Etihad look to score with MLS sponsorship
Etihad Airways is ramping up its brand building in the US, announcing a sponsorship deal as the official airline partner of Major League Soccer.
The deal will see Etihad and MLS offer joint community programs, soccer related flight promotions and brand exposure for the Abu Dhabi based airline on a nationwide scale.
The Etihad Airways logo will feature prominently in stadiums with LED pitchside advertising during nationally televised matches as well as online branding initiatives.
MLS continues to rise in status but is still some way off competing with the popularity of NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.
However with the soccer World Cup just weeks away, there is a strong appetite for soccer at home and overseas which Etihad will hope to exploit.
Etihad is no stranger to big-time sports sponsorship.
The airline is the main sponsor of English Premier League club Manchester City which play at the Etihad Stadium and Etihad also works with Al Ain Football Club in the United Arab Emirates, and sponsors the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix race.
"Etihad has a growing portfolio of sports properties that cover the globe and we’re delighted to now add Major League Soccer," said Etihad CEO James Hogan.
The MLS partnership will help Etihad "build its brand in the United States – a key market for us," Hogan said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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