News

WARREN, N.J. — 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.

“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 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 virginmobileusa.com/regeneration