PHAR NEWS

PHAR client Artemis Racing launches its challenge for the 35th America’s Cup

Today, PHAR’s client Artemis Racing officially launched its challenge to win the 35th America’s Cup at an inspirational event in Sweden’s capital. Guests were treated to a rare chance of seeing the America’s Cup trophy first hand at the Moderna Museet, on Skeppsholmen Island at the heart of Stockholm’s proud maritime history.
Torbjörn Törnqvist, Team Principal of Artemis Racing said: “Sailing is my passion, and I’m very proud to once again represent Sweden in the America’s Cup. Given our experience from the 34th America’s Cup, what the team went through and achieved, we have an incredibly strong culture, a belonging to the team. Building on our core group from the last campaign, we have been able to secure talent across all areas, and I strongly believe that Artemis Racing is a team capable of winning the 35th America’s Cup”.

Artemis Racing will again challenge alongside Kungliga Svenska Segel Sällskapet (KSSS), the Royal Swedish Yacht Club, for what will be their second campaign together in the pursuit of winning the oldest competition in sport.

“The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of international sailing. KSSS is proud to be a challenger once again through Torbjörn Törnqvist’s Artemis Racing team. We are also very excited by the prospect of involving Swedish sailors in various ways in the project. We want to extend our gratitude to Torbjörn Törnqvist for making this possible” commented Staffan Salén, KSSS Commodore.

New team members were announced, including Swedish Olympic champions, Fredrik Lööf and Max Salminen, as well as America’s Cup veteran Rod Davis.

Lööf is one of the most successful Swedish sailors of all times and a long-time friend and competitor of Team Manager Iain Percy. With a wealth of experience, he has participated in an incredible six Olympic campaigns, winning a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics and bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Star class, and at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the Finn class. Lööf’s career highlights also include three Finn World Championships, two Star World titles and a third place finish in the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race.

On joining the team Fredrik said “I’ve been fascinated by the way sailing has been evolving over the last few years, with these new foiling boats and incredible TV production. I was really inspired by Artemis’ last campaign and having a Swedish boat on the start line again, and being part of it this time, is very exciting. Winning the America’s Cup and bringing it to Sweden for the first time would be something very special”.

One of the most promising talents in Swedish sailing, Max Salminen, still just 24, struck gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games alongside Fredrik Lööf in the Star class.

Artemis Racing also welcomed Sailing Coach Rod Davis. In his extraordinary America’s Cup career –now his 9th campaign – Davis brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to the team, having covered a variety of roles from bowman to mainsail trimmer, skipper, and more recently coach of Emirates Team New Zealand. Rod won a gold medal in the Soling class at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, and Olympic silver in the Finn class in Barcelona 1992. His track record also includes winning the Admiral’s Cup and the Sardinia Cup several times, as well as seven World Champion titles.

The Team has already amassed an incredible 61 America’s Cup Campaigns between its members, including 14 victories. Team members (including two designers) have competed in 21 Olympic Games, winning 11 medals, including seven Gold medals.

“Where some teams may have one Olympic gold medallist, we have six of them, however the focus is very much on the team, and there is no individual bigger than the group. We are not only in this competition to win the 35th America’s Cup, but to dominate the America’s Cup arena for the next decade.” Said Team Manager and Tactician Iain Percy. “I’m also passionate that Artemis Racing is more than simply winning, it’s about producing a legacy and winning in a certain way”.

Nissan sponsor PHAR Talent’s Lynsey Sharp

PHAR Talent is delighted to have brokered a deal for Western Nissan to support Lynsey Sharp as she gears up for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, providing her with a brand new Nissan Juke.
The partnership between the dealership and Lynsey was formed through Nissan’s role as the Official Automotive Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. As part of this, Nissan has launched the #UniteAndExcite campaign which will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to athletes’ stories and news of how Nissan’s innovative technology could improve performance.

The sponsorship comes as a major boost to Lynsey’s sporting ambitions, removing any uncertainty over transport arrangements, and allowing her to focus 100 per cent on her Olympic preparations.

John La Trobe, Dealer Principal at Western Nissan, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to support Lynsey on the road to Rio and I’m sure she will absolutely love her new car. It’s a great source of pride for everyone at the dealership knowing that we are playing some part in helping her achieve her dreams and go for gold in Rio.”

PHAR launches first ever station naming rights programme in South East Asia

PHAR has launched a station naming rights programme with Prasarana, the Malaysian Government-owned public transport provider in Kuala Lumpur.
Following the successful launches of similar initiatives such as the New York Metro, Metro Madrid, Dubai Metro and Mumbai Metro, this is the first time a naming rights project will be implemented in South East Asia.

The programme will enable brands to bid for the right to transform a Kuala Lumpur’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) or monorail station to reflect the brand’s corporate identity and name the station after themselves, in exchange for a fee and enhancing the overall experience for commuters using it.

“The result will be more vibrant stations and a new, exciting experience for commuters while marketers now have a dynamic new opportunity to engage consumers with their expanded brand presence while investing in a better experience for the commuters,” said CEO of Prasarana Integrated Development Sdn Bhd (PRIDE), Rudyanto Azhar in Kuala Lumpur.

