Swatch to Sponsor Beach Volleyball World Tour
Lausanne, Switzerland, Feb. 27, 2003 – The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and SWATCH, the world’s leading designers and manufactures of timing devices and wristwatches, have signed a major sponsorship agreement whereby SWATCH becomes title sponsor for the Beach Volleyball World Tour.
In keeping with SWATCH’s innovative reputation, the deal goes beyond mere financial support to include timing and technical innovations like the supply of electronic scoreboards and electronic measurements of speed of service etc., features that that will increase public and media interest in rapidly growing summer sport.
'We know Beach Volleyball is a magic mix of sport and entertainment and it is enjoying phenomenal growth in many countries, so we are very happy to welcome an international partner of the quality of SWATCH,' said FIVB President, Dr. Rubén Acosta.
'The energy and lifestyle of Beach volleyball is a perfect fit with what Swatch is all about,' said Michele Sofisti, President of Swatch. 'We have been involved in the sport on different levels for many years. This global agreement is a natural progression of that involvement.'
SWATCH executives told the FIVB during the negotiations that they are convinced that Beach Volleyball is now the most popular summer sport, and they were also committed to a massive public relations and communication campaign to further enhance its image. The company, which has a huge international profile and is a 'watchword' in many countries, will also produce a special Beach Volleyball SWATCH watch and be present at all events with points of sales and merchandising activities.
'The phenomenal success we enjoyed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games has created a wave of popularity in many countries,' said Angelo Squeo, FIVB Beach Volleyball Coordinator. 'We welcome SWATCH as our partner and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with them to further develop the sport. Beach Volleyball is definitely on the brink of becoming one of the world’s most popular summer sports and this important partnership will enhance that situation even more.'
For more details contact:
Marcia Hill
FIVB - International Volleyball Federation
Communications Director
Tel: +41 21 345 3535
Fax: +41 21 345 3545
E-mail: press@fivb.org
In keeping with SWATCH’s innovative reputation, the deal goes beyond mere financial support to include timing and technical innovations like the supply of electronic scoreboards and electronic measurements of speed of service etc., features that that will increase public and media interest in rapidly growing summer sport.
'We know Beach Volleyball is a magic mix of sport and entertainment and it is enjoying phenomenal growth in many countries, so we are very happy to welcome an international partner of the quality of SWATCH,' said FIVB President, Dr. Rubén Acosta.
'The energy and lifestyle of Beach volleyball is a perfect fit with what Swatch is all about,' said Michele Sofisti, President of Swatch. 'We have been involved in the sport on different levels for many years. This global agreement is a natural progression of that involvement.'
SWATCH executives told the FIVB during the negotiations that they are convinced that Beach Volleyball is now the most popular summer sport, and they were also committed to a massive public relations and communication campaign to further enhance its image. The company, which has a huge international profile and is a 'watchword' in many countries, will also produce a special Beach Volleyball SWATCH watch and be present at all events with points of sales and merchandising activities.
'The phenomenal success we enjoyed at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games has created a wave of popularity in many countries,' said Angelo Squeo, FIVB Beach Volleyball Coordinator. 'We welcome SWATCH as our partner and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with them to further develop the sport. Beach Volleyball is definitely on the brink of becoming one of the world’s most popular summer sports and this important partnership will enhance that situation even more.'
For more details contact:
Marcia Hill
FIVB - International Volleyball Federation
Communications Director
Tel: +41 21 345 3535
Fax: +41 21 345 3545
E-mail: press@fivb.org