McDonald’s launches Player Escort Program to send Kids to 2006 FIFA World Cup.

McDonald’s launched a national sweepstakes that will give 11 children the opportunity of a lifetime to meet and escort international soccer players during the semi final and final matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The program, which runs through April 9th, is in partnership with Univision Communications.

“We know that soccer is the favorite sport of many of our Hispanic customers, and we are happy to be a part of the excitement by serving as one of the exclusive global sponsors of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and of the FIFA World Cup Player Escort Program,” said Rick Marroquin, director of marketing, McDonald’s USA. “McDonald’s is all about nurturing the dreams and aspirations of our youth, and we want to do our part to assure that they have opportunities like this to fulfill their dreams, whether it’s on the soccer field, on stage or in the classroom.”

Through the national sweepstakes, up to 11 children will be selected as the official winners and will have an opportunity to attend a semi-final or final FIFA World Cup game in July, where the children will escort the players onto the field. The winners will also receive a package that includes an official uniform, game tickets, travel and accommodations, meals and sightseeing tours. The program is being promoted on Univision television properties and on Univision.com. Parents can log onto http://www.univision.com, Uniclave: McDonald’s to learn more about the sweepstakes and to enter. The last day to enter this promotion is April 9th.

McDonald’s also launched radio promotions in 16 U.S. cities including Albuquerque, N.M.; Atlanta, Ga.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; Greensboro, N.C.; Greenville, N.C.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Midland, Texas; New York, N.Y.; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh, N.C.; Sacramento, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah and San Diego, Calif. Through these promotions, seven children will win the chance to be player escorts at the 2006 FIFA World Cup(TM) and 22 winners will have a chance to serve as player escorts for the Mexican National Team during their send-off match being held in Pasadena, Calif. on May 5th.