Digicel Secures West Indies Cricket Team Sponsorship

New sponsorship deal to pave the way to future success

Digicel, the leading mobile service provider in the Caribbean, today announced that it has secured the coveted sponsorship of the West Indies Cricket Team, a unique deal which was put in place by International Sports Management. The US$ multi-million sponsorship deal with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), is for 5 years with an option to renew and will officially come into operation for the January - February 2005 tour to Australia. The deal with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was signed by Digicel Chairman, Mr. Denis O’Brien at a ceremony in London today attended by President of the West Indies Cricket Board, Teddy Griffiths and West Indies Team Captain, Mr. Brian Lara.

Digicel will become the official sponsor of the West Indies Test and ODI (One Day International) teams, Event Sponsors for the Home Test and ODI Series, and the official mobile and communications provider of the WICB. Digicel’s new sponsorship deal will help the company promote its mobile business across the Caribbean.

Digicel’s sponsorship of the West Indies Cricket Team not only demonstrates the rapid success of Digicel across the Caribbean region but also represents a major 5 year commitment to West Indies cricket.

With new programmes in place to improve the team’s current and future performance,  Digicel’s long term investment is designed to help return Caribbean cricket to its past glory.  It’s the first ever home and away sponsorship secured by the WICB and incorporates unprecedented incentives to raise players’ performances and places an additional  US$1 million into the game’s development through Digicel’s sponsorship of select junior teams. Digicel will be sponsoring the Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 teams as part of the largest deal ever done with the West Indian cricket board.

Speaking at the announcement in London, UK today attended by members of the WI team, Teddy Griffith, President of the West Indies Cricket Board, said: “Our partnership with Digicel represents a new era for the sponsorship of West Indies cricket. Digicel’s dynamic, innovative, forward-thinking attitude, which has transformed the telecommunications market in the Caribbean in under three years, will no doubt have the same impact on West Indies cricket. Change is inevitable and we look forward to a long and rewarding partnership with Digicel.”

“Digicel takes enormous pride in becoming the official main sponsor of the West Indies Cricket team,” said Denis O’Brien, Chairman of Digicel Group. “As the number one Caribbean mobile telecommunications provider we are committed to further strengthening our involvement in communities throughout the Caribbean. We believe in the future of the Caribbean and its cricket. Our intention is to enable West Indies Cricket to get back to the top of world Test cricket and to success in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.”

O’Brien added: “We are delighted to make available this substantial sponsorship package to West Indies cricket. We will add new energy into West Indies Cricket through our incentives and youth programmes. This will encourage more great performances and foster future cricket legends.  Digicel will also be looking at ways to make the game more  interactive using our technology and an even more enjoyable experience for the millions of West Indies fans. We are excited about the future of cricket in the Caribbean. Our sponsorship will help enable West Indian cricket regain their dominance of the sport”

About Digicel:

Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has grown to become the most successful mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. . Digicel has overtaken the incumbent Cable & Wireless PLC within months in every market that it has launched in. Digicel has invested almost US $600 million in launching mobile networks across the Caribbean.

 With operations in seven countries including Aruba, Barbados, Cayman, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, Digicel is the largest GSM mobile operator in the West Indies market place and continues its expansion to other Caribbean countries. Subject to the granting of licenses Digicel looks forward to entering further vibrant markets such as Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, St. Kitts & Nevis and Guyana to mention but a few. And by leading the way on mobile service innovation, Digicel has placed the Caribbean on the cutting edge of mobile technology.

Other regional Digicel sponsorships include the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which will commence with the first rounds in October 2004.