OREANDA-NEWS. Panasonic Corporation announced at Santos, Brazil, the renewal of its global advertising contract with Brazilian national soccer team and FC Barcelona player, Neymar da Silva Santos Junior. The new contract will last for four years from April 2013. Neymar Jr. will also appear in new advertisements for the company's B2B solutions to be rolled out in 193 countries and regions, starting in Japan from July 22, 2013. By sponsoring Neymar Jr., who is popular all over the world, Panasonic is aiming to develop a youthful, dynamic and swift global brand image for the company.

In March 2010, Panasonic became the first Japanese company to sign an advertising contract with Neymar Jr. to appear in advertising in Brazil. In April 2011, the company and Neymar Jr. signed a two-year global contract, and Neymar Jr. became the global publicity character for the company, including its work with the London 2012 Olympic Games*1. In anticipation of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, a four-year contract from April 2013 to March 2017 has been signed, and Neymar Jr. will act as the global ambassador for the company in its B2C and B2B business promotional activities, advertising activities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, CSR activities, including its eco activities and activities for the development of the next generation, as well as other activities.

In addition to advertising and sales-promotion campaigns for B2C businesses focused on audio-visual equipment, Panasonic will also proactively launch global advertising with Neymar Jr. for its B2B solutions businesses, including its residential energy creation-storage linked systems and mobility related solutions, starting from 22 July in Japan. As part of these promotional activities, Panasonic will also launch a special website and an SNS site titled "Panasonic x Neymar Jr." which will support Neymar Jr., and offer the latest information on the famous player, and also include a support project for fans using illustrations of Neymar Jr.*2. Content introducing Panasonic's B2C and B2B products and businesses is also scheduled to be released on the sites.