July 7 – Manchester City, hard on the heels of its Cityzens weekend and the launch of various digital initiatives has now turned its attention back to China where it has extended its relationship with specialist business development company, Zhong An Holdings.
Shenzhen-based Zhong An, led by Madame Mi Na, which operates across China and Hong Kong, is focused on expanding the club’s regional footprint – both in terms of fan following and sponsorship opportunity.
Man City will play a two-match pre-season tour in China at the end of July as part of the International Champions Cup organisation. The matches will include the first Manchester derby played overseas with rivals United and featuring the clubs’ new mercurial managers Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho – a potential commercial coup in the Chinese market. Both clubs will also play Borussia Dortmund.
Zhong An, which has advised the club on commercial relationships and media activity in China, as well as activating partnerships with the Ministry of Education to provide coaches to support the development of grassroots football across China, will focus its attention on opportunities around the tour.
Tom Glick, chief commercial officer of City Football Group (CFG), said: “We are very pleased that we will be continuing to work with Zhong An. China is one of the world’s most exciting and growing football markets. We have made a firm commitment to participate in the development of football in China and to get closer than ever to our Chinese followers.
“As we look forward to our pre-season tour, which will take us to Beijing and Shenzhen, we are constantly nurturing new commercial, marketing and digital relationships, as well as growing ever closer to our new investors.”
CFG, the majority Abu Dhabi-owned football investment firm that owns Manchester City, took on board a $400 million new investment from China, valuing CFG at $3 billion.
The 13% minority shareholding in CFG was acquired by a group led by CMC (China Media Capital) and is in partnership with Chinese institutional investor CITIC Capital. CMC is China’s leading media, entertainment, sports and internet investment company.
Stephen Ng, Vice President of Zhong An Holdings, said: “We are delighted to be working with Manchester City. As one of the leading clubs in world football, they are perfectly placed to grow and develop their fanbase and commercial presence in China. We are proud of the joint successes to date across many different areas. Zhong An Holdings is excited to be cooperating even more closely together in the future, both to secure new opportunities and deliver domestic market requirements, ensuring Manchester City continues to be amongst the most successful sporting organisations operating in China.”
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