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Neymar Jr. kicks off TCL’s 2018 global sports campaign

Neymar Jr. was officially welcomed as Global Brand Ambassador of TCL and presented with a Chinese stamp by Sean Zhang, General Manager of Brand Management Center. In exchange, his autographed football shirt was presented to Kevin Wang, Senior Vice President of TCL Corporation and CEO of TCL Multimedia, Sean Zhang, General Manager of Brand Management Center of TCL Corporation and Dr. Affonso Brandao Hennel, joint venture partner of TCL in Brazil. (TCL Multimedia)

Neymar Jr., one of the world’s most influential and widely-recognized athletes, today officially took up his new role as global brand ambassador for TCL, top-three global television manufacturer and leading consumer electronics brand. The star young footballer kicked off the brand’s 2018 global sports campaign at an event in his hometown of Sao Paulo.

As part of his partnership with TCL, Neymar Jr. brings his star power and exceptional qualities to a wider, global community in order to bring the brand’s fans closer together.

“I am honored to be Global Brand Ambassador for TCL. The brand and I share similar values, such as the constant pursuit of excellence and great results,” said Neymar Jr., “My fans watch me play football on TV, and I enjoy watching sport on my TCL TV at home with my family and friends. I know the partnership with TCL will be an entertaining journey,” added Neymar Jr.

“This is a perfect fit for TCL because we are very passionate about sports,” said Kevin Wang, Senior Vice President of TCL Corporation and CEO of TCL Multimedia. “The partnership with Neymar Jr. will be fully integrated into TCL’s global brand and marketing strategies. We are excited to work with Neymar Jr. and to offer consumers an immersive viewing experience to embrace the sports they love this summer with our intelligent TV products.”

Neymar Jr. experienced TCL’s flagship QLED TV X6 and TCL 4k UHD TV P6 at the event, which were launched in Brazil, and helped to co-launch a series of TCL x Neymar Jr. advertising campaigns.

Recently, the company launched a large-scale outdoor advertising campaign with the theme “BORN A LEGEND” and celebrated the partnership at global landmarks such as New York’s Times Square, Hollywood TCL Chinese Theatre and in locations across US, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and China.

The company is shortly to launch an exclusive video campaign with Neymar Jr. in which he experiences other elements of TCL’s extensive product portfolio, including TVs, washing machines, refrigerators and other home appliances.

Expanded global brand strategy targeting the sports community

The partnership with Neymar Jr. is a key next step in TCL’s global brand strategy. The tie-up allows TCL to reach a wider audience of young sports fans worldwide and will raise TCL’s global brand visibility, reinforcing the company’s youthful, international brand image.

“Our vision is to build TCL into a global leader in smart products and internet services. We connect our consumers with enhanced technology leadership, and smart and intelligent product experiences and global partnerships that fit the brand,” said Kevin Wang.

Investment in sports and entertainment marketing activities is a major plank in TCL’s global brand strategy. The company’s other global sports partners include the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, the iconic Rose Bowl stadium, soccer team San Jose Earthquakes, Brazilian Football Confederation (Brazil), Rosario Central Football Club (Argentina), Philippine Basketball Association (Philippines), The Melbourne Cup and Melbourne Victory Football Club (Australia). It also works with entertainment industry partners including Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre, The Ellen Show, and the popular Warner Bros. Pictures movie Justice League.

Business growth and outlook

This latest partnership and expanded brand strategy reflect TCL’s accelerating growth and business vision.

“TCL continues to consolidate and expand our TV business, while exploring new opportunities through investments, mergers, acquisitions and restructuring,” said Kevin Wang. “We plan to gain differentiation through continued high-end product strategy and innovative new products and applications to create a better user experience when compared with our existing products,” he added.

In the next three years, TCL aims to build an eco-business enterprise based on the smart TV business, to provide users with exquisite smart TV products and services.

TCL ranked top three in the global LCD TV market with a market share of 10.9% in 2017, according to IHS Technology and the company’s shipment data.

(TCL)