Johnson and Johnson announces media partnership

Healthcare product manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has partnered with the US television group NBC and media specialist iVillage for a new online project, it has been announced.

The firm has entered into a deal with the two companies to create a series of webisodes that will follow the lives of eight athletes as they embark on their journey to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

It is reported that the series, entitled The Family Room, will follow the competitors and their families as they prepare for Olympic qualification across a range of sports.

Football hopeful Tina Ellertson, twin gymnasts Paul and Morgan Hamm, track and field specialists Reese Hoffa and Lauryn Williams, wrestling and judo team members Steve & Katie Mocco and gymnast Chellsie Memmel will be the focus of the webisodes which began on March 2nd.

Johnson & Johnson vice-president of corporate equity and Olympic sponsorship, Owen Rankin, said: “We understand that behind every Olympian who competes in Beijing there is a caring family that helped get him or her there. We’re proud to celebrate that through The Family Room.”

The company announced its position as Official Health Care Products Sponsor of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games in July 2005 as well confirming its commitment as a partner of the 2008 event.