By Samindra Kunti
December 11 – UEFA have unveiled Turkish Airlines as a global sponsor and official carrier of Euro 2016, the first airline sponsor the confederation has landed. No figure was announced for the deal which is for the 2016 tournament only.
Turkish Airlines chairman İlker Aycı disclosed that the deal had been struck in the latter phases of the qualification rounds for EURO2016, even before Turkey had qualified for the tournament. Turkish Airlines flies to 22 of the 24 participating countries and covers six destinations in France.
“The European Football Championship has been held since 1960,” said Aycı. “What is interesting is that an airline company sponsors this tournament for the first time, which is I can proudly say is Turkish Airlines.”
“As Europe’s leading airline, they will be able to capitalise on the platform the newly expanded tournament offers to build on their current success,” said marketing director of UEFA Events Guy-Laurent Epstein.
“Through exclusive offers and innovative activations, we are looking forward to working with them to bring fans together from all over the world to celebrate in France next year.”
In recent years Turkish Airlines has been active in the football sponsorship marketing, striking deals with leading football clubs such as FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray, Olympique de Marseille, Aston Villa, FK Sarajevo, Hannover 96, and A.S. Roma. Renowned athletes and actors Lionel Messi, Kobe Bryant, Caroline Wozniacki, Kevin Costner, Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba have also featured in Turkish Airlines advertisements with sponsorship deals.
In the future Turkish Airlines is targeting sponsorship of the 2017 European Basketball Championships and the NHL’s Super Bowl.
Turkish Airlines becomes the ninth global sponsor to join the commercial programme for EURO 2016, hosted by France between June 10 and July.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734832941labto1734832941ofdlr1734832941owedi1734832941sni@i1734832941tnuk.1734832941ardni1734832941mas1734832941