FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
25 May, 2005
O2 plc
Wellington Street
Slough, Berkshire SL1 1YP, England
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X...
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82 ________
Enclosure:
Copy of announcement regarding Product Launch sent to the
London Stock Exchange on 25 May, 2005
PR0514
O2 AND ANSCHUTZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP UNVEIL 'THE O2'
AND SIGN EXCLUSIVE MOBILE CONTENT AND MUSIC DEAL
Released: 25 May 2005
O2 today announced a partnership with Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) - one
of the world's leading providers of live entertainment, sport events and
facilities. The two companies will work together to rejuvenate the former
Millennium Dome and the surrounding area, turning it into one of the UK's
premier venues. From today, the facility will be renamed 'The O2' and is set to
open in early 2007.
In addition, O2 customers will benefit from exclusive content from leading
artists and priority access to shows, major sports events and exhibitions. Under
the deal, valued at GBP6 million per year from 2007, O2 and AEG will co-operate
on three key areas. These include:
-Commencing work immediately to bring exclusive music and entertainment
content to O2 phones and devices.
-Offering every O2 customer in the UK, Germany and Ireland VIP membership
privileges at The O2, including priority tickets and upgrades, a members bar
and VIP hospitality lounge; fast track entry and reserved parking.
-Introducing a range of interactive services such as mobile ticketing,
music downloads and event guides via O2's mobile Internet portal, O2 Active,
and the forthcoming i-mode service.
Matthew Key, chief executive officer of O2 UK, said: "Today's announcement
builds on our strategy to deliver an enhanced customer experience and to
strengthen customer loyalty. We have already deployed significant additional
resources into customer-facing areas, including opening a fourth major UK
customer service centre and further expanding the O2 retail network.
"Our partnership with AEG will further help us reward our most loyal customers.
It also leverages our strengths in turning great sponsorships into interactive
partnerships, which have been a big part of O2's success over our first three
years. Whether it's Big Brother, Arsenal Football Club, the England Rugby Union
team, the O2 Wireless Festival or other music events we're involved with, we've
used mobile interactivity to enhance these experiences for customers."
O2 and AEG will work together to create a range of mobile entertainment content
available exclusively on O2 phones and Xda's. Starting now and using content
from AEG hosted and promoted events worldwide, this service will continue after
early 2007 using content from events at The O2.
AEG is the world's second largest live entertainment promotion and touring
company. In the last year acts and/or events it has presented have included: U2,
Elton John, Usher, Paul McCartney, Eagles, Prince, Coldplay, Stereophonics,
Razorlight, the Grammy Awards, the Academy Awards and the New Orleans Jazz
Festival. In addition, AEG is promoting the upcoming worldwide exhibition of the
Treasures of Tutankhamen, premiering on June 15 in Los Angeles.
David Campbell, newly appointed president and chief executive officer of AEG
Europe, added: "In addition to creating the very best venues, AEG's passion is
the promotion and production of music, sport and entertainment programming.
Unlike other arenas, The O2 will be designed for music, offering great acoustics
for the performers and modern facilities for the fans. In addition, the way we
have developed the space allows us to attract world-class sporting competitions
and special events - some that never would have considered London before now. We
are currently finalising our first raft of events for The O2, which we look forw
ard to announcing in the coming weeks and months."
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
The O2
The O2 will be an indoor arena for up to 23,000 fans that will host at least 120
world-class music, entertainment and sport events in its first year of opening.
Within the facility there will be the O2 Music Club with a capacity of more than
2,000 people, a 'bubble' shaped ice rink called the O2 Ice pad, exhibition
spaces and an area for a variety of bars, restaurants, retail and leisure
facilities.
The venue will draw on the strengths of the two partners. O2 brings expertise in
mobile music, sport and entertainment as well as a customer-base of 24 million
in the UK, Germany and Ireland. AEG has a strong track record in creating
successful entertainment destinations and putting on events world-wide. For
example, AEG operates STAPLES Centre in Los Angeles, which hosts more than 250
live events annually and has attracted more than 20 million guests in less than
six years.
O2 plc
O2 plc has 100% ownership of mobile network operators in three countries - the
UK, Germany and Ireland - as well as a leading mobile Internet portal business.
All of these businesses are branded as 'O2'. The company is a founding member of
Starmap Mobile Alliance, has operations on the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and
owns O2 Airwave - an advanced, digital emergency communications service. In
addition, O2 has established the Tesco Mobile and Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venture
businesses in the UK and Germany respectively.
O2 has nearly 24 million customers and some 13,000 employees. It reported
revenues for the year ended 31 March 2005 of GBP6.683 billion. Data represented
26% of total service revenues in the quarter ending 31 March 2005.
Anschutz Entertainment Group
Anschutz Entertainment Group is one of the leading sports and entertainment
presenters in the world. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation,
it owns or operates some of the world's best arenas and theatres, numerous
sports franchises including the Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Kings (NHL) and The
David Beckham Academy, and a collection of companies dedicated to producing,
promoting and presenting world-class live entertainment.
Anschutz Entertainment Group employs more than 3,000 staff in over 45 operating
companies worldwide. Its international head office is at STAPLES Center, Los
Angeles, and its European headquarters is now based in London.
O2 plc contacts
David Nicholas Simon Gordon
Director of Communications Head of Media Relations
O2 plc O2 plc
david.nicholas@o2.com simon.gordon@o2.com
t: +44 (0) 771 575 9176 t: +44 (0) 771 007 0698
Nicola Green
O2 UK
07976 957810
nicola.green@o2.com
All O2 Group news releases can be accessed at our web site: www.o2.com
AEG
Zoe Anderson Toby Burnham
020 7291 6378 020 7291 6383
zoe.anderson@freud.com toby.burnham@freud.com
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
O2 plc
Date: 25 May, 2005 By:___/s/ Robert Harwood___
ROBERT HARWOOD
Assistant Secretary