The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with the London costume character company, Rainbow Productions. Rainbow manufactures costumes and manages the personal appearances of Wenlock and Mandeville, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots.
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The company originally translated the now famous Wenlock and Mandeville designs into walkabout mascots ahead of their debut public appearance on 19 May 2010 at a school in Tower Hamlets, London. Since then, they have been used widely at schools all over the UK as part of ‘Get Set’, the London 2012 education programme and have also supported sponsors, licensees and retail partners through a series of nationwide appearances.
LOCOG Head of Licensing Simon Lilley commented, “We are delighted to welcome Rainbow Productions to our licensee family. They have already worked with us over the last year to help us drive our vision to inspire young people to choose sport and we look forward to working with them between now and Games-time. This deal will enable us to continue engaging people, young and old using Wenlock and Mandeville as they continue their journey to London 2012.”
Rainbow Productions was also the mascot providers to the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.