Sony Signs Worldwide Endorsement Contract With Kaká

July 23, 2008 | 3:05 am

TOKYO, July 23 /PRNewswire/ --

- FIFA World Player of the Year (2007) to Promote Sony High Definition Products Globally

Sony Corporation today announced that Sony Latin America, Inc has signed a worldwide endorsement contract with Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, better known as Kaká, FIFA's 2007 World Player of the Year.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080723/314613 )

Kaká, renowned all over the world for his skill with a football, but especially in Europe and South America where football is an abiding passion, will globally promote Sony's High Definition (HD) products and a wide range of other Sony products.

Sony believes Kaká's great success and global visibility at the pinnacle of one of the world's most popular sports will help to further promote Sony's "HD experience" encompassing HD products, such as Bravia LCD TV, Blu-ray Disc player/recorder, HandycamTM, and Cyber-shotTM.

Sony plans to feature Kaká in various HD promotions, including a range of television commercials and web productions.

Kaká's total commitment to top quality football is in perfect harmony with Sony's never-ending commitment to deliver the ultimate in quality HD experience. To share the dreams, emotions and happiness that HD images bring to people all over the world, Sony will partner with Kaká to promote its portfolio of HD products.

Sony's long standing commitment to football was formalized in April 2005 when Sony signed an eight-year global partnership program contract with FIFA. Sony has been active as a FIFA official partner since January 2007.

* Handycam and Cyber-shot are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

    Profile Summary of Kaká
    - Full name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite
    - Nickname: Kaká
    - Current Club: Italian Serie A Club A.C. Milan
    - Date of birth: April 22, 1982
    - Place of birth: Brasília, Brazil
    - Height / Weight: 187cm (6 ft 1 in) / 73kg (161 lb)
    - Nationality: Brazil, Italy (dual citizenship)
    - Dominant foot: Right

Besides being awarded the "Ballon d'Or" (French for "Golden Ball") given to the best footballer of the year by the magazine France Football and chosen the World Player of the Year by FIFPro (a worldwide representative organization for professional football players), Kaká has served as an Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations' World Food Programme since November 2004.

    Major Honors

    - 2002: Revista Placar Bola de Ouro (Brazilian National
      Championship MVP)

    - 2005: UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder

    - 2007: -UEFA Champions League Top Scorer & Best Forward

    - Ballon d'Or

    - FIFA World Player of the Year

    - FIFPro World Player of the Year

    - FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball