Share

Teichmann a Heineken rep

London - With less than one month to go until the Rugby World Cup kicks off, international beer Heineken has unveiled six high-profile former international stars, including ex-England captain Will Carling and New Zealand legend Zinzan Brooke, as brand ambassadors for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

The ambassadors also include former Welsh number eight Scott Quinnell, Australia’s most capped full back Matt Burke, former South African captain Gary Teichmann and Irish centre Rob Henderson.

The ambassadors will support Heineken’s new Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign, entitled ‘This is the Game’, which focuses on the unwritten code of values implicit in rugby on and off the pitch, such as sportsmanship and respect, and promotes Heineken as a worldwide partner and official beer of the international tournament.

The rugby legends will also come together during Rugby World Cup 2011 to film a series of eight light-hearted and off-the-cuff videocasts for Heineken.

The short films will focus on their predictions for tournament matches and comment on performances, stories from their own playing careers and a debate on ‘The Code’, the unique set of sporting values inherent in rugby.

The videocasts will be filmed weekly in London from August 30th before culminating with a final film in Auckland ahead of the Rugby World Cup final on 23rd October.

Hosted by Will Carling, they will be available to view on Heineken’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, and will be released through social and digital media throughout the tournament.

Hans Erik Tuijt, global brand activation manager at Heineken International, said: “Heineken’s Rugby World Cup campaign centres on the unwritten code of values in rugby union – respect, sportsmanship, loyalty and passion, and these six legends embody every one of these values.”

“Heineken is the first brand to bring this type of content to a global audience during Rugby World Cup via social media. With these ex-players and our campaign around ‘The Code’, Heineken will bring rugby fans together, demonstrate our credentials as a true fan of the game and become a part of the conversation.”

The ambassadors will also participate in media events in their local markets to promote Heineken and the brand’s sponsorship of the tournament.

The lighthearted ‘This is the Game’ campaign includes a number of 60”, 30” and 10” adverts and demonstrate how rugby elevates itself from the intense physicality on the field to the highest peak of sporting achievement through 'The Code’.

Against the background of the narrator declaring “In this house, we live by a code handed down from warriors of old”, the adverts feature match footage, fans singing and supporting their teams in the stadium and in the pub, and shots of rugby’s biggest collisions.

The 10” adverts include an Australian fan giving a cringe-worthy rendition of his national anthem, a Scottish fan dancing a jig and members of the Tongan squad performing the Sipi-Tau, their pre-match challenge.

?Hans-Erik Tuijt added: “As a top tier partner of Rugby World Cup 2011, Heineken understands the deep-rooted principles of ‘The Code,’ and this campaign brings to life the innovative ways in which we reach out to our consumers.”

“No matter how competitive and passionate it gets on the field, Heineken unites Rugby World Cup fans in a spirit of conviviality, sociability and mutual respect afterwards.”

Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand will take place from 9th September and runs through until the 23rd October.

This is the fourth time that Heineken International has sponsored the Rugby World Cup, having been involved in South Africa in 1995, Australia in 2003 and France in 2007.
 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE