Welcoming the world

London will have the biggest opportunity to sell itself to a media hungry for stories about the host city, on an hour-by-hour basis, and across every continent – 200 countries in total. This will provide the canvas upon which a picture can be created about our wonderful capital city, for the world to see.

To this end, Mark Howell, Director – 2012 Games at Visit London, is currently planning a London Media Centre (LMC) to cater for the needs of the written, broadcast and digital journalists. The non-accredited media, as they're referred to, do not specifically cover sport (which is the accredited media's remit) and are actually looking for stories that go on around the host city during Games time. The colour stories, attractions, heritage and cultures are just part of the offering we will make to the world's media through a programme of themed activity. Key messages and editorial highlights that stimulate coverage will be thought of in order to promote London as it's never been done before.

The LMC is currently being planned in the Westminster/Southbank area with a "hub and spoke" approach to the delivery. The LMC will be the distribution point for material, but the city will be the backdrop for press conferences and activities. Real examples of the London story will be showcased in different parts of the capital, on each day of the Games.

In addition, the LMC will have some great broadcast positions set up around the city, with iconic backdrops giving various locations in London the chance to receive international coverage in the media.

The LMC venue is scoped to service up to 3,000 media and Visit London is currently speaking to media desks from around the globe to hone the offering and identify the key areas that we can build the programme around to deliver the broadest coverage.