Press
Press Release
06/01/2006
Costa Blends Coffee And Literature As New Sponsor Of The Whitbread Book Awards
COSTA BLENDS COFFEE AND LITERATURE
AS NEW SPONSOR OF THE WHITBREAD BOOK AWARDS
Costa Coffee, the UK's fastest-growing coffee shop chain, has today announced a new sponsorship deal to take over the prestigious Whitbread Book Awards. The 2006 awards will be known from today as the "Costa Book Awards".
This marks the first time that Costa has entered the sponsorship market; and both Costa and the Book Awards are this year celebrating their 35th anniversary.
Created in 1971, the Whitbread Book Awards were established to celebrate the most enjoyable books of the year by writers based in the UK or Ireland, and have successfully developed into one of the foremost and most prestigious literary awards in the UK.
The Costa Book Awards will take place in late January 2007 at a central London location. Costa will continue with the same format as in previous years with five categories: First Novel, Novel, Biography, Children's Book and Poetry.
The 15 category judges - three judges per category - have been appointed and include author and broadcaster, Kate Adie and author, Sophie Kinsella*. Entry forms have this month been distributed via the Booksellers Association who will continue to undertake the administration of the Costa Book Awards with the book trade. Closing date for publishers to submit entries is Wednesday 28th June 2006.
Comments John Derkach, Managing Director, Costa: "This is the perfect match for the Costa brand as there is a very natural association between books and reading and the UK's growing coffee culture. We have always offered readers the chance to take time out to enjoy both these pleasures in our stores - many of which are located in bookshops."
He continues: "As Costa goes from strength to strength, in the UK and abroad, the Book Awards will add tremendous value to the Costa brand. All in all it's great news for our team members, our partners and of course our customers."
Anna Glover, Communications Director, Whitbread plc said: "We announced our decision last December to find a new sponsor for these highly successful and popular Awards. We received offers from numerous interested parties, so we are thrilled that Costa has decided to adopt a sponsorship strategy. Whitbread has developed and nurtured these Awards over the past 35 years and the team at Costa share our vision for this valuable and prestigious book prize."
Tim Godfray, Chief Executive, Booksellers Association said: "It's great news that The Awards have found such a vibrant and enthusiastic new sponsor and we're delighted to continue our administration of the prize. The Booksellers Association has enjoyed a long and successful association with the Awards and have seen them go from strength to strength, so this continuity is particularly heartening."
A new identity is in place for use on all Point of Sale material including a new logo that combines Costa's coffee heritage with reading and literacy, as well as a new website www.costabookawards.co.uk.
* A full list of all fifteen judges is attached
For further press information, pictures or interview requests, please contact:
Dionne Parker, Head of Press, Costa:
T: 01582 844 346 / 07748 321557
Anna Glover, Communications Director, Whitbread:
T: 01582 844244 / 07747 766958
For further information on entries please contact:
Tim Godfray, Chief Executive, Booksellers Association:
T: 020 7802 0802
Notes to Editors:
About the Book Awards: The total prize fund for the Costa Book Awards is ?50,000. The Award Winners from the five categories - Novel, First Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book - each receive ?5,000.
The overall Costa Book of the Year is selected from the five category Award winners with the winner receiving a further ?25,000. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in central London in January 2007.
About Costa Founded by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa is the UK's market leading coffee shop brand. With over 400 stores in the UK and plans to develop a further 300 outlets by 2008, Costa has enjoyed a remarkable period of growth since it opened its first store and is now the UK's fastest growing coffee business
Costa's in-store baristas are all coached in the art of coffee making at the company's unique Costa Coffee College. The College is based at its own roastery in Lambeth, London - where Costa's coffee beans are slow roasted using a traditional Italian method to give the smooth distinctive, Costa flavour.
As pioneers of caf? culture in the UK, Costa inspired the creation of popular and convenient concessions stores in locations such as Waterstones and Ottakars bookstores, and BAA outlets. A welcome respite for shoppers to relax, unwind and enjoy a revitalising cup of coffee crafted the Italian way.
About Whitbread Whitbread PLC is the UK's leading hospitality company, managing market leading businesses in the hotels, restaurant and health and fitness sectors, including Premier Travel Inn, Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Costa, T.G.I. Friday's and David Lloyd Leisure, and a strategic investment in Pizza Hut (UK). Whitbread's strategy is to create value for our shareholders by focusing investment and growing in expanding sectors of the hospitality industry, primarily in the UK but also in selected overseas markets.
In the financial year to March 2, 2006, Whitbread generated profit before tax from continuing operations of ?181.1m. Founded in 1742, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (as WTB.L) and is a member of the FTSE4Good indices.
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