August 22/00 3:10 am - Jeanson Signs New Sponsorship Deal

Posted by Editor on 08/22/00
 

RONA adopts Geneviève Jeanson - Company becomes athlete's main sponsor

Montreal, August 22, 2000 - RONA Inc. is proud to announce its sponsorship association with cyclist Geneviève Jeanson, double junior world champion in 1999 and participant in the upcoming Olympic Games in Sydney.

The sponsorship agreement covers an initial period of 18 months with an option to renew. In terms of the agreement, RONA will supply Geneviève Jeanson with financial support and back up her activities and public appearances, in addition to showcasing her career on its website.

Over the course of the sponsorship period, 18 year-old Geneviève Jeanson will participate in a number of promotional activities and corporate events, meet with RONA personnel, tour stores and attend store openings. She will also star in a RONA commercial, being filmed today (August 22nd) in Old Montreal, in which she will be shown in action on the road. The message will be broadcast starting September 15 in conjunction with RONA's official sponsorship of the broadcast of the Sydney Games on Radio-Canada, the Réseau de l'information (RDI) and the Réseau des sports (RDS).

"I'm very happy I can count on the major support of a company like RONA to help me pursue my career by allowing me to concentrate on competing, training and studying. This sponsorship will really make things a lot easier for me," Ms. Jeanson said. "From my very first contact with the people at RONA, I felt that they support me unconditionally and that my success is important to them. I will proudly wear their colors from coast to coast and around the world. This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship that I know will continue to grow over the years."

"We are extremely pleased to be associated with an outstanding athlete like Geneviève, who shines not only on the road, but also in person," explains RONA president and CEO Robert Dutton. "This is an athlete who represents all the RONA values: determination, discipline, perseverance, passionate involvement, and the urge to be the best. Her work ethic and her strength of character are a new source of inspiration for everyone in the RONA family. We intend to stick with Geneviève for the long term."

The www.rona.ca website will allow surfers to follow Geneviève Jeanson throughout the 2000 Olympic Games and beyond. Starting August 28, visitors will be offered the chance to establish an interactive relationship with the athlete. The site, which will be completed in time for the opening of the Sydney Olympic Games, will include highlights of her career, a calendar of her Olympic events, an overview of her results, analysis of her performances, news and press releases, and Geneviève's daily diary, where she will comment on significant events.

RONA has already demonstrated its strong commitment to the development of cycling last June when the RONA l'entrepôt stores in the Montreal region unveiled their sponsorship of the Montreal Bike Fest.

RONA is the leading distributor and retailer in the hardware, home renovation and gardening industry in eastern Canada, and the third largest retailer in its field in the country. RONA and RONA dealer-owners operate a network of 500 stores of different sizes and formats in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario.