Samsung Electronics Links the World to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Samsung Unveils Olympic Games Programs to Allow Consumers and Olympians like Wayne Gretzky, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jarome Iginla to Discover Their Every WOW Moment

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, today unveiled its Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games theme, "Discover Your Every WOW Moment," and Games-related programs - including its Team Samsung athletes - at the company's event in Vancouver on June 23, International Olympic Day.

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Samsung launched a new program to link fans to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games using Samsung's Wireless Olympic Works (WOW) and their mobile phones. For the first time fans around the world will be able to download and install the WOW Public Application from Samsung's website (www.samsung.com/vancouver2010) to receive real-time information and updates from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games on their Samsung mobile phones.

Cooperation with Atos Origin and Omega under the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games' (VANOC) coordination will enable Samsung to deliver the seamless WOW service for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Official Results will be powered by Atos Origin. Timing and results will be managed by Omega.

"The Olympic Games are much more than sports and competition; they are about community, camaraderie and individuals challenging themselves to find inspiration and achieve excellence," said Gyehyun Kwon, vice president and head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics. "Likewise, Samsung seeks to use mobile phone technology and our sponsorship to unify people around the world and help them discover their own WOW moments during the Olympic Games."

"The Vancouver 2010 Winter Games will be full of `wow' moments, from the breathtaking scenery to thrilling moments of triumph in our world-class sport venues," said John Furlong, VANOC's chief executive officer. "A global leader in wireless technology, Samsung will help share these moments with sports fans around the world, including on handsets for the first time in Olympic history. This is in addition to the more than 7,000 individual pieces of telecommunications equipment they're contributing to the Games. Both are examples of how Samsung's expertise is contributing to the overall experience and flawless delivery of the 2010 Games."

Samsung introduced members of Team Samsung, a group of high-profile brand ambassadors who represent the spirit of the Olympic Games and will share their WOW sports moments with fans all over the world. Led by ice hockey legend and Olympian Wayne Gretzky, Team Samsung will consist of Hayley Wickenheiser, three-time Olympic Games medalist with two golds and one silver; and Jarome Iginla, NHL All-Star, two-time Olympian and Olympic Games gold medalist.

"It's an honour to lead Team Samsung as the Olympic Games returns to Canada in 2010," said Wayne Gretzky. "As part of Team Samsung, I know the company is truly dedicated to sports and mobile phone technology. Through the power of its innovative wireless technologies, I expect Samsung will link fans around the world to the Games so we can experience the excitement together."

Samsung also unveiled its Samsung Olympic Visual Identity System (SOVIS) and previewed design concepts and plans for the Olympic Rendezvous @ Samsung (OR@S). SOVIS combines the Samsung logo and brand attributes with elements that represent the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The design is inspired by the shape of a mobile phone, the beautiful scenery of Vancouver and incorporates the "Inukshuk," a symbol of friendship and harmony in Canada. The new SOVIS will be used during Samsung's 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games-related marketing events and promotional activities.

OR@S, located at David Lam Park, will become the epicenter of Samsung's activities during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, providing engaging experiences and unique WOW moments for fans and athletes. It will showcase the brand's innovative mobile phone technologies, provide live entertainment and serve as a retreat for athletes and spectators. Samsung will also take an eco-friendly approach to some extent in constructing the OR@S and will provide visitors with easy and intuitive product experiences. OR@S debuted during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and has become a popular meeting spot, hosting more than 3 million people to date.

Samsung also announced its "Samsung Mobile Explorers" program set to launch in August 2009 to spread the excitement of the Games across the world. Around fifty lucky university students from all over the world will be selected as Samsung's Mobile Explorers, getting an opportunity to share their personal experiences at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The contest will be open to university students in Canada, the Republic of Korea and other countries to be announced at a later date. Each Mobile Explorer will be equipped with the latest Samsung mobile phone to capture their unique WOW moments by sharing their extraordinary Olympic Games stories through text messaging and online posts.

About Samsung's Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications program, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile phones. These innovative wireless technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time information and communications services. Samsung's commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to the 2016 Olympic Games.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in telecommunication and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices in 61 countries, the company is recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands and a leading producer of mobile phones. For more information, please visit: http://www.samsung.com

    For more information, please contact:

    JM Yoon                                  Jennifer Lo
    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.            NATIONAL Public Relations
    +82-31-277-8043                          +1-604-638-7454
    jm927.yoon@samsung.com                   jlo@national.ca

    Julie Basa
    Burson-Marsteller
    +1-214-224-8406
    julie.basa@bm.com

SOURCE Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.