Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics and telecommunications, and its partners Circuit City and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, have set a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of professional athletes assembled for an autograph signing.A mountain of 4,500 footballs, 18 Hall of Fame football players, and a whirlwind of signatures were on stage Wednesday morning at the famed Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, in an event that Guinness World RecordsTM has certified as the world record for the “Largest Autograph Signing by Professional Athletes.” The event launched the “HD Hero Days” promotion at Circuit City.
Approximately 20 members of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club were on-hand and had the opportunity to meet football legends such as Marcus Allen, Michael Irvin, Anthony Munoz, Deacon Jones, Carl Eller, Harry Carson, Fred Belitnikoff, Merlin Olsen and many more. During the event, Samsung formally gave their gift of $10,000 in product to the Las Vegas chapter of the Boys & Girls Club.
This is part of Samsung’s “Leave a Legacy program” in which the company gives back to the host-city of major events such as CES, Super Bowl and more. “Achieving this record with so many great NFL players on-hand is an incredible accomplishment,” said Tim Baxter, executive vice president of Consumer Electronics for Samsung Electronics America. “This record underscores Samsung’s leadership in the consumer electronics industry, and in our support for giving back to local communities.”
“We’re thrilled to see this promotion brought to life with a world record,” said Peter C. Weedfald, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Circuit City. “We believe ‘HD Hero Days’ will give our Circuit City customers an opportunity to obtain a souvenir of a lifetime in addition to supporting charities that help to build strong communities.”
Rob Molloy, the official adjudicator from Guinness World RecordsTM, was on hand to monitor the hundreds of balls being signed and the various pros signing them. At 10:44 a.m., Molloy announced that a new Guinness World RecordTM had been established. “It’s a great achievement,” Molloy said, “and it’s a Guinness World Record any sports fan can appreciate.”
The footballs will be used during a month-long promotion at Circuit City. Until February 2, consumers who purchase a 40” (or larger) 1080p Samsung HDTV plus any firedog home theater service $99 or more are eligible to receive one of these autographed footballs, while supplies last.
In addition to the footballs, the heroes signed 2 HDTVs. These 32 inch LCD HDTVs (LN-T3253H) will be auctioned online at http://www.nflauction.nfl.com/, with the proceeds supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas, Boys & Girls Clubs of a America, the Dan Marino Foundation through Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope and Pro Footballs’ Enshrinee’s Assistance Program.
“We are so thankful that Samsung, Circuit City and the Pro Football Hall of Fame included us in this wonderful program,” said Jim Richards, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club. “The fact that they included a Las Vegas charity shows they are sincere about making a real difference in the lives of the youngsters living in our community.”
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit http://www.samsung.com/.
