Microsoft Named Official Sponsor Of Rugby World Cup
Microsoft has been named an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011, to be held this fall in New Zealand. As part of the deal, Microsoft will supply technology for Rugby’s showcase Tournament. A suite of software and cloud product services, valued at $2 million according to ComputerWorld, will be available to the Tournament’s key stakeholders including Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010, Windows Server, SQL Server, SharePoint Server and SharePoint Online.
Microsoft will employ its Silverlight technology, which will provide an online viewing experience for fans around the world through a highly cost effective content distribution system.
"Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted to announce that Microsoft New Zealand has joined the impressive list of Sponsors for Rugby World Cup 2011. The appointment of a world leader in the software and technology field further underlines the enormous attraction and prestige of the Tournament in the global sporting calendar," said RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset.
"We look forward to working with Microsoft to further the promotion of the Game as we count down to Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and what promises to be another memorable chapter in the Rugby World Cup success story." Paul Muckleston, Managing Director, Microsoft New Zealand added: “Rugby World Cup 2011 is set to be the biggest international sporting event in New Zealand’s history, from both an economic and tourism point of view. The number of international visitors anticipated to attend the Tournament means as Kiwis this is our chance to showcase our country. Microsoft is very proud and excited to be involved.”
“Our Microsoft colleagues in Rugby playing nations around the world are buzzing about the sponsorship, and we look forward to providing a memorable and uniquely Kiwi experience to all those visiting New Zealand. The Tournament will have access to some of our latest technology, such as Silverlight, that will enable fans who are unable to travel to New Zealand to view matches and match highlights online.”
Other Rugby World Cup 2011 sponsors include: Emirates Airline, MasterCard, Heineken, ANZ, DHL and Société Générale as Rugby World Cup 2011 Worldwide Partners; Brancott Estate, Toshiba, Land Rover and Microsoft as Official Sponsors; Licensing in Motion and RTH as Master Licencees; Canterbury as Official Sportswear Supplier; Gilbert Rugby as the Official Ball Supplier; Russell McVeagh as Official Law Firm; KPMG as Official Tournament Supplier of accounting and tax advisory service and Coca-Cola as Official Soft Drinks Supplier.
