MTN takes Joburg Expo Centre naming rights

The announcements were made at the launch of the inaugural Joburg Easter Festival, 3 - 13 April 2009, which will be the first event to take place under the newly renamed centre.

The partnership, which commences immediately, follows the signing of a renewable two-year deal between MTN and the Nasrec Expo Centre and is in line with MTN's brand strategy which is to get involved with projects that will benefit communities within which the company operates.

Announcing the sponsorship, the company's chief marketing officer, Serame Taukobong said, "The partnership has perfect synergy in that the Expo Centre and MTN share the same values of igniting the passion of all South Africans; our approach to
customers and fans is the same and we have the same belief and commitment to what we offer to consumers."

The venue is expected to be the hub where both local and international media will work for the duration of the tournament, as well as the hospitality venue for MTN during the world cup. “We will be inviting key customers to be guests of MTN for all Johannesburg-based games where they will be entertained and will watch the games on a big screen,” said Taukobong.

According to MTN, like the technology which will be implemented in the stadiums, the MTN Expo Centre will receive the same attention and the equipment that remains post-2010 will have some of the most technically advanced facilities in terms of IT and mobile networks in the country. This will be available to anyone hosting an event at the MTN Expo Centre. Being a technology-based company, MTN will also be a key partner in installing various elements of the new infrastructure.

The first event that will take place under the newly renamed centre will be the new Joburg Easter Festival.