Canadians Gearing up for 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM)

Soccer fans will be cheering on their teams through the use of technology and social media

TORONTO, June 11 /CNW/ - Excitement about World Cup is building in Canada as soccer teams from around the world gather in South Africa for the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) on Friday. Canadian fans are ready to support their teams from afar, many through the use of social media tools such as Facebook(TM) and Twitter(TM). According to an Angus Reid survey commissioned by Sony Ericsson, the official mobile handset of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM), nearly half (45 per cent) of Canadians indicated they would be following the games. This represents a seven point increase over the 2009 survey results.

As the first World Cup of the social media era, soccer supporters in countries across the globe will use Twitter(TM) and Facebook(TM) to stay connected thanks to smartphones and mobile devices. When asked what they would do to capture a winning moment at the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM), 17 per cent of Canadians responded that they would capture photos of celebrations and post directly to Facebook(TM), an increase of four points. Similarly, the number of Canadians who would share the moments through texting increased by nine points.

"Once every four years the world comes together to celebrate and support their country and Sony Ericsson allows them to participate in the event regardless of location," said Andrea Gaal, General Manager, Sony Ericsson Canada. "It is easier than ever to stay connected during exciting world events like the FIFA 2010 World Cup(TM) and we are excited to bring the games to fans through online initiatives, such as the Twitter Cup and the Sony Ericsson Wave, and through applications like Timescape(TM), available on the Xperia(TM) X10 smartphone."

The Twitter Cup, an online initiative launched in December 2009, offers fans the opportunity to decide an alternate destiny for their favourite team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM). Fans decide how their team performs in this virtual tournament by participating in the exciting competition either online or via their mobile handset; the team with the most Tweets in each round will prevail and go on to the next stage, regardless of how the real team fares in South Africa.

The Sony Ericsson Wave is also bringing soccer fans together and uniting them in their passion for the game. Here, fans upload video of themselves doing the "wave" to create the longest online wave ever. Contributors from around the world have submitted their wave via Facebook(TM) for the chance to win a replica of the official Matchball of the FIFA World Cup(TM). With almost 68 per cent of survey respondents indicating that they plan to watch all or some of the World Cup games online, it is an additional interactive way to connect with fellow fans while showing support for their team.

Sony Ericsson's commitment to entertainment and innovation is apparent with the Xperia(TM) X10 smartphone, bringing together the best in communication, social media, and entertainment; it is ideal for any soccer fan looking to stay engaged and up-to-date throughout the tournament. Some of the features available on the X10 include:

    
    -   Timescape(TM): Keep track of what your friends are saying about the
        matches on Twitter(TM), Facebook(TM), SMS and email, all in one
        place.

    -   8.1 MP camera allows you to take photos of the games if you're lucky
        enough to be at the World Cup, or take photos of you, your friends
        and fellow fans watching the games. You can tag your friends
        automatically with Face Recognition, and share them easily online(1),
        on Facebook(TM) or Picasa(TM).

    -   Three Preloaded videos of the greatest moments in FIFA World Cup(TM)
        History, brought to life with an impressive 4" screen.(2)
    

The Xperia(TM) X10 is available in Sensuous Black and Luster White, exclusively in Canada from Rogers Communications starting at $149.99 on a 3-year voice plan and activations with minimum combined monthly service fee of $45. For a limited time, get a FIFA 2010 World Cup(TM) replica ball with the purchase of a Sony Ericsson handset from Rogers.(3)

    
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    (1)  Internet connection required. Additional charges may apply.
    (2)  Viewable area measured diagonally.
    (3)  At participating locations. While supplies last.

    (C) Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2010.
    

The Liquid Identity and Liquid Energy logos, Xperia, and Timescape are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony and "make.believe" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at: www.sonyericsson.com/cws/common/legal/disclaimer.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. All terms are subject to change without prior notice.

About Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson is a 50/50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson established in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London and operations in major markets around the world. Sony Ericsson's strategy is to become the industry leader in mobile Communication Entertainment, through new styles of interaction across the internet and social media. Sony Ericsson offers exciting consumer experiences through innovative and feature rich phones, accessories, content and applications.

Sony Ericsson announced that it had been appointed the official mobile handset of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in Sweden, in September 2008. The Sony Ericsson sponsorship runs to the end of 2010 and includes the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in South Africa.

About the Survey:

From May 28 to May 31 2010, Angus Reid Public Opinion, the public affairs practice at Vision Critical, conducted an online survey among a randomly selected, representative of region, sample of 1,013 adult Canadians who are Angus Reid Forum panel members. The margin of error is +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current region Census data. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About FIFA:

For more than 100 years, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, founded on 21 May 1904 in Paris and better known as FIFA, has continued to provide the essential leadership role to the international football family. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the eighth FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter guides the organisation today with a commitment to the evolution of FIFA as a modern and dynamic association. The basis of the world's football family is formed by FIFA's members. From the founding seven, the family has today grown to 208 affiliated football associations, also organised into six confederations spanning the globe.

FIFA's worldwide activities go well beyond touching the world through its various competitions, such as the world's biggest single-sport event, the FIFA World Cup(TM). In football development projects such as the FIFA GOAL Programme as well as in corporate social responsibility activities (including the Football for Hope movement to support through football social and human development) FIFA makes material, financial and promotional contributions to develop the game and to build a better future. For the Game. For the World. To find out more about FIFA and its initiatives please check out www.FIFA.com.

About the FIFA World Cup(TM):

The FIFA World Cup(TM) is the world's governing body of football's flagship event, occurring every four years with the best 32 nations of the six confederations battling it out for the ultimate prize in football - the FIFA World Cup(TM) Trophy. The brainchild of the third President of FIFA, Jules Rimet, the FIFA World Cup(TM) was first staged in Uruguay in 1930 and emerged decades later to be the biggest single sports event with a cumulative audience of more than 26 billion TV viewers in more than 200 countries over the 64 matches. In 2010, the 19th edition will be held for the first time on African soil.

The road to South Africa 2010 began in Samoa in August 2007 and from there the road is criss-crossing the globe before its final destination, South Africa in 2010. 203 teams have entered the race for one of the 31 available places in the FIFA World Cup(TM) final tournament with host South Africa automatically qualified. Even champion Italy must qualify to defend their title. Follow all the action and experience the triumphs, tensions and tears of qualification on FIFA.com, world's football's home on the worldwide web.

For further information: Sony Ericsson, NATIONAL Public Relations, Parker Hughes/Laura Casselman, [phone], [email protected], [email protected]