Nissan Scores Global Champions League Deal
Nissan has confirmed a new four-year deal with UEFA to become a global sponsor of the Champions League, taking over Ford’s role as the Official Car Partner of Europe’s elite club football competition from the start of the 2014/15 season.
The Japanese manufacturer will also have sponsorship rights linked to the UEFA Super Cup, which sees the winners of the Champions League take on the winners of the second-tier UEFA Europa League.
As well as extensive branding rights, including a presence on pitchside advertising hoardings, in broadcasts, and in integrated logos, Nissan will have a range of hospitality and media access privileges.
Nissan replaces Ford, who announced last month that it was planning to end its sponsorship of the competition – which it has backed for more than 20 years – at the end of the current campaign.
Roel de Vries, the Nissan corporate vice president and global head of marketing and communications, said: ‘Innovating to excite is what Nissan does, and as partners with UEFA we are looking to introduce new ways in which to enrich the UEFA Champions League experience.’
‘Europe’s most prestigious football competition will be an important global platform for Nissan, and our aim is to show fans all over the world the excitement of both football and our cars. Both are created by amazing people who have a passion for what they do.’
Commenting on the agreement, Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, said: ‘We are delighted to have Nissan as an official partner of the UEFA Champions League as of next season. Nissan is a truly leading global company and is one of the largest automotive groups in the world.’
‘We feel that the partnership will provide a great deal of innovation and excitement across all markets worldwide, and we are convinced that Nissan can use the platform that the UEFA Champions League offers to further build on their current success.’
According to de Vries, the UEFA Champions League has a cumulative television audience of over 4 billion a season and the deal will bring Nissan to new audiences and keep the brand at the fore over the course of the European football calendar.
‘European growth is important to Nissan, and in UEFA we feel we have found the perfect partner to help us achieve our business goal of becoming the #1 Asian car manufacturer in Europe by 2016. We’re excited and very much looking forward to the new season kicking off at the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff on the 12th August,’ said Bastien Schupp, vice president, marketing, Nissan Europe.
