Premier League giants Manchester City have announced their latest signing – leading health and pharmaceutical firm Mundipharma.
The three-year deal will see Mundipharma become City’s Official Healthcare Product Partner in Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership at the City Football Academy in the shadows of the Etihad Stadium, Mundipharma’s president for those territories Raman Singh said the deal was ‘win-win’ for both parties.
He said: “Since 2011, we have been following our dream of providing our medication and products to as many patients as possible in the emerging world.
“It was very important for us to associate ourselves with a sport and club that people in the emerging markets can associate with and know about.
“Using Manchester City Football Club means we can leverage and reach a more larger audience than we were reaching.
“This falls into our strategy perfectly of persuing our dream of reaching as many people around the world as possible.”
Under the partnership, Mundipharma will use the City branding as part of their advertising and marketing campaign while the logo of its BETADINE medicines will feature on the sleeves of the club’s medical staff for friendly matches in Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
After discussions with a number of clubs about potential hook-ups, Mr Singh said he felt the similarities between his company and Manchester City meant they were the perfect fit.
He said: “If you look at Manchester City and their history, it’s been around for 136 years, it’s privately owned and it’s constantly disrupting itself and striving towards excellence. It’s innovating and they take a long term view.
“It’s a club with a vision and it’s not short-term; and that fits into Mundipharma perfectly. We are reinventing ourselves too and that is similar to how Manchester City operate. We wanted a club that would have heritage but also as young-looking as Manchester City is,
“It is a win-win for both of us. It is important that when you marry you marry among equals and we have a common agenda . Manchester City needs Mundipharma as much as Mundipharma needs Manchester City. We both fit the bill, perfectly.”
Manchester City’s chief operating officer Omar Berrada was also keen to stress the importance of the partnership.
He said: “By collaborating with such a well-known brand – with such a passion for creativity which mirrors our own desire to be at the front of innovation, new projects and new ideas – we believe that today is the beginning of a very exciting partnership.”
Mr Singh also revealed, having visited the Etihad to watch a match with his children a few years ago, the one thing he hoped the partnership would bring – even better tickets!
He said: “At that point in time I had no idea or vision that I would be sat here with you today talking about it. I think now, with this deal, I will probably get better tickets than the ones I had!”
Mr Singh also revealed, having visited the Etihad to watch a match with his children a few years ago, the one thing he hoped the partnership would bring – even better tickets!
He said: “At that point in time I had no idea or vision that I would be sat here with you today talking about it. I think now, with this deal, I will probably get better tickets than the ones I had!”
