Olympic Sponsor Dow Completes DuPont Merger -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) The merger of chemical giants Dow and DuPont is complete.

Beginning Sept. 1 the new company is known as DowDuPont.

Dow, the official chemistry company for the IOC since 2010, is a member of the worldwide sponsorship program up to 2020. The company has used the Olympics to spotlight its products and solutions in the realm of sustainability. It has supplied its products to organizing committees, such as an elastomer wrap applied to the exterior of the Olympic stadium.

There will be no change in Dow's IOC branding, according to a company spokesperson.

The impact of the $138 billion merger on the sponsorship remains to be seen. Dow chairman Andrew Liveris, who led Dow to the Olympics, will be executive chairman of the new company.

Dow Chemical and DuPont said on Friday the companies had successfully completed their planned $130 billion merger to form DowDuPont.

Shares of DuPont and Dow stopped trading at the close of Aug. 31 and will now trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "DWDP."

Dow and DuPont announced the merger in December 2015.

Yili Signs on as Official Partner for Beijing 2022

Another week, another sponsor for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee (BOCOG) unveiled Yili as the Official Dairy Products Partner on Wednesday.

Yili, the number one dairy group in Asia, held a similar sponsorship role for the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

"Yili has a history partnering with the Olympic Games and Paralympics," Pang Gang, Board Chairman and President of Yili, said in a statement.

"We will commit to promote the development of winter sports and advocate a healthy lifestyle for all."

Yili joins the Bank of China and Air China on Beijing 2022’s commercial program. Air China signed on last week.

Beijing 2022 says the Official Sports Apparel Partner will be announced soon.

XXXX Gold Named Official Beer of Gold Coast 2018

XXXX Gold is the official beer of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

One of Australia’s most popular beers, XXXX Gold is produced in Queensland by Castlemaine Perkins, which is owned by Lion.

It will be the second time that XXXX has been a part of a Commonwealth Games. It was the official beer of the Brisbane games in 1982.

As the official beer and cider of the Games, brands from across the XXXX family will be available not only at the venues but also at various festival zones throughout the Gold Coast and event cities.

"The Games are more than just 11 days of world class sport. Outside of competition there are a number of ways to enjoy the Games experience including Festival 2018 and the associated arts and culture festival. XXXX will bring the GOLD to the Gold Coast," Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman Peter Beattie said in a statement.

Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips said Lion’s partnership with GC2018 would include the Australian Team.

"While our athletes are focused on performance, it is the atmosphere and the celebration that surrounds a home Commonwealth Games that makes it extra special for all involved and I’m sure XXXX will play a big part in that by allowing Aussie fans to take in the Gold responsibly."

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games run from April 4 to 15.

Written by Ed Hula andGerard Farek

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