Visa Celebrates Record-Setting Olympic Performance with New Michael Phelps "Go World" Commercial
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2008--Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), a Worldwide Olympic Partner for more than two decades, today released a special edition commercial commemorating Michael Phelps' historic achievement of winning ten Olympic gold medals, setting the all-time record for most career Olympic gold medals. The spot, entitled "Congratulations Phelps," aired on NBC during the first commercial break following his win in the 200 meter butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The latest installment of the Visa "Go World" campaign follows the same creative treatment as previous spots, using striking sepia tones combined with dramatic still photography. The spot closes with an already memorable image of Phelps celebrating the U.S. team's gold medal performance in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay from earlier in the Beijing Olympic Games competition.
"Michael Phelps truly embodies the spirit of our 'Go World' campaign that celebrates memorable Olympic moments and the extraordinary athletes who achieve them," said Kevin Burke, head of global consumer marketing of Visa Inc. "We congratulate Michael on this momentous achievement and wish him the best as he continues his march towards Olympic history."
The spot marks the latest extension of Visa's U.S. advertising campaign "Go World." The campaign evokes the emotion and memories of unforgettable moments in Olympic history and features current Olympic and Paralympic athletes and Olympic legends. The integrated campaign includes national television commercials, print and online advertisements, and an online microsite.
Visa has had a long standing relationship with Phelps through its Team Visa program, featuring him in two previous national television commercials ("Lap" and "Fish"), and partnering with him to grow the sport of swimming around the world through domestic and international goodwill tours.
Fans can visit www.visa.com/GoWorld to view ads, learn more about the heroic feats of Olympians past and present, and submit stories about Olympic moments that have inspired them for a chance to be featured on the website alongside sporting greats.
To view and download a copy the new Michael Phelps spot, visit www.thenewsmarket.com/visa
About Visa
Visa Inc. operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world, and Visa/PLUS is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
For more information, visuals, executive interviews/press only:
J.J. Carter Steve Hickok Fleishman-Hillard Fleishman-Hillard 13522136096 (Beijing mobile) 212.453.2353 +8610 6410 8545 (Visa Press Office) hickoks@fleishman.com jj.carter@fleishman.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as "will," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management and events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur. The forward-looking statements reflect Visa's current views and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to Visa's ability to achieve its strategic objectives; general market conditions; uncertainties inherent in operating internationally; and the impact of law and regulations. Many of these factors are beyond Visa's ability to control or predict. Given these factors, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Fleishman-Hillard
J.J. Carter
Beijing mobile: 13522136096
Visa Press Office: +8610 6410 8545
jj.carter@fleishman.com
or
Steve Hickok, 212-453-2353
hickoks@fleishman.com
SOURCE: Visa Inc.