New club media deal

[Oli Winton]

United Sign Revolutionary Media Deal



Manchester United has signed a revolutionary four year deal with Haymarket Network in a move that could transform the way football clubs communicate with their fans.

Haymarket, who already produce the Club’s award-winning match programme, are to take over editorial responsibility for United magazine and the biggest club website in the world manutd.com.

The new team will work from Old Trafford and Haymarket’s London offices and is charged with designing Club publications to meet the needs of different fans’ groups, starting with the first Premier League home game of the season on 20 August against Aston Villa.

Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill said: "Haymarket are the ideal partner to develop the Club’s media business in the UK and overseas. We have established a great relationship with them over the last three years; they understand the industry and the way we work."

Haymarket Network’s Chairman Kevin Costello said: "I am delighted that we have been given this chance to work across the Club’s media titles. Manchester United is known the world over. It’s our job to produce publications that make the Club’s fans feel informed and entertained from Trafford to Thailand."

The Club’s Commercial Director, Andy Anson added: "Haymarket have unparalleled expertise in football publishing. Bringing all our titles under one supplier allows us to be consistent in all of our media and helps us to minimise the number of media approaches we make to our players and coaching staff."

Communications Department
Old Trafford, 15 July 2005