Industry Shorts: Arsenal, Man United, British Canoeing
Arsenal have announced a new fan loyalty and rewards programme ahead of the 2021/22 season, delivered in partnership with Barclays Bank and sports loyalty and technology company Fortress GB.
The ‘My Arsenal Rewards’ programme will see fans receive a membership card which doubles as a matchday ticket, a rewards card and a payment card – with Barclays payment technology built-in, allowing fans to make purchases at the Emirates Stadium.
The programme – which the club says it is currently talking to supporters groups about – will see fans earn loyalty points based on specific interactions with the club which they can then redeem for exclusive rewards. Fans will also be able to earn rewards by spending at several affiliated high street and online brands, including the club’s partners, which will be announced at a later date.
Manchester United will donate 5,000 meals to local school children across the October half term break.
The partnership between the club, its community organisation, the Manchester United Foundation, and food distribution charity FareShare, will see meals will be cooked at Old Trafford kitchen facilities by United staff, then shipped by the club to local Manchester United Foundation partner schools. The schools in turn will provide the meals to children who receive government-funded free meals during term-time.
According to the club, six Manchester schools are involved, while meals will also be delivered to other local charities as part of the scheme.
The news sees the club partner with FareShare, a founding member of the Child Food Poverty Taskforce, set up to help end child hunger in the UK and spearheaded by United forward Marcus Rashford.
British Canoeing has announced a new environmental partnership with sustainable marine cleaning company Ecoworks Marine.
As part of the deak, Ecoworks will create a ‘washdown station’ for the 2021 Freestyle World Championships to clean athletes’ equipment as they come off the water, while British Canoeing members will also benefit from an exclusive 15% discount on Ecoworks Marine products.
Great Britain’s men’s and women’s hockey squads will support a new ‘Stick it to Racism’ campaign ahead of matches against Holland and Belgium in the Pro League this week.
Announcing their support, a joint statement from the squads said the players ‘commit to continuing and furthering our learning, both individually and collectively, and supporting the governing bodies with their ongoing inclusion and diversity work.’
The campaign is backed by Great Britain Hockey as well as the England, Wales and Scotland governing bodies.
All-female single-seater racing series W Series has signed a multi-year cyber security partnership with Acronis.
The multi-year agreement sees the brand become the league’s Global Cyber Protection and Security Partner, and will provide bespoke technology solutions for W Series’ on-track racing programme.
Acronis has already worked with the league before, providing technology solutions for the W Series Esports League, which took place over lockdown.
AFC Wimbledon has announced a new five-year partnership with cloud-based ticketing solutions company SecuTix.
The news comes as the club prepares to move into its brand-new stadium at spiritual home Plough Lane, and SecuTix will handle both ticketing and hospitality for the League One side through its SecuTix 360° platform.
