Co-Operative to be title sponsor of The Variety Club Showbiz Awards
The Variety Club Showbiz Awards has signed The Co-operative as its title sponsor.
The event, which takes place in November, will see The Co-Operative extend its current relationship with the charity, which already includes selling Gold Hearted badges within its stores as one of several fund raising initiatives.
As a result, the event will now also include a special prize known as The Co-operative Inspirational Young Talent Award. This will see the company’s customers encouraged to vote online and through an in-store campaign, for the four nominees - JLS, Doctor Who actor Matt Smith, Diane Vickers or Diversity, with the talent receiving the most votes collecting their award on the night.
Channel Five will broadcast the event, which will include bespoke idents airing during the show, red carpet and podium branding as well as sponsor mentions.
Liz Matkin, The Co-operative’s head of sponsorship, said: “Taking title sponsorship of The Variety Club Showbiz Awards is a natural extension for The Co-operative.
"We have partnered with The Variety Club since July 2009 which has already seen a number of successful campaigns including the recent Gold Hearts appeal with Alesha Dixon as the face of the badges and the donation of a number of Sunshine Coaches to schools across the UK who really need help."
John Sachs, chairman of The Variety Club Showbiz Awards, added: “The Showbiz Awards are a significant event for The Variety Club in terms of raising awareness of our charity.
"We’re privileged to get the support of so many celebrities in attendance on the night and are delighted to be able to honour the most talented individuals from the world of entertainment. We’re very excited that The Co-operative has extended our relationship by taking title sponsorship this year - together we can continue our great work and we will make a huge difference to so many children, young people and their families.”