Samsung Canada and NHL Announce Multi-Year Partnership

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Mar 10, 2015, 09:30 ET

Global Technology Leader to Bring Fans Closer to the Game Through Innovative Mobile Devices

Samsung Canada to Enhance Personalization within Official NHL App on Samsung Mobile Devices

TORONTO, March 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Samsung Canada and the National Hockey League today announced a multi-year partnership, making the global leader in innovative technology the first-ever exclusive partner in the mobile, tablet, and wearable hardware category. The partnership in Canada includes sponsorship across the League's digital assets NHL.com, NHL Social™, and within the NHL app. Samsung will bring fans closer to the game as the presenting sponsor of Inside the NHL Situation Room videos online and the Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge™.

The official NHL app is now enhanced with richer content on Samsung GALAXY smartphones, allowing fans to personalize their device around their favourite NHL® team. Co-developed between Samsung Canada and the League, fans can get closer to the game they love through NHL team-branded integrated wallpapers and covers, keeping them in the loop with a countdown to puck drop, game scores, and updates, all delivered directly to their mobile devices in real-time.

"Working hand-in-hand with the NHL, we have enhanced the mobile experience for the millions of avid hockey fans across Canada, offering them a unique point of view and an unparalleled fan journey," said Paul Brannen, Executive Vice President, Mobile Solutions, Samsung Canada. "The way fans are watching sports is evolving, and this partnership helps us put the fan at the centre of the action."

Also within the NHL app, fans with Samsung mobile devices will have exclusive access to branded Inside the NHL Situation Room video content. These videos will provide an in-depth look into the decisions made in the NHL Situation Room, showing the play on the ice, the call that was made, an explanation of the rule, and the final decision. Moments after the goal review is finalized, this content will be available on Samsung GALAXY devices, including the recently unveiled GALAXY S6 and GALAXY S6 Edge, first presented at the World Mobile Congress 2015 on March 1, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.

"NHL fans are tech savvy, the first to know about new trends and products, and they love learning about new technology," said David Lehanski, NHL Senior Vice President, Integrated Sales. "This is an exciting category to develop engaging content, and we're thrilled to be working with Samsung, a forward-thinking global technology leader. And this is just the beginning. Together we will continue to unveil innovative ways to engage hockey fans, bringing them a more personalized experience on the screen of their choice."

In keeping with the goal to engage fans with exciting content across multiple screens, Samsung will be the presenting sponsor of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge™ which gives fans the chance to predict the winner of every matchup during the Stanley Cup® Playoffs, including the Stanley Cup® Champion. All fans can create leagues to challenge their friends and compete against NHL experts on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, while fans with a Samsung device can join a league to play against other Samsung users.

Supported GALAXY Devices: Consumers looking to experience exclusive NHL content directly from their mobile need to be running Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) or later on the following devices:

All new Samsung GALAXY S6 and GALAXY S6 Edge
Samsung GALAXY S5
Samsung GALAXY S4
Samsung GALAXY S III
Samsung GALAXY Note Edge
Samsung GALAXY Note 4
Samsung GALAXY Note 3
Samsung GALAXY Note II

For information about specific device models, contact Samsung Customer Support.

About Samsung Electronics Canada
Samsung Electronics Canada is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for young minded consumers everywhere through innovation, stylish design and premium experiences. Through relentless innovation and discovery, Samsung is transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the technology industry. In 2013, Samsung was ranked #8 in the Interbrand 100 Best Global Brands while the Canadian arm was named as one of Strategy Magazine's 2013 Brands of the Year and Marketing Magazine's 2012 Top 10 Marketers of the Year in Canada. Globally, Samsung employs 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on Twitter @SamsungCanada.

ABOUT THE NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters, vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year the NHL entertains more than 250 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 10 million fans on its social platforms; and more than 300 million fans online at NHL.com. In Canada, the 2014-15 season marks the beginning of a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement with Rogers Communications, which includes national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages. In the U.S., the NHL is in the fourth season of its 10-year agreement with NBC and NBCSN, the 10^th consecutive season both networks have served as national television partners. The NHL is committed to giving back to the community with programs including: Hockey is for Everyone™, which supports nonprofit youth hockey organizations across North America; Hockey Fights Cancer™, raising money for local and national cancer organizations; NHL Green™, which is committed to pursuing sustainable business practices; and a partnership with the You Can Play Project, which is committed to supporting the LGBT community and fighting homophobia in sports. The NHL received three 2014 Sports Business Awards: "Sports League of the Year," "Sports Executive of the Year" recognizing Commissioner Gary Bettman, and "Sports Event of the Year" for the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. For more information, visit NHL.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge and NHL Social are trademarks of the National Hockey League. © NHL 2015. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE Samsung Electronics Canada

Image with caption: "Caption - Pictured (Left to Right): David Lehanski, NHL Senior Vice President, Integrated Sales; Paul Brannen, Samsung Canada Executive Vice President, Mobile Solutions; Philippe Lozier, Samsung Canada Director, Content and Services; and John Pacino, NHL Vice President, Product Development and Social Media; outside the NHL Situation Room in Toronto, ON. (CNW Group/Samsung Electronics Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150310_C4992_PHOTO_EN_12996.jpg

For further information: Kevin Galbraith, North Strategic for Samsung Canada, Kevin.galbraith@northstrategic.com, 647-456-3786; Jasmine Ghafour, NHL, jghfour@nhl.com, 416-359-7968

Samsung Canada and NHL Announce Multi-Year Partnership

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Samsung Canada and NHL Announce Multi-Year Partnership