SPONSOR DAY 2014

MILAN – The traditional sponsor day presented by AC Milan and Infront Italy, a world leader in sports marketing, took place today for the first time at the club’s new headquarters Casa Milan. The event is an occasion to present the upcoming commercial projects for the 2014/15 season. AC Milan’s commercial director Jaap Kalma and Infront Italy’s President Marco Bogarelli were both on hand to present to partners and journalists the most recent initiatives by the club. There were many new initiatives to report on. From the addition of new sponsors and partners, sponsorship activation, the finalising of agreements for the promotion of AC Milan abroad, to the focus during home matches on sport production.And this year the club’s commercial activities have once again brought important results. There has been the addition of new sponsors, such as Nexive, the first private postal service operator in the Italian market that has signed an agreement as Official Partner for this season while Toyo Tire will be a Premium Sponsor to AC Milan until 2016.The presentation also gave the chance to confirm the sponsorship upgrade of long term sponsor McVities, which has upgraded from a Partner to a Premium Sponsor of the club. There is also the addition of a new media Official Partner - Corriere dello Sport – that will join the rossoneri for the 2014/2015 season.Infront’s agreement with Dentsu, one of the largest advertising agencies in the world, is of strategic importance and aims to develop regional partnerships in Asia. In addition to Japan, Dentsu is present in 9 countries. Dentsu has already obtained some important results, shown by the closing of a contract as Official Partner for the Japanese market with Lawson, the most important convenience store in the land of the rising sun. Thanks to the agreement with AC Milan, it plans to increase its presence in the Asian market.In terms of marketing activities, particular emphasis was given to the support shown to sponsors in starting their investment through initiatives that put the customer first. AC Milan along with Infront are able to support their sponsors and get the best out of their investment: an example of which is Braun’s social project with the Milan Foundation."A.C. Milan is an important brand and companies continue investing to associate their own brand with a team that represents a reference point for Italian and world football, always ahead in terms of developing strategies to involve partners, fans and stakeholders- Jaap Kalma, A.C. Milan Commercial Director – In a tough market like this one, I am very happy and proud of the work done by the AC Milan commercial department that, in continuous collaboration with Infront and thanks to the strength of the brand and the quality of the services it offers to its commercial partners, always obtains better results.""AC Milan is well ahead with fan interaction- Marco Bogarelli, Infront Italy President – by putting its focus on entertainment inside the stadium, which today is called sport production. It’s about activities that are carried out at the stadium before the match and during the interval and that make it more exciting for the fans to be at the place of their favourite team. In the development of this new approach to the fans, Infront is first in line in supporting the rossoneri team, making available all of its expertise in sports marketing, in digital activities, social engagement and the creation of events.""The relationship that we’re able to maintain and build with our sponsors- Bogarelli continued–  is based on our attention to the needs and objectives of our partners, building specific initiatives, that make their investment more measurable and strengthen the concept of customer experience."Lastly, but by no means least in terms of importance, there was the presentation of the first edition of the Sponsorship Award. Fans will be invited to vote for their favorite sponsor campaign to determine the brands that will receive the AC Milan Sponsorship Award in June. Here are the categories:
• ADV & Press Campaign• Web & Digital Projects• Stadium Activation• Sponsorship eventExperts will choose from the selected projects the winners during the traditional end of June workshop dedicated to sponsors.Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operation – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football and summer sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with approximately 160 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of over 600 experienced staff working from 25 offices across 12 countries, delivering 3,400 event days of top class sport around the world every year. www.infrontsports.it