June 2009 Archives

World soccer's greatest prize will spread excitement in Houston on May 2nd, 2010 when the FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola takes an unprecedented journey around the world in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM).

The Coca-Cola Company and FIFA, soccer's world governing body, recently announced details of the route which will span 86 countries during the 225-day tour and allow thousands of fans around the globe to see the real solid-gold trophy in person.

The Trophy Tour, which will begin its journey from the FIFA Headquarters on September 21, 2009, will travel around the world before arriving in the host country of South Africa on May 4, 2010. The total distance the tour will travel is 134,017 kilometers (83,274 miles) or more than three times the circumference of Earth. The Tour was developed through an exclusive partnership between FIFA and Coca-Cola, a FIFA Partner and one of the organization's longest-standing corporate partners.

During the Trophy Tour, fans will be given the chance to enjoy a rare close-up view of the authentic FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy. Free tickets to the 2009/10 Trophy Tour will be made available to consumers via Coca-Cola promotions in countries on the route. At events in each city, fans will have the opportunity to have a souvenir photo taken of themselves with the trophy, view a special 3-D movie showcasing memorable moments of the FIFA World Cup, participate in interactive displays and enjoy other entertainment. Countries and dates of the route are subject to change.

"Fans will have the opportunity to personally experience part of football's biggest event when we bring the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola back to the U.S.," said Reinaldo Padua, assistant vice president, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. "Due to the growth of the Hispanic population and the popularity of soccer in the U.S., the 2010 FIFA World Cup provides Coca-Cola with a unique opportunity to connect with the new multicultural America, from Hispanic males to Soccer moms. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola is the beginning of a very exciting 2010 FIFA World cup U.S. program."

"We're delighted to be partnering with Coca-Cola again to stage the FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy Tour," said Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General. "This year's tour will excite and inspire even more fans by allowing them to get closer to the greatest prize in world football."

The 2009/10 FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy Tour draws on the huge success of the first global Trophy Tour held in 2006. In 2006, the tour visited 31 cities in 29 countries, covering 102,570 kilometers (63,734 miles) with millions of fans around the world enjoying the chance to have a closer look at football's most famous prize.

The authentic, FIFA World Cup(TM) is awarded to the winning nation at each tournament. The iconic trophy measures 36.8 centimetres (14.5 inches) high, weighs in at 6,175 grams (13.61 pounds) and is made of solid, 18-carat gold. The winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a replica that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite, whiles the bottom side of the Trophy bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974.

The Coca-Cola Company has had a formal association with Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) since 1974 and an official sponsorship of FIFA World Cup(TM) that began in 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup(TM) since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels, from grassroots to the FIFA World Cup(TM).

Coca-Cola North America's 2009-2010 FIFA World Cup program will offer consumers the opportunity to experience the World Cup up close and personal. From in-store activations and special packaging to the Trophy Tour and all the way to South Africa, Coca-Cola will play an essential role in helping fans enjoy the excitement of the World Cup. The Coca-Cola World Cup program is designed to provide occasions for fans to celebrate and refresh themselves after every goal and every victory.

These efforts are part of the Company's continuing commitment to revitalize the U.S. sparkling beverage category by sharing moments of happiness through each of its marketing programs. The 2009-2010 FIFA World Cup and FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will be supported by a fully integrated marketing and advertising campaign featuring both traditional and non-traditional media, including television, radio, digital, out-of-home, and point-of-sale.

Yankees on YES to launch with Yankees-Twins game on Wednesday, July 8

Major League Baseball announced today it will launch this July a landmark pair of in-market subscription products, including Yankees on YES, to deliver live games online within their respective home broadcast territories. Upon launch, these will be the only live in-market streaming products in professional sports to include games with local broadcast television deals.

"These agreements are an important part of our global effort to give fans greater access to our game," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "It is important that fans in local markets have portable flexibility to stay connected to their favorite team if they can't be at the ballpark, and I believe this represents a significant step in that direction."

MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, has entered into a partnership with the YES Network and Cablevision to provide eligible Cablevision customers throughout the Yankees home broadcasting territory with access to YES Network Yankees telecasts live on their computers. The offering, which will be implemented through an authentication process managed by Cablevision and MLBAM, will be available exclusively to Cablevision customers who subscribe to the Family Cable (expanded basic) level of television service and Optimum Online.

The Yankees on YES package, available for a one-time fee of $49.95 for the remainder of the season or $19.95 for any 30-day period, is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, July 8 at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) with the YES Network's Yankees-Twins broadcast. Beginning immediately, eligible Cablevision subscribers can review FAQs for the product and purchase Yankees on YES at Yankees.com, YESNetwork.com and Optimum.net.

Major League Baseball became the first professional sports league to make every game available online for out-of-market fans in 2003 and since that time has delivered over 250 million live video streams. It now is also the first to make this number of live games available online for fans living in a home team territory such as the Yankees.

A second in-market live game streaming product is expected to be announced the week of June 29.

SOURCE MLB

PUMA(R) Golf athlete and newcomer to the LPGA tour Anna Nordqvist won her first Major on Sunday at the McDonald's LPGA Championship at the Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

The 22 year-old, Swedish born Nordqvist, who signed with PUMA Golf in March 2009, shot a 4- under 68 on Sunday to beat Lindsay Wright and Ji Yai Shin who finished second and third, respectively. Nordqvist won wearing the PUMA Golf Stretch Tech Skort, the PUMA Golf Polo, the PUMA Scramble shoe with Smart Quill technology and the Cat Wristband.

