The Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg is the place where everyone wants to be on July 11 for the 2010 FIFA World CupTM finals. But for those that couldn’t be there, global FIFA World Cup partner Visa created a series of programs for cardholders to experience the drama, thrills and adventure of the world’s biggest single sporting event in Hong Kong.

VISA FIFA WORLD CUP™ TIMES SQUARE PROMOTION

To launch the “Goal Visa! Sharpshooter Game” and to promote a card usage promotion at Hong Kong Times Square shopping mall, Visa arranged a special shopping challenge for 10 lucky cardholders shortlisted through a Facebook competition, and two lifestyle bloggers. Each participant received a Visa pre-paid card loaded with HK$2,000 to buy their favorite items within a tight 10-minute timeframe. A penalty shoot out in the “goal Visa! Sharpshooter Game” booth was used to decide the Grand Prize winner who walked away with a Times Square spending credit of HK$10,000.

VISA FINANCIAL FOOTBALL

Financial Football is a free, 2010 FIFA World Cup™ branded video game developed by Visa, combining the world’s most popular sport with an award-winning financial literacy curriculum. To support Visa’s image as a socially responsible company and to launch the online challenge in Hong Kong, Visa conducted an independent survey of 305 students on their saving and spending behavior, attitudes to money and financial knowledge in Hong Kong. A media briefing was used to announce the findings and also the upcoming financial literacy programs with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.

The two media events, together with other announcements related to Visa FIFA-themed advertising and promotions, resulted in a total of 63 pieces of coverage, generating a total of 9,677,960 impressions. One of the four final winners of the Asia Pacific Financial Football competition was a Hong Kong player who won a package for two to South Africa to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup™ finals.