News release on behalf of the IOC and Panasonic - IOC and Panasonic extend partnership to 2016

Sep 3, 2007

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Panasonic (a brand name of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) today announced the extension of their agreement through to the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in summer 2016.

The partnership between the IOC and Panasonic, which began in 1985, was extended for a further eight years during a signing ceremony with IOC President Jacques Rogge, and Fumio Ohtsubo, President of Panasonic, in London this afternoon.

Panasonic will continue to be the official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Video Equipment product category, and will have global marketing rights for the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, London 2012, Sochi 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games, as well as for the 205 individual National Olympic Committees and their Olympic teams.

IOC President Jacques Rogge welcomed Panasonic’s continued commitment to the Olympic Movement: “We are grateful to Panasonic for its long-term partnership with the Olympic Movement. Panasonic is a leader in its field and has been a Worldwide TOP Partner since the programme began. Over the years, Panasonic has provided vital support for the Olympic Movement with its digital technologies and expertise, and we look forward to continuing our work together in the future.”

Mr Ohtsubo said: “Panasonic is proud to announce its commitment to supporting the Olympic Movement for another eight years through to 2016, building on its nearly 20-year partnership with the International Olympic Committee. Through our commitment to the Olympic Movement, we want to make it possible for people around the world to share the passion of the Olympic Games with our HD technologies, whether they are in the stadium or watching from home. Panasonic promises to bring the excitement of the Olympic Games to life.”

IOC Marketing Commission Chairman Gerhard Heiberg commented: “The support our TOP partners offer the Organising Committees is invaluable, and the Olympic Movement as a whole benefits from their long-term commitment. Today’s announcement is testament to how well existing partnerships are working across the Olympic Movement.”

About the International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), created in 1894, is a non-governmental organisation with volunteer members who represent its work around the world, and an administrative staff based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC and its 205 National Olympic Committees worldwide promote the Olympic Movement, whose vision is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport. In addition to selecting the host city and coordinating the staging of the Olympic Games, the IOC and NOCs collaborate with a range of organisations and their members in the public and private sectors to place sport at the service of society. The main goal is to promote the values of Olympism, which include excellence, respect and friendship.

World-wide Partners currently confirmed for Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 are:
Coca-Cola, Atos Origin, GE, McDonalds, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.

Panasonic and Samsung have extended their partnership until 2016.

Coca-Cola’s partnership continues through to 2020.

About Panasonic
Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of US$77.19 billion for the year ending 31 March 2007. The Company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:MC) stock exchanges. For more information on Panasonic Europe and the Panasonic brand, visit the Company's website at www.panasonic-europe.com