McDonald’s Signs Sponsorship for 2006 FIFA World Cup
McDonald’s Corp. is backing the 2006 FIFA World Cup with a global sponsorship that will include ticket giveaways, online games and new product offerings.
Under the sponsorship, the QSR will highlight the McDonald’s Player Escort Program. Through the initiative, 1,408 children ages six to 10 from 35 countries will have a chance to experience the thrill of playing the fields with some of the world’s best soccer players. Participating countries include the U.K., France, Mexico, Japan, the U.S. and South Africa.
“McDonald’s is committed to children’s well-being and to providing unique experiences for our customers everywhere,” said Johan Jervoe, VP-marketing for McDonald’s Germany and head of sports for McDonald’s Europe, in a statement. “The Player Escort Program has been one of McDonald’s most successful sports programs since it began in 2002 at the FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. We are extremely delighted to be able to offer this program worldwide.”
As part of the sponsorship, McDonald’s will give away 2006 FIFA World Cup tickets through in-restaurant promotions, media tie-ins and employee incentives.
During the 2006 FIFA World Cup, McDonald’s will offer special food-themed soccer products. In additional, following its FIFA Confederations Cup 2005, the QSR will offer Salads Plus products at concession stands at all 12 venues.
McDonald’s has served as the exclusive global sponsor and official partner of the FIFA World Cup since the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., 1998 in France and 2002 in Korea.
In addition to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, McDonald’s is the top sponsor and official restaurant of the sponsoring the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. That sponsorship features a variety of initiatives, including locating two official Olympic venue McDonald’s restaurants in the Torino Olympic Village and the worldwide debut of McDonald’s nutrition information on packaging and McDonald’s Olympic Champion crew (Xtra, Nov. 8).
