Panasonic Signs Official Worldwide Olympic Partnership Agreement

Panasonic Signs Official Worldwide Olympic Partnership Agreement

SECAUCUS, N.J., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, announced today it has signed an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to renew its Official Worldwide Olympic Partnership for another eight years through to the 2016 Olympic Games. The signing ceremony, held at The Banqueting House in London, was hosted by IOC President Jacques Rogge, and Fumio Ohtsubo, President of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Under the terms of the agreement, Panasonic continues as the Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Video Equipment category, enabling billions of sports fans to watch the Olympic Games using the latest high definition (HD) broadcast systems and audio visual equipment developed by Panasonic. The sponsorship category will be extended to also include Digital Still Cameras.

"Panasonic is proud to announce its commitment to support the Olympic Movement for another eight years through to 2016, building on its nearly 20- year partnership with the International Olympic Committee," said Fumio Ohtsubo. "Through our commitment to the Olympic Movement, we want to make it possible for people around the world to share the passion of the Olympic Games with our HD technologies whether they are in the stadium or watching from home. Panasonic promises to bring the excitement of the Olympic Games to life."

Jacques Rogge welcomed the renewal of the Panasonic's partnership, "Panasonic has been a valued partner of the Olympic Movement since our worldwide TOP programme began. Panasonic's global reach, expertise and cutting edge audio and video technologies have proved essential over the last decade in the efficient staging of the Olympic Games. Panasonic's vision for the continued innovation of high definition technology is a true testament to the Olympic spirit of excellence, friendship and respect."

Panasonic has been an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner since The Olympic Partner (TOP) Programme started in 1988, for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games and Seoul Olympic Games, in the Audio and Video Equipment category with the aim of providing financial and technical support to the staging of the Olympic Games.

For more information on Panasonic's Olympic partnership activities, please see: http://panasonic.net/olympic/towards2016.html

About Panasonic

Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of US$77.19 billion for the year ended March 31, 2007. The Company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:MC) stock exchanges.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Corporation of North America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is a recognized industry leader in Plasma HDTV technology. Panasonic's exclusive Panasonic Plasma Concierge customer support program, administered through its Virginia-based Call Center, is recognized as a Certified "Center of Excellence" by the Center for Customer-Driven Quality(TM) at Purdue University. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Web site: http://www.panasonic.com
http://panasonic.net/olympic/towards2016.html

Source: Panasonic

CONTACT: Chris De Maria, +1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com,
Jeff Samuels, +1-201-392-4571, samuelsj@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic;
Brendan Mullin, Peppercom, +1-212-931-6112, bmullin@peppercom.com, for
Panasonic

---

Profile: International Entertainment