Türk Telekom strikes rights deal with Man U

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand celebrates his teams second goal with his team mates. AFP photo

Turkey’s largest telecommunications group Türk Telekom has become the latest Turkish company to ink a sponsorship deal with the English professional football club Manchester United. 

The sponsorship deal covers mobile communications and online gaming rights, social projects, rights related to the United’s soccer schools, as well as other marketing and entertainment rights, according to a company press release.

A $3 million deal

The value of the deal is about $3 million, daily Hürriyet reported yesterday. 

Türk Telekom subsidiaries Avea and Sobee are also involved in the sponsorship. The telecommunication operator said the deal included an online soccer game developed by Sobee, which would feature Manchester United’s licensed products, free tickets to United’s games in Britain, as well as soccer school programs for young Turkish soccer players, according to the Anatolia news agency.

The sponsorships and collaborations with sports clubs initiated by Türk Telekom are of a significant support to sports in general, said the Marketing and Communications President of the Türk Telekom Erem Demircan, according to the press release. 

“Our collaboration with Manchester United is a result of this [corporate policy]. We are sure this collaboration will result in projects befitting the passion and sensation of football,” he said.

World-famous football players of Manchester United will feature in Türk Telekom commercials, the press release said, adding that the English Premier League Championship trophy that the club won last year would be exhibited in Istanbul as part of a special event. 

The passion of football lovers in Turkey is very well-known, said Richard Arnold, the Commercial Director of the club. “We are excited by Türk Telekom’s innovative plans to bring the fans and the club closer,” Arnold said.

With a brand value of £412m, Manchester United was ranked as the “most valuable sporting team in the world” in 2011, according to analysis from advisory firm Brand Finance.

Turkish Airlines is a sponsor

National airline carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) signed a three and a half year sponsorship deal with the club in 2010. 

According to the deal, THY, the fourth biggest airline company in Europe, will carry the team to tournaments and training camps in all matches. Billboards at the club’s Old Trafford stadium also bear the Turkish Airlines logo accordingly.

The company also launched an advertisement campaign in 2010, recruiting stars of Manchester United including Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher, Nani, Chris Smalling, Rafael and Fabio da Silva.