Finally, it's official, CanWest signs deal to spin Olympics

The Vanoc partnership announcements keep coming fast and furious. Recently, we had Vancouver International Airport touted as the “official airport” for the 2010 Winter Games, then BC Hydro being welcomed as an "official supporter" of the games to “provide the resources to supply clean power for the Games."

Now comes word that CanWest Publishing Inc. has signed on as an official sponsor of the games, providing "value-in-kind allocation of print and online advertising" in 10 regional daily publications, including the Vancouver Sun, the Province, and the Victoria Times Colonist. In return, says Vanoc, "CanWest will receive exclusive rights in the regional newspaper publisher product/service category for the 2010 Winter Games in addition to the Canadian Olympic team for the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Games."

According to Vanoc, there are three tiers of sponsorship: give $3 million to $15 million and you can call yourself an “official supplier”; give $15 million to $50 million and you’re an “official supporter”; over $50 million and you get to call yourself a national partner. Vanoc’s press release doesn’t reveal to which level of sponsorship CanWest has signed on.

Oh, but don’t worry, notes the release: "The sponsorship is a marketing and advertising partnership and is independent of Canwest’s editorial coverage of the 2010 Winter Games."