What a week for Manchester City.
First, City claimed their first UEFA Champions League victory in club history.
Second, the club unveiled ‘Sky Blue’, the club’s first-ever international membership program for fans in the UAE.
Third, City demolished a 10-men United side by a score of 6-1 at Old Trafford, but this editorial is focused on the release of “Sky Blue” in the United Arab Emirates.
Roberto Mancini and the team officially revealed Sky Blue this week. The membership is open to all citizens of the UAE.
“I am a regular visitor to Abu Dhabi on club business and it is exciting for everyone that we will now really be able to connect with fans there,” said Mancini.
“Manchester City is a club with great ambition and we are becoming increasingly well known all over the world – especially now we are in the Champions League.
“But it feels right to launch Sky Blue in the UAE as we know people there are already passionate about City and feel loyal to the club.
“They will be cheering us on against Manchester United in what is a big game for the team and we look forward to welcoming UAE supporters to the stadium this season.”
Captain fantastic Vincent Kompany added,“Most of the players have been to the UAE – either for club work or on holiday – and they all enjoyed it.”
“I was there last year for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the love for sport and football is obvious. It was great to see how many
people are City fans and how they follow and support the team from thousands of miles away.“Sky Blue will make them really part of City and it’s natural to launch it in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. Hopefully we will all get the chance to get out there and meet as many fans as possible.”
Sky Blue will feature game screening events for members that will be held in Abu Dhabi. The events will include guest appearances, video messages from City players and prizes.
“Our partnership with Manchester City has allowed us to bring wider brand awareness for Etihad on a global platform, particularly in the UK market through their devoted fan base, so we are thrilled to reciprocate this by supporting the team’s presence in the UAE.
“When we announced our 10-year partnership with the Club in July, we said that this would not just be about putting the Etihad name on a stadium.
“Rather, by participating in programmes such as this and engaging with the fans, providing added benefits for the Sky Blue members, we are creating a brand synergy that goes far beyond the traditional sponsor relationship,” said Etihad Chief Commercial Officer Peter Baumgartner.
This is a great business move for City, while simultaneously adding to the club’s ties with the Middle East and Asia.
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