WBA in Premier position after record shirt sponsorship deal
WEST Bromwich Albion – the area’s only Premier League team for the 2016/17 football season following the relegation of Aston Villa – has announced a new multi-million pound shirt sponsorship deal.
The Hawthorns club has concluded a record deal with Asian online casino operator UK-K8.com (凯发娱乐) as it looks to grow its profile in this key market.
The club has not confirmed it, but the deal is reportedly worth £5m to the club over the next two years.
It also continues the trend begun by the club this season, to target Asian sponsors. Its current deal, which runs out at the end of the season is with another Asian gambling company, TLCBET.
The partnership will enable K8 Group to launch its European brand UK-K8.com in the UK, while the global exposure enjoyed by the Premier League means the branding will be seen around the world.
Albion will also work with the K8 group in the Asian market, where its K8.com brand is already established.
Albion said the deal provided it with a strategic opportunity to grow its fan base in new markets overseas.
UK-K8.com will also work with the football club in developing video content – in a move deliberately designed to engage sponsors and supporters.
Commenting on the new partnership, Vincent Huang, COO of K8 Group, said: “K8 Group has had a long standing interest in working with a Premier League club and finally we are here with one of the most respected clubs in the Premier League.”
The Premier League’s standing in Chinese football and its media has grown as a result of the new broadcasting deal signed with CCTV, the most viewed free to air television station in that region.
Mr Huang added: “This partnership is delivered as a true partnership for both parties. We are working on a joint marketing plan that will focus on raising awareness of UK-K8.com in the UK whilst also ensuring the development of the West Bromwich Albion brand in Asia.
“We will be working with the club on several key projects to create a platform for the club to grow awareness and engagement in this region.
“In keeping with various government strategies in the Asian region, we will also be working with the club on coaching exchanges and other football related initiatives, hopefully replicating some elements of the highly successful Pass It Forward project in India.”
Adrian Wright, Sales and Marketing Director for WBA, added: “Once again we have selected to work alongside a challenger brand that will align with the club’s on-going aspirations for global brand recognition.
“It was clear from our talks that the joint promotional approach in Asia will add immense amount of value to the club and will enable us to continue to grow our supporter bases in emerging parts of the world.”
