CHICAGO 2016 RELEASES INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS
CHICAGO (March 29, 2007) – The Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee (Chicago 2016) released two made-for-television public service announcements (PSAs) today. The PSAs, created in partnership with Leo Burnett and Downtown Partners, serve to continue Chicago 2016’s campaign to communicate the unique opportunity Chicago has to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.
One version of the PSA highlights significant events that have occurred in preceding centuries, namely, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the World’s Fair of 1933, ending with the statement, “Looks like it’s time for another event of the century.”
“Our intent in developing these ads was to share the enthusiasm with Chicagoans about what it might be like to host the world in our City,” said Mark Mitten, executive producer of the spots and director of Chicago 2016's legacy efforts. “Just like the Columbian Exposition and the World’s Fair are considered defining moments in Chicago’s history, the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will once again bring the world to our backyard and help define Chicago’s future.”
The second PSA displays a number of sentences in foreign languages with the appropriate translation beneath. For example, in Arabic a question reads, “Have you been to the Art Institute yet?” The PSA ends with the statement “Get ready. We may host the Olympic Games.”
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will elect the U.S. applicant city for consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on April 14, 2007. A final decision by the IOC will be made in October 2009.
About the Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee
The Chicago 2016 Exploratory Committee is an Illinois not for profit corporation (which has applied for status as a 501(c)(3) corporation) whose mission is to seek, on behalf of the City of Chicago, the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The Committee’s Board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Its honorary chairmen are Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO. (City of Chicago, U.S. Bid City, 2016 Olympic Games. www.chicago2016.org)
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