EPSON ANNOUNCES NEW GLOBAL SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH MANCHESTER UNITED

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 May 2012 Global imaging and innovation leader Epson has agreed a further three-year contract with Manchester United, as the club’s Official Office Equipment Supplier. Having already benefitted from both increased customer interaction and engagement, as well as enhanced global brand awareness, Epson sees the relationship as a key initiative in enhancing its global visibility and business growth.

The sponsorship renewal runs through to the end of season 2014/15, and Epson will continue to benefit from stadium advertising rights and hospitality while supplying Manchester United with core office and front-of-house printing and imaging equipment. Epson is proud of the synergies between the two historic organizations and continuation of the partnership is a reflection of a shared commitment to performance and innovation.

Epson General Manager of Global Communications, Ian Cameron, commented: “We are delighted to have concluded this new agreement. This is an exciting partnership and we see it as an opportunity to strengthen connections with our customers around the world, particularly in emerging markets.”

In addition to contractual rights such as stadium advertising at Old Trafford, the agreement sees Epson continue to supply Manchester United with its award-winning office products. MUTV has benefited from state of the art, ultra-short throw Epson projectors, allowing for projected images of the stadium to be used as a studio backdrop, instead of having to light the actual stadium for filming. Projected installations in the players’ gym make training more engaging, while Epson printers produce all match day information, including team sheets, and Epson photo printers are used to produce all official photography.

Manchester United’s Commercial Director, Richard Arnold comments: “We are delighted to continue the relationship with Epson and to further develop the shared benefits it brings.

“Like Manchester United, Epson is a global brand and its innovation in new technologies keeps it at the forefront of its industry.

“Recently Epson celebrated our record 19th league title with our fans by taking the Epson Champ19ns Experience to Beijing, Shanghai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Over 20,000 fans visited the museum exhibition covering the history of the 19 titles, culminating in a state of the art 3D Epson projection of the current squad.

“They have shown great creativity and enthusiasm in their marketing work with the club and their state-of-the-art equipment has been fully integrated in the day to day running of Manchester United and we are pleased to be associated with the brand."