Football Media

by Adrian Clarke

I’d always imagined FIFA’s Zurich headquarters to be vast and ever-so-slightly space-age in its design and it didn’t disappoint me on either count when my taxi pulled up with little over 15 minutes to spare before Coca-Cola’s official launch of their sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup.

Tucked away high in the hills that drape over the beautifully quaint Swiss city, the well guarded home of world football’s governing body is every bit as perfectly immaculate, tranquil and modern as I expected. A vast reception, the size of half a football pitch greets visitors and it is here that I perused a gleaming trophy cabinet holding ten of their 11 major international prizes (the World Cup was missing) before being whisked upstairs in an ultra modern lift to the spectacular second floor auditorium.

Here, sat flanked my a hundred or so other invited media guests from all corners of the globe, we watched ESPN broadcaster Ray Stubbs host a 90 minute presentation from Coca-Cola that involved FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Coca-Cola chairman Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola’s chief marketing officer Joe Tripodi, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and Cameroon legend Roger Milla. The event was organised to launch their 86 nation six month World Cup trophy tour, their sponsorship of the ‘Best Player Goal Celebration’ award for next summer’s World Cup finals, their new catchy anthem, as well as Coca-Cola’s marketing campaign for next summer’s tournament.

Interesting speeches from all five distinguished guests interspersed a slick and informative presentation which included a special guest appearance from the ‘real’ World Cup trophy itself. Admittedly, my eyes were constantly drawn towards the trophy I, and most other boys, dreamed of one day lifting, but in between periodic flashes of John Terry lifting it above his head next July, I did attempt to concentrate on the proceedings in hand!

Highlights included Sepp Blatter squirming at a number of tricky questions from the floor, his microphone failing to work and a comical, albeit slightly embarrassed Roger Milla attempting to recreate his famous 1990 celebration dance around a strategically placed corner flag! It was nevertheless an impressive launch.

After acquiring an obligatory souvenir snap of myself with the World Cup trophy (while being watched intently by a ‘gloved’ security guard just in case I ran off with it!) I was whisked upstairs to interview African legend Milla. It was particularly satisfying to be granted the second one-on-one of the day, shortly behind FourFourTwo and it was indeed a pleasure to speak with the amiable 57-year-old – via a translator – who gave an animated and interesting interview, which can be found here on Soccerlens.

A lovely buffet in the cafeteria adjacent to a stunning full size pitch followed (with a selection of delightfully fancy desserts my own personal favourites) and before I knew it, it was time to go home, leaving Mr Blatter and co to get back to their day job overseeing the world’s greatest sport.

by Adrian Clarke

World football’s greatest football trophy is set to embark on its longest ever global tour, with FIFA and the Coca-Cola Company taking the real solid-gold trophy to 86 countries on a 225-day journey that will allow thousands of fans to enjoy a rare close-up view of the authentic World Cup Trophy.

“Through this event, we are really engaging football fans on a global scale, giving them the unique opportunity to have their picture taken with the most prestigious prize in world football and to embrace the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup,” said Sep Blatter.

Posted by: Guest Authors Posted under: Football Business