Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Zizou sponsors rally round French hero

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Adidas have assured Zinedine Zidane he has a big future with them, despite his World Cup dismissal.
His sponsors have rallied round him with adidas launching a website on Saturday -
mercizidane.fr - so fans can leave messages of support.

The head of adidas' marketing Emmanuelle Gaye said: "He has been adidas' ambassador for 10 years and will stay its ambassador until 2017.
"In fact, our chief executive has said he could stay as long as he wishes."
Zidane pockets around £6million a year from advertising contracts.
Insurer Generali France has a three-year deal with him until 2008.
And their head of marketing Marie-Christine Lanne said: "There will be no impact on the contract we have with him."
France Telecom only renewed its advertising contract with Zidane in May "for several years".
The son of an Algerian warehouseman, Zizou featured in France Telecom's TV and Press ads to promote its live video footage of the World Cup.
An advertising expert added: "It's not going to harm him. The sponsors are not withdrawing.
"This childish gesture gives a more human image of the hero. It brings the icon closer to the people."