Hankook Tire renews UEFA Europa League partnership
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
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The premium tyre manufacturer has renewed its sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League for a further three-year commercial cycle
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On the day of the 47th edition of this club competition final, UEFA announces that Hankook Tire has signed a new three-year agreement to continue as an Official Partner of the UEFA Europa League, taking its sponsorship of the tournament through to the UEFA Europa League final in 2021.
Every season the UEFA Europa League features clubs from 55 countries and involves a total of 205 matches, bringing people together in a celebration of unity and European football. As the world's largest professional club football competition, the UEFA Europa League attracts a global cumulative television audience of one billion across all programming, 45% of which comes from outside Europe. This partnership will continue to give Hankook Tire the platform to increase its global brand awareness, build consumer loyalty and engage with all its markets throughout Europe.
Hankook's sponsorship of one of UEFA's most prestigious European competitions started in 2012 and today marks its sixth consecutive UEFA Europa League final as an Official Partner – the longest-running such partnership in the commercial programme.
From the outset, Hankook has played a vital role in the promotion of the tournament on a global scale. It gives opportunities to fans online, including 19 million followers across UEFA Europa League social media platforms, to attend a game, experience back-stage stadium tours, or take part as centre-circle banner carriers in pre-match ceremonies.
With an anticipated 60 million viewers expected to watch tonight's 2017/18 final between Olympique de Marseille and Club Atlético de Madrid at the Stade de Lyon, France, fans will have the chance to see who receives the Man of the Match Award presented by Hankook. This is an award Hankook has been proud to present at the last two finals, further consolidating its brand equity among supporters around the continent.
Commenting on the announcement, Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director of UEFA Events SA, said: "This is the second time that I am proud to announce that Hankook has renewed its sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League, the last time being on the eve of the 2015 UEFA Europa League final in Warsaw. We remain wholly committed to ensuring the partnership continues to be a success for both parties.
"Through the exclusive Hankook back stadium tours and via VIP ticket raffles, Hankook has been able to expand the enjoyment of the UEFA Europa League outside traditional supporter bases, bringing unique benefits to many more people over the course of the past six seasons. We look forward to continuing the strong partnership until 2021 and indeed further into the future. Today's final in Lyon marks the start of this commitment and we look forward to working together even closer over the next three years."
Han-Jun Kim, president of Hankook Tire Europe, added: “The UEFA Europa League allows us to engage with consumers across our European markets. It makes this partnership an ideal marketing opportunity for Hankook Tire Europe. Therefore, we are happy to announce the prolongation of our sponsorship with the UEFA Europa League for another three years.”
Hankook Tire renews as the fifth Official Partner of the UEFA Europa League for the 2018–21 commercial cycle, following the renewals of Amstel and Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, while Kia Motors and Molten have also become an Official Partner and an Official Supplier to the competition respectively.
Note to editors:
UEFA Events is a wholly owned subsidiary of UEFA, created to manage and handle the European football governing body's commercial and event operations.
TEAM Marketing AG is the exclusive marketing agency of UEFA for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Youth League finals.