August 5 – Despite the devastating impact of the pandemic on football across Asia and the AFC’s geographical footprint, its marketing committee reports that its brand has strengthened and its expanding reach has been a positive outcome in a difficult period.
In particular the successful resumption of Asian football in 2021 has been embraced positively by commercial partners while the fan metrics that drive engagement have remained strong and confirmed the appetite for the AFC’s competitions within the region.
What is particularly encouraging has been the expansion of the broadcast coverage of the AFC’s leading competitions increase more broadcast markets outside their traditional TV base.
The marketing group recognised the contribution of the rebranded competition idents in maintaining the engagement.
Marketing committee chairperson Dasho Ugen Tsechup, said: “The pandemic continues to significantly impact the AFC’s competitions but thanks to our Member Associations, clubs and partners, we can all take great pride in the successful completion of the rebranded AFC Champions League Group Stage and AFC Asian Qualifiers Round 2.
“For the AFC’s brand and image, it was important to show the world the growing stature and appeal of our Competitions and this has been further underlined by the ongoing partnerships that the AFC continues to enter with some of the world’s most reputable brands and media and broadcast entities.”
Recognising the increased global interest from outside the AFC region, Tsechuo continued: “These partnerships play such an important role not just in financing our competitions, but also in relation to their promotion and marketing and perhaps just as encouraging, are the partnerships established not just in Asia, but across the globe.
“The AFC’s competitions can now be viewed by fans in almost every territory on the planet, through an unprecedented range of broadcast partners in every Continent. This is an important step in developing the reputation of and interest in Asian football both within the region and beyond.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1736591757labto1736591757ofdlr1736591757owedi1736591757sni@n1736591757osloh1736591757cin.l1736591757uap1736591757
