Saudi Telecom Inks 5-Year Sponsorship Deal with Manchester United

Saudi Arabia based Saudi Telecom (STC) has signed a fice-year marketing agreement with UK based football club, Manchester United. As part of the deal, Saudi Telecom will be featured on the company's website and inside their main stadium - along with sending 70 Saudi students for football training in Manchester each year.

"The partnership will significantly raise STC's global profile since the club has a huge fan base throughout the world and a strong following among football fans throughout the Middle East and especially in Saudi Arabia." said H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser, Chairman of Saudi Telecom.

As part of the agreement, all STC's business units will have full use of the Manchester United logo in marketing campaigns and usage of the club's logo and players' photographs in STC retail centres.

"The club has a brilliant track record of global success in branding and we will be working closely with a specialist marketing team from MUFC to develop innovative ideas to support the partnership. As an example of what's to come, in line with the popular trend in cell phones STC is already in the process of creating and activating a Manchester United mobile." added Dr Al-Jasser.

Announcing the deal, David Gill, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester United said "This ground breaking partnership will bring the action of Manchester United direct to our millions of fans across Saudi Arabia. Our match earlier this year in Riyadh demonstrated the passion our Saudi fans have for Manchester United and we are excited to be partnered with Saudi Telecom, the region's biggest player."

Posted to the site on 18th August 2008