Malaysia Airlines signs sponsorship deal with Queens Park Rangers
Thursday, 15 September 2011
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Thursday, 15 September 2011
Malaysia Airlines announced its deal with Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) of United Kingdom to sponsor the jerseys of the club’s players during its home matches in the Barclays Premier League (BPL) for the seasons 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. . The announcement was made this morning at the Loftus Road Stadium in London, QPR’s home ground by Malaysia Airlines’ Executive Director, Encik Mohammed Rashdan Mohd Yusof and QPR CEO Mr Philip Beard. Also present at the announcement was Ms Kathleen Tan, AirAsia’s Regional Head of Commercial, who announced the low cost carrier’s sponsorship of QPR’s away match and ‘third’ jerseys for the similar two seasons of the BPL. This sponsorship is considered the first in the history of professional football globally where two airlines from the same country have teamed up to sponsor a football team. This deal also showcases the commitment of the two airlines towards the success of the recently Collaborative Co-operation Framework (CCF) concluded by both parties. Malaysia Airlines’ Executive Director, Mohammed Rashdan Yusof, said: “Malaysia Airlines, or more commonly known by our acronym MAS, is elated to be associated with QPR's ascendancy to the Premier League. “Our sponsorship of the home jersey of QPR, together with Air Asia's sponsorship of the away jersey, is a first for the Premier League. It also celebrates MAS's recent collaboration framework with Air Asia. “This sponsorship enables MAS to reinforce its global full-service presence and premium franchise via football fans and lovers from all over Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Australia and all the four corners of the world. This sponsorship is the first major initiative of our new brand and marketing strategy that would see important advertising money spent on boosting our top line. This is a key component in our drive to regain global market share, profitability and pride for the people of MAS" Mr Beard expressed his delight at the new deal, commenting: “This is a unique and exciting venture for the Football Club. “Attracting two major Asian companies to come on board shows the global appeal QPR has as a brand. “We are extremely positive about building a thriving relationship with both businesses in a bid to broaden our exposure in Southeast Asia and further afield. “This is a remarkable deal for the Club and brings further positive news following a highly successful few weeks since the takeover”. The new home game jersey, adorned with the Malaysia Airlines logo, will be worn for the first time in tonight’s showdown against Newcastle United at Loftus Road Stadium. This is not the first time Malaysia Airlines is delighting the fans of BPL in Asia. It was the official air charterer of Manchester United’s Asian Tour in 2005 and 2007. Likewise it was the official air charterer for Chelsea’s Asian Tour in 2008 and this year. Another BPL team, Arsenal, also travelled on Malaysia Airlines charter flights for its Asian tour this year. Malaysia Airlines also entered a two-year broadcast sponsorship agreement with ESPN STAR Sports, Asia's number one sports broadcaster, for the live telecast of the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 BPL matches across almost 190 million households in Asia. It was also an extension of the airline's involvement in community development programmes through sports not only in Malaysia but also in countries that it operates into. For the 2006/2007 & 2007/2008 BPL seasons Malaysia Airlines’ launched its premier football package, enabling BPL fans across Asia to travel to the UK to watch the home matches of favourite BPL clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. |
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