Ascot Racing: Who Are Ascot's Founding Partners?

Sponsorship

Who Are Ascot's Founding Partners?

Please click on the links below to view the details of each individual Founding Partner.
Allied Irish Bank (GB)
Cisco Systems
Sony

Allied Irish Bank (GB) signed as Ascot’s first Founding Partner in December 2005, followed by Cisco Systems in April 2006 and Sony in May 2006.

ASCOT & ALLIED IRISH BANK (GB) ANNOUNCE £2.9M PARTNERSHIP

RACECOURSE'S FIRST FOUNDING PARTNER
Branded Starting Stalls.

Ascot Racecourse, together with Allied Irish Bank (GB), today announces that the Bank has signed a £2.9m agreement over five years to become the first Founding Partner of the new Ascot Racecourse.

The Founding Partners scheme has been introduced as a new opportunity for major organisations with compatible and complementary international profiles to gain a close association with Ascot.

Under the terms of the agreement, Allied Irish Bank (GB) will partner with Ascot until and including the 2010 Royal Meeting.   Allied Irish Bank (GB) will receive Founding Partner privileges throughout the year, including during the Royal Meeting. These privileges will range from signage rights around the Racecourse to exclusive hospitality benefits.
Ascot Racecourse has been closed since September 2004 to undergo a £200 million redevelopment that will see it reopen as one of the world's leading sports and entertainment venues on 27th May 2006, three weeks in advance of next year's Royal Meeting.

Ascot expects to announce agreements with further Founding Partners and other sponsors in the coming months. The Royal Meeting as a whole and individual races at Royal Ascot will remain unsponsored.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse said: "We are delighted to welcome Allied Irish Bank (GB) as our first Founding Partner at a very important time in the development of the Racecourse as a truly spectacular international venue.   Ascot has a longstanding relationship with Allied Irish Bank (GB), who understand the racing world very well, and we look forward to working with them for many years to come."

Robbie Henneberry, Managing Director of Allied Irish Bank (GB) said: "Allied Irish Bank (GB) has a strong affiliation with racing in the UK and a long standing relationship with Ascot Racecourse in particular. We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Ascot in what is a significant sponsorship deal for the Bank and for Ascot. It reinforces our commitment to the racing industry and its connections who are key audiences for us. To be the first Founding Partner supporting the forefront of racecourse facilities at this level is tremendous."
Press Release: 11th December 2005

For further information:
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive, Ascot, 07711 880123
Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations, Ascot, (01344) 878524 / 07771 791449
Anne Dockery, Allied Irish Bank (GB), (01895) 272222 / 07776 226832
Nicola Scott, Allied Irish Bank (GB), (01895) 272222

NOTES TO EDITORS
Ascot Racecourse - Redevelopment
In July 2004, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead granted planning permission for a major redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse. The Racecourse closed for its £200 million redevelopment in September 2004, the most extensive project of its type in Europe. The track has been realigned and improved considerably and the superstructure of the new Grandstand is substantially complete.

Having been run at York in 2005, Royal Ascot will return to its Berkshire home next year and run from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June. The official opening of the racecourse will take place on the first day of the Royal Meeting. Racing is also scheduled for Saturday 27th May and further details of that fixture will be confirmed in due course. The new Grandstand has been designed by HOK Sport+Venue+Event, whose portfolio also includes the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, the Sydney Olympic Stadium and Wembley. Ascot Racecourse aims to set a new standard for the way that people will go racing in the UK.

About Allied Irish Bank (GB)
Allied Irish Bank (GB) is a business bank, focused on corporate businesses, with experience in a number of industry sectors. The Bank's strategy of developing relationships by adding value from a financial perspective is exemplified in the horse racing sector where it has developed very close relationships with Ascot, Weatherbys, Racecourse Holdings Trust and Northern Racing.

Its strong racing heritage has led to an appreciation of the industry's banking requirements and has led to firmly position it as a key bank for the industry. This partnership with Ascot reinforces the Bank's strategy as a provider of financial services to those connected with racecourses, in terms of corporate and business requirements as well as individuals' wealth management portfolios.

Allied Irish Bank (GB) has been voted 'Britain's Best Business Bank' by the Forum of Private Business six times in succession. This biennial survey looks at the relationship between businesses and their banks, in particular the quality of their people and their operational efficiency. The Bank has proved best in both categories.

As a testament to the Bank's long-standing commitment to staff development, Allied Irish Bank (GB) has been reaccredited with Investors in People status for the third consecutive time, exceeding 90% of the measures set down by the new IiP national benchmark.

Allied Irish Bank (GB) is a trade mark used under licence by AIB Group (UK) p.l.c, a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied Irish Banks p.l.c., which has one of the strongest capital bases of any bank in Britain and Ireland.
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CISCO ANNOUNCED AS NETWORKING PARTNER TO ASCOT RACECOURSE

Ascot Racecourse Limited (“Ascot”), together with Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced Cisco as Ascot’s official Networking Partner, with Founding Partner status.

The terms of the agreement are £1.8m over four years - Cisco will partner with Ascot until and including the 2010 Royal Meeting and will receive Founding Partner privileges throughout the year.

The Founding Partners scheme has been introduced as an opportunity for major organisations with compatible and complementary international profiles to gain a close association with Ascot. Allied Irish Bank (GB) was announced as a Founding Partner in December.

On race days, partner privileges will include advertising in official literature and on Ascot TV and branding - including display of the “ascot. poweredbyCisco” mark.

Throughout the year, Ascot and Cisco will work together to implement joint promotions. Cisco will also benefit from a permanent customer briefing centre and conferencing rights at the racecourse, with associated branding opportunities.

Ascot Racecourse has been closed since September 2004 to undergo its spectacular redevelopment, the most extensive of its type ever seen in Europe. On May 27th the racecourse will reopen, incorporating a Cisco intelligent network infrastructure, implemented in partnership with Redstone Converged Solutions.

The new technology at Ascot will enhance the customer experience and improve efficiencies for various parties including media and staff. At the heart of the Ascot technology solution is the Cisco IP network, which integrates voice, data and video communications through a wireless network, all of which will be crucial as Ascot seeks to establish itself as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment venues.

The technology will drive improvements for both the racegoers and the business. For example, the wireless network will be used by the Tote for some 500 mobile betting stations and will also effectively turn the racecourse into a wireless hotspot allowing visitors to access local information and the Internet. Furthermore the thousands of contract staff who provide catering and cleaning services will also be connected to the wireless network via PDAs, enabling them to provide a faster service and to reduce inefficiencies in the management of supplies.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “Our relationship with Cisco enables us to introduce technology which will, in due course, transform the racing experience for our customers. It is an extremely important deal for Ascot and we look forward to breaking new ground together.”

Nick Earle, vice president, Cisco Systems said: “The Ascot redevelopment is really exciting, not just for what it delivers today but for the opportunities it offers in the future. This is a great example of how Cisco can deliver real change and innovation to a business. Ascot is now at the cutting edge of technology and a natural place for Cisco to showcase its own leading technology solutions.”

For further information:
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive, Ascot, 07711 880123
Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations, Ascot, (01344) 878524 / 07771 791449
Samantha Burrough, PR & Communications Manager, Cisco Systems, 020 8824 4652

NOTES TO EDITORS
Ascot Racecourse – Redevelopment
In July 2004, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead granted planning permission for a major redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse in September 2004.

Having been run at York in 2005, Royal Ascot will return to its Berkshire home this year and run from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June. The official opening of the racecourse will take place on the first day of the Royal Meeting. Racing will also take place on Saturday 27th May and details of that fixture will be confirmed in due course.

The new Grandstand has been designed by HOK Sport+Venue+Event, whose portfolio also includes the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Ascot Racecourse aims to set a new standard for the way that people will go racing in the UK.

About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document or Website are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.
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SONY ANNOUNCED MAJOR VENUE AGREEMENT WITH ASCOT

ASCOT TO REOPEN WITH 1000 SONY HDTV’S Branded Finish Line with starting stalls driving behind.

Ascot Racecourse Limited (“Ascot”), together with Sony United Kingdom Limited, today announced a major technology agreement with Sony, making Sony the third major company to form a strategic founding agreement with Ascot. The announcement closely follows the informal opening of the racecourse on Saturday May 27 following its major redevelopment.

The renovated Grandstand will include 1,000 indoor and outdoor High Definition TV (HDTV) screens from Sony. The displays will deliver betting information and High Definition content, in addition to promotional material. The purchase of the screens enables the Ascot venue to be ready to offer high definition output as networks adopt the broadcast technology.

The agreement structure (also called “Founding Partners scheme”) has been introduced by Ascot as an opportunity for major organisations with compatible and complementary international profiles to gain a close association with Ascot. Allied Irish Bank (GB) and Cisco Systems have both also been announced as participants.

Ascot Racecourse has been closed for redevelopment since September 2004 - the most extensive project of its type ever seen in Europe. The official reopening by Her Majesty the Queen will take place on June 20th, the first day of Royal Ascot 2006.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “As we near the formal opening of our redeveloped racecourse next month we are thrilled to announce this new and important agreement with Sony. We chose Sony for two reasons, firstly, we knew that they would have the ability to deliver on a project of this size and secondly they showed us outstanding products with a proven track record.”

“High definition digital signage is growing in importance for world-class venues and Ascot are the first in their field to adopt high definition screen solutions,” comments Paul Hennessy, Director Sony Professional Solutions UK. “Digital signage is an elegant and impactful way to put across information. It’s a perfect solution for the new and improved Ascot facilities as the quality of the on-screen information for race goers will be far superior”.

Sony is a leader in digital signage supplying products for some of the largest venues in Europe major retailers. With the Retail, Transport & Venues division, Sony has created a team of specialists with the skills and experience to provide digital signage and network video monitoring solutions to commercial customers such as shopping malls, stadiums and transport operators.

For further information:
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive, Ascot, 07711 880123
Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations, Ascot, (01344) 878524 / 07771 791449
Emma Cantrill, Sony PR, (01932 816701) / 07788 757377 emma.cantrill@eu.sony.com

Ascot Racecourse – Redevelopment
In July 2004, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead granted planning permission for a major redevelopment of Ascot Racecourse in September 2004.

Having been run at York in 2005, Royal Ascot will return to its Berkshire home this year and run from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June. The official opening of the racecourse will take place on the first day of the Royal Meeting.

The new Grandstand has been designed by HOK Sport+Venue+Event, whose portfolio also includes the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Ascot Racecourse aims to set a new standard for the way that people will go racing in the UK.

About Sony Corporation
Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the World’s Leading Consumer Brands. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 53.43 billion (yen 7,160 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 and it employs approximately 151,400 people worldwide.

In Europe, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.03 billion (yen 1,613 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 134 to the EUR. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center in Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company's European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 8.87 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Sony United Kingdom Limited is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation.
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For further information on Founding Partner Sponsorship please contact Janet Walker, Finance & Commercial Director, on 08707 227227.