The British and Irish Lions travelled to South Africa to take on the Rugby World Cup champions in the summer of 2009 and the Fast Track team were there to ensure the partnership was a huge success for the bank both in the run up to, and during the Tour.  Our brief was to develop a fully integrated plan around the partnership which focused on internal engagement and delivered against HSBC's sponsorship DNA of youth and education via the world's biggest schools rugby union programme across the UK, Ireland and South Africa. An 18 month programme of activity was developed including the creation of an integrated ambassador programme, a multi-channel local, national and international PR plan, and a series of Lions-themed events, dinners and staff engagement initiatives culminating in a VIP inbound corporate hospitality programme where the bank's most important stakeholders travelled to South Africa to enjoy one of the world's most compelling rugby events. The hospitality programme achieved 100% guest satisfaction and over 50% of HSBC's staff felt proud to work for the bank as a result of the sponsorship.