Panasonic Goes to Bat with New York Mets

March 31, 2004 -- Panasonic has concluded an agreement with the New York Mets for specific advertising rights, giving Panasonic the right to advertise the D-Snap products and the Lumix line of digital still cameras in Shea Stadium for the 2004 Major League Baseball season. The agreement includes a unique marketing/promotional opportunity involving Kazuo Matsui, the much heralded rookie shortstop from Japan.

Under the agreement, Panasonic will receive the right to advertise its D-Snap and Lumix product lines on a panel on the rotating sign behind home plate at Shea Stadium. Panasonic will also receive advertisement space in each regular season edition of the Mets in-stadium program.

In connection with the advertising campaign, Panasonic will sponsor a "Lucky Fan" giveaway promotion at Shea Stadium during each Mets regular season home game. The "Lucky Fan" winner will receive a Panasonic D-Snap SD video camera. Additionally the camera will be displayed on the stadium's giant screen during each promotion.

Panasonic's agreement with the New York Mets provides for a unique advertising/promotional arrangement involving Matsui. The Panasonic D-Snap or Panasonic Lumix logo will be displayed, along with the Mets logo, on a draped interview backing during all press conferences conducted by the New York Mets in which Matsui participates during the team's season at Shea Stadium.

"We are very excited to be associated with the New York Mets," said Gene Kelsey, Panasonic Vice President, Brand Strategy Group. "All of us at Panasonic are proud to be associated with a player of Kaz Matsui's caliber, not to mention an athlete whose American debut is so widely anticipated. This is a wonderful opportunity and venue to present the message of our D-Snap and Lumix cameras and to share that with millions of loyal baseball fans, both in the stadium and at home watching the game on television."

Panasonic and the New York Mets also reached a signage agreement for advertising rights during the 2004 St. Lucie Mets Florida State League baseball team's minor league season. Under this agreement, Panasonic receives the right to advertise the D-Snap and Lumix product lines on each of two signs, one located on the first base side of the field, the other located along the third base side of the field at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

"We welcome Panasonic to the Mets advertising family. Panasonic is a company known for its quality and customer loyalty, traits we share and look for in our advertisers," said Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations, New York Mets.

Additional information on Matsushita Electric Corporation of America and Panasonic is available at www.panasonic.com.

SOURCE Panasonic