EDF Energy And Peugeot Sponsor ITV’s Rugby World Cup
EDF Energy and Peugeot have been announced as joint broadcast, online and interactive sponsors for this year’s IRB Rugby World Cup coverage on ITV.
The fully integrated package includes sponsorship of all live coverage and tournament highlights across ITV’s channels, as well as exclusive sponsorship of ITV’s Rugby World Cup website and branding on all marketing.
At its peak in 2003, almost 15 million ITV viewers watched Jonny Wilkinson drop-kick England to win the trophy in Australia, with an average of over seven million tuning into each England game, despite the time difference.
This year’s tournament takes place in France from 7 September until 20 October, with ITV holding the exclusive UK television rights. Each of the 48 matches will be shown live as well as highlights and preview programmes, together with online and interactive content.
Gary Knight, brand partnerships director at ITV Customer Relations said: “We are delighted to confirm EDF Energy and Peugeot as joint sponsors for ITV’s integrated coverage of the Rugby World Cup. This is another fantastic endorsement of ITV’s high quality sports programming.”
Louise Poole, head of brand at EDF Energy, added: “With the tournament in our time zone we’re confident that the attraction of seeing the best talent in the world battle it out will create exciting viewing that will transcend rugby devotees. As a mass market brand EDF Energy is delighted to be associated with bringing the energy and excitement of this tournament into millions of people’s homes as England defend their title.”
Kate Sturdy at Peugeot said: “We are delighted to further our commitment to world wide rugby by becoming the broadcast sponsor of the RWC. The RWC will be a high profile event attracting a strong audience, making it an ideal fit with the Peugeot brand.”
Kevin Giles at ITV Customer Relations negotiated the deal with OMD Fuse’s Ross Minton for Peugeot and Keith Impey at Sponsorship Media for EDF Energy.
ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com