Hyundai Signs Sponsorship Deal With FIFA

Seoul March 2, 2005; Kim Sung-jin writinfg for the Korea Times reported that Hyundai Automotive Group has signed an eight-year official sponsorship agreement with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Hyundai Motor said Wednesday that its vice chairman Kim Dong-jin and FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter signed the official partnership contract at the 75th Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday.

Under the agreement, as an official partner, Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors will have main sponsorship rights for all FIFA events between 2007 and 2014, including the 2010 and 2014 World Cup finals.

Hyundai is the second company following Adidas of Germany to clinch the eight-year official partnership deal with FIFA. The German sporting goods manufacturer signed the official partnership contract with FIFA last January.

Only six companies can join FIFA’s official partnership, which grants rights to sponsor entire football games organized by the international football organization during the eight-year period, whereas eight companies can become official sponsors for World Cup finals.

The automotive business group is also sponsoring the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals to be held in Germany as an official partner.

``I am very proud to be able to welcome yet another trusted partner back on board as FIFA launches into a new era,’’ Blatter was quoted as saying by Hyundai Motor.

``Hyundai and Kia share our deep-rooted passion for the game of football as well as a commitment to developing the sport around the world and through all walks of life,’’ he added.

Hyundai vice chairman Kim said the carmaker will exert all-out efforts on assisting FIFA as an official partner.

``I believe sponsoring the world-class football event is a great opportunity for Hyundai to grow into a global automaker,’’ said Kim.

Hyundai did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

The nation’s largest carmaker expects to reap promotional effects of over 8 trillion won from sponsoring FIFA events over the next eight years. It is estimated the automaker earned more than 6 trillion won in 2002 by sponsoring the Korea-Japan World Cup finals as an official partner.

From 2007, Hyundai will be able to use the FIFA logo and mascot in its worldwide marketing campaigns and advertisements and put up billboards in soccer stadiums, maximizing its brand exposure to global football fans.

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