FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAMSUNG AND THE IAAF CREATE NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
Three-Year Agreement Begins with World Championships in August
in Berlin, Extends Through 2010 in Qatar and 2011 in South Korea
May 19, 2009 (Monte Carlo) - Samsung Electronics and the International
Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) today announced a new
three-year agreement, naming Samsung an Official IAAF Partner. Samsung is
also appointed the IAAF's official equipment provider in the categories of
Mobile Telecommunications Hardware, Audio Visual Equipment, Cameras and
Household Appliances.
The new marketing partnership will span the World Championships in Berlin
in August this year; the 2010 World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar;
and the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
Additionally, the Samsung and IAAF partnership encompasses the IAAF
Continental and National Championships programs during the three year
agreement.
"We are delighted to welcome the IAAF to our elite roster of global sports
marketing partners," said Gregory Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of Global
Marketing Operations, Samsung Electronics. "Athletics help to unify
cultures and inspire new levels of personal achievement – the very
qualities that Samsung seeks to realize in our constant pursuit of
innovation and passion for excellence."
Sangheung Shin, President of Samsung Europe, joined IAAF President Lamine
Diack near IAAF's headquarters in Monte Carlo for the announcement.
The new IAAF partnership expands the range and quality of Samsung's
European and global sport platforms, which in the last two decades have
encompassed dozens of engagements, including ongoing support of the Chelsea
football club, and a TOP partnership with the International Olympic
Committee through 2016.
The IAAF partnership also reflects Samsung's increasing commitment to the
EU, the company's largest market. In 2009 alone Samsung is launching
several new cell phone portfolios in the EU and UK, following the
introduction of breakthrough LED flat screen TVs earlier this year.
"This new agreement has great significance. It demonstrates the fundamental
strength and value of the sport of athletics," said Lamine Diack, IAAF
President. "It's especially gratifying that our partnership with Samsung
supports not just the IAAF, but also our Area associations and Member
Federations in a direct manner."
At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Samsung will feature the Samsung
Digital Gallery, a full scale interactive event program enabling athletes,
spectators and media to engage with the latest technologies in LED TV,
Mobile Phones and Digital Cameras.
Samsung's commitment to the IAAF reflects the company's broad investment in
building a sustainable society – one that balances increasing reliance on
technology with equally robust efforts to promote health and physical
fitness. Overall, the IAAF's activities embody Samsung's corporate values
of fair play, passion for excellence, and building of mutual understanding
across different languages, cultures and geographies.
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