Sir Keith Mills to tell Olympic bid story at IDM Annual Lunch
Released 19 January 2006: This year’s IDM Annual Lunch on 24 February will see International President and CEO of London 2012, Sir Keith Mills F IDM, reveal the inside story on London’s winning bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. The former Air Miles and Nectar mastermind will describe the 2-year campaign in which he and Lord Coe finally persuaded the IOC to award the Games to London over the long-standing favourites, Paris.
Knighted in the New Year Honours list for his services to sport, Sir Keith’s efforts, alongside Lord Coe, now KBE, resulted in arguably the biggest marketing success of 2005. Sir Keith said of the win: “London beat Paris 54 votes to 50 in the last round to win the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This took one-to-one marketing to a new level".
Caroline Robertson, the IDM’s Membership Director adds: “This was a triumph of one-to-one skills, dedication and professionalism; every one of us would love to have participated! We’re delighted that Sir Keith has agreed to share this unique experience at possibly the most significant networking event of the year.”
The IDM Annual Lunch regularly attracts the most talented and accomplished individuals from the direct and digital marketing profession: Fellows of the Institute, decision-makers, innovators - market leaders from all sectors. Always a sell-out event, previous speakers have included General Charles Krulak of MBNA; ex-MI5 chief Dame Stella Rimington and Ken Livingston, now Mayor of London. It is at its Annual Lunch that the IDM announces the year’s new Honorary Fellowships and the IDM Educator of the Year.
The venue for the 2006 event is the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square with individual tickets priced at £95 + VAT for IDM members and £115 + VAT for non-members.
About Sir Keith Mills
Having founded the Air Miles International Group in 1988, Keith Mills went on to mastermind one of the biggest brand launches in UK history. The Nectar Programme, is now the chosen loyalty scheme for brands such as Sainsbury, BP, TalkTalk, American Express and Debenhams. He was awarded an IDM Fellowship in recognition of his extraordinary achievement.
In 2003 Keith was appointed International President and CEO of London 2012 and led the team of over 100 professionals who were tasked by the Government, the GLA and the British Olympic Association, to deliver the ultimately successful bid for London to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012. In the 2006 New Year Honours he was awarded a knighthood for his services to sport.
Note to editors
For more information contact Juliet Hilditch on 020 8614 0229 or email juliethilditch@theidm.com.
