MasterCard kicks-off World Cup 2002 sponsorship activity
Waterloo, Belgium (ots)
MasterCard World Cup spokesman Pelé announces plans for the World's largest 'Viewing Party'
MasterCard cardholders across Europe "will not miss out" Fans travelling to Japan and Korea guaranteed MasterCard service throughout World Cup
MasterCard International - a top tier sponsor for the FIFA 2002 World Cup, has announced its sponsorship plans for the championship, key to which will be the hosting of the world's largest World Cup Final 'Viewing Party' to be held in Southern Europe.
Speaking after the World Cup 2002 Draw in Busan, Korea, Pelé said, "With the draw over, plans can now be made for the teams and their supporters alike. Europe's done a fantastic job at hosting the last two FIFA championships, which doesn't mean to say that its' fans need miss out when the action shifts to Japan and Korea next June. Our determination is for as many European MasterCard cardholders, more than 73 million, to know that football really is 'on the cards'. Afterall, it's the people's game and our ambition is to 'bring the people to the game and the game to the people'."
The MasterCard sponsorship approach kicks off with two key goals
- The first will be to reassure those cardholders lucky enough to be travelling to Japan or Korea that they will be able to access their money - no matter where and when.
- The second focuses on a number of initiatives run in conjunction with member banks across Europe. Well over 73 million cardholders will have the opportunity to take advantage of a series of World Cup related activities, the most important of which will be the chance to win an all-expenses paid weekend for two in southern Europe and tickets to the world's largest Cup Final 'Viewing Party'.
The MasterCard 'Priceless Viewing Party' will coincide with the Cup Final weekend with the match broadcast live to approximately 600 guests, in a setting which will attempt to bring to Europe just some of the excitement from the Yokahama stadium in Japan.
"Whether our cardholders are lucky enough to travel to support their teams or not, MasterCard will be behind them all the way" said Peter Hoch, Director and CEO of Europay International, MasterCard's partner in Europe. "Our aim is to ensure our cardholders get the most out of lifes' priceless moments. In sponsorship terms, this means more than just placing our logo around a football pitch. It means reaching out to existing and potential cardholders around the world, particularly here in Europe, with initiatives that bring them closer to their game.
"Moreover, we take our sponsorship role seriously and in 2002 we will be looking to build upon the decade of experience we have as a key FIFA sponsor. What MasterCard brings to football as a World Cup sponsor is second only to what the Championship itself brings to its enthusiasts around the world." concluded Peter Hoch.
As an additional part of its official sponsorship, MasterCard will be offering an interactive website designed to bring football fans from around the globe closer to the World Cup action next summer. Locally adapted versions of this new website, to be officially unveiled during the FIFA World Cup Draw in Busan, Korea, will initially launch in Japan (www.mastercard.co.jp) and Korea (www.global.mastercard.com/kr), while a global English language version can be found at (www.mastercard.com/fifaworldcup). The site's focus on community, entertainment and information offers something for everyone.
As a component of its overall alliance with FIFA, MasterCard is implementing regional and global card usage initiatives to benefit FIFA's charity of choice, UNICEF. MasterCard cardholders worldwide will have an opportunity to assist UNICEF via purchases made online at www.fifaworldcup.com next year.
In addition, the MasterCard 2002 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, a program implemented with FIFA to determine the top players of the tournament, will benefit UNICEF via donations made by MasterCard in honour of the selected All-Stars. Through the end of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, MasterCard will have donated approximately $1 million through several programs, including a number of FIFA World Cup themed initiatives.
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Fact Sheet
If you're in Japan and Korea
MasterCard is the most widely accepted credit card in Japan with more than 2,400,000 merchants across the country accepting MasterCard to pay for goods and services. In Korea this figure is doubled, with more than 5,600,000 shops, hotels, restaurants and other merchants all accepting MasterCard.
Accessing your money via an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine)
If it's yens you're after then one of the easiest ways is to use your MasterCard or Cirrus card to draw out cash just as easily as you would do at home.
In Japan, well over 22,000 ATMs are available in post offices and around major train stations, major department stores, and banks.
In Korea there are near to 2,000 ATMs available. They can be found in most subway stations including every major subway station in Korea's capital, Seoul. Also, the Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), one of Korea's largest banks, provides MasterCard ATM service at all of its 340 branches. By December 2001, Kookmin Bank will install MasterCard ATMs at all of their 600 branches. MasterCard publishes the exact location of its ATMs in free travel magazines, such as Korea Rainbow and the Beetle Map Experience Korea.
ATM locator - check on the web before you go
Once you know the address of your hotel in either Japan or Korea, access the "ATM locator" on the MasterCard website (www.mastercard.com) to obtain the exact location of your nearest ATM during your stay.
Global Service Number
24 hours 7 days a week, you can contact the Global Service Desk for emergency assistance if your MasterCard card is lost or stolen. In Japan, call: (toll free) 00531-11-3886 In Korea, call: (toll free) 0079-811-887-0823
Note to the Editor:
MasterCard International has a comprehensive portfolio of well-known, widely accepted payment brands including MasterCard(, Cirrus(, and Maestro(. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 20,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is a leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasteCard's award-winning Priceless( advertising campaign is now seen in 80 countries and in more than 40 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. With more than 22 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard card. At June 30 2001, gross dollar volume exceeded US$458 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at http://www.mastercard.com.
MasterCard & the FIFA World Cup
MasterCard International began its alliance with FIFA World Cup in 1990 as the Official Card and Official Product Licensee of Italia 1990. Based on the success of the original sponsorship platform, MasterCard elevated its stature by signing on as an Offical FIFA Sponsor of a comprehensive package of tournaments played around the world that culminates with the FIFA World Cup. Since then, MasterCard has been an Official Sponsor of 1994 FIFA World Cup (USA), 1998 FIFA World Cup (France), and the 1999 Women's World Cup (USA).
Europay International, headquartered in Waterloo, Belgium, is Europe's leading payments organisation, dedicated to providing a tailored product range and support services to its more than 9,000 Member banks. At present, 283.2 million cards (Eurocard(r)-MasterCard(r), Maestro(r), Cirrus(r) and eurocheque) provide European and global debit and credit card services, and offer cash access to Europe's largest network of more than 305,500 ATMs in 43 countries. Through its alliance with MasterCard International, over 600,000 ATMs and close to 21 million retail locations worldwide accept Europay products. Europay's website at www.europay.com gives a detailed view on the company's products and services and shows how Europay offers its Member banks both support and leadership on issues including virtual commerce, chip technology, security & risk management, and the advent of the euro.
Contact:
Louise Herbert
Press Manager
Tel. +32/2/352'56'47
Fax +32/2/352'57'32
E-Mail: Clhe@europay.com
Martine Prim
European Sponsorship PR
Tel. +32/2/352'52'37
Fax +32/2/352'56'45
E-Mail: Map@europay.com