More on the Malta deal

[Foxy]

The Malta Tourism Authority announced yesterday that it is sponsoring the English first division football team Sheffield United.
Malta international goalkeeper, Justin Haber, has just signed on with Sheffield Utd, thus further enhancing the club's connection with Malta.

The sponsorship deal with the club also known as The Blades - the value of which is to remain under wraps as requested by the club - covers the forthcoming football season.

This is the first time that Malta, as a tourism destination, has become the main sponsor of a prestigious football club, the MTA said.
The UK is Malta's strongest source market, and the sponsorship agreement stands to make considerable new inroads in Britain, MTA chairman Sam Mifsud said.

The sponsorship agreement includes Corporate Social Responsibility clauses and assistance in the setting up of a football academy in Malta.

This sponsorship deal includes the following benefits for promoting the island.
• The Blades appearing in 10-12 live Championship games throughout the season. These are all screened on Sky Sports. The airtime per game is 90 minutes + 30 minutes pre-game and 15 minutes post-game in which the stadium (branded with visitmalta) and backdrops for interviews (also branded) will feature prominently. This excludes any cup games which could range from one to six per annum depending on Sheffield Utd's progress.

• On a weekly basis (Saturday night and Sunday morning), Sheffield Utd will feature in the Championship highlights programme which is shown on various stations.

• Apart from the whole interior of the stadium being branded with visitmalta.com (the bar areas and hospitality areas), the MTA will also have the following:
- One of the four stands named the Malta Family Stand
- The main hospitality suite re-branded The Malta Suite
- Six 18m x 2m adverts around the stadium.

• A minimum of six adverts x 30 seconds on the Electronic Scoreboard per home game (Over 23 home games).

• Visitmalta banners to feature on club website for the duration of the contract as well as inclusion in newsletter.

• Utilisation of Sheffield Utd Club database for any visitmalta.com offers or promotions throughout the year (12 mailings per year).

• Close ties with both Doncaster Sheffield and East Midlands airports. According to Sheffield Utd officials, the interest for Malta will be greatly increased in the region, while the club has very close ties with both these airports (especially East Midlands), with all the possible ramifications that this fact implies.
Air Malta will also be participating in this sponsorship initiative by means of on-ground advertising at Bramall Lane Stadium. Air Malta will be able to promote its Malta routes from the convenient-to-reach airports at Birmingham and Manchester.

Sam Mifsud eh?

Sounds like we are gonna get spammed with Malta stuff though

 

[silverfox]

More from the Star.........

SOUNDBITES about dual benefits, proactive marketing and corporate responsibility will resonate with the City.
But what Sheffield United supporters really want to know about their club's sponsorship package with the island of Malta is how it will affect the team.

When officials from the archipelago's tourism department arrived at Bramall Lane this week to celebrate an agreement which, even sceptics concede, can be described as groundbreaking, more details emerged about how United plan to groom the next generation of Maltese talent.

"Football is very popular there," United director Scott McCabe told The Star. "Although there are systems in place for youngsters, there doesn't appear to be too many opportunities for them to continue their development afterwards.

"One of the things we are committed to doing is helping to establish an academy there to solve that particular problems and promote football as a force for good in the community in other ways."

Chris Fenech, the Malta Tourist Authority's UK and Ireland director, said: "Football has a big following in Malta and people will follow their local team and one other; usually from England or Italy.

"So Sheffield United are well known and well respected anyway but hopefully, because of this (sponsorship) we would like to see them become everybody's 'second team'.

"Naturally, if there are any promising young players in Malta then Sheffield United will be in a position to take a look at them first.

"We've made great strides in this area in recent years and, together with Sheffield United, look forward to improving still further. We want to bring a strong Sheffield United presence to Malta and establish a strong Maltese link here."

 

[shorehamview]

Is the MTA chairman Sam Mifsud a relative of the Coventry player Michael Mifsud?

 

[MAQ]

I suddenly have the urge to go to Malta. Can't think why

 

[happyhippy]

Typical. I gave my Malta shirt away last season. To a Weeds fan ........ he's a world class drinker and a top music man, so I can (oh so nearly) forgive him .....

Maybe I knew and it's just the road to Damascus; he's half-Maltese, and living with a Blade!.