Phoenix sponsorship

 

Understandable given the economic climate and Sony's big losses globally - posted NZ$5.56 billion loss for year to March

 

 

See:

 

Auckland, 03 March 2009: � Following a successful two season partnership, Sony New Zealand has today announced that its sponsorship agreement with the Wellington Phoenix will not be renewed for the 2009 / 2010 season. 

Sony New Zealand Managing Director Martin McManus says the company has enjoyed being involved with the Wellington Phoenix and having its brand associated with football in New Zealand.

�Sony New Zealand staff and customers have enjoyed supporting the Wellington Phoenix, particularly as they went from strength to strength in the 2008 / 2009 season,� said Mr McManus.

�But with our contract coming up for renewal we reviewed our sponsorship spend, and have had to make the decision not to continue past 2009.�

A challenging market environment in New Zealand and globally has resulted in Sony cutting back sponsorship expenditure.

Sony New Zealand will, however, remain closely connected with football through its global relationship with FIFA and regional activity for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.  

Mr McManus says that Sony benefitted greatly from the sponsorship and hopes the Phoenix will continue on with another high profile brand.

�We will continue to watch the progress of the Wellington Phoenix and wish the team the best of luck for the new season in the Hyundai A-League.�

Wellington Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata thanked Sony New Zealand for its support.

�Our partnership between with Sony has been superb and has benefitted both parties enormously. Sony was a great fit with the club and there was a strong desire from both parties for the relationship to continue, so it is unfortunate that difficult market conditions have forced Sony to scale back its sponsorship spend.

�Sony has helped significantly in building the profile of the Phoenix and of football in New Zealand and we have enjoyed the two years together.�

 

 

Cue a New Zealand company to support the local team - Telecom, power company........

 

God help us.

 

 

What about Ticketek......

 

It would make sense for a company with a trans-Tasman presence. Not too many of those floating around ....  Telecom/AAPT, Fonterra  can't think of many others of any size

 

 

As you said above, there aren't that many NZ companies who are big enough to dabble in sponsorship like this. I just thought, as Vodafone have already got the Warriors and Rugby in their sponsorship portfolio, this might be worth thinking about. Just putting it out there..

 

 

maybe, Tony will oput his own companies name on as sponsor - Adelaide have....

 

Ah, some far-sighted people amongst us got in early and got the timeless, limited-edition, unbranded version 

 

 

 

...and why has yours got 'SONTY' on it?

 

I actually think the opposite zinidane.  If we're going to attract a major sponsor, which is essential if we want to live in the A-League, we need to display high aspirations of making football a showpiece amongst the NZ sports public - to ensure that the sponsor is going to be noticed by virtue of large numbers of bums on seats and television viewing audiences.  This can only happen by recruiting ambitiously and thereby making an impact in a competitive entertainment market.  But HN is probably right - potential sponsors will probably want to hedge their bets, particularly in today's economic climate, unless they can be reasonably confident that their sponsorship money will make them a return.  So, it is a bit of a chicken and egg thing at the moment. 

 

Not a silly idea. Subsidiary of Qantas, looking to establish their domestic brand here.

 

Failing that, KFC anyone?