Arsenal Signs Two-Year Partnership With Chinese Phone Maker Huawei

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei "is stepping up its U.K. and European marketing" with a two-year deal with EPL, according to Sarah Vizard of MARKETING WEEK. Huawei hopes the deal "will boost brand awareness in the region." The deal lasts until the end of the '15-16 football season. It will see Arsenal players such as Mesut Özil and Jack Wilshere "feature in Huawei’s communications and promotional activities both in the U.K. and overseas." For Huawei, the partnership also "includes offers, content and a brand presence during Arsenal matches, as well as via its digital and social media channels." Huawei "will also gain access to Arsenal’s customer database and be able to offer matchday hospitality" at the Emirates Stadium to competition winners. The deal "will also help boost Arsenal" as it looks to Asia for revenue generating opportunities. The club says it has a “very large digital fanbase” in China and has previously toured Asia, playing matches in Malaysia, Hong Kong and China (MARKETING WEEK, 1/17).