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| Left: Brett Gosper, CEO, World Rugby, Managing Director, Rugby World Cup Limited Right: Rokus van Iperen, President & CEO, Canon Europe, Middle East & Africa © Eddie Keogh, Canon Explorer |
RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Canon to the Rugby World Cup family as an Official Sponsor for the first time.”
“This exciting deal with a global leader in imaging further underscores the prestige of the Rugby World Cup brand in the global marketplace as we look forward to what promises to be a very special and record-breaking England 2015 tournament.”
James Leipnik, Chief of Communication, Canon Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are thrilled to extend our long history of involvement in the world’s best sporting events by supporting the Rugby World Cup for the first time. Images play a vital role in bringing the emotions and action of global sports to fans that are not able to experience the events in person.”
“Our participation presents us with exciting opportunities to support professional photographers and fans with our imaging expertise, as they capture and share world class rugby moments throughout the tournament.”
During Rugby World Cup 2015, Canon will be undertaking a range of activities as Official Sponsor including providing print and copying solutions used by the Tournament Organisers.
Canon will also be working with Rugby World Cup Limited to deliver a range of image-related initiatives to enhance the spectator experience during the tournament. The Canon Professional Services (CPS) team will be on site sharing their imaging expertise and helping professional photographers get the perfect shot throughout the tournament. The dedicated team of CPS technicians at Rugby World Cup 2015 will provide accredited professional photographers with advice, essential maintenance services, equipment loans and help with minor repairs.
Canon’s support of Rugby World Cup 2015 represents a further boost to the commercial programme – the announcement of Canon’s sponsorship follows the appointment of Heineken, Land Rover, Société Générale, DHL, Emirates and MasterCard as Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners, Gilbert as Official Ball Supplier, Canterbury of New Zealand as Official Sportswear Supplier, Clifford Chance as Official Law Firm, EY as Business Advisor and Sportfolio as Master Licensee.
About Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup is the financial engine behind unprecedented investment and growth in Rugby worldwide. The net Rugby World Cup surplus from the commercial success of France 2007 and New Zealand 2011 has enabled World Rugby to invest more than £150 million in the Game between 2009 and 2012 and commit an anticipated injection of more than £180 million between 2013 and 2016 to underwrite a large range of major funding initiatives including annual national Union grants and strategic investments focusing on growing participation and increasing competition across all 120 national Member Unions affiliated to World Rugby.
About England 2015
Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted in England between September 18 and October 31, will be a celebration of Rugby and its unique character-building values, exciting and inspiring the nation and the world to play and support the Game. England Rugby 2015 are the organising committee for Rugby World Cup 2015 and will deliver the six-week tournament, hosted in 10 English cities and in Cardiff, Wales. Thirteen match venues will play host to the 48 games that will celebrate and engage more than two million spectators, including more than 400,000 international travelling fans.
Canon Source: Canon Europe Press Release