Luke Donald, Morgan Pressel and Fred Couples join Team RBC

Tour pros to be RBC brand ambassadors across PGA TOUR, Champions and LPGA Tours

ORLANDO , FL, Jan. 28 /CNW/ - RBC today announced that PGA TOUR professionals Fred Couples, Luke Donald , and LPGA standout Morgan Pressel have joined Anthony Kim , Stephen Ames and Mike Weir , formally launching "Team RBC" as part of the bank's expanded commitment to golf as a global brand and marketing platform.

RBC becomes the official banking and financial services partner for each athlete and, as part of Team RBC, all players will carry RBC branded golf bags and will be featured in RBC marketing and advertising planned for the U.S., Canada , and international markets.

"Creating Team RBC reflects our decision to make a long-term strategic investment in golf that will build the RBC brand in key geographic and demographic markets, particularly as we grow our business presence in the U.S., U.K. and the Caribbean," said Jim Little , RBC Chief Brand and Communications Officer. "Each member of Team RBC is there to help our businesses advance specific aspects of their marketing and brand objectives - whether with targeted client segments or in specific regions."

"As a player who competes globally I think it's fantastic that RBC has expanded their footprint in golf both here and in the U.K.," Luke Donald said. "I first met the RBC folks last year at the Masters and they were great hosts when I was in Canada in July for the RBC Canadian Open. This is a really positive development for the game and I am proud to be a part of it."

"I couldn't be more excited to be joining with RBC," Fred Couples said. "RBC has taken a big step into the golf world, and I'm happy to be part of their team of players. I have been a client of RBC for some time already, and they are a great worldwide company to work with. I am looking forward to helping RBC with all their promotional plans."

"There's nobody in golf as committed as they seem to be right now and I think it's good for our sport," Morgan Pressel said. "To be included among players of this caliber is an honor. I'm looking forward to meeting their people in various markets and representing them when my season begins in a couple of weeks."

Earlier today, RBC announced it had become a PGA of America Official Patron and the Official Bank of The PGA Championship, Sr. PGA Championship, Grand Slam of Golf and Proud Supporter of the Ryder Cup. With a significant presence on network and cable television through this relationship, as well as its PGA TOUR title sponsor ship of the RBC Canadian Open July 19-25, plans are already in place to fully integrate the athlete partnerships into a new advertising campaign.

"As we define our footprint in the game of golf we are thrilled that these six players will represent the RBC brand on and off the course," Little said. "They are all great champions, great people and caring individuals who share RBC's commitment to charity and building better communities. We are looking forward to a fantastic season with them on board."

RBC in Golf

Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We proudly support golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR, the PGA of America and Royal Canadian Golf Association (RCGA). We are the Official Banking and Financial Services partner of touring professionals Anthony Kim , Mike Weir , Luke Donald , Stephen Ames , Fred Couples, and Morgan Pressel . We are the Official Bank of the PGA of America and title sponsor of the RBC Canadian Open. We support emerging Canadian golfers through the RCGA's grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and high performance national team. Outside of golf, RBC supports all levels of amateur sport and is the Premier National Partner of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. RBC is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies and among the largest banks in the world, as measured by market capitalization.

For further information: Gillian McArdle, RBC Media Relations, [phone]