Samsung Signs On As Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games Prestige Partner

Samsung signed on as a Prestige Partner for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, continuing its long-term commitment to the Chinese market following its successful participation as an Official Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Manatase Annawat, business group leader - Corporate Marketing, Thai Samsung Electronics said that Samsung agreed to become a Prestige Partner for the Mobile Telecommunications Hardware, Audio Visual Equipment and White Goods product categories at a signing ceremony in Guangzhou, attended by representatives of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and the President and CEO of Samsung Group Greater China.

"It is a great honor to have Samsung Electronics join us as a Prestige Partner of the 16th Asian Games, the region's largest sporting event," said Xu Ruisheng, executive deputy secretary general, The Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC).

"Samsung brings to the Asian Games deep experience in supporting and managing major international sporting events and I am confident Samsung's participation and support will lift the Guangzhou Asian Games to new heights."

Under the sponsorship agreement, Samsung will receive the Asian Game designation and logo usage, venue branding opportunities and present the official Samsung MVP Award to the Games' most popular athlete. The company will also operate a spectator pavilion at the main venue and a media lounge within the official Media Center in Guangzhou.

With the opening ceremony in Guangzhou just over two years away, Samsung aims to use the Asian Games platform to build on its successful sponsorship of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games and enhance its brand preference throughout China.

"Samsung will draw on its experience as one of the leading global supporters of the Olympic and Asian Games movements over the past 20 years, and work closely with GAGOC to make this the most successful Asian Games in history," said Keun-Hee Park, president and CEO of Samsung Group, Greater China.

"As an official partner in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Samsung was able to grow its share of the Chinese mobile phone market from 14.7 percent last year to about 21 percent this year. Through our support for the Guangzhou Asian Games, we hope to further enhance our brand preference and increase the market share of Samsung mobiles, LCD TVs and other flagship products throughout China,"

Samsung Electronics first supported the Asian Games as a local sponsor for the Seoul event in 1986. The company then signed on as a Prestige Partner for the Bangkok 1998 Asian Games and extended this partnership through to include Busan, Doha and now Guangzhou.  Samsung is the only global corporate sponsor to have supported four consecutive Asian Games.

The Guangzhou Asian Games will be held from November 12-27, 2008.