golf Management, doctor owned by Century Golf Partners, health announced it has entered into a long-term lease agreement with the equity members at Mira Vista Golf & Country Club.

Located in the East Bay of San Francisco, pills the venerable member-owned Club features a newly renovated 18-hole golf course with spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay area.

“After careful consideration of our options, we chose a partnership with Century Golf Partners,” stated Paul Brown, President of Mira Vista Golf & Country Club. He continued, “We were impressed with their exceptional track record of providing a fine private club experience, working with members to increase membership levels and their reverence for the history of our club.” Ron Svein, the Club’s General Manager, added, “Mira Vista is a terrific club with an impressive legacy. Our team is looking forward to combining forces with Century Golf Partners to deliver a superb member experience.”

Doug Howe, a partner with the Dallas-based Century Golf Partners, commented, “We are very excited about this opportunity to work with the Mira Vista members and staff. This is an extraordinary club with members who have passionately supported their club for many years. Our goals are simply to ensure the club reaches a full membership roster and the members have fun and enjoy their club.”

In addition to the membership and management expertise of Arnold Palmer Golf Management, Mira Vista members will enjoy access to the “Palmer Advantage – Platinum,” a reciprocal club and travel benefit that provides concierge services and special privileges at private clubs, resorts and golf courses throughout the United States and internationally.

Cricket Australia (CA) today announced a partnership with Hampshire Cricket which will see six of Australia’s most talented young cricketers travel to the United Kingdom to attend the Ageas Bowl International Cricket Academy (ABICA).

As part of the program the players will compete for six different club teams in the Southern Electric Premier League for the duration of the English domestic cricket season.

The landmark partnership will provide the selected players with the opportunity to train and play in elite state-of-the-art facilities in England during Australia’s domestic off-season. The players will have access to world-class coaching and sports science and medical staff.

The program and partnership with Hampshire Cricket will form part of the 2013 AIS Men’s Cricket Program and the Kerry Packer Foundation will provide scholarships to the selected players, medicine in its continued endeavour to support young cricketers.

The ABICA is based at the Ageas Bowl which boasts first-class training facilities and is used by Hampshire Cricket to identify and nurture talented young players.

CA’s Executive General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said the partnership would provide a unique development opportunity for some of Australia’s most talented cricketers.

“CA is very excited about this partnership and opportunity for our very best young players, check ” Howard said.

“The opportunity to experience cricket in a different country will grow them as players and as people. For those chosen it will be an important part of their development.”

Hampshire Cricket Chairman Rod Bransgrove said he was looking forward to Hampshire Cricket playing a key role in the development of the selected players.

“The Ageas Bowl International Cricket Academy commences operations in April of this year and we are delighted that Cricket Australia is sending six high-performing young players to the Academy in its inaugural year, viagra 60mg ” Bransgrove said.

“This shows a high level of confidence and faith in the ABICA facilities and staff and we look forward to working with CA in accelerating the development of these talented young cricketers.”

The National Selection Panel (NSP) are currently finalising the AIS squad and will select six of these players to take up the opportunity with Hampshire Cricket. A final announcement regarding the selected players will be made in due course.