ANZ Signs Five-year Shanghai Rolex Masters Sponsorship

SHANGHAI, Nov. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ANZ today announced an agreement with the Shanghai Rolex Masters to become the International Banking and Finance Partner of Asia’s premier Masters tournament for the next five years.

Executives from the Shanghai Sports Bureau, ANZ and Shanghai Juss launch the ANZ and Shanghai Rolex Masters partnership.

This Diamond Sponsorship of the Shanghai Rolex Masters – now in its fifth year – extends ANZ’s association with tennis following its continued successful partnership with the Australian Open Grand Slam. The Masters will be held between 7-13 October 2013.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms Joyce Phillips, CEO of ANZ Global Wealth and Private Banking, said: “The Shanghai Rolex Masters has quickly become one of the pre-eminent events on the global tennis calendar reaching a worldwide audience of more than 45 million.

“ANZ has a long-standing presence in China and this partnership not only reinforces our long-term commitment to China but also provides a valuable platform to help build our brand connection across the region,” Ms Phillips said.

Shanghai Rolex Masters Tournament Director Michael Luevano said: “ANZ is a well-respected bank in Asia-Pacific and we are delighted to welcome them as one of the tournament partners. ANZ has a strong history supporting tennis in Asia Pacific and its involvement in the Shanghai Rolex Masters will help ensure a lasting legacy is left on the sport in China and the broader region.”

ANZ will also gain naming rights to the China Tennis Development Program, a grassroots initiative aimed at developing young talent and supporting the growth of tennis in China. In the summer of 2013, 400 children from schools across China will be invited to participate in a series of training sessions under the guidance of experienced tennis coaches.

In its first three years in 2009-2011, the Shanghai Rolex Masters was voted by the ATP players to be the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year.

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About ANZ: With a history spanning more than 175 years, ANZ operates in 32 countries throughout Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and America. ANZ provides a range of banking and financial products and services to around 8 million customers, and employs 48,000 people worldwide.