Bell unveiled as Vancouver Whitecaps FC Premier Founding Partner and exclusive mobile video provider
Partnership based on mobile technology innovation and community investment
VANCOUVER, June 10 2010 --
(MLS), Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Bell today announced an integrated partnership that will see
Whitecaps FC players proudly wear the Bell logo, while Whitecaps FC fans will be able to stay connected
with access to unique mobile content.
"Bell is the ideal partner for the Whitecaps," proclaimed Whitecaps
FC Chief Executive Officer Paul Barber. "Our ownership group is very
technology-minded, and we're excited about how Bell is going to help
deliver even more ways for fans to enjoy the excitement of the Major
League Soccer experience. It was important for us to find a partner
who not only shared our passion for sport, but also shared our values.
Bell's commitment to the community made them a perfect fit and the
clear choice to join our club as the Premier Founding Partner."
The partnership between Bell and Vancouver Whitecaps FC represents one of the most comprehensive
agreements of its kind in Major League Soccer, reflecting both the rapid growth of soccer in Canada an
North America, as well as the Whitecaps status as one of the region's oldest and most famous soccer
clubs.
"Coming out of the 2010 Winter Games with awesome momentum in
Vancouver it was natural to partner with Whitecaps FC, a team with
the capacity to excite the community from a local, Canadian and
international perspective," said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell
Mobility and Chief Brand Officer for Bell. "MLS soccer is a great fan
experience and we look forward to engaging the huge base of fans
in British Columbia with world-class Whitecaps FC soccer and unique
mobile content only Bell can deliver."
Mobile content agreement
Through an exclusive agreement with Whitecaps FC and MLS, Bell mobile clients will be able to view
unique Whitecaps FC content on their mobile smartphones beginning in 2011. This will include live
matches, behind-the-scenes access to Whitecaps players and coaches and other Whitecaps-specific
mobile applications.
Sport Innovation Council
In addition to the partnership commitment, Bell and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC ownership group will
establish a Sport Innovation Council that will identify, validate, integrate and test the latest mobile
technological advancements by using Whitecaps FC as an "incubator" for innovative concepts that can be
developed, marketed and exported.
Whitecaps Foundation support
As part of its partnership commitment, Bell will also provide $100,000 per year to the Whitecaps Foundation
to support youth initiatives across the province that will get kids moving and stress the importance of
healthy, active living. A variety of other community and sport-based initiatives will be announced in the
lead-up to Whitecaps FC's inaugural MLS season in 2011.
Bell logo on jerseys and kits
Bell's logo will be featured on all jerseys and training kits throughout the club, including Whitecaps FC's
W-League side, full-time Residency program and Prospects teams.
Earlier this week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC unveiled the club's new brand and logo, as well as 2011 ticket
information. The Whitecaps will begin play in MLS in March 2011 at Empire Field before moving into the
new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver. For additional information on Whitecaps FC, please visit
www.whitecapsfc.com.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all
their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell TV direct
to-home satellite television, Bell Home phone local and long distance phone services, and IP-broadband
and information and communications technology (ICT) services. Bell is proud to be a Premier National
Partner and the Exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games.
Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell's products and services,
please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.
/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca.
Images are free to accredited members of the media/
For further information:
Jeff Meerman,
Bell Media Relations,
(604) 678-7377,
jeff.meerman@bell.ca;
Nathan Vanstone,
Vancouver Whitecaps FC,
(604) 629-2251,
nvanstone@whitecapsfc.com
SOURCE Mobility / Wireless