Fifa Marketing Signs Philips as 2002 World Cup Sponsor

FIFA has reached an agreement with Philips International BV to become an Official Partner of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

The official ceremony was held today at the Amsterdam ArenA, with Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, and Mr Gerard Kleisterlee, CEO and President of Philips, both on hand to sign the agreement which sees the Dutch-based
international brand lend its support to the first-ever FIFA World Cup to be held on the Asian continent. The company will be occupying a product category including small domestic appliances and lighting products.

Philips has a long-standing history of supporting the FIFA World Cup having been present as a partner since the 1986 competition in Mexico. FIFA is pleased to welcome the company back for its fifth consecutive FIFA World
Cup and the first of the new century.

FIFA has now signed contracts with 14 Official Partners for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, with room to sign one more. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said: ‘The agreement we have reached today with Philips International is further evidence that there is an unparalleled commitment from the world’s leading companies to ally with the FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup is a global event with global brands and a global commitment for FIFA and its Partners.’

Philips is the fourth Official Partner to join the 2002 FIFA World Cup programme since FIFA reorganized its marketing activities through FIFA Marketing AG, which officially began operations little more than a month
ago. ‘This latest deal is further confirmation that the Official Partners believe that the new marketing structure of FIFA is heading in the right direction,’ added President Blatter.

For further information, please contact:

Fifa Media Office
Tel: +41 1 254 9800
E-mail: media@fifa.org