The first renewable energy company in history to sponsor the FIFA World Cup(TM)
BEIJING, and ZURICH, Switzerland, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), who holds the brand Yingli Solar, is a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") manufacturers. In a statement released jointly with world football's governing body FIFA, the Company today announced that it had become the first renewable energy company to sponsor the FIFA World Cup(TM). This year's tournament will be held in South Africa from June 11 to July 11, 2010. Yingli Green Energy is also the first Chinese company to seal a global sponsorship deal with FIFA.
By joining the list of prestigious FIFA World Cup(TM) sponsors, Yingli Green Energy is answering FIFA's call to make the world's most popular sport not only a celebration of the game but also a sign of respect for the planet that we inhabit.
The announcement was made at the Yingli 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) sponsorship-signing ceremony and press conference hosted in Beijing, with video messages from FIFA headquarters in Zurich. By establishing this alliance with FIFA, Yingli Green Energy is aiming to further its strategic marketing initiatives worldwide in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup(TM).
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter congratulated Yingli Green Energy from Zurich and indicated that FIFA had selected Yingli Green Energy to become one of its international sponsors because of Yingli's track record of success in the field of renewable energy and the Company's clear commitment to the environment.
"The announcement of Yingli Green Energy as the first Chinese company to be a global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup(TM) marks a historical moment," said Mr. Blatter. "Furthermore, I am extremely pleased that Yingli has chosen to support 20 Centres for 2010, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM), by providing solar panels and committing to our efforts to create a better environment, as embodied by our 'Green Goal' concept. I want to commend Mr. Liansheng Miao and his team at Yingli Green Energy on this sponsorship and their commitment to helping us build a better future, which is one of our most important missions."
Mr. Jerome Valcke, Secretary General of FIFA, added: "I am very excited to welcome such a world-leading renewable energy company and the first Chinese company to the FIFA family. We are looking forward to sharing ideas on how to go about making the world greener and cleaner through the love of football."
Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy, commented: "As one of the world's leading solar companies, we are excited to be joining other world-class brands as an international sponsor of the FIFA World Cup(TM). This sponsorship links Yingli Green Energy to the world's most popular and passionately followed sport. We feel privileged to have this opportunity, and look forward to offering our expertise to help FIFA leverage this much-loved sport to promote a better, greener environment. This sponsorship also signifies our response to the growing global demand to create a greener world through renewable energy. We are proud of our mission and the steps we are taking to make solar power an enduring and cost-effective technology for all humankind."
Mr. Miao noted that Yingli Green Energy had long been dedicated to a vision of a world powered by clean, renewable energy. In pursuing this vision, the Company strives to create a healthy, safe and supportive working environment for all of its employees. In late 2009, Yingli Green Energy was proud to receive the SA 8000 certification, which is testament to its ongoing commitment to social responsibility. This commitment complements FIFA's mission to help create a better future.
Yingli Green Energy's sponsorship agreement for the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) gives the Company global marketing rights, including certain ticket, perimeter-board advertising and media rights as well as the right to showcase its solar products at the fan zones in the FIFA World Cup(TM) stadiums. Additionally, the agreement gives Yingli the right to place its company logo next to the FIFA World Cup(TM) Official Emblem and advertise or promote its products and services at each step of the distribution process. Yingli will have access to extensive on-site opportunities at FIFA World Cup(TM) stadiums for marketing and promotion purposes.
About Yingli Green Energy
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE), who holds the brand Yingli Solar, is a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers. Yingli Green Energy develops, manufactures and sells photovoltaic modules to a wide range of markets, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China, and the United States. Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli Green Energy has more than 6000 employees and more than 10 branch offices worldwide. Yingli Green Energy is publicly listed on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: YGE). For more information, please visit http://www.yinglisolar.com
About FIFA
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is world football's governing body and as such is responsible for many aspects of the game, ranging from publishing the Laws of the Game to organising major international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup(TM). FIFA was founded in 1904 by seven associations representing Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. It now boasts over 200 member associations, divided between six continental confederations: Asia (AFC), Africa (CAF), Europe (UEFA), Oceania (OFC), North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), and South America (CONMEBOL). FIFA is based in Zurich, Switzerland. As world football's governing body, FIFA is responsible for the core values of the game.
For further information, please contact:
Yingli Green Energy
In China:
Qing Miao
Director, Investor Relations
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited
Phone: +86-312-3100502
Email: ir@yinglisolar.com
In the Americas:
Judy Tzeng Lee
Director of Corporate Development
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited
Phone: +1-510-847-3920
Email: pr@yinglisolar.com
In Europe:
Rebecca Jarschel
Brand Manager
Yingli Green Energy Europe GmbH
Phone: +49-89-540303412
Email: pr@yinglisolar.com
Fleishman-Hillard International Communications
China:
Riomma Zhou / Daniel Ye
Phone: +86-10-5869-1666 x2113/2105
Email: riomma.zhou@fleishman.com
tianxiong.ye@fleishman.com
FIFA Media Department Zurich:
Phone: +41-43-2227272
Fax: +41-43-2227373
Email: media@fifa.org
