Countries are using the World Cup, and their team's on-
the-field success, "to attract the most investment capital,"
which is the "big game off the field," according to A. Craig
Copetas of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Peter Martin, CEO of
Peter Martin Associates, which is consulting the country of
Jamaica, calls the World Cup the "singular economic showcase
for what the countries behind the players can offer
investors." Jamaica's national team, the Reggae Boyz, are
among the top four teams in World Cup merchandise sales, and
Jamaica officials "are betting" the team's popularity "can
help the country capture the interest of the sponsors,
mutual-fund managers and multinational industrialists feted"
in France during the event. Jamaica's Trade Commission "has
choreographed investment packages" in pharmaceuticals,
agriculture, tourism and information technology. In
addition, Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson "intends"
to meet in Paris with sports companies, such as adidas, to
discuss manufacturing opportunities. Alan Taylor Senior VP/
Communications Tony Signore, one of the "many" PR firms in
Paris helping sponsors, said countries "would be foolish if
they didn't follow the sponsors and take advantage of their
moment in the limelight" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/11).
