MANCHESTER: Mundipharma Pte Ltd, a healthcare and pharmaceutical company, has landed a regional partnership deal with English Premier League (EPL) leader Manchester City.
The three-year deal will see Mundipharma named as the official healthcare product partner of Manchester City Football Club in emerging markets across the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
Mundipharma said it will be incorporating the Manchester City brand in a selection of its marketing and advertising campaigns, and the logo of the former’s Betadine medicines will feature on the sleeve of the club’s medical staff at friendly matches in these markets. While the value of the deal was not disclosed, it is understood that the partnership will greatly benefit both Mundipharma and Manchester City.
The deal could help both sides enhance their presence and brand names to their respective markets in the region, said Mundipharma’s president for the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa Raman Singh.
Speaking at a press conference last Thursday at the City Football Academy — a facility for the club’s 400 youth players next to the Etihad Stadium — Singh said Mundipharma is proud to become an official healthcare product partner of the famous club.
Pointing out that football is the most popular sport in the world, with some 12 million people watching every single EPL game, Singh said that Manchester City is the obvious choice given its commitment that is in line with Mundipharma’s.
“Manchester City is one of the world’s best football teams and is known all over the world. Sports reaches and inspires people around the world. We intend to harness this power to raise awareness of key health issues, such as preventing the spread of infectious diseases, which is a major focus for us in emerging markets where there have been a number of recent outbreaks,” he said.
Manchester City’s chief operating officer Omar Berrada echoed the sentiment, saying: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Mundipharma, who like Manchester City, continually strive for excellence. Their commitment to connecting with their in-market consumers in innovative and meaningful ways reflects that of Manchester City, making them a fitting partner for the club. We look forward to working together across emerging markets, where our fan base also continues to grow.”
As the partnership progresses, the two parties will also collaborate to offer young fans from these emerging markets a chance to travel to Manchester for training sessions at the City Football Academy delivered by qualified City Football Schools’ coaches.