Archive for December, 2009

For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup™, the action on the field at next year’s tournament will be broadcast using the next-generation technology 3D. FIFA  announced that it had signed a media rights agreement with Sony, an official FIFA Partner, to deliver 3D images from up to 25 matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. To this end, FIFA will use the best expertise available in its production in 3D, and take advantage of Sony’s technologies and knowhow in the area of 3D.

This groundbreaking deal means that viewers watching the matches on Sony’s 3D products will experience the sheer immediacy and visual clarity of the action as if they were on the pitch themselves. FIFA is working on whether a live right will be offered in the coming months.

“This propels the football fan into a whole new viewing dimension and marks the dawning of a new era in the broadcasting of sport,” said FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke. “We are proud that the FIFA World Cup can serve as a platform for advancing technology and the viewing experience, and are truly fortunate to have Sony as a partner in this endeavour.”

“The transition to 3D is underway, and, we, at Sony, intend to be leaders in every aspect. Our sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup allows us to leverage our cutting-edge 3D technology and premier products with dazzling content to produce a unique and totally compelling viewing experience. 3D viewers around the world will feel as though they are inside the stadiums in South Africa, watching the games in person,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation.

Sony Pictures Entertainment will produce and distribute the official 3D film of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ after the event.

The FIFA Organising Committee approved today the procedure for the Final Draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, which will be held in Cape Town on Friday 4 December. The seeding was based on the October 2009 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking (which you can see by clicking on the link to the right), and Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina and England are therefore the seven squads that join hosts South Africa as seeded teams for the Final Draw.

The committee also approved the composition of the other pots as well as the procedure for the final draw:

• Pot 2 will be composed of teams from Asia (Australia, Japan, Korea DPR, Korea Republic), North, Central America and the Caribbean (Honduras, Mexico, USA) and Oceania (New Zealand)

• Pot 3 will include teams from Africa (Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria) and South America (Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay)

• Pot 4 will have the remaining European teams (Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland)

• hosts South Africa will be automatically positioned as A1; the other seeded teams will be drawn into the other groups B-H, but will always be in position “1” of their group

• groups will be drawn from A to H and the positions in the group will be drawn for Pots 2 to 4

• geographical criteria will also be respected, meaning that no two teams from the same confederation will be drawn in the same group (except European teams, where a maximum of two will be in a group). For example, South Africa cannot play the African teams from Pot 3 and Argentina and Brazil cannot be drawn against the three remaining South American teams.

McDonald’s Most Comprehensive Activation Features Exclusive Player Escort Program(TM), Innovative Online Games, In-Restaurant Activities, Team Sponsorships and Youth Clinics

McDonald’s announced its most comprehensive FIFA World Cup global sponsorship featuring an array of consumer-focused programs that will engage football fans around the globe. World Cup 2010 marks McDonald’s fifth time as an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of the tournament.

McDonald’s promises to bring the excitement of the world’s most-watched sporting event to life for millions of customers and employees in its 32,000-plus restaurants in more than 100 countries.

“We’re committed to providing our customers with numerous ways to participate in the excitement and passion of FIFA World Cup South Africa,” said McDonald’s Global Communications Vice President Bridget Coffing at today’s international media briefing. “From specially-themed menu items, packaging and restaurant promotions to innovative digital activities, community youth clinics and team sponsorships, our goal is to connect our customers like never before with FIFA World Cup.”

As strong supporters of McDonald’s Player Escort program, French football legend and 1998 World Cup winning team member Marcel Desailly and South African football hero John “Shoes” Moshoeu joined McDonald’s today to share their experiences on one of McDonald’s most inspiring World Cup initiatives. Through this exclusive McDonald’s program, 1,408 children (ages 6-10) are provided the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the tournament and walk hand-in-hand onto the pitch with their football heroes. Children will be selected by participating countries through activities that encourage them to be active and inspire their creativity. During the tournament, McDonald’s Player Escorts will tour cultural sites in South Africa, cultivate new friendships and experience the thrill of FIFA World Cup(TM).

“I am truly honored to be involved with McDonald’s Player Escort program,” said Desailly. “Through this initiative, McDonald’s gives children a life-changing opportunity and I’ve personally witnessed the positive impact of this experience.”

Moshoeu added, “Here in South Africa, McDonald’s Player Escort program made hundreds of dreams come true during the Confederations Cup 2009. I have been so touched by what this McDonald’s program does for our children and their families.”

As part of today’s kick-off, McDonald’s also unveiled its online games exclusively featured on www.FIFA.com. McDonald’s new FIFA World Cup Predictor game connects global online football fans who use their knowledge and skills to predict which of the 32 FIFA World Cup(TM) teams will win game by game and round by round. With McDonald’s returning FIFA World Cup Fantasy Football game, football fans create their own digital teams of World Cup players. Both games will offer exclusive prizes throughout and at the conclusion of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM).

Additionally, McDonald’s announced that a new McCafe is being built in the International Media Center (IMC) next to Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Opening in June 2010, the McCafe will feature a variety of specialty coffees and food choices for international and local media.

“We look forward to hosting the thousands of customers and media who will come to South Africa next year,” said Greg Solomon, Managing Director of McDonald’s South Africa. “We also will be part of the thrill leading up to the World Cup as our 130 local restaurants sponsor community activities throughout the country.”

More than 1,000 McDonald’s Player Escorts will be selected from South Africa. As host country, McDonald’s South Africa will also sponsor the McDonald’s Fan Dancer program, which provides young South African women, ages 16-25, with the unique opportunity to perform cheering routines at select matches during the 2010 World Cup(TM).

For video from today’s media briefing visit www.thenewsmarket.com/Mcdonalds. For more information and images visit www.aboutmcdonalds.com — click on Members of the Press/Electronic Press Kit. Images will also be featured at www.gettyimages.com/mcdonalds.

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Background

McDonald’s has been a supporter of football at both the global and grassroots levels for more than 25 years. McDonald’s became an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of the FIFA World Cup(TM) in 1994 when the tournament was played in the United States.

Source: McDonald’s