Société Générale confirms as Rugby World Cup worldwide partner

Societe Generale has announced its sponsorship as Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and Rugby World Cup 2015 in England. A long-term partner of rugby in France, Societe Generale acquires a new dimension by building a long-term partnership with one of the world’s foremost sporting events.

Frédéric Oudéa, Societe Generale Group’s Chairman and CEO, says, “Societe Generale and rugby share strong values: team spirit, commitment and respect. Societe Generale has supported the development of rugby for many years, at both elite and amateur levels. Today our commitment, already deeply rooted in France, is acquiring a new dimension: being a Worldwide Partner of the next two Rugby World Cups will enable us to illustrate our Group’s international strategy and strengthen our ties with rugby around the world.”

In addition to being an official partner of the French national team and of the French rugby championship, Societe Generale also provides support to over 400 amateur clubs throughout France and strives to develop local initiatives with players of all levels. Since 1987, Societe Generale has gradually extended its involvement beyond France and now supports numerous national rugby federations in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Societe Generale first became a partner of Rugby World Cup in 1999, when the tournament was hosted in Wales, with a communication strategy limited to France. In 2007, Societe Generale was the first Worldwide Partner to be announced for Rugby World Cup held in France, that beat all records in terms of audience and attendance.

Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB), is very pleased with this renewed partnership, “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Societe Generale, a strong supporter of Rugby around the world, across the next two Rugby World Cup tournaments.”

“The strength of the commercial programme is integral to the success of Rugby World Cup and the development of the Game worldwide and this ongoing relationship with one of the world’s leading banks is a massive boost for the Tournament. We look forward to working with Societe Generale over the next five years to further the promotion of the Game around the world.”