Helios Scores Another Victory
Russia to host 2018 FIFA World Cup™
ATLANTA - 6 December 2010 — On 2 December 2010, the Russian Federation was appointed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. In what many consider a surprising victory, Russia overcame strong bids from three other European contingents to secure the 2018 Host Nation status. Helios Partners, as the lead agency behind the bid, worked intimately on virtually every portion of the campaign.
"Helios was with us from the very start of the bid," said Alexey Sorokin, Chief Executive of the Russian bid committee. "From the branding of the bid and its strategic plan, to the creation of our key communications messages, to the development of our bid book and, finally, the creation and management of our final presentation in Zurich, Helios was among the key factors behind our success."
Helios continues to strengthen its global reputation as a leader among an elite group of sports marketing consultancies with an expertise in bid management. The successful FIFA World Cup™ bid follows previous wins on behalf of Russia for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the 2013 Universiade in Kazan, and managing the International Golf Federation's campaign to return golf to the Olympic Programme. "We are honored once again to be a part of a monumental moment in Russian sports history, and we are thrilled for the people of Russia," said Terrence Burns, President of Helios Partners. "We worked alongside a great team in the bid committee to help make this happen. I am certain that Russia will deliver a FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 that will both surprise and inspire the entire world."
With a strong emphasis on Russia's emerging football prowess and legacy opportunities, Helios succeeded in positioning the Russian Federation as an ideal host for FIFA to expand the reach and impact of the world's most beloved sport. The company is currently managing the 2018 Olympic Winter Games bid for PyeongChang, South Korea, the winner to be announced in July of 2011.
With offices in Atlanta, Beijing, London and Paris, Helios delivers a broad array of sports consulting services to a wide range of global corporate sponsors, sports property rights holders, and cities and nations seeking to host major international sports events.
For additional information please visit www.heliospartners.com or contact:
Barbara Poskanzer
+1-678-904-5392
bposkanzer@heliospartners.com