Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Special Olympics announced the launch of a three year, global partnership naming Starwood Hotels as the exclusive hotel sponsor of Special Olympics and the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai.

"As a socially responsible corporate citizen, Starwood is proud to partner and support organizations like the Special Olympics that embrace inclusion and provide programming that truly changes people’s lives," said Steven J. Heyer, Chief Executive Officer for Starwood Hotels, who is also an active member of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics. "This unique global sponsorship will help increase public awareness of the Special Olympics, enhance our corporate social responsibility mission and further strengthen our brand presence in important travel markets and diverse local communities."

The sponsorship includes financial and in-kind support from Starwood. In addition, Starwood will broadcast Special Olympics public service announcements on its internal television channel in its hotels.

In connection with the new partnership, Starwood has launched a cause-related marketing campaign with Special Olympics. Starwood will donate US$50 dollars to Special Olympics for every Westin Heavenly Bed, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed and Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed sold through Starwood retail channels, up to US$150,000, until June 30, 2007.

"The partnership between Starwood and Special Olympics exemplifies two organizations working together to create mutual value," said Bruce Pasternack, Special Olympics President and CEO. "This partnership encompasses brand alignment, employee engagement, cause marketing value, and relationship value. It clearly demonstrates Starwood's belief that our movement will have an impact on the bottom line of their business."

The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Shanghai and the event will mark the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they will be held outside the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 World Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every region of the world.

Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 24 different Olympic-type sports: aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cricket, cycling, Dragon Boat racing, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, judo, kayaking, powerlifting, roller skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and the Motor Activities Training Program.

As corporate social responsibility is becoming an increasingly visible corporate metric, a partnership with Special Olympics can prove to be strategic and valuable to a corporation.

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