Telecom To Continue Its Support Of Team NZ

Telecom To Continue Its Support Of Team New Zealand

Telecom New Zealand will continue its sponsorship of Team New Zealand for the 2003 America’s Cup defence.

Telecom Chief Executive Theresa Gattung said that Telecom’s ongoing support of Team New Zealand was a substantial commitment and customers supported Telecom continuing the sponsorship.

“Like most New Zealanders, I watched with admiration the changing of the guard in the final race of Team New Zealand’s successful defence of the America’s Cup last year when Russell Coutts handed the helm over both figuratively and literally to Dean Barker. Dean won the admiration of most New Zealanders with the way he shouldered the responsibility to retain the Cup for New Zealand.

“For many of us recalling the excitement and pride around the contest on the Hauraki Gulf last summer, our hearts instantly said “let’s just go for it!” But of course it involved a big business decision as well.

“We did some detailed market research on how our customer’s viewed our sponsorship of Team New Zealand. The research reconfirmed our belief that for New Zealanders, the team is the heart and soul of the New Zealand effort and that the team carries the national esteem into battle.

“It also became apparent that Telecom has won sponsorship authenticity through our ongoing sponsorship of Team New Zealand and is recognised for backing New Zealand as it takes on the best in the world.

“There are strong parallels between Team New Zealand and Telecom. While Dean and his team are facing intense competition in their home waters from large international syndicates, we at Telecom are also facing intense competition from global companies who are very keen on the New Zealand telecommunications market.

“Team New Zealand have proven they can take on the toughest opponents in the world with passion, innovation and determination.

“We too can achieve our goal of becoming the best performing, customer focused, online and communications company in Australasia if we apply the same qualities Team New Zealand has demonstrated.

“In addition to contributing cash funding to support Team New Zealand’s defence, Telecom will continue in its role of exclusive supplier to both Team New Zealand and the America’s Cup event, which will see Telecom’s technology being used to communicate the excitement of the event around the world.

“That same level of excitement exists in New Zealand, where our research identified that 77 percent of New Zealanders were very excited about the America’s Cup. This coupled with the fact that 98 percent of the population watched at least some of the 2000 America’s Cup races on television is a clear indication that Team New Zealand’s 2003 defence will be followed with equal passion and excitement,” said Ms Gattung.

The sponsorship is subject to the signing of formal agreements between the parties.

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