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Information & Assistance for Media Around the 2012 Games

  • 18 Jul 2012
Tower Bridge Olympic Rings. Credit and copyright 1080 Media

With less than two weeks to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Britain’s national tourist board VisitBritain has produced a wide number of guides and materials especially for media covering the spectacle.

Useful for all media

Top 12s – Lists of the Top 12 things to see and do in all the regions and main cities throughout Britain, including all the places which are hosting some of the London 2012 sporting competitions. The Top 12 lists cover the main attractions and experiences around each venue, giving website and press contact information as well.

Itineraries – A choice of one, two, three or four day itineraries for any media contacts looking to explore or write about Britain’s many and varied regions, from the graceful Cotswold’s countryside to the coast of Wales.

Faces of Britain
- A guide to British spokespeople from all corners of the country who are available for media interviews on what they love about Britain

International Faces of Britain
- Britain is a diverse mix of cultures, this guide provides contact details for people from a vast array of different countries that have chosen to make Britain their home.

Media guides to GREAT Britain - A series of comprehensive guides for international media on Britain's Countryside, Culture, Food, Heritage, Music, Shopping and Sport. These guides have been produced especially for international media seeking information on Britain. They contain copyright free story ideas, sample features and images, as well as useful press contacts.

Team USA: Britain BoundVisitBritain USA teamed up with the U.S. Olympic Committee to send seven Olympic and Paralympic Champions to explore the best of the host nation prior to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Fans can experience the UK through the eyes of their favorite athletes as well as gain tips on where to go and what to do on their next trip to Britain. A-roll and B-roll videos are available for media use.

Especially for Broadcasters

2012 Media Guide: Broadcasters Guide to Britain - An essential manual for any broadcasters looking to film in Britain with information on everything from permits required to the best locations to capture those iconic shots.

Short films & B roll – a selection of high definition B-roll footage of dozens of destinations around the UK, including all the towns and cities that are hosting the 2012 Games. Plus 35 short ready-scripted films which cover all the Games host cities and other iconic destinations and which are available entirely free of charge for use in your programming.

Especially for Media who are visiting Britain this summer

2012 Media Guide: Media Offers – Destinations and businesses throughout Britain and Northern Ireland have joined forces to offer over 750 complimentary or heavily discounted offers for visiting media, covering accommodation and dining to train travel and theatre tickets.

Media Tours & Events – During the 2012 Games VisitBritain and its strategic partners in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland have organised over 50 events, day trips or overnight tours to enable journalists to experience the very best of Britain. This programme is offered completely free of charge to bona fide media contacts at the relevant organising body’s discretion.

All of these guides and information can be downloaded from VisitBritain’s online media centre at www.visitbritain.com/media. Media should also register on the London Media Centre www.londonmediacentre.org.uk - a website specially created to provide digital assets and media information on everything happening in London and around the UK in relation to the 2012 Games.

For more information contact:

About VisitBritain

  • VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, is responsible for inspiring the world to explore Britain and for developing the UK’s visitor economy.
  • Americans made 2.8 million visits to Britain in 2012 and spent $3.7 billion USD (£2.4 billion). The US remains in the top spot in terms of market value for inbound tourism and is one of the top three most important markets in terms of visitor numbers. 
  • Visitors traveling to Britain can find out more information from visitbritain.us plus purchase money and time saving local transport, sightseeing, attraction, theatre and tour tickets from visitbritainshop.us 
  • Follow us on Twitter @VisitBritain, Pinterest (VisitBritain) and Facebook: LoveUK & LoveUK Film & TV