The London 2012 bid makes shortlist

The London 2012 Olympic bid is through to the shortlist of candidate cities of the International Olympic Committee. The news comes as the team unveils its latest ad to support the bid to host the Olympics in London, which shows gymnast Ben Brown on the recently completed Swiss Re building. The print and poster ad is the third of the bid’s ‘Leap for London’ advertisement series, which have included other London landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the London Eye. M&C Saatchi handles advertising for the bid. The London bid is now the second favourite to win, according to bookmaker William Hill, just behind nearest rival Paris. Other cities on the short- list include Madrid, Moscow and New York. The news also triggers &£6m of sponsorship money to help promote the Olympic bid during the next phase of campaigning (MW last week).