Mastercard to sponsor Rugby World Cup 2011

Mastercard has agreed a major new deal to sponsor the 2011 Rugby World Cup 2011, becoming the Official Worldwide Partner and official payment system for the event.
As part of the agreement, MasterCard has secured a comprehensive rights and benefits package that allows the company to deliver value to customer financial institutions, merchants and cardholders, including the ability to access âpricelessâ experiences linked to Rugby World Cup 2011.
With Emirates Airline already locked in as another worldwide sponsor, the Rugby World Cup is aiming to sign four more worldwide sponsors, and says that a third will be announced "in the near future".
âSponsorships represent a critical component of MasterCardâs global marketing approach, and we are proud to add Rugby World Cup 2011 to our roster of world-class alliances,�? explains Paul Meulendijk, Head of Sponsorships for MasterCard Europe.
Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset added, âMasterCard is an iconic brand with global appeal and recognition and we are delighted to be working with them. In addition to demonstrating a commitment to helping grow the sport of Rugby through its grassroots campaign in New Zealand, MasterCard also delivers a proven track record of global sponsorship activation which combines strategy and creativity to drive business results.�?