Serving Tennis and Fashion in Straight Sets
Firefly announces Platinum partnership with Showdown of Champions 2009: The Glam Slam
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec 8, 2009 – Showdown of Champions 2009 aced a winning partnership with Firefly as it welcomed the community airline as its Platinum Partner. With this strategic alliance, Firefly will have the rights to feature selected images and branding of Glam Slam with these four international tennis players; namely Elena Dementiva, Maria Kirilenko, Zheng Jie and Sania Mirza, for one year. This will also be extended to Firefly’s parent company, Malaysia Airlines and its subsidiary MASwings. Held at the Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur – Showdown’s official hotel, this briefing also saw the launch of the search for two ‘Liaison Officers’, local female chaperons who will spend four days with two of the skilled and glamorous tennis stars during their exhibition stint here in Kuala Lumpur.
“LD Sports is excited to have Firefly as Showdown’s Platinum Partner. Their regional and international network that is further supported by MAS and MASwings is well-suited to deal with the anticipated increase in tourist flow travelling for the Showdown. With its 21 ticket offices promoting this event, Firefly’s extensive presence also provides the ideal marketing platform for us to create further awareness,” said En. Adlin Zabri, Deputy Chairman of LD Sports Sdn.Bhd., organizers of the Showdown of Champions.
He further added that this is actually the first time in the three years of having organized tennis extravaganzas that Showdown is working with an airline. This sponsorship by Firefly indicates the growing popularity of Glam Slam events in Malaysia.
Ms.Angelina Fernandez, Head of Marketing & Communications of Firefly said that by partnering with LD Sports for the Showdown of Champions 2009, the brand stays true to its commitment of bringing communities closer not only for Malaysians but also for visiting travelers.
She added, “ Firefly’s point to point access to airports throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore has increased the amount of visitors into Malaysia. With the combined network that Firefly, Malaysia Airlines and MASwings offers, this partnership will now bring even more visitors our country. Firefly will be launching their Grand Slam packages online tomorrow. “
Firefly’s sponsorship comprises of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly tickets and Firefly packages.
Billed as Asia vs Russia, the exhibition match is scheduled for the 19 and 20 December and will see the female quartet demonstrate their tennis skills and fashion sense both on and off court. Aptly called the Glam Slam in celebration of the players’ renowned fashion sense, they will pit their skills against each other in the doubles and singles match at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam. Showdown of Champions 2009 is supported by the Ministries of Tourism and Youth and Sport and Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM).
“Tennis has married fashion. I believe few sports are as intertwined with fashion as tennis – a bond that has become more deliberate in recent years with tennis stars doubling up as socialites too,” Adlin enthused when announcing the launch of Glam Slam’s search for two female Liaison Officers, each to be sponsored by LD Sports and Firefly.
In sharing the details of the search, he said, ”LD Sports is awarding the winner of LD’s Liaison Officer search a three night single room stay at Royale Chulan Hotel and RM1,000 in spending allowance. Completely a wildcard – this is an opportunity of a lifetime where one lucky female Malaysian, aged 18 years and above will chaperon one of the four tennis players. To add to the Glam, our lucky Malaysian will be working alongside two celebrities and one Firefly Liaison winner – Showdown will have Malaysia’s very own Glam Slam quartet! “
“This role will see the winning Liaison Officers act as an intermediary and accompany the star on every public session scheduled from their arrival to the time they leave and is best suited for someone who speaks well, is confident and articulate. The Liaison Officers will also act as an ambassador of our country, so it is important that she is familiar with our local culture, customs and the various offerings Malaysia has as a tourist destination,” he explained.
Participation is really simple. Interested contenders are to head to Level 3, Connection Precinct, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur this Friday, 11th December between 6.30pm – 8pm and come dressed in chic, classy or creative tennis attire and heels. The organizers aim to stay true to the fashion statements often made by the four tennis stars themselves! Be spotted by one of the uniformed Showdown of Champions crew, answer some simple questions and stand a chance to be THE Liaison Officer!
Firefly on the other will launch their search for the ‘Firefly Liaison Officer’ via online media, through its Facebook page.
Angelina emphasised that, “ Our passengers are our trophy. The opportunity for participation will be shared with our valued passengers and our search goes online tomorrow, offering a chance for our passengers to enjoy the experience of not just of being with these tennis stars but to be a STAR themselves whilst enjoying exciting giveaways from Firefly. We are thrilled for our passengers.”
Either way, fame and glam most certainly awaits the lucky winners!
Adlin urged fans and fashionistas to book their tickets to the Showdown early to avoid disappointment. Tickets for the Glam Slam can be purchased via www.tickethotline.com.my and are priced from RM48 to RM208 for court side seats.
For more contest and Showdown details, visit http://showdownkl.com
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About LD Sports Sdn.Bhd.
LD Sports is a renowned event organiser established in 1997. Organisers of marquee event and highly successful Showdown of Champions 2008 and the Clash of Times/the Titans in 2007 featuring the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, LD Sports also successfully staged the musical Merchants of Bollywood in a joint venture effort in mid-2009.
About Firefly Sdn.Bhd.
Firefly, Your Community Airline was launched in April 2007. It is operated under FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Airline System (MAS) Berhad. The name ‘Firefly’ (fei ying) describes the airline’s personality, which is agile, brilliant, charming and fun.
For more information, visit http://www.fireflyz.com.my/about/company-profile
Media enquiries on Firefly should be made to :
Raja Saadi Raja Amrin, PR Manager at 012 2260048 or rajasaadi.rajaamrin@malaysiaairlines.com
For other media enquiries, please contact:
Suchithra Krishnan
G2 Public Relations
T: 03- 2178 0054
Suchithra.Krishnan@g2.com
Devakhi Nathan
G2 Public Relations
T: 03 – 2178 0060
Devakhi.Nathan@g2.com
PlatinumPartner:
