KTF Turns to Vigorous
Sport Marketing

One of the active companies capitalizing on the Korean soccer fever

Hundreds of thousands of people, clad with "Red Devils"clothes, have thronged to main boulevards and stadiums in Korea to cheer up Korean side during the World Cup games in Germany, as they did during the 2002 World Cup in Korea. The soccer fever has gripped every nook and corner of the nation as they have cheered Korean 2002 semifinalists in front of wide TV screens. Korean side, which have stunned the nation as well the world with a 2-1 win over Togo and a 1-1 draw against the giant France is to take on Switzerland on June 24, a watershed event of determining Korea's advance to the second, knock-out stage of 16.
KTF, Korea's second largest telecom operator, is one of Korean companies which have turned to vigorous sporting marketing activities.
One of the long-standing supporters backing up the Korea Football Association and Korean national players, KTF has supported diverse programs for the promotion of the domestic soccer since 2001.
During the 2002 World Cup, KTF offered a scholarship for young soccer players as one of the official 2002 World Cup sponsors,
The telecom operator deposited about 120 million won by introducing the "Korea Fighting Price System"for one year, and utilized the money for arranging for excellent leaders of girls'and boys'soccer players to undergo a training to a renowned soccer school near Manchester, the United Kingdom this year in cooperation of the KFA.
KTF and KFA are seeking to promote scholarships and welfare funds for retired soccer players who have contributed to the development of the Korean soccer and second-generation soccer players.
KTF inked a contract to sponsor the Red Devils, the supporters'group for Korean World Cup players last December.
KTF has held diverse festivals and events supporting the Taeguk Warriors for their success in the World Cup.
The telecom operator has installed 63-inch wide PDP screen in front of the accommodation quarters for Korean World Cup players to send people's cheering video messages from Koreans at home to the players in real time before and during the World Cup competition.
KTF has organized "2006 Reds Go Together Festivals"within 10 subway stations, including Gwanghwamun, Gwangmyeong, Nowon and Cheonho stations. Fourteen cheering corps - five bands, five cheer leaders teams and "guerrilla teams"- have organized entertainment events praying for the Korean side's success in Germany during lunch time and afternoon rush hours.
KTF has offered free bell sound services in which customers can download a combination of "Reds Go Together"and "For the Victory,"cheering songs of the Korean supporters"group Red Devils, and send the bell sounds to their colleagues free of charge.
NEW CONCEPT IN MOBILE FOT SOCCER FANS. KTF has brought a fresh aspect to the culture of soccer fans with the release of a new concept in mobile phones handsets for real soccer lovers.
KTF unveiled four different models of "Love Soccer"mobile handsets and also the official "Love Soccer Fan Pack,"which includes the official supporters'club uniform.
The Love Soccer handsets are all designed on 4 of the most popular handsets in the market. There is the SPH-3100, which is T-DMB-enabled (terrestrial digital media broadcasting) and so will let owners watch soccer matches on the phone. Next is the EV-K100, which is the world's 1st 7.9mm ultra-slim phone. Then there are the LG-KV5900 "Chocolate Phone"and the 3D-sound Bluetooth PT-K1700 phone, as well.
Each limited edition model comes embedded with MP3 and ringtone versions of the official fans'chant, "Let's go together,"and a "Let's go together'slogan appears and the aforementioned tune chimes each time the phone is switched on or off. These phones really are for the true soccer fans.
Also, each subscription will see 1,000 won automatically donated to a Korean soccer development fund.
KTF marketing vice president Hyun-Myung Pyo revealed, "The 'Love Soccer Fan Pack'is emotionally sensitive marketing designed to bring a sense of fun and happiness to the customer."He added, "As an official sponsor of the Korean national soccer team, we will continue with beneficial businesses to spread a new supporters'culture and contribute to the development of Korean soccer." nw

KTF clients can download their own ringtone sounds based on a combination of Red Devils'cheering songs for Korean World Cup players.