Austrian-based Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG, the leading banking group in Central and Eastern Europe, has been granted extensive pan-European association, event and media rights as the first of two possible Presenting Sponsors for the upcoming events in Moscow. The 54th Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted by the Russian national broadcaster Channel 1 Russia. It will comprise three live televised shows in one week: the Semi-Finals on 12 and 14 May and the Final on 16 May 2009.
“The EBU is delighted to keep Raiffeisen International, a company with an excellent reputation and strong presence in many of the participating countries, in the Eurovision family as the first Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. The renewal of this partnership proves the strength of the Eurovision Song Contest as Europe’s biggest communication platform in music and entertainment”, says Bjørn Erichsen, Director of Eurovision TV.
"This year's Eurovision Song Contest has met all our expectations regarding communication and marketing opportunities. Considering that Russia is one of our most important markets, it was only logical for us to continue this successful partnership", said Michael Palzer, Head of Communications at Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG.
The agreement, which is part of an international marketing platform developed by the EBU, was negotiated by T.E.A.M. (Television Event and Media Marketing AG) based in Lucerne, Switzerland. T.E.A.M. is the worldwide exclusive marketing partner for the Eurovision Song Contest events since 2004.
The Eurovision Song Contest has a rich tradition and heritage, dating back to 1956, and is without doubt Europe’s favorite television entertainment programme. It is one of the few truly pan-European television programmes transmitted live via the Eurovision satellite network, in prime-time on free-to-air television and is watched by some 105 million viewers throughout Europe and beyond.
The two Semi-Finals of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on 12 and 14 May, the Final on 16 May 2009 in Moscow, Russia. Over 40 countries are expected to be represented. For more information, visitwww.eurovision.tv.
