Microsoft Appointed Rugby World Cup 2011 Official Sponsor

from IRB.com:

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced the appointment of Microsoft New Zealand as an Official Sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2011.

The worldwide leader in software services and solutions will supply its range of market-leading technology for Rugby’s showcase Tournament, which will be played in New Zealand from September 9 to October 23, and joins a multinational inventory of major commercial partners.

Under the deal Microsoft’s technology will enhance the experience for Rugby fans around the world as well as those attending the Tournament. Leading software and cloud product services will be available to the Tournament’s key stakeholders including Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2010, Windows Server, SQL Server, SharePoint Server and SharePoint Online.

Another exciting enhancement will be the provision of Microsoft Silverlight technology which will provide a unique 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.”

The announcement of Microsoft as Official Sponsor further enhances the multinational flavour of commercial partners for Rugby World Cup 2011. The inventory comprises: 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.

Notes to Editors:

About Rugby World Cup: Rugby World Cup has provided the financial platform for investment and growth in the Game. The net RWC 2007 surplus of £122.4 million has underwritten a range of major funding initiatives, including annual national Union grants and Strategic Investments via the £48 million programme between 2009-2012 focusing on increasing competition across the global Game. The total invested by the IRB during the period will be £150 million.

Rugby World Cup 2011 in Zealand will be attended by over 1.6 million spectators and watched by a global TV audience of well over 4 billion in more than 200 countries.

About Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.