Man Utd & Aeroflot Unveil Global Sponsorship
Russian airline, Aeroflot, has been unveiled as the ‘Official Carrier of Manchester United Football Club’ in a global sponsorship that will see the company provide strategic travel advice to the club and provide charter services whenever suitable on its newest long-haul Airbus and Boeing airplanes.
The announcement was made at an exclusive launch at Old Trafford attended by Vitaly Saveliev, CEO of Aeroflot, Richard Arnold, group managing director of Manchester United, David Moyes, Manchester United manager, and members of the Manchester United squad.
According to the club, Manchester United selected JSC “Aeroflot-Russian Airlines” as its ‘Official Carrier’ after being impressed by its attention to flight safety and security, with the multi-year contract – for which financial terms were not released – coming into effect immediately.
The launch featured a replica of an Aeroflot business class lounge and a 20 metre-wide digital image of a Manchester United and Aeroflot branded airplane projected on the front of Old Trafford.
Members of the Manchester United team signed the digital plane due to be featured across Aeroflot’s marketing channels including its website and Facebook page.
A physical version of the Manchester United branded plane will be introduced to the Aeroflot fleet and the partnership will also be integrated into Manchester United’s marketing channels, including Old Trafford and club media outlets as well as on the website and Facebook page – which boasts over 34 million followers.
Vitaly Saveliev, chief executive officer, Aeroflot, commented: ‘We are a truly global airline offering the shortest route between Europe and Asia. Our partnership with Manchester United is based on this global outlook and shared values including teamwork, a focus on quality, pride in our heritage and an innovative and forward-looking attitude.’
‘We are long-standing, proud, supporters of Russian sport and it’s a significant step for our first global partnership to be with one of the most successful and well loved football clubs in the world. We look forward to using our shared partnership values in ways which benefit the club, the team, fans and Aeroflot customers worldwide.’
Manchester United’s Richard Arnold, added: ‘Manchester United and Aeroflot share many of the same values and we are pleased to be welcoming such a like-minded company to our family of sponsors. Like the Club, Aeroflot demonstrates team work, quality and a pride in its heritage, whilst still embracing new technologies and innovations. They have developed to become Russia’s leading airline which is demonstrated by the number of awards they have received.’
‘Today’s announcement marks the Club’s first commercial venture in Russia, an expanding market we are keen to explore further. The Club has close to 18 million followers in Russia, demonstrating the partnerships potential audience in the country.’
‘Aeroflot is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, but has already impressed us with its youthful energy as one of the youngest fleets in Europe. We look forward to developing a meaningful partnership with them, and reaching fans in innovative and rewarding ways.’
