Visa to sponsor Planet Rugby during 2003 World Cup

by Steve Guy,, Brand Republic 11-Sep-03, 08:00

LONDON - Visa International, global sponsor of the Rugby World Cup 2003, is to sponsor Rivals Digital Media's rugby website, Planet Rugby, during the international tournament.

Visa's four Rugby World Cup ambassadors -- John Eales, Francois Pienaar, Zinzan Brooke and Gavin Hastings OBE -- will feature on the site as downloadable virtual desktop icons. Clicking on the icons will provide the user with news, statistics and live scores throughout the duration of the World Cup in Australia next month.

Advertising formats across the site will include banners, buttons, towers and skyscrapers, and the Visa symbol will feature on Planet Rugby's homepage.

Users of Planet Rugby's shop making a purchase will also receive a 5% discount off their next buy. Live chats with Visa's ambassadors during the tournament are planned and tickets will be given away in various competitions.

Karen Hughes, senior vice-president of brand management Visa EU, said: "The internet will be a vital information source for rugby fans across the world, but especially in the UK given the time differences involved."

England's first game is against Georgia in Perth on Sunday October 12 at 8pm local time, 1pm in the UK.

Visa is one of the world's leading payment brands generating $2,400bn (£1,511bn) in annual card sales. Rivals Digital Media was formed by the merger of Rivals.net and 365 Corp in December 2001.

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