Oxford, 15 April 2003. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team today announced a
groundbreaking sponsorship agreement with GlaxoSmithKline's smoking
cessation brand, NiQuitin CQ®.
NiQuitin CQ® is the UK's leading nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product,
and is clinically proven to double a smoker's chance of successfully giving up.
GlaxoSmithKline's strategy for the sponsorship is to promote awareness of the
NiQuitin CQ® brand in an environment more traditionally associated with protobacco
messages.
Mark Dickinson, Marketing Manager for NiQuitin CQ® commented, "We want to
make giving up smoking using NiQuitin CQ® more aspirational and exciting, and
Formula One provides a perfect means to that end. This is a perfect opportunity to
inspire millions of smokers who have been bombarded with pro-tobacco
messages through Formula One for decades."
The BMW WilliamsF1 Team Principal, Frank Williams said, "GlaxoSmithKline's
historic move into Formula One is excellent news for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team
and the sport as a whole. With the impending ban for tobacco sponsorship
looming, it is highly appropriate that a smoking cessation product is taking its
place."
GlaxoSmithKline employs over 100,000 people in 39 countries, and in 2002
reported sales of £21.2 billion ($31.8 billion) and profit before tax of £6.5 billion.
GSK's mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do
more, feel better and live longer. Headquartered in the UK and with operations
based in the US, the new company is one of the industry leaders, with an
estimated seven per cent of the world's pharmaceutical market.
For further information, please visit www.gsk.com and www.NiQuitincq.co.uk.
- The BMW WilliamsF1 Team and drivers will introduce this new relationship
with NiQuitin CQ® to accredited media at Imola on Thursday April 17 at the
team's Paddock Club suite. Please see Silvia Hoffer for a formal invitation and
details of the photocall and presentation.
- NiQuitin CQ is a registered trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of
companies.