Football Legends Join Mcdonald's(r) To Announce Fifa 2010 World Cup South Africa(tm) Sponsorship Pro

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3rd December 2009, 02:20am - Views: 762





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MEDIA RELEASE PR37366


Football Legends Join McDonald's(R) to Announce FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa(TM)

Sponsorship Programs


CAPE TOWN, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --


           McDonald's Most Comprehensive Activation Features Exclusive

Player Escort Program(TM), Innovative Online Games, In-Restaurant Activities,

                     Team Sponsorships and Youth Clinics



    McDonald's today announced its most comprehensive FIFA World Cup global

sponsorship featuring an array of consumer-focused programs that will engage

football fans around the globe. World Cup 2010 marks McDonald's fifth time as

an Official Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of the tournament.


    McDonald's promises to bring the excitement of the world's most-watched

sporting event to life for millions of customers and employees in its

32,000-plus restaurants in more than 100 countries.


    "We're committed to providing our customers with numerous ways to

participate in the excitement and passion of FIFA World Cup South Africa,"

said McDonald's Global Communications Vice President Bridget Coffing at

today's international media briefing. "From specially-themed menu items,

packaging and restaurant promotions to innovative digital activities,

community youth clinics and team sponsorships, our goal is to connect our

customers like never before with FIFA World Cup."


    As strong supporters of McDonald's Player Escort program, French football

legend and 1998 World Cup winning team member Marcel Desailly and South

African football hero John "Shoes" Moshoeu joined McDonald's today to share

their experiences on one of McDonald's most inspiring World Cup initiatives.

Through this exclusive McDonald's program, 1,408 children (ages 6-10) are

provided the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the tournament and walk

hand-in-hand onto the pitch with their football heroes. Children will be

selected by participating countries through activities that encourage them to

be active and inspire their creativity. During the tournament, McDonald's

Player Escorts will tour cultural sites in South Africa, cultivate new

friendships and experience the thrill of FIFA World Cup(TM).


    "I am truly honored to be involved with McDonald's Player Escort

program," said Desailly. "Through this initiative, McDonald's gives children

a life-changing opportunity and I've personally witnessed the positive impact

of this experience."


    Moshoeu added, "Here in South Africa, McDonald's Player Escort program

made hundreds of dreams come true during the Confederations Cup 2009. I have

been so touched by what this McDonald's program does for our children and

their families."


    As part of today's kick-off, McDonald's also unveiled its online games

exclusively featured on www.FIFA.com. McDonald's new FIFA World Cup Predictor

game connects global online football fans who use their knowledge and skills

to predict which of the 32 FIFA World Cup(TM) teams will win game by game and

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round by round. With McDonald's returning FIFA World Cup Fantasy Football

game, football fans create their own digital teams of World Cup players. Both

games will offer exclusive prizes throughout and at the conclusion of the

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM).


    Additionally, McDonald's announced that a new McCafe is being built in

the International Media Center (IMC) next to Soccer City Stadium in

Johannesburg. Opening in June 2010, the McCafe will feature a variety of

specialty coffees and food choices for international and local media.


    "We look forward to hosting the thousands of customers and media who will

come to South Africa next year," said Greg Solomon, Managing Director of

McDonald's South Africa. "We also will be part of the thrill leading up to

the World Cup as our 130 local restaurants sponsor community activities

throughout the country."


    More than 1,000 McDonald's Player Escorts will be selected from South

Africa. As host country, McDonald's South Africa will also sponsor the

McDonald's Fan Dancer program, which provides young South African women, ages

16-25, with the unique opportunity to perform cheering routines at select

matches during the 2010 World Cup(TM).


    For video from today's media briefing visit

www.thenewsmarket.com/Mcdonalds. For more information and images visit

www.aboutmcdonalds.com -- click on Members of the Press/Electronic Press Kit.

Images will also be featured at www.gettyimages.com/mcdonalds.


    McDonald's FIFA World Cup Background

    McDonald's has been a supporter of football at both the global and

grassroots levels for more than 25 years. McDonald's became an Official

Sponsor and the Official Restaurant of the FIFA World Cup(TM) in 1994 when

the tournament was played in the United States.


    About McDonald's South Africa

    McDonald's South Africa has 130 restaurants operating in nine provinces.

McDonald's is committed to the success of South Africa's markets, employing

more than 7,000 South Africans and ensuring that 80 percent of food served at

McDonald's restaurants is produced locally. Please visit



    About McDonald's

    McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than

32,000 local restaurants in more than 100 countries. About 80 percent of

McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by franchisees.

Please visit www.aboutmcdonalds.com to learn more about the Company.


    (c) 2009 McDonald's


    FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    Soraya Garcia, McDonald's

    +1-630-400-4014

    Soraya.Garcia@us.mcd.com


    Molly A. Lynch, GolinHarris

    +1-312-282-7153

    mlynch@golinharris.com


Source  McDonald's

    CONTACT: Soraya Garcia of McDonald's, +1-630-400-4014,

Soraya.Garcia@us.mcd.com; or Molly A. Lynch of GolinHarris, +1-312-282-7153,

mlynch@golinharris.com

    LOGO:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO




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