Indiantelevision.com Team

(31 July 2006 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Credit card major Visa International has appointed former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu to promote its sponsorship of the upcoming ICC Cricket Tournaments.

Sidhu will play a key role in Visa's marketing and
consumer initiatives in the coming months beginning with the Visa Clean Bol Contest that kicks off on 1 August.

Visa International Asia Pacific country manager - South Asia Santanu Mukherjee said, "We are delighted to have Sidhu on board and strongly believe that he will add further value to our already existing sponsorship of the ICC Cricket Tournaments in South Asia.

"Sidhu with his inimitable style will 'Clean Bol' our cardholders in India. This unique promotion will enable cardholders to win packages for the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 - one of the most exciting cricket events in the year - while coming up with their own delightful Visa Sidhuisms.

"The use of Visa-branded cards have extended across geographies and categories in the country. Sidhu's personality which embodies vitality, spontaneity and passion, will be an ideal way to reach out to this large and diverse audience. He is a personality that appeals to a wide audience and brings with him a special style that we believe will reinforce our association with cricket while at the same time incentivise usage of Visa-branded cards,"

Sidhu said, "I am delighted to be working with Visa on promoting the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 in India. Visa has put together some very special offers for its cardholders and I look forward to being the judge of some witty, humorous and interesting Visa Sidhuisms. I look forward to an exciting innings with Visa."

The Visa Clean Bol Contest will run in India from 1 August to 25 September, 2006. Visa credit and debit cardholders in India who spend Rs 500 or more for any purchase during the promotion period can log onto www.visacleanbol.com or call 1 800 22 22 42 or 0922 325 2242, to submit their own Visa Sidhuism.

Sidhu will judge the most witty Visa Sidhuism among the entries. Cardholders can participate multiple times every time they use their Visa cards.

Visa will award 50 grand prize packages for two to the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 Finals in Mumbai and 500 second-place prizes comprising tickets to various ICC Champions Trophy matches across venues. Participants also stand to win various consolation prizes including travel bags, cricket watches, t-shirts and key chains.