"What an exciting first Major for Anna. She carried the day. All of us at PUMA are thrilled to be a part of her LPGA debut win," said Bob Phillion, Business Unit Manager, PUMA Golf. "Something tells me this is more than just beginner's luck. Anna has proven she's a strong competitor, who brings new energy to the tour. PUMA has a history of scouting up and coming talent; Anna is one such rising star. We can't wait to see just how far she will go."

Playing in only her fifth tournament on the LPGA tour, Nordqvist won by four strokes. Nordqvist finished at 15-under 273 in the tournament's final stand. After watching her five-shot lead dwindle to one, Nordqvist sank a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 14 and clinched her first career victory with a 35-foot putt for birdie on No. 15. Throughout tournament play, she remained calm, collected and consistent--in this case, the recipe for success. Or perhaps it was the PUMA wristbands that imbued her with Wonder Woman-like powers on the course.

Nordqvist is just the fourth Swede in history to win a Major. Prior to turning pro in December of 2008, she was one of the world's highest ranking amateur players. In 2008 alone, she won the Ladies British Amateur, Sweden's World Amateur Team Championship and the Ladies European Team Championship. Nordqvist attended Arizona State University where she secured twenty Top 10 finishes in a total of twenty-four college tournaments, was named First Team All American in 2007 and 2008 and graduated with a number one ranking among amateur players overall.

PUMA entered the golf category in 2006, immediately catching the eye of golfers with their vibrant, stylish, fun and always modern world of golf. Since 2006, PUMA Golf has exploded and continuously expands its product selection to include fashion pieces driven by sport and technology, always focusing on making the golfer look better, feel better and play better. The PUMA Golf Collection worn by Anna Nordqvist is currently available at lifestyle boutiques, select golf specialty and green grass retailers and PUMA Concept Stores worldwide. For more information visit www.puma.com or golf.puma.com.

SOURCE PUMA North America, Inc.

Tennis legend Andre Agassi, a favorite among fans and players throughout his 20+ year career, will appear at The Kennedy Funding Invitational, a charity tennis tournament to raise awareness and funding to fight breast cancer. The fourth annual event will be held July 8-12 at Dellwood Country Club in New City, NY. In addition to Men's and Women's tournaments, the Cole Schotz Celebrity Match has become a highlight of the annual festivities. The Celebrity Match will be on Sunday, July 12 at 4:00 pm.

A limited number of tickets are available to the Andre Agassi match at $100 each. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Seating is limited and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the tournament matches are free and can be obtained by visiting the tournament's official website at www.thekennedyfundinginvitational.com.

In just its first three years, The Kennedy Funding Invitational has raised $3 million to benefit The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and the Breast Center at Nyack Hospital. Past participants in the Celebrity Match have included former tennis greats Pete Sampras and John McEnroe.

This year, Agassi takes the spotlight at The Kennedy Funding Invitational. Known for his aggressive play and flamboyant style, Agassi was a favorite among fans and players throughout his 21-year career, winning an Olympic Gold Medal and a total of 68 titles. He is one of only five male players to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles and the only men's player to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles on three different surfaces. He was ranked the Number 1 player in the world during both 1995 and 1999 and consistently ranked among the top 10 throughout his career. Now retired from competition, he is focused on the work of his Foundation. The Andre Agassi Foundation is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. At the center of the Foundation's mission is the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a K-12 charter school located in Las Vegas' most socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhood. More information is available at www.agassifoundation.org

To find out more about becoming a sponsor, or for information on tickets for the tournament matches, please visit www.thekennedyfundinginvitational.com.

SOURCE The Kennedy Funding Invitational

3 guys, 1 bike, 100 days, 13,000 miles, 65 cities

A mission to fight world hunger

Three Reverends on a 13,000-mile ride on a one-of-a-kind triplet bamboo bike are stopping in New York City June 10-12 as part of their nationwide trek to fight world hunger.

The Lutheran ministers are raising visibility, awareness and $5 million -- one dollar for every pedal stroke of their journey. "We're riding to remind people that hunger exists everywhere; not just in poor countries, but right in your own backyard," Rev. David Twedt said. "The money we raise will help people right here in America, along with those less fortunate overseas."

By the time they get to New York, the Reverends Ron Schlak Jr., Fred A. Soltow and David A. Twedt, all from West Virginia, will have pedaled thousands of miles in 29 days. They left Chicago on May 13 and will finish in Minneapolis on August 20 after visiting 65 cities, 31 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

In New York, the Reverends are holding events to bring attention to the hungry and help local churches raise community awareness in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Westchester.

"It's especially important for all New Yorkers to help people in need during these tough economic times," Rev. Twedt said.

As part of the trek, donations are encouraged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal, which can be made by going to www.tourderevs.org.

Schedule Highlights

Wednesday, June 10

• 11:00 a.m. - Greet 180 elementary students and visit weekend food pantry at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island (309 St. Paul's Ave.)
• 4:45 p.m. - Times Square (pedestrian mall/walkway - 47th to 42nd Street)
• 7:00 p.m. - Dinner/presentation at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church (155 E. 22nd St.) about daily lunch program for senior citizens

Thursday, June 11

• 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Meal for the homeless and distribution of food from the pantry at Trinity Lower East Side, (602 E. 9th Street)
• 2:00 p.m. - Arrive at St. John's/St. Matthew's/Emanuel (283 Prospect Ave., Brooklyn) to discuss feeding program for seniors
• 5:00 p.m. - Travel to Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd (7420 4th Ave., Brooklyn) for evening meal/presentation from Good Shepherd, a partner in South Brooklyn Interfaith Coalition for Health and Wellness.

Friday, June 12

• 9:00 a.m. - Travel to Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bronx (Rev. Paul Block) to hear about food pantry program.
• 10 a.m. - Travel to Westchester

SOURCE Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal