Alfa Romeo Invests in Great Welsh Performance

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – Aug 17, 2010: Alfa Romeo UK and its Cardiff dealership, Lookers, have joined with Wales Millennium Centre to become official partners to the Welsh centre for the arts.

As exclusive automobile sponsor, the Italian sporting car manufacturer will provide vehicles and funding to support Wales Millennium Centre and its commitment to encourage learning and to showcase and nurture creative talent. The promise is emblazoned across the front of the Centre with the words: In These Stones Horizons Sing.

Creative design, precision engineering and strong cultural heritage are clear qualities that bring together Alfa Romeo and Wales Millennium Centre.

Home to eight resident companies, including BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera and Wales’ largest youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales Millennium Centre is an internationally significant cultural landmark, renowned for inspiration, excellence and leadership. Since opening in 2004, the Centre has welcomed nearly 8 million visitors through its doors.

Damien Dally, Brand Communications Manager for Alfa Romeo UK, says: “Passion, performance and pride are key attributes of the Alfa Romeo brand that are perfectly complemented by our sponsorship of Wales Millennium Centre. By supporting a centre that has already developed a reputation as a cultural leader, we’re furthering Alfa Romeo’s commitment to invest in the arts and develop talent.”

“We are thrilled that Alfa Romeo and Lookers have become one of our corporate partners,” says Marie Wood, Director of Development at Wales Millennium Centre. “A brand such as Alfa Romeo, with its high design values, is the perfect match with Wales’ most iconic arts centre. In these economically challenging times to find a company with such a commitment to the arts, helping us nurture the talent of the future, is quite exceptional. Undoubtedly, their support will make a real difference to our programme of learning and participation,” she added.

The first Alfa Romeo model to be installed in the foyer of the building is the recently launched stylish five door hatchback Alfa Giulietta. To launch this partnership, the car has been liveried in a design created by the Centre using the shapes that form the brand logo, which will emphasise the synergy between both organisations. The sporty new Giulietta not only offers head turning good looks, excellent ride and class leading handling, but also boasts a best-in-class Euro NCAP five star crash safety rating, all from £16,995 on the road.