Istanbul 2020 Bid Promises to Promote Olympic Brand in New Markets

The Istanbul 2020 bid team has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to promoting the Olympic and Paralympic brands, as well as Turkey itself, in new markets during the second day of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Evaluation Commission’s visit to the city.

Hasan Arat, Chairman of Istanbul 2020, said: “Turkey has a great commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. We have been bidding for 20 years! We know how important marketing is for Istanbul 2020 and for the Olympic and Paralympic brands.

“I have often spoken of Istanbul 2020 as a Bridge to Excellence; Turkey’s strong economy and unwavering government and private sector support will help guarantee that excellence in 2020.”

Ali Koç, Board Member of KOÇ Holding, a Fortune 500 company, spoke on behalf of Turkey’s business community. He said: “Our business leaders see the Olympics as an incomparable opportunity to tell our story to the world, to rebrand Turkey, to demonstrate our growing capabilities, and to compete with the best companies in the world.

“We are truly experiencing a dramatic transformation with a rapidly growing economy; with an expanded business mindset; with sophisticated city planning and with careful management of Turkey’s cultural legacy.

“Turkey’s goal is to become one of the world’s 10 largest economies, in keeping with the vision of our 2023 Master Plan. Turkey is changing, Turkey is coming of age. Turkish business leaders understand the power of the Olympic movement to build the brand loyalties that are so important in a growing economy.”