ManU said on Monday it had "cut a three-year partnership deal" with Gulf Oil Int'l, showing the club's appeal as a global brand "bears no sign of waning despite a relatively poor season," according to Martyn Herman of REUTERS. The club, which is "struggling on the pitch and in danger of missing out on the lucrative Champions League for the second time in three seasons," said the deal would help increase the club's brand in Asia, where it says it has 325 million followers. Gulf Oil Int'l is part of India's Hinduja Group. ManU Group Managing Dir Richard Arnold said, "(It) already has significant experience in sport and we are looking forward to working with them to expand that into football." The club expects revenue for the year to hit £500M ($716M), which would be a first for a British club (REUTERS, 3/14). The Indian BUSINESS STANDARD's Urvi Malvania reported the deal will give Gulf Oil Int'l access to ManU assets "including the club crest and player images and Gulf’s distinctive orange disc" will be featured on the club’s digital perimeter boards during Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup matches at Old Trafford. The company expects the tie-up with ManU to augment its "long-term association with cricket for enhancement and further strengthening of its brand equity amongst its customers," especially for personal mobility consumers who "use two wheelers or passenger cars" (BUSINESS STANDARD, 3/14).
