The media and advertising campaign for Nairobi 2010 Safaricom 17th African Senior Athletics Championships was officially rolled out on Monday as its Local Organising Committee (LOC) partnered with Outdoor Advertiser Association of Kenya (OAAK) in a Ksh7m deal.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, LOC chair, Isaiah Kiplagat, also disclosed that Nairobi 2010 passed its final inspection by Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) last week.
"The countdown to Nairobi 2010 has officially begun. Many people have been questioning why the event is not there since they have not been hearing about it but from today (Monday), we will roll out our advertising campaign in mainstream and outdoor media," LOC chair, Isaiah Kiplagat said during the signing of the deal with OAAK.
Under the agreement, OAAK through its members including Spellman & Walker, Adsite, Prime Outdoor, Media Masters, Magnate Ventures, Creative Space and City Clock among others, will erect promotional material on Nairobi 2010 on their billboards, banners and clocks for free.
To supplement their efforts, LOC is in discussion with civic bodies in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Thika, Eldoret and other towns OAAK plans to extend their gesture to waive their rates as well.
According to the contract, LOC will provide the material design to OAAK via Magnate Ventures who will handle all printing work and will also offer five free flexifaces in addition to subsidised costs of printing others.
Media campaign
LOC also kick-started its mainstream media campaign on the country's major outlets on Monday through adverts as it seeks a meeting with media owners to aid in the publicity effort by providing free space.
Speaking on behalf of OAAK, its chair, Peter Odoyo remarked, "This deal is a commitment of outdoor media owners to support the games.
It is a wake up call to each and every Kenyan to support the event since it is sad the World Cup in South Africa is overshadowing our athletics that we are known for." Strategic roads in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Athi River and Thika are some beneficiaries of the outdoor advertisers deal.
CAA Visit
On the scrutiny tour, Kiplagat said, "CAA were pleased during the final inspection and the only minor things they asked us to change were the exit of athletes from the Call Room and addition of some six slots in the media area for television and radio interviews."
Kiplagat disclosed that head of the CAA delegation led by retired Namibian sprinter and CAA Technical Delegate, Frankie Fredericks, had requested the mission to be kept off public glare.
"Fredericks will be here in two weeks but on this occasion, he asked not to have the media but they were very happy with the progress made and it our hope all equipment will be in place for the Championships."
Electronic timing, warm-up track material and track and field equipment has arrived but is awaiting clearance from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Mombasa Port. And LOC officials will travel to China on July 28 to expedite the process of bringing the large screen meant for the event.
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