America’s Cup Defence – 2003
Media Release 1 June 2000
KEVIN ROBERTS JOINS NEW TRUSTEES OF TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Statement from Ralph Norris, Spokesman for Team New Zealand Trustees
International businessman Kevin Roberts has been appointed as a Trustee of Team New Zealand, joining Trustees Ralph
Norris, Peter Menzies and Canadian John Risley.
“We’re delighted that Kevin has accepted our invitation,” spokesman for the Trustees, Ralph Norris said.
Kevin Roberts is CEO Worldwide of global communications company Saatchi and Saatchi plc. He played a prominent role in
securing television rights and sponsorship contracts on behalf the New Zealand Rugby Football Union as a board member
during rugby’s shift to the professional era. His Peak Performance project at the University of Waikato included a study
of success factors driving Team New Zealand in the 1995 campaign and in the run-up to the first successful defence.
“Kevin’s negotiating skills, his experience in sporting commerce and his wide network of international business,
sporting and media contacts will add considerable value to Team New Zealand,” Mr Norris said.
“Kevin also knows the America’s Cup. He’s been involved in past campaigns as a sponsor through Lion Nathan and
Steinlager and through Saatchi and Saatchi, which has had a long advertising association with the Cup. The Trustees are
sure that Kevin’s closer involvement this time will significantly bolster the resources of New Zealand’s second
defence.”
Mr Roberts said the decision to become a trustee was an easy one.
“Team New Zealand and the America’s Cup is a vital business for New Zealand’s prosperity, profile and identity. The
America’s Cup campaigns of the past 15 years have been riveting sporting events, extremely productive in terms of
economic activity and have united the country in winning the world from the edge.
“Team New Zealand’s dream is to retain the America’s Cup forever. This is a fantastic challenge shared I’m sure by all
New Zealanders who are saying right now “I’ll do anything I can to help keep the Cup.”
-ends-
For further information, please contact:
Ralph Norris, Trustee, Tel 021 963 066
Kevin Roberts can be contacted through Carolyn Boell (09) 308 9472
Released by Network Communications (Peter Hallwright), (09) 379 3154, (025) 444 534.
TNZMR003