Upper Hutt teen gets set for FIFA World Cup

Media release

Upper Hutt teen gets set to depart for trip-of-a-lifetime to 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Auckland, 8 June, 2010: In a week thirteen-year-old Upper Hutt resident, Aitken Hawkins will begin his trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa where he will be the official Sony FIFA Flagbearer at the New Zealand vs Italy game on Sunday 20 June.

Aitken was part of a group of more than 100 young football fans who submitted entries as part of a competition run by Sony. He was chosen as one of a group of five finalists who featured on TV3’s current affairs show, Campbell Live. The public were encouraged to vote on their favourite finalist and three judges who included All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, Campbell Live reporter Tony Reid and Sony Managing Director Martin McManus chose the overall winner. The competition received more than 5,000 public votes.

As the winner Aitken receives the ultimate prize including flights to South Africa with his mum, a two day stopover in Dubai, accommodation, sightseeing throughout their stay, brand new Sony products to use on their trip, and the coveted opportunity to carry the FIFA Flag on to the official World Cup pitch as the New Zealand representative at the All Whites vs Italy game in Nelspruit, South Africa.

Aitken will also have the role of reporting back to interested soccer fans. He will be writing a daily blog and uploading video diaries and photos of his trip which will be available to view on the following sites:

• http://sonyflagbearer.blogspot.com/

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonyflagbearer

• http://www.youtube.com/sonyflagbearer

Aitken is very excited about his upcoming trip. “I was totally shocked when I heard I had won the competition I was optimistic when I had been chosen as a finalist but there were four others who could be chosen so I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much. I am super excited about the trip and still can’t believe I’ve been chosen!” said Aitken.

Aitken will head off on his trip-of-a-lifetime with his mum on Tuesday 15 June.

Sony began a worldwide partnership with FIFA in 2007 and believes it is an excellent affiliation for the electronics giant, which manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets.

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/. Sony New Zealand Web Site: www.sony.co.nz

About make.believe
“make.believe” (make dot believe) is a Group -wide brand message that unites Sony’s communications initiatives across electronics, games, movies, music, mobile phones and network services. “make.believe” symbolises the spirit of Sony – the power of creativity, the ability to turn ideas into reality and the belief that anything you can imagine, you can make real.

ENDS

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