Man City get GIPHY – a social media site, not a player
June 6 – Manchester City has launched an official club page on social media site GIPHY, the first English Premier League club to embrace the platform.
Football Marketing
Video gaming big guns ready their tanks for a Euro 2016 battle royal
By Paul Nicholson
June 1 – It looks like being the only way to get tanked during the Euro 2016 tournament without fear of arrest for drunken behaviour or terrorist activity. World of Tanks has launched its Tank Football 2016 video game in time for the Euros.
Turkish Airlines in final approach for Euro 2016 take-off
June 1 – Travellers concerned they are going to miss Euro 2016 action should consider booking with Turkish Airlines who will be streaming matches live on their widebody aircraft – Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s – on all international flights.
Man City uncorks Wolf Blass as regional wine partner
May 31 – Premier League Manchester City have added Australian wine brand Wolf Blass in what is described as a “multi-year marketing partnership”. No figure has been announced for the regional deal.
Empire of the Son? Spurs expand brand deeper into South Korea
May 31 – Tottenham Hotspur have moved quickly to expand their commercial opportunity in South Korea following a rapid 30% growth in the club’s fanbase in the region as the club’s challenge for Premier League honours has raised its profile.
West Ham stamp their mark on London’s Olympic Stadium
May 30 – West Ham have planning approval to instal Europe’s largest in-stadium digital screen at the Olympic Stadium as part of a wrap around the stadium carrying the club’s colours and logo.
Juve link with KingFut to launch Arabic language service
May 26 – Italy’s Serie A champions Juventus have added an Arabic language service to their web and social media platforms. The deal with KingFut principally targets the middle east and Africa and is the club’s seventh language extension.
Liverpool and Barca meet at Wembley as ICC nails venues and Heineken sponsorship
By Paul Nicholson
May 24 – Liverpool will play FC Barcelona at London’s Wembley Stadium the weekend before the start of the 2016/17 season on August 6, as part of the International Champions Cup (ICC) that is being played mainly in the US but also in four European cities – Dublin, Glasgow, London and Stockholm.
Turkish Airlines launch Euro 2016 campaign based on #EuropesBest
May 25 – Euro 2016 sponsor Turkish Airlines has launched a fan activation campaign titled ‘Meet Europe’s Best’ that will showcase fans and their cultures encouraging them to load social media content to a microsite around the hashtag #EuropesBest.
PSG tread global sponsor path with Multistrada tyre brand
May 23 – Paris Saint-German have signed a three-year global sponsor partnership with Indonesian tyre brand Multistrada.
Inter Milan put on the style with new store opening in upmarket city centre
May 25 – Italians are noted for their fashion style, so you would expect Italian football club retail outlets to have a certain amount of good taste and panache.
Corinthians close in on naming rights deal to ease debt pressure
By Samindra Kunti
May 19 – Brazilian club Corinthians are closing in on a naming rights deal for their stadium, but which could maintain the name ‘Arena Corinthians’.
BT drops pay platform to broadcast European club finals on Youtube and freeview
By Tom Parsons
May 12 – BT Sport has announced it will show the Champions League and Europa League finals free-to-air on its YouTube channel and freeview channel after recent criticism about the broadcaster’s low viewing figures for European football on the pay channels.
Chelsea to pay £40m to exit adidas kit deal
May 12 – Having ensured a miserable season on the pitch by their own standards, Chelsea are to end their shirt sponsorship deal with German sportswear giants Adidas six years earlier than scheduled.
Raul spearheads La Liga brand building challenge in the US
By Paul Nicholson in Mexico City
May 12 – La Liga has targeted the US as a key development country and has sent Real Madrid goalscoring legend Raul to deliver the partnerships and win American hearts and minds.