Cisco and TO2015 Unveil Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - Jul 11, 2014) - Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) -- The Cisco® TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock -- a unique made-in-Canada technological innovation unveiled today in Nathan Phillips Square -- will connect the Games and fans unlike any countdown clock before.

"We're excited to bring the Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock to the heart of downtown Toronto -- the first of its kind in the world -- and it will be an important landmark for local residents and visitors alike to announce the Games are quickly approaching," said Nitin Kawale, president of Cisco Canada.

"But this is more than just a clock," added Kawale, who officially started the clock. "It's a social portal, enabled by the 'Internet of Everything.'"

The Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock, which is decorated in the colourful and dynamic sport pictograms for the TORONTO 2015 Games, features a traditional clock counting down the days and minutes to the start of the Pan Am Games on July 10, 2015, as well as the Parapan Am Games on August 7, 2015 -- but that is where the similarities end.

The second component is an interactive touch-screen kiosk that provides visitors with comprehensive Games information at their fingertips. Using the kiosk's photo app, visitors can take a shot of themselves in Nathan Phillips Square, download the photo with their smartphone, and email it or share it via social media from the clock's photo page at ciscotoronto2015.ca.

"As we come together to celebrate our one-year countdown, it's wonderful that our partner Cisco is giving Toronto this incredible new landmark so that everyone who visits Nathan Phillips Square can share in the excitement and feel connected to the TORONTO 2015 Games," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).

The 5.5-metre tall, two-part structure drew enthusiastic applause from both the children and dignitaries in the crowd today when the clock was "woken" from its slumber by a team of Cirque du Soleil stilt acrobats, Brazilian drummers and breakdancers performing a charivari as two BMX cyclists did tricks around the structure.

The special performance was the official kick off to two days of sport and music festivities celebrating the one-year countdown to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. Taking place today and Saturday at Nathan Phillips Square, the musical acts are part of PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC. For a full schedule of FREE events for the two-day WE ARE PAN AM: One-Year Countdown festival, visit TORONTO2015.org/one-year.