This week in Crans, Canon's web camera will be live at the Canon European Masters golf tournament, providing visitors to
Canon's website
with the chance to watch the professionals live in action on the practice range, surrounded by the stunning scenery of Crans Montana, Switzerland.
Canon's latest live-scope technology actually enables visitors to take control of the web cameras themselves, thus providing them with the exclusive opportunity to watch the professionals practice on the range, while controlling the camera and exploring the breathtaking view of the surrounding Swiss mountains.
To mark the 10th Anniversary of Canon's Sponsorship of this tournament, the web site will be featuring a host of other attractions related to the event. The Canon European Masters is the first qualifying tournament for the 2001 Ryder Cup Team and visitors will be able to watch a video clip of the first press conference with 2001 Ryder Cup team captain Sam Torrance. In addition, on September 5, the Canon Charity Challenge will take place. This is an exhibition match featuring four teams of professionals, such as Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Costantino Rocca, Lee Westwood, Thomas Björn and many others. Following this event, visitors will be able to catch all of the highlights by viewing action shots on the web site.
Throughout the month of September they will also have the chance to win a Canon MV30i digital camcorder by playing a new game called "The Neary II". This exclusive opportunity is a demonstration of Canon's new "Imaging across networks" positioning, reflecting the company's transition to IT & multimedia solutions supplier.
Canon will use its unique VC-C4 web camera to broadcast the live images. Using Canon LiveView software, users can control the camera remotely via the Web. The server gives access to one user at a time, while others watch and wait for their turn - very easy and enjoyable. It is also possible to "take" a virtual picture and save it on your hard disk.
Canon is a US $25 billion company and recognised as a world leader in new technology across a broad range of products, from business machines - including imaging systems and computer input/output devices - to cameras and optical products. With its headquarters for Europe, Africa and Middle East in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, Canon posted sales of 6.1 billion euro in 1999.
The 2000 Canon European Masters will be the last tournament with Canon as the title sponsor. Jon Phelps, Sponsorship Manager, Canon Europa NV, said:
"This will be our final year as title sponsor and we are proud to have been associated with this tournament since 1991.
Canon is moving through a transition period to become a network and solution provider. Under our new slogan - Imaging across Networks - that draws on our heritage and expertise and signals our new role in an e-business environment, we will enter areas in the IT market.
As a consequence we have now completed a thorough re-evaluation of our centrally co-ordinated pan-european Sponsoring Programme and adjusted the programme for the future to reflect the overall repositioning of the brand in Europe.
This strategic decision for Canon will be reflected in the new sponsoring programme which we will be announcing soon and will redefine how Canon uses sponsorship as part of an overall integrated communications plan in the future.
Canon would like to thank the people of Crans-sur-Sierre, Mr. Gaston Barras and his organizing committee, IMG Switzerland and the Golf Club for all of their efforts over the years."
