Ross strikes gold in Olympic success

8:10pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

Businessman Ross Horsman has more reasons than most to be thrilled with Britain’s Olympic success.

Products by Mr Horsman’s company have adorned boats sailing to gold in the regatta and the rowing along with Team GB’s record-breaking Olympians.

They have also adorned the athletes’ village in Beijing and other sites in the Olympic city.

Mr Horsman runs the Show Off media company which clinched a £30,000 contract with the British Olympic Association to help design and produce Team GB’s marketing and branding materials for the Beijing Olympics.

Mr Horsman, who launched his business three years ago, won the contract as a result of sending a Christmas card to the BOA, for whom he had worked on the Athens Olympics in 2004 when with a previous employer.

He said: “The only person to respond to me sending a Christmas card was a marketing manager from the BOA who was impressed with the design. She said she was looking for contractors to produce promotional and branding materials for the Beijing Games.”

As a result, Ross has managed the design, production and supply of a wide range of Team GB materials including flags, posters, logos and large graphic displays.

The logos appeared on the side of the victorious Great Britain rowing and sailing boats. They are also on show around the Olympic village, on branded vehicles and TV sets, and at all the major events featuring Team GB athletes.

Anne Blake, of the British Olympic Association, who worked with Show Off Media on the project, praised the firm.

She said: “They have been superb. They have worked to budget, delivered on time and come up with some terrific ideas to meet a very specific branding brief.

“It has been extremely enjoyable to work with people who are professional and efficient.”

Mr Horsman said winning the BOA contract had helped put his business on the national stage.

He said: “This is a huge feather in the cap for the business as it proves we are trusted by large international players in our field. To win this contract with my own company after working with the BOA previously when working elsewhere is really satisfying. It’s an honour to be involved with such a prestigious project.”

Show Off Media is due to move to larger premises in Calverley in the autumn.

The company is a major contractor to the world’s largest manufacturer of gymnasium and fitness equipment.

It designs and installs zonal displays in gyms and recently completed a contract at the gym at Sheffield United Football Club. Other work has included displays at Murrayfield, home of Scottish rugby union, and for Scotland Sport’s training centre at Largs where athletes will prepare for the 2012 London Olympics.

Mr Horsman uses a wide range of local suppliers and sub-contractors, including 3D and graphic designers, joiners, steelworkers and other craftsmen on major displays and exhibitions.

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