Published: March 09, 2010
Virgin Mobile USA Believes in Melanie Oudin; Partners with World Ranked Teen Tennis Sensation
WARREN, N.J. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Virgin
Mobile USA has announced its sponsorship of tennis pro Melanie
Oudin as she continues on her quest to become tennis royalty, trying
to capture a WTA Championship at the 2010 BNP Paribas Open today in
Indian Wells, California.
In celebration of the new sponsorship, Virgin Mobile USA is committing
to donate -- if Oudin wins this year's U.S. Open in September -- one
million dollars to homeless youth organizations as part of The RE*Generation
program, the company's initiative to raise awareness for the issue of
homeless youth in the United States.
"The RE*Generation initiative was founded by Virgin Mobile to empower
young people to help less fortunate peers resurrect their lives. We've
made significant strides in raising awareness and direct involvement
with the troubling issue of youth homelessness, and having an ambassador
like Melanie Oudin committed to this cause is very powerful," said Bob
Stohrer, vice president of marketing for Sprint's Virgin Mobile brand.
"Melanie's 'Believe'
mantra transcends tennis and naturally extends to the work we'll do
together."
Oudin stepped onto the professional tennis stage last year at the age of
17 and made her mark quickly with her strong performances at Wimbledon
and the 2009 U.S. Open. At the U.S. Open, she defeated Maria Sharapova,
Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova to become the youngest American Grand
Slam quarterfinalist since Serena Williams won the 1999 Open. Melanie
has adopted "Believe" as her mantra and has stamped the word on the
tennis shoes she wears during every match.
"I am thrilled to partner with Virgin Mobile USA. They have made great
strides in their efforts to help disadvantaged youth, and the company
brings excitement and creativity to everything it does," said Oudin. "I
am looking forward to a great partnership."
Virgin Mobile USA will also provide fans with the chance to watch
Melanie compete at this year's U.S. Open through their FREE I.P.
program, which offers free tickets to concerts and events in exchange
for volunteering time at not-for-profit homeless youth organizations.
The FREE I.P. program, introduced last year, has already produced more
than 30,000 hours of volunteer work and more than 5,000 tickets to the
Virgin Mobile Festival and Virgin Mobile Presents The Monster Ball Tour
Starring Lady Gaga.
For more details for fans and other details of the sponsorship visit www.webelieveinmo.com.
The RE*Generation is Virgin Mobile USA's pro-social initiative to
address the issue of youth homelessness and empower a generation to help
its own. For the past four years, Virgin Mobile has been a consistent
voice in raising awareness for the more than two million young people
living on the streets, raising funds and promoting volunteerism. With
innovative programs like FREE.I.P., Virgin Mobile USA has encouraged
thousands to volunteer supplies and their time to local homeless youth
organizations, rewarding them with access to exclusive events like
Virgin Mobile Festival and the Monster Ball Tour featuring Lady Gaga.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness will honor Virgin Mobile USA
with the 2010 Private Sector Achievement Award at its annual Kennedy
Center Awards Ceremony in April 2010 for its significant contributions
in the struggle to end youth homelessness. For more information, visit www.virginmobileusa.com/regeneration
About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint's
Prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and
connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Plans Without Annual Contracts for
cell phone service and prepaid Broadband2Go
high-speed Web access. Virgin
Mobile USA also offers Pink
Slip Protection*, which provides eligible monthly customers who lose
their jobs free service for up to three months. Virgin Mobile Top-Up
cards are available at almost 150,000 locations nationwide and can be
used for Assurance Wireless and Broadband2Go services. For more
information, visit www.virginmobileusa.com
* Subject to certain terms and conditions.

Media Contact:
Virgin Mobile USA
Corinne Nosal,
908-607-4235
Corinne.nosal@virginmobileusa.com
or
Danielle
Alvarez [on-site]
Cell phone: 714-231-0672
or
Melanie
Oudin Contact:
Albert Hall
ahall@hallpassnetwork.com
Copyright © 2012, Business Wire, Inc., All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, NewsBlaze,
Daily News