FDBusiness.com

Heineken has extended its sponsorship with the UEFA Champions League. The new agreement, means that Heineken, the leading international, premium beer brand, will continue as an official partner of the world’s most prestigious club football competition up to and including the 2017 / 2018 season.

Heineken has been an integral partner of the UEFA Champions League since 2005. The sponsorship allows Heineken to elevate its global status as the world’s favourite beer. Last year the UEFA Champions League reached a cumulative audience of more than four billion TV viewers in 220 countries and territories, whilst also continuing to support the brand’s growth.

The contract renewal sees Heineken obtaining the rights to exclusive UEFA Champions League content, such as Back Stadium Tour and UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, presented by Heineken, which will be available across the brand’s owned social media channels, as well as maintaining the rights as presenting partner for UEFA Champions League video section on www.uefa.com.

The deal provides fertile ground for Heineken’s innovative and award winning consumer focused campaigns. It also includes improved broadcast reach inGermany, increase in exclusive LED pitch boarding exposure, and the right to promote the association in key retail channels.

The UEFA Champions League sponsorship is a crucial element of the brand’s growth strategy in emerging markets. As part of its on-going ‘Road to the Final’ campaign, Heineken has also announced the dates and venues for the successful UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken.

2014 represents the brand’s eighth consecutive Tour with a global itinerary that covers South America, Africa and Asia – giving fans across the world the opportunity to see the Trophy first-hand, meet superstar footballers and to see a fantastic range of UEFA Champions League memorabilia.

Alexis Nasard, global chief marketing officer and president of Western Europe, at Heineken, says: “The UEFA Champions League’s unrivalled international reach and professional standards make it the perfect match for Heineken. It is one of the brand’s main engagement pillars, and as such we strive to constantly strengthen and broaden our activation through innovative marketing and our global footprint. We are privileged to offer our consumers the unique experience and thrill of the Champion’s League.”

Hans Erik Tuijt, global activation director at Heineken, comments: “The UEFA Champions League sponsorship is the largest activation platform for the Heineken brand. In our eight year partnership, research has shown that Heineken awareness has grown to 60% among UEFA Champions League fans. We will continue to enrich fans’ experience of the UEFA Champions League through innovative campaigns encompassing  social media , live screening events during the UEFA Champions League Final, retail activations enabling thousands of fans to experience the matches first-hand and of course the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour presented by Heineken.”

Heineken will be bringing its sponsorship to over 220 countries via marketing and PR efforts. The UEFA Champions League is enjoyed by over 4.2 billion people around the world. Heineken® ‘s global campaign TVC ‘Road to the Final’ reached 34,500,000 views online.