LAW firm DWF has been appointed by the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool to advise on sponsorship agreements for the city’s latest big attraction.
The centre, which incorporates the Echo Arena Liverpool, was at the centre of the Capital of Culture celebrations at the weekend by hosting Liverpool, The Musical, featuring Ringo Starr, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and a cast of hundreds of well known and up and coming talents.
Situated in the Kings Dock, the ACC Liverpool includes the state-of-the-art arena capable of seating over 10,000 people and will host many more key events throughout 2008.
The site also boasts a convention centre with seating for 1,350 delegates, a suite of break-out spaces and a multi-purpose hall suitable for exhibitions, banquets and other events, which will open on April 11.
The ACC is owned by Liverpool City Council and run by a council-owned management company.
DWF has already advised on a contract with BT over naming rights to the convention centre and is currently working on the agreement with newspaper group Trinity Mirror, publisher of the Daily Post, under which the arena is now known as the Liverpool Echo Arena.
Other contracts drawn up include E.On plc, as well as major drinks manufacturers.
The team acting for ACC Liverpool includes partners Paul Attwood and Laurence Pritchard, associates Rob Sheldon and Linda Gibbons, and solicitor Alicia McCaffrey.
Between them, the team have advised on sponsorship of the Bupa Great North Run by Princes Ltd through its Aqua Pura Brand, and advised Aintree Racecourse on sponsorship of the Grand National by John Smith’s.
They have also acted for Burtons Foods in character merchandising agreements for the I'm a Celebrity Get me Out of Here television programme, and on its arrangements with Manchester United on the use of the club's and players' images and logos on various products.
Liverpool based partner, Paul Attwood, who is leading the team, said: “We are delighted to be advising ACC Liverpool, which will play a central role in the Capital of Culture programme. The appointment recognises our experience in acting for well-known venues, our in-depth knowledge of the area and the needs of public sector clients. It also shows that Northern law firms can compete with City firms in terms of expertise on high-profile projects such as this.