[May 13, 2005] Samsung Electronics to Award 'Cell Phone Samaritans' the Opportunity to Run in the Torino 2006 Olympic Torch Relay in Italy Tweet RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics, the award-winning telecommunications leader and Presenting Partner of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Torch Relay, announced today that it will reward "Cell Phone Samaritans" with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run with the torch in Italy. As a Presenting Partner of the Torino 2006 Olympic Torch Relay, Samsung will award consumers who have used their wireless phones to help others with the opportunity to run with the Olympic torch in Florence, Italy. "In today's wireless connected world, people are increasingly using their cell phones to place calls for help in emergency situations. 'Cell Phone Samaritans' go above and beyond the call of duty, providing connections for people who can't connect for themselves -- from accidents to people who need to contact friends or relatives when plans go awry," said Peter Weedfald, senior vice president, Samsung Electronics America. "As part of our continued sponsorship of the Olympic Torch Relay we would like to reward these heroes with the prestigious honor to run with the Olympic torch." To nominate yourself or someone you know as a "Cell Phone Samaritan," visit http://www.samsung.com/torchrelay between now and June 17 and tell your story in 50 words or less. Entries should describe how a cell phone was used in an emergency situation to help someone else. Entries should exemplify the immediacy and mobility benefits of cellular phone technology in an emergency situation, as well as a gesture of kindness and compassion toward another person. A panel of judges will select 15 winning entries from the top 75 finalists, awarding those consumers with an opportunity to serve as Olympic torchbearers -- flying to Italy to take part in one of the most prestigious traditions in sports today. Complete rules and eligibility requirements are available online. "Cell phones and the Olympic Games have the remarkable ability to connect people with one another across boundaries," said Jim Grice, Chief Marketing Officer, USOC. "In many ways, 'Cell phone heroes' embody the Olympic values of uniting and inspiring communities. By honoring these extraordinary individuals, we celebrate the very nature of Olympic Spirit." Samsung Electronics has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment category since 1997 and first sponsored the Olympic Torch Relay in 2004 prior to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Through the years Samsung has consistently sponsored and supported a broad range of sporting events that echo its corporate philosophy, elevate Samsung's brand recognition and demonstrate the company's commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and global friendship. For more information about Samsung's Olympic involvement, visit http://www.samsung.com/torchrelay. About Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced telecommunications equipment. The SEA organization oversees the North American operations of Samsung including Samsung Telecommunications America, Samsung Electronics Canada and Samsung Electronics Mexico. Please visit http://www.samsung.com/ for more information. About Samsung Electronics Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 123,000 people in 93 offices across 48 countries. The company is the world's third largest producer of mobile phones. Since 1997 Samsung has been the Olympic Partner in the Wireless Telecommunications Equipment category and continue its contribution to the Olympic Movement as the Olympic Partner and as Presenting Partner for the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games and Olympic Torch Relay. For more information, please visit the web site, http://www.samsung.com/ Samsung Electronics CONTACT: Tara O'Donnell of Samsung Electronics America, Inc.,+1-201-229-4090, [email protected]; or Cheryl Herbert of USOC MediaRelations, +1-719-866-4566, [email protected]; or Marc Levy of Cohn &Wolfe, +1-212-798-9798, [email protected], for Samsung Electronics Web site: http://www.samsung.com/http://www.samsung.com/torchrelay [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]