Conti Appoint New South African Marketing Manager

Gareth Passmore has taken over Continental’s marketing operation in South Africa, having been shifted from his post as head of sales and marketing for the Middle East, Near East and North Africa region.

Passmore, originally from Wales, stated that his personal motivation behind the move was to seek out a new challenge for his career, to “experience a new way of life in a different environment” and to be in South Africa during the 2010 football World Cup, an event that the company is sponsoring. Having experienced Conti’s involvement in the 2006 tournament in Germany, Passmore is looking forward to the challenge of helping to develop the sport’s popularity in a country where Rugby Union and Cricket share the nation’s sporting enthusiasm.

On the subject of football, Passmore told local journalists in the rainbow nation, “The chances are also good that Continental will repeat its internal soccer tournament open to all Continental employees around the world in the build up to 2010. The final will be in Port Elizabeth and will coincide with the 2010 World Cup games. This means 26 Continental teams from around the world will come to Port Elizabeth to compete for the chance to watch a 2010 game in South Africa. This competition in itself will be a boost for the city.”

“In 2006 I took some clients to some of the FIFA games in Germany – clients from Iran and Israel. Everyone enjoyed each other’s company as well as the football; the fighting between countries is really more about the politicians. I see the same thing happening here come 2010: differences will be forgotten as people celebrate their team wins, and are reminded that we are all essentially the same – cheering for the same teams and enjoying the sport. It’s an exciting time to be in South Africa.”