Greater China: Manchester club kicks up hunt for Asian sponsors

CHINA: Manchester United Football Club (MUFC), exclusively represented by the Premiere Group, has come to Asia to explore brand building and sponsorship opportunities for the 2006/7 football season. Following the success of the World Cup in Asia in 2002, the club kicked off a roadshow to Hong Kong, China and Korea last month to promote the game and the club as proven marketing vehicles for advertisers. The roadshow is part of a long-term effort to market the brand and secure sponsorship partners. With Nike and Vodafone as primary global sponsors, MUFC is looking to add four more, possibly Asian, brands to its line-up.