Hill & Knowlton, one of the world's leading communications consulting firms, has been named as the communications consultant for the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

Hill & Knowlton, which was established in 1927 and is part of WPP Group plc, defeated seven other communications agencies to win the bid.

According to the deal, Hill & Knowlton will help BOCOG implement the communications plans for the 2008 Olympics by providing support for major events, communications support to international media and assistance in communicating Beijing's Olympic vision.

"Hill & Knowlton will partner with us to help provide world-class services to the media and communicate the vision of the Beijing Olympic Games," said BOCOG executive vice-president Jiang Xiaoyu.

"Their expertise and capabilities will complement the resources we already have."