Monday, 18 July 2016

EPL: Richard Branson's Virgin Money Becomes The Latest Sponsor Of Manchester United

Richard Branson's Virgin Money have become the latest in a long line of commercial partners at Manchester United.
The company signed a four-year deal to become 'Official Retail Financial Services Partner' at Old Trafford.

Virgin are the 15th financial partner United have on their ever-growing books, with almost 70 businesses from across the world linked to the club.

That is more than double any other Premier League side and include a nutritional supplements, ready-meal, outdoor apparel, noodle and casual footwear ally.

While having an official kit supplier (Adidas) is essential for a football club, some of the other names on the list pose more questions than they answer.

United have an official feature film partner (20th Century Fox), which saw them recently lend several stars for a special Independence Day mock film trailer, while HEROES serve as their official formal footwear partner.

Then there are official partners for beer (Singha), wine (Casillero del Diablo) and spirits (Aperol Spritz), an official confectionery partner (Eurofood) - though only for five countries in south east Asia - and an official soft drinks partner in Nigeria (CHI).

Those contracts helped profits soar, with United posting records results back in February. They hope to become the first British club in history to earn more than £500million in a year.

Branson, who could not help but have his picture taken signing a shirt, said: 'Virgin and Manchester United have very similar philosophies – we both want to change the game, not just play it.

'The two coming together under this new partnership with Virgin Money will create something really special.
United managing director Richard Arnold added: 'This exciting partnership brings together for the first time two iconic brands, two industry leaders who have never been afraid of entering into new territory.

'I have every confidence the values we share will make this partnership a great success, above all for our loyal fans, who will soon be introduced to a range of products that will bring them even closer to the club they support.'

As well as Virgin Money United count no fewer than 14 other financial institutions for all their banking partnerships around the world, from Malta to Zimbabwe and Norway to Tanzania.

When United travel they have Aeroflot, their official carrier, DHL, their official logistics partner, and Gulf Oil International, who have the catchy title of official global lubricant oil and fuel retail partner.

Then there are three different tyre partners, Apollo Tyres for the whole world, as well as one for Indonesa (Achilles Radial), and a third for Taiwan and China (Federal).

Much of the focus in in the Far East, where the majority of United's 16 regional partners do their business, including a deal with Unilever, the club's official male shampoo partner in Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.

But the club have shown they are truly global, with media partnerships everywhere from Azerbaijan to New Zealand via Mauritius, the Caribbean and Kuwait.

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