Samsung, an official sponsor of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations slated for South Africa this year has launched 'Samsung Fan Zone' interactive program in seven African countries to bring the spirit of the games to fans across the continent.
The programmes expected to invigorate football fans in the cup of nations will include Samsung Mobile Fan Zone, Samsung Football Anthem by Don Jazzy and Samsung digital.
In a statement to the GNA on Tuesday, the company says Samsung Fan Zones are at the core of the company’s fan engagement program this year and would provide Fan Zones in South Africa, Ghana, Angola, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Zambia.
It says Samsung would leverage its 20 brand stores and eight shopping malls for more fans to experience interactive activities that will allow them to share their passion for African football.
Inside the Samsung Fan Zone, football fans can show their passion towards their team and players by taking photos and sending them directly to the Samsung Africa Social Network Service site which will become part of the Samsung Ambassador mosaic.
Football fans can also write supportive messages for their favourite teams on the smart spirit wall.
It notes that displaying Samsung's product will allow fans to interactively play football through SMART TV and stay in touch with what is happening during Orange Africa Cup of Nations with the latest Samsung mobile products.
Through these new engagement platforms, Samsung aims to establish 'Passion', a different football 'Experience' and a sense of 'Fan Collaboration'.
Mr. Vishwas Saxena, Business Leader for Exports in Samsung Ghana reiterated Samsung Ghana’s commitment to fuelling the passion that underpins soccer in Ghana.
He said: "We believe that one key element to the success of any great team, apart from team work, is the support and encouragement the fans give to the team.
"We know the passions of our supporters and this is why we are here; to fuel the passion of millions of Ghanaian fans to cheer the Black Stars on in their bid to bring the Cup home and that is our ultimate goal and we believe it is achievable".
He added that once Samsung had been able to spur the supporters on, the players would have the bigger support to deliver on its expectations.
Mr. Saxena urged the supporters to share their passion in the Samsung Fan Zone and cheer the Black Stars on to victory.
He noted that through various platforms such as in-stadium activities, music, and digital engagement platform, Samsung plans to engage a wider audience and collaborative involvement.
Understanding the passion that music provokes across the continent, Samsung has also recently collaborated with one of Africa's most popular artists, Don Jazzy, to produce the 'Samsung Football Anthem', said Mr. Saxena.
He said football fans could sing the song during Fan Zone events and hear it on the radio and during Samsung TV advertisements, adding that in an attempt to bring the games closer to fans outside the actual stadiums, Samsung would activate 'Mobile Fan Zones.
According to him, the interactive sites would explore the surrounding areas whereby the matches were taking place and fans would receive giveaways and the chance to experience Samsung's latest smart technology products.
Samsung will also leverage its own digital medium, 'Samsung Africa Facebook', whereby fans can participate online in the same events that are happening in Fan Zones.
The company will also supply a special app for people to upload their photos and participate in competitions which will be on Samsung's AFCON Faceboook page (https://apps.facebook.com/samsung_afcon/)
"We are committed to Africa and believe in the vast potential across the continent and honoured to have the opportunity to engage our brand and innovative technology during such a prestigious event.
"Through unique platforms, we hope to bring new and memorable experiences for fans to participate in the games," said Mr. Yung-Kook Lee, Vice President and Head of Global Sports Marketing at Samsung.
Through relentless innovation and discovery, Samsung is transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions.
According to Mr. Yung-Kook Lee, Samsung Electronics Company Limited employs 227,000 people across 75 countries with annual sales exceeding US$143 billion.
He said the goal of the company was to open new possibilities for people everywhere.
Samsung has been sponsoring the Africa Cup of Nations since 2008 and is in partnership with Confederation of Africa Football to continue this initiative until 2015.