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Monday, 8 April 2013

How many of Manchester United’s 33 sponsors can you name

Being the global powerhouse that they are, it comes as no surprise that Manchester United have a large army of corporate partners. But did you know that the official number stands, at present, at 33?
Moreso, did you know the Red Devils saw fit to strike 14 separate 'integrated communications' partnerships across a complex network of worldwide locations?

Here is the full list. Some are well-known, others are just plain barmy. Use it as a quiz of sorts, to see just how well-versed you are in the corporate side of 'the beautiful game'. No cheating:
So before you continue, write down as many of United's sponsors as you can, and then check to see how many you got. We'll mark this 'test' of sorts as follows...
0-3 right: And you say you know football? Stick to irrelevant topics such as zonal marking and how to nurture homegrown talent...
4-9 right: More manure than Man U. Banned from press conferences...
10-19 right: Mid-table mediocrity. Enough to get you fired at Old Trafford...
20-29 right: Champions League spot. Just pray Cuneyt Cakir isn't the referee...
30-33 right: Are you SURE you did not cheat!?
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1) AON – Principal sponsor

2) NIKE – Kit manufacturers

3) DHL – Official logistics partner

4) CHEVROLET – Official automotive partner

5) BWIN – Official online gaming and betting partner

6) THOMAS COOK – Official travel partner

7) HUBLOT – Official timekeeper (and crafters of some swanky 'bling')

8) TURKISH AIRLINES – Official airline partner

9) SMIRNOFF – Official responsible drinking partner (is 'Bros icing Bros' responsible?)

10) SINGHA – Official beer (were Singha not responsible enough to land #9…?)

11) CASILLERO DEL DIABLO – Official wine (See #10)

12) EPSON – Official office equipment partner (those press releases do not print themselves...)

13) TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS – Official medical systems partner

14) MISTER POTATO – Official savoury snack partner (and one of the best sporting billboards you'll ever see)
15) STC – Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Saudi Arabia
16) PCCW – Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Hong Kong
17) TM - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Malaysia
18) BEELINE - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
19) BAKCELL - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Azerbaijan
20) GLOBACOM - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Nigeria, Ghana and Benin
21) VIVA - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Bahrain
22) VIVA KUWAIT - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for – yes, you guessed it – Kuwait
23) TURK TELECOM - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Turkey
24) GLOBUL - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Bulgaria
25) MTN - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Swaziland and Botswana
26) ZONG – Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Pakistan
27) AIRTEL - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for India, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Bangladesh
28) AIRTEL AFRICA - Official integrated telecommunications partner… for Burkina Faso, Chad, DR Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Congo Brazzaville (and breathe…)

29) YANMAR – Official global moving partner (in fairness, they do get around a bit)

30) KANSAI PAINT – Official paint partner

31) AP HONDA – Official motorcycle partner in Thailand

32) KAGOME – Official partner for Japan (yes, that’s right: not just integrated telecommunications… the WHOLE of Japan!)

33) MAMEE – Official noodles partner (wait, what?)
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Is it fair to say United have a few too many 'official' sponsors? Or perhaps they don't have enough! What do you think should be next: official toaster partner? Official board game? Official integrated telecommunications partner for Western Samoa?

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