Reds announce MTN deal

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Manchester United has signed Malaysia’s leading telecommunications provider, Telekom Malaysia, on a five-year deal to become its Official Integrated Telecommunications Partner in the country.

The partnership will bring online content to MU supporters and TM customers, as well as giving fans the chance to win trips to Old Trafford to watch the team play.

David Gill said: "Our commercial strategy continues to deliver exciting new opportunities. We know that this partnership will help the Club to speak to the millions of fans we have in Malaysia and we are delighted that Telekom Malaysia has developed from the sponsor of our tour match into a fully-fledged partner. We look forward to working with them.

"Anyone who went on our tour of the Far East last summer knows the strength of feeling that Malaysians have for the Club.

"Over 40,000 attended our training session and another 40,000 came to the second match in Kuala Lumpur, despite only having 48 hours’ notice of the fixture."

Director of Commercial, Richard Arnold said: "The Club is at the forefront of building relationships with its fans through digital media and this partnership helps us to maintain that position. Telekom Malaysia know all about the power of the Club to energise people in Malaysia and they have some great ideas about how to bring this deal to life."

Dato’ Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Group CEO of Telekom Malaysia said: "We are very happy seeing two champions in their respective fields coming together in a partnership such as this; TM, one of Malaysia's most dynamic and innovative telecoms brand, and Manchester United one the world's most recognised sports brands and successful football clubs.

"Just like Manchester United, winning and being the best at what we’re at is our business, and that is why we believe this partnership will benefit both entities. This agreement also goes to show that anything is possible when we connect, communicate, and collaborate."

Also in attendance at a press launch for the partnership were Sherene Azura Azli, Vice President, Group Marketing, for TM; United players Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and John O'Shea, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sir Alex commented, "The size of our fan base in Malaysia, and the affection they have for our club, is phenomenal. The statistic that almost 25 per cent of the Malaysian population support Manchester United is staggering, quite incredible.

"I know this will be a fantastic partnership because we share the same ambition, to be the best at what we do. We’re always striving to do that here at United. We’re very much alike in that respect."

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Edwin van der Sar, Antonio Valencia and Patrice Evra were at Old Trafford on Thursday for the announcement of United's three-and-a-half year partnership with South African telecommunications provider MTN.

The deal will see MTN become the South African extension of the club with exclusive mobile content and online inventory such as match highlights, player profiles, ringtones available to customers for download through the MTN Play entertainment portal.

Additionally, MTN has the rights to produce co-branded premiums and will receive signed memorabilia to use in competitions to reward its customers. It will also offer exclusive United-branded MTN products such as airtime vouchers and will run competitions for its customer base where some lucky fans will get an opportunity to have one-on-one interactions with players in the local and international football arena.

United Chief Executive David Gill said: "The partnership with MTN is a very important step in the club's plan to get closer to its fans based all over the world. MTN's strength, particularly in the pre-paid market will provide us with the perfect platform to achieve that."

Zunaid Bulbulia, Chief Finance Officer for MTN, said: "We think this is the perfect partnership as it will give United the opportunity to reach millions of fans in Africa, and for us it’s the perfect vehicle to extend our investment in football beyond the World Cup.

"It also enables us to combine the activities of the Manchester United Foundation and the MTN South Africa Foundation to reach out to impoverished communities who would otherwise not get the opportunity to meet and be coached by international footballers.

"We’re very excited about this aspect. In South Africa, we have a word for trying to capture that excitement. We call it 'Ayoba', which means ‘sweet.’"

Richard Arnold, Director of Commercial, Manchester United said, “South Africa is the centre of the footballing world in 2010. Manchester United has 10.3 million fans in the country and enjoyed two recent visits there in 2006 and 2008.

"This deal with the region’s leading mobile company will help us to deepen our relationship with our fans and bring them close to the club on a regular basis."

Veli Mabena, GM: Brand & Communications at MTN South Africa, added: “This strategic alliance answers our South African fans' questions and provides us with the best business fit that will help us further improve our customer experience.

“With one of the most diverse support bases in world football, South Africans football fans from all walks of life can identify with Manchester United. By partnering with the Old Trafford-based club, MTN is providing customers and fans alike with a front-row seat to world club football."

Sir Bobby Charlton also attended the launch. The United legend said: "I’m delighted to welcome MTN to our club. The fact we have sponsors in various parts of the globe and millions of fans in different countries makes me feel quite proud. But it’s not a surprise to me because ever since I was a player here, I’ve always been well aware that our fans are everywhere in the world.”