Samsung Kicks-Off Its London 2012 Campaign ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games’ With Ambassador David Beckham

LONDON--(Korea Newswire)--Today, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, a market leader in consumer electronics and Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment category, launches its London 2012 Olympic Games campaign alongside Samsung’s Global Olympic Games Ambassador David Beckham at London’s East Wintergarden. The event signifies the launch of Samsung’s overall Olympic campaign, including its Torchbearer nomination campaign, to the general public. Samsung hopes to select from more nominees than ever before to carry the Olympic Flame as it travels the UK in 2012. To kick off the process, David Beckham announced Gabriella Roseje, as Samsung’s first nomination for a bearer of the Olympic Flame.

As an Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partner, Samsung is selecting a significant proportion of the 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers. To deliver the kick off, David Beckham, in his role as Samsung Global Olympic Games Ambassador, announced Samsung’s first London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nominee. Receiving the honour was 18 year old sportswoman Gabriella Roseje from Bermondsey, London. Ms Roseje was commended by Samsung and Mr. Beckham for her outstanding work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds using her sporting talent.

David Beckham commented: “Gabriella is an impressive and inspiring person. Not only is she successful in her own right, she willingly supports and helps those around her. Gabriella stands out for all the right reasons. I’m proud to nominate her as Samsung’s first Olympic Torchbearer. The nomination campaign aims to give the unsung heroes in communities across the world their chance to shine in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – it’s Everyone’s Olympic Games. Gabriella is perfect example of the kind of qualities we are looking for in a person to run with the Olympic Flame.”

Commenting on her nomination as Torchbearer, Gabriella Roseje said; “I am so excited to be chosen by Samsung and David Beckham to become Samsung’s first London 2012 Torchbearer nominee. My goal is to make a real difference by helping others realise that it’s not where you are from in life that’s important but where you can go. I don’t believe I am any different from anyone else, but I do believe that everyone can offer something. I hope my nomination inspires others to nominate someone they think goes the extra mile; to be a Samsung Olympic Games Torchbearer.”

Mr. Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics said: “Gabriella is an inspiration to us all.“ Presenting Samsung’s ambition for London 2012, Mr. Kwon continued, ”Throughout the many years of Samsung’s support for the Olympic Games, our role has evolved to become an integral part of the viewing experience, an achievement that will continue up to and throughout London 2012 in our campaign, ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games’. We have created a host of exciting opportunities to involve as many people as possible, in an unforgettable global experience."

Samsung is also unveiling its new logo for the Olympic Games, known as the Samsung Olympic Visual Identity System (SOVIS). The design, developed exclusively for Samsung by award winning artist Kate Moross will roll out across all Samsung Olympic campaign and advertising including the Olympic Torch Relay. The SOVIS appearance signifies an open invitation from Samsung to the general public for them to be involved in the Olympic Games, also reflecting Samsung’s London 2012 theme, ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games’. The intention is to create a festival-like atmosphere everywhere it is shown. Samsung also introduced its plans for the Samsung Mobile Explorer program, through which people will be invited to share and spread the excitement of the Olympic Games, by inviting young minded and inspiring individuals from all over the world to experience London 2012 using Samsung’s smart technology.

Samsung has been associated with the Olympic Games for almost 25 years and has been the Official Wireless Telecommunications Partner since 1998. Recognising Samsung’s involvement in the 2012 Games Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, the Organising Committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games said: “Samsung’s Olympic Torch Relay campaign really fits in with our vision of ensuring that everyone can become an active participant and help deliver the London 2012 Games. I hope that the nomination of Gabriella inspires many people to think about others who have gone beyond their personal best and demonstrated true Olympic qualities and nominate them to carry the Torch in 2012.”

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of several independently operated business units including: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About David Beckham

David Beckham is one of Britain‘s most iconic athletes and decorated football players of all time. He is the most capped outfield player in the history of the English game. Beckham’s career began when he signed a professional contract with Manchester United, making his first-team debut in 1992 aged 17. During his time there, United won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice and the UEFA Champions League and the World Club Championship in 1999.

Beckham was runner up in the FIFA ‘World Player of the Year’ Awards in 1999 and 2003. In 2003, he left Manchester United to sign for Real Madrid, where he played for four seasons. While at Madrid, Beckham became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League matches and, in his final season, Real clinched the 2006-07 La Liga championship title.

In 2007, Beckham moved to LA Galaxy in a world record breaking five year deal before being loaned under a unique time-share agreement to AC Milan in January 2009 and then again in January 2010.

Married to Victoria and father to three boys, Beckham’s fame extends far beyond the pitch. Noted as a keen advocate of charitable work, he has supported UNICEF since his days at Manchester United becoming a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 with a special focus on UNICEF's Sports for Development program. David is also on the Leadership Council for charity Malaria No More.

Born in the East End of London, Beckham has been a passionate supporter of London 2012, playing a key part in securing the Olympic Games for his home city - David is an ambassador for London 2012.

About Samsung’s First Torchbearer Nominee - Gabriella Roseje

Gabriella Roseje (18), was born in England and lives in Bermondsey. She currently attends college but is going to university in September. She is the first in her immediate family to go to university.

A fine role model for her generation Gabriella has worked hard to overcome adversity. Not only has created opportunities for herself but she has a very strong ethic of supporting other young people to achieve as she has - unusual for young lady of her age.

Gabriella has done a lot of work with children in London and mentors others towards achieving a better life through sport. A true ambassador for her sport she naturally engages with children, adults and sport coaches alike.

Gabriella has competed for English schools in the shot put; represents Herne Hill Harriers at all the throwing events; is a black belt in Taekwondo and competes for her college at Netball and Football. She is also a fantastic rugby player with great potential to play at a high level.

About Olympic Torch Relay (OTR)

As part of its support for the Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung will provide a large proportion of the Olympic Torch Bearers. This ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunities to carry the Olympic flame on its journey around Britain, represents one of the many ways that Samsung is enabling people from all corners of the world to be part of the greatest show on Earth. Becoming a Samsung Torch bearer means everyone can become a part of Olympic history.

From today, June 13th 2011, Samsung is inviting the world to recognise its unsung heroes. We all have people we admire – people who do kind things for others; people who inspire others to achieve great things, people who go the extra mile. It is these people that Samsung wish to honour with the opportunity to carry the Olympic flame. The Samsung Olympic Torch bearer nomination programme is a worldwide search for these unique and selfless individuals.

The campaign will be communicated globally via a number of marketing channels to ensure that the maximum number of people become aware of the opportunity. It is Samsung’s ambition that London 2012 will be an event that reaches and involves more people than on any other Olympic occasion.

To learn more about the Samsung Torch bearer nomination programme, please visit www.samsung.com/london2012

About Samsung Mobile Explorers (SME)

The Samsung Mobile Explorer (SME) programme will spread the excitement of the Games around the world. Around 60 young and inspiring individuals from all over the world will be selected as Samsung's Mobile Explorers all of whom will be given the opportunity to share their personal experiences of the London 2012 Olympic Games using their Smartphones, their content creation skills and their social media networks.

Each SME will be equipped with the latest Samsung Smartphone technology allowing them to capture their unique experiences and sharing their extraordinary Olympic Games stories with people across the world.

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 mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time information and communications services. Samsung also a Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay and hosts the Samsung Mobile Explorers to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its smart mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016.

Website: http://www.samsung.com/sec

This is a news release distributed by Korea Newswire on behalf of this company.