HTC becomes Champions League sponsor
HTC has struck a three-year deal with UEFA to become the official mobile phone supplier of the Champions League and the Europa League as the manufacturer looks to expand awareness of its brand around the world and tap into its customers’ passions.
Under the agreement, which launches in January next year, HTC will have access to broadcast credits, official content such as match footage and archives, match tickets and presence across all digital media platforms associated with the two competitions. It will also have exclusive branding on the official match photographers’ jackets.
Additionally, HTC will also become the official global smartphone partner of the UEFA Super Cup Final in 2013 and 2014 and the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final from until 2015.
HTC says it plans to deliver experiences to football fans through creative content and using the latest technologies for fans to access in the lead up to, during and after matches on their mobiles.
It hopes the deal will give HTC an opportunity to get closer to the tournaments’ global audience of 1.1 billion viewers through “a shared love of football”.
The deal marks what is understood to be HTC’s largest ever sponsorship deal and its first foray into patterning with a major sport. Other recent partnerships include its ongoing agreement with MOBO and the sponsorship of Rihanna’s 777 world tour.
Peter Chou, HTC CEO, says: “Football elicits so much passion around the world and we are excited to partner with one of the leading sporting brands in the world. We’ll be working closely with UEFA to offer football experiences to all fans in addition to providing a richer overall mobile experience.”
HTC replaces Sony Mobile, which has been an official sponsor of the Champions League since 2009.
Sony’s PlayStation brand will continue to sponsor the tournament.
HTC has a 15.4 per cent share of the UK smartphone market, according to comScore data for November. Sony has a 5.3 per cent share.
