Brasileiro Club Internacional Looks To Expand Brand Through Creation Of Franchises In Japan

Brasileiro club Internacional "took an important step in expanding its brand in the Asian market," according to Rodolfo Gomes of MAQUINA DO ESPORTE. Japanese representatives were received by Internacional's management "to work out the last details" of a partnership that will see the creation of football academies, known as "The Red Academy," in the Asian country. The first academy will open in April in the city of Akashi. The academy will initially work with 300 kids, and will eventually have a capacity of 500. By '14, the Brasileiro club hopes to have five academies in the country. Internacional Marketing Dir Jorge André Avancini said, "With this project, we want to form young fans and increase the revenue of the club in new markets." The club also hopes the initiative "will help in agreeing to new commercial agreements in the Asian market." Avancini said, "We certainly have this objective. We are not going on an adventure to Asia, we are going to stay" (MAQUINA DO ESPORTE, 2/7).