MANCHESTER CITY FC AND NEW YORK FC LAUNCH LANDMARK DEAL WITH DIGICEL

Manchester City FC and New York City FC have launched a new multi-year partnership with Digicel, the number one communications partner across the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific. The Barclays Premier League Club and new Major League Soccer franchise will come together with the leading telecoms brand to create a wealth of multi-media content, as well as community coaching and once in a lifetime opportunities.

In a landmark new partnership, a first for either club in the region, Manchester City FC, New York City FC and Digicel will work together on a range of community initiatives, unique content interaction across broadcast, digital and mobile, as well as promotional opportunities, VIP attendance at games in Yankee Stadium, New York to enjoy the MLS and at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester to enjoy Premier League games.

The partnership will also see collaboration on Digicel’s Kick Start coaching programme which delivers clinics across 15 markets annually and further coaching opportunities for up to 24 aspiring young footballers to take place in the training Academies of New York City FC, Manchester City FC and Melbourne City FC.

This exciting new partnership is the next evolutionary stage in the already well-established Digicel Kick Start programme – delivering more interaction for more fans with more big clubs than ever before in the world’s most popular sport.

Omar Berrada, Commercial Director of City Football Marketing, which brokers Manchester City FC and New York City FC’s commercial partnerships, said, “We are delighted to welcome Digicel as our very first partner in the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific Islands. Digicel has invested significantly in growing, developing and marketing football across their regions for several years and we are looking forward to working together to bring exciting promotions and content to football fans across these markets.”

Digicel Group Director of Marketing Operations, Kieran Foley, said, “Digicel is delighted to be working with Manchester City FC and New York City FC, both clubs who enjoy an international following. This marks the next phase in our development – marrying content and community programmes across all our markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the South Pacific as well as into our Diaspora communities. Knowing we have set the bar high with our previous partnerships from the Barclays Premier League and with the Caribbean Football Union, we are very excited to develop this platform with Manchester City FC and New York City FC, to deliver compelling and exclusive content which our customers can consume in broadcast, digital and mobile channels, exciting experiences and promotions, as well as the unique and greatly enhanced football development programmes that will be on offer through this deal to all aspiring young players across all our markets.”

Digicel runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad & Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams and individuals including the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt and Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel also sponsors the West Indies cricket team.