Volvo Ocean Race Appoints Radio Broadcast Partner

SOUTHAMPTON, England, Sept. 3 -- The Broadcasting Company has been re-appointed as the radio production partner for the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006.

The Broadcasting Company provided radio output for the last edition of the event and this re-appointment is the starting point for the new radio strategy which will see enhanced coverage provided around the globe through news output and targeted programming provision. The Broadcasting Company is now working on partnership distribution deals with radio networks worldwide to build on those enjoyed by the race during its last edition with broadcasters such as the BBC World Service and Voice of America.

Commenting on the appointment, Mark Howell, Media Director for the Volvo Ocean Race, said: "This is the first of our media partnerships and one that will bring the event to a huge audience. With vast experience in covering events such as the World Rally Car Championship, major golf tournaments and cricket, The Broadcasting Company will enable a vast audience to keep up with the latest news direct from the crews during the ocean legs and through commentary from the new in port racing."

The Broadcasting Company's CEO, Greg Strange, said: "This is one of the toughest radio exercises in the world and we are delighted to be working once again on the Volvo Ocean Race. Radio is an extraordinarily powerful medium and we know from the last race how many millions of enthusiasts tuned in from countries around the world. For 2005-2006 we plan to develop new and exciting radio projects to further widen the appeal of the race and to network audiences."

Guy Swindells will head up the exercise: "I am delighted to be reporting on the race once again. Some of the interviews about the southern ocean on the last race were some of the most powerful radio I have ever heard. It's a tough life having the opportunity to follow the race all around the world and report on it -- but someone has to do it!"

The Volvo Ocean Race will start on November 5, 2005 from a southern European port.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Current stills archive (royalty-free images for media): Patrick Anderson, +44-777-55-33-956, Patrick.Anderson@volvooceanrace.org; Online archive: http://media.vemuk.com . Film and video archive: Axiom International, Pat Marshall, +44-1252-795-567, patrickm@scn-axiom.co.uk