Building blocks helps find ambassadors for London 2012 games

Building Blocks - the Manchester-based consultancy specialising in large-scale web technology projects - is supporting the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s search for 8,000 volunteers for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The consultancy - working with London-based digital agency Cimex - has built the website for the London Ambassadors programme, which is looking for volunteers to be the welcoming face of the capital in 2012.

Located at one of 35 information pods across London, they will provide much needed information including the nearest docking station for London's bike hire scheme, directions to theatres and restaurants, and best routes to take to the Olympic Park and events.

Working under tight time scales, the team had to integrate the sign up and enrolment systems for volunteers with the content management systems of the London Development Agency which is managing the London Ambassador programme on behalf of the Mayor.

The London Development Agency has been impressed with Building Blocks ability to deliver key pieces in a short time frame and their positive approach to providing professional solutions. Since launch the website has performed to the high standards required.

Due to the extensive publicity campaign to raise awareness of the initiative, Building Blocks has also had to build a solution that is capable of responding to massive peaks in traffic and keep details of thousands of volunteers secure.

In addition, Building Blocks has created a daily and weekly management information report system detailing volunteer registration activity, including the dates they are signing up for and areas where they are available, to help the scheme organisers understand where to concentrate further promotional activities.

The consultancy has also created a system where targeted emails can be sent to individuals who have registered or expressed interest to keep them involved and inform them of latest developments and next steps.

Jonathan Whiteside, co-founder and technical director of Building Blocks said: “The London Ambassadors will play a crucial role in London’s welcome for the Games.

“The 8,000 volunteers will be located at one of the many pods across the city for the 52-day period from the Olympics to the Paralympics and in between.

“The website has already received a large number of applications from volunteers since going live - the initiative is proving to be incredibly popular.”

Building Blocks co-founders Jonathan Whiteside (28) and Andy Iddon (34) joined forces in 2007 to establish a consultancy capable of responding to marketers and IT directors’ increasing needs for business critical web solutions which are designed by technical experts with a firm eye on user experience and a reliable deployment track record.

The consultancy’s clients include Italian airline Alitalia, pan-African mobile telecoms company Vodacom, Australian accounting body CPA and the world’s largest supplier of mineral fertilizers Yara International ASA.

Closer to home, Building Bocks works with Warner Leisure Hotels, Butlins and the British Dental Association.

For more information on London Ambassadors and to register go online to www.londonambassadors.org.uk

Application forms will be sent out in January.