FA Strikes Mars Sponsor Tie-up
The Football Association has announced a five-year sponsorship deal with confectionery giants Mars.
Mars will initially be an official supplier to England until July 2010 then become a ‘supporter’ of the team, and they will also help drive a new element of the FA’s ‘Get into Football’ campaign, focusing on recruiting male footballers over 18 and retaining current teams.
Mars is launching a nationwide advertising campaign and The Three Lions crest will adorn new Mars packaging from January 2010.
Mars will also become official confectionery supplier for Wembley Stadium from August 2010 until July 2014.
The confectionary brand has also signed up former England winger John Barnes as an brand ambassador to support the campaign.
The deal is sure to attract criticism for The Football Association from the anti-child obesity lobbyists who have been seeking to force the government to act against sponsorship deals between sport governing bodies and non-healthy brands.
