Dan Carter Kicks off MasterCard’s Priceless Partnership

New Zealand rugby hero Dan Carter, kicked off MasterCard’s Worldwide Partnership with Rugby World Cup 2015 in central London today. To celebrate the partnership the world’s leading points scorer and MasterCard ambassador fine-tuned his kicking on the River Thames by kicking at London’s biggest set of rugby posts, Tower Bridge.

Dan Carter launches the MasterCard global sponsorship of the 2015 Rugby World Cup by sending a ball over London's biggest set of rugby posts, Tower Bridge. (Photo: Business Wire)

MasterCard will be the Preferred Card and Official Payment System of the highly anticipated tournament, which takes place in England and Wales between September 18th and October 31st. The announcement continues a highly successful partnership between MasterCard and Rugby World Cup Limited, which began ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

Ann Cairns, President of International Markets of MasterCard Worldwide said: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Rugby World Cup, which takes place right here in England in 2015. Rugby World Cup is a truly priceless event for rugby fans around the world and we are looking forward to developing ways that we can bring this partnership to life for our cardholders and partners in 2015.”

Dan Carter said: “Kicking from the middle of the River Thames was special but the ultimate priceless experience will be pulling on an All Blacks jersey at Rugby World Cup 2015. I’m really looking forward to working with MasterCard to give priceless experiences to fans for Rugby World Cup.”

Brett Gosper, Rugby World Cup Managing Director said: “We are excited to be renewing our highly-successful partnership with MasterCard, a globally renowned brand, a world leader in the payments technology sector and a true supporter of Rugby worldwide.”

As part of the agreement, MasterCard secures a comprehensive rights and benefits package that allows the company to deliver value to customer financial institutions, merchants and cardholders, including the ability to access ‘Priceless’ experiences linked to Rugby World Cup 2015.

About MasterCard:

MasterCard (NYSE:MA), www.mastercard.com,is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.

About Rugby World Cup:

Rugby World Cup is the financial engine behind unprecedented investment and growth in Rugby worldwide. The net Rugby World Cup surplus from the commercial success of France 2007 and New Zealand 2011 has enabled the International Rugby Board to invest more than £150 million in the Game between 2009 and 2012 and commit an anticipated injection of more than £180 million between 2013 and 2016 to underwrite a large range of major funding initiatives including annual national Union grants and strategic investments focusing on growing participation and increasing competition across all 119 national Member Unions affiliated to the IRB.

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