VISA’s sponsorship of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics had a solidly positive impact on the use of VISA debit cards.
The use of VISA debit cards among viewers of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics broadcast on NBC increased by an average of 32% between July 14 and September 1, 2008. By contrast, the use of VISA debit cards among those who did not watch the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics remained relatively flat for the same period, until closer to the holiday shopping season.
In 2002, VISA extended its sponsorship of the Olympic Games through 2012. With the Vancouver Winter Olympics getting underway, VISA can expect to see a solid increase in the number of VISA debit card transactions in the coming weeks and beyond.
