Click here to enter the Samsung Seeks Mobile Explores Contest

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in Wireless Communications Equipment, is searching for people to share their WOW moments during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The company has launched the Samsung Mobile Explorers contest where the eventual winners will experience the Games in a unique and exciting way.

Through the online contest, Samsung will be selecting five teams of two that will travel to Vancouver and share their Olympic experiences through regular postings to a Samsung Olympic-website as well as their personal blogs and social media accounts. The contest is part of Samsung’s overarching Vancouver 2010 campaign which includes Samsung’s Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), a mobile communications platform specifically developed to keep Olympic officials, athletes, media and even fans connected and informed during the Olympic Games.

“This once-in-a-lifetime experience will put our Samsung Mobile Explorer teams front-and-center on the world’s biggest stage,” said Benjamin Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics Canada. “This prize will allow the eventual winners to use Samsung mobile technology, including the Samsung Omnia II Olympic hero phone, to interact and share their personal WOW moments.”

Canadians interested in learning more about the Samsung Mobile Explorers and how to enter can visit the Samsung Vancouver 2010 website – www.samsung.com/vancouver2010. Video entries should demonstrate your team’s experience and interest with blogs and social networking, ability to seek-out and generate buzz and general excitement about Canada’s hosting of the 2010 Games.

During the contest period, Canadians will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite eligible entries and 10 semi-finalist teams will be determined based on the number of votes received. A panel of Samsung judges will then score the top 10 entries based on each team’s ability to creatively demonstrate their social networking capabilities. The five teams to receive the highest total score will become Canada’s Samsung Mobile Explorers.

“Along with giving 10 Canadians a unique Olympic experience, we are hoping our Mobile Explorers will be able to experience the global community that the Games creates and to expand  their social networks by interacting with other Samsung Mobile Explorers from the U.S., South Korea, China and Russia,” said Lee. “This contest is just the latest example of Samsung’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Olympic movement and making the Games accessible to everyone.”

The 10 Canadian Samsung Mobile Explorers will be joined by 47 explorers from the U.S., Russia, China and South Korea. In order to promote the Samsung Mobile Explorers program, two, 30-second viral videos have been posted to major social networks. The basic concept for the viral videos is based on humour and to demonstrate how Samsung Mobile Explorers might capture their own “WOW” moments. 
“The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games are certain to offer plenty of WOW moments, both from the competitions and from the cultural experiences offered around the Games. Our Samsung Mobile Explorers will capture and share their adventures with people around the world,” said Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. “This program is another great opportunity for Samsung to enhance our overall Olympic campaign and deliver a truly unique perspective from Vancouver.”

Starting in Athens 2004 Olympic Games to Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Samsung has been providing its wireless technology for seamless communication among Olympic VIPs, delegates, and organizing staff.  For the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Samsung will continue to provide the latest and best in Olympic Games wireless communications with improved accessibility and, for the first time, will be launching its first Public WOW Application providing users with real-time Games updates and results – making Olympic Games information available anywhere, anytime.

The Canadian Samsung Mobile Explorers will receive round-trip, economy-class airfare to and from Vancouver, accommodation for 20 nights, meals and two Samsung Omnia II mobile phones. The contest is open to Canadian residents that have reached the age of majority in their province of residence. Entries must be received by December 6, 2009.

For more information regarding the Samsung Mobile Explorers program, please visit www.samsung.com/vancouver2010.

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About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. (SECA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning digital consumer electronics, information systems, telecommunications and home appliance products. SECA upholds Samsung’s mission to provide consumers with innovative digital convergence products that possess exceptional technology, quality, features, performance and value.

Samsung has been a global TOP sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1998 and has been a presenting sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay from 2004 to 2008.  Also through Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope charity, Samsung helps athletes and celebrities raise funds for their respective charities, including the Wayne Gretzky Foundation in Canada.  Samsung is also a proud sponsor of Hockey Canada and the Toronto Football Club.

For customer service inquiries, please call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864), and for more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Click here to enter the Samsung Seeks Mobile Explores Contest

Donation To Wayne Gretzky Foundation Helps Support 99 Minor Hockey Associations

The Great One is helping 99 minor hockey clubs across the country kick-off a great hockey season. Through a team effort with Samsung Electronics Canada and Best Buy Canada, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation is presenting 99 minor league associations with a $1,000 bursary to help them cover expenses related running their 2008-2009 minor hockey programs.

Earlier this year, the companies launched the 99 Reasons campaign to help raise funds for the Foundation. During the campaign period, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all Samsung TVs at Best Buy locations was donated to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. Best Buy stores also sold exclusive Wayne Gretzky commemorative stickers for $0.99, with all proceeds of the sale going directly to the Foundation. The total donation, $99,000, represented a combination of funds raised through the retail promotion and monies previously committed from Samsung and Best Buy.

“Minor hockey clubs across the country often struggle with covering the costs associated with running their programs,” said Gretzky. “Thanks to Samsung and Best Buy, my Foundation can now help 99 of minor hockey associations. I truly appreciate their generous support and hope that it will help more youngsters have the opportunity to get involved in the game.”

Gretzky unveiled the 99 Reasons campaign at an event in Vancouver earlier this year where he met with an atom hockey team from St. Albert, Alberta, who won a contest related to the 99 Reasons promotion. The squad from the Edmonton suburb received an all-expense-paid trip to Vancouver and a once-in-a-lifetime chance where they met their hockey hero.

“Hockey is part of the fabric of Canada and Samsung is a major supporter of the game,” said Benjamin Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Canada. “We are thrilled to have completed this successful campaign with Best Buy and that the Wayne Gretzky Foundation can now use these funds to support these Canadian minor hockey associations.”

Created in 2002, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youngsters throughout North America participate in the sport of hockey. As a major supporter of hockey in Canada, the Foundation was a natural fit for Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope program. As a major national retailer and an active member of the communities in which it does business, Best Buy was a natural draft choice for this team.

“Soon after launching the 99 Reasons campaign in our stores, it was obvious that Wayne Gretzky continues to be a great inspiration,” said Martin Vander Velden, VP of Merchandising, Best Buy Canada. “Our team members across the country threw their support behind the Gretzky Foundation and have contributed towards our Best Buy for Kids program goal to empower youth by helping them excel in school, engage in their communities, and develop life and leadership skills. We also had a tremendous response from our customers who truly made this campaign a winner.”

Visit Samsung’s Four Season of Hope