Philippe Baudillon, CEO of Paris 2012, commented: "This is an important and progressive step for Paris 2012. We want to internationalise our Bid. Therefore we are looking for the world's best Public Relations partners to help us listen to and converse with our audiences across the globe. However everything that we plan to do will adhere to the IOC bidding rules on when and how we can use international PR."

"It is also a pre-emptive move so that we can be better prepared for the subsequent phases of the Bid process if Paris makes the International Olympic Committee [IOC] shortlist in May 2004."

As early as March 2004

Under EU tender law, Paris 2012 could appoint their international PR agencies as early as March 2004.

It is expected that the selected agencies will work very closely with Publicis, a French-owned international agency that has been appointed by Paris 2012 to handle communications for the domestic market.