October 30 – On the pitch Chelsea were denied a win in the Premier League against Manchester United last weekend by a last gasp equalizer by Robin van Persie. Off the pitch commercial results are far from evenly matched with Man Utd this week adding two new sponsors, while Chelsea have put faith in new signing Christian Purslow to lead the line in a bid to boost their global commercial activity.
Man Utd has announced Chi as its Official Soft Drinks Partner in Nigeria, and IVC as its first Official Chinese Wellness Partner. Both deals are said to be “multi-year” though no value for either sponsorship has been released.
The Nigerian deal will allow the country’s market leader in fruit juices to use the Manchester United crest and club imagery on a range of products in-country.
IVC, a leading player in the global nutritional supplement market, is targeting Chinese consumers with a range of wellness products. The company produces supplements for retailers in the US and nutritional, prescription and over-the-counter products for many global household brands.
IVC’s MATE brand series will launch products that carry the Manchester United crest, they will also be on sale at Old Trafford. Man Utd reckons it has “108 million faithful followers” in China.
Purslow, who is a former managing director of Liverpool FC, will be looking to speed up Chelsea’s commercial progress in his new role as head of global commercial activities. Chelsea have been slower off the mark in this sales area than their big-brand competitors in the Premier League.
Chelsea have said they do not expect to announce any further senior executive appointments following the departure of chief executive Ron Gourlay last week. Chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia have assumed his duties.
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