2010 World Cup Preliminary Draw

The task: Manage the entire broadcast of the 2010 World Cup Preliminary Draw seamlessly to a record audience of 4 billion people across 170 countries to a global audience. Devise an effective process for how the teams are drawn. In addition to this, compile 11 insert videos, featuring the 2010 host cities and stadiums, to be used during the broadcast.

The challenge: 13 weeks to liaise with producers and ensure an impeccable 90-minute global broadcast using High Definition technology. Put in place and oversee an effective process for drawing the teams - the focus of the event. Convey the appeal of the 2010 host cities, and the passion of South Africa as a country, in the insert videos.

The result: Over a period of six weeks, all nine host cities where visited by our camera crew. Cameramen got angles from helicopters, stadium stalls, beaches and monuments to create spectacular inserts for the show. These were all shot and produced with High Definition equipment.

The show went live from the Durban International Convention Center on the 25th November 2007, to an audience of over 3 billion viewers. Kicking off with a chorus from the Spirit of the Lion King, Africa welcomed the globe.

The draw was broadcast in High Definition from SABC’s newest HD OB Van ensuring the African beat vibrated across the world. After a welcome from the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter the Preliminary drawn began. Draw Master Jerome Valcke hosted the stringent process, using African themed draw mechanisms created especially for the broadcast.

Judith Sephuma charmed the audience with her award winning song ”A cry, a smile, a dance”. Freshly Ground got the audience in Durban clapping to their rhythmic beats. The Afro Tenors performed the finale of the evening closing with “Nessun Dorma”.

Overall - a brilliantly-executed ceremony that delighted the 3,000 prominent guests, soccer dignitaries and world media.