“The naming rights tender exercise is part of Prasarana’s commitment to continuously upgrade, improve and evolve Kuala Lumpur’s transportation system for the benefit of the commuters and transform the capital into a world class city,” added Rudyanto.

He also said Naming Rights offers Prasarana a source of ancillary income that does not financially affect commuters.

Commuters can expect enhancements to their journeys on the LRT and monorail depending on the naming rights partner that comes on board. Examples of commuter benefits from successful exercises have included free Wi-Fi and upgrades to stations.

Created in partnership with Malaysia’s leading out of home advertising agency Big Tree Outdoor Sdn Bhd, the programme will extend to the Kelana Jaya Line’s Bangsar & Universiti stations as well as the KL Monorail’s Bukit Bintang station.

“The tender criteria includes how the rights to name the station will add value to the station facilities, improve as well as transform the experience for the commuters using it,” said Jeff Cheah, CEO of Big Tree Outdoor Sdn Bhd which is managing the tender.

“This is a new and exciting opportunity for brands and corporations in Malaysia to expand their reach while giving something back to society through active involvement in their daily routines, but we will nevertheless be very careful about the quality of the brands, cultural values and social sensitivities,” added Cheah.

The tender document will be released on the 15th of July 2014 and the closing date for submissions will be the 20th of September 2014. The first station is expected to be launched in December 2014.

“The Prasarana partnership programme is about giving brands the opportunity to tell a story about their promise and values and to deepen their relationship with consumers. The naming of a station is the starting point for creating a programme that enhances commuters experience and puts something back into KL in a meaningful way,” said, Marcus Wight CEO of PHAR.

PHAR Talent’s Lynsey Sharp wins gold at the 2014 British Championships

With an outstanding performance, Lynsey Sharp demonstrated she’s the best 800m in the UK as she claimed gold at the Sainsbury’s British Championships held at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium on June 29. Her victory confirmed her appearance at the European Championships in Zurich in August, where she will defend her European title, representing Team GB.
Sharp clocked 2.01.40 minutes in Birmingham – she thought she had run faster as well after the clock in Birmingham prematurely stopped early in the final of the 800m – as she beat Alison Leonard into second and veteran Brit Jenny Meadows into third.

“It’s been the hardest year, so to come back and do that is amazing,” said Sharp.

Sharp has spent the past 12 months fighting injury, undergoing surgery twice to resolve a painful leg tendon, missing almost the entire 2013 season. Only weeks ago she qualified for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, where she will represent Team Scotland.

PHAR pioneers first ever commercially branded airline in the Philippines

PHAR is delighted to announce the unveiling of the first branded aircraft livery by an advertiser in the Philippines, brokering a partnership between AirAsia Philippines and Solaire Resort & Casino, a premier integrated destination casino resort in the Philippines. The first ever cobranded commercial plane in the Philippines was unveiled on June 25 to promote Solaire brand AirAsia Philippines domestic and international flights. The partnership will aim to bring more tourists to the Philippines to experience Filipino hospitality, a key goal shared by both brands. AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with 88 destinations. Within 12 years of operations, AirAsia has carried over 220 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to over 150. Seeing an enormous growth potential in the Philippines, AirAsia signed a strategic alliance with local airline Zest Air in 2013 and the company rebranded at AirAsia Zest and now, AirAsia Philippines.

AirAsia Zest Chair and Philippines AirAsia CEO Maan Hontiveros said: “AirAsia Zest is a sociable and innovative brand. We also take pride in our collaborative nature. This new livery demonstrates our creative approach to partnerships and marketing opportunities especially with companies that support our vision to grow tourism. We are thrilled to carry Solaire’s brand in the sky and on the grounds at the airports here and abroad extending as far as our destinations in Malaysia, China and Korea.”

Solaire is the first resort to open in the highly anticipated Entertainment City project along the Philippine’s famed Manila Bay. The first phase includes approximately 500 luxury rooms, suites and bayside villas as well as resort-style pool facilities, bars and entertainment lounges. In addition, there is a state-of-the-art ballroom and meeting space, and a fully equipped spa and fitness center. Solaire will also feature a 18,500 sq.-m of casino area and the finest amenities that will provide a true Las Vegas gaming experience.

Jasper Evangelista, Vice President, Brand & Marketing, Solaire Resort and Casino said, “This aircraft branding project is an innovative marketing tool that literally allows us to take our brand to greater heights. We have created amazing moments for our customers since the launch of Solaire last year, and now we’re aiming to further connect with our local and foreign guests and travellers by strengthening our presence in the country’s international and domestic airports. Sky Solaire will enable us to get immediate traction on this campaign and take it to a higher level.”

Having spearheaded a number of innovative marketing campaigns including partnerships with AirAsia and leading automotive brand Chevrolet and, more recently with Malaysian phone manufacturer Ninetology, PHAR utilised its expertise in the transport consumer market to create this partnership.

“We are pleased to unveil this campaign, a first in the Filipino market,” commented PHAR Managing Director Nick Lockwood. “In our experience of this highly mobile market, we have seen that customers greatly respond to brands they experience while they are on the move. With our expertise we help match brands that have aligned business goals to deliver innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships. We look forward to supporting AirAsia Philippines and Solaire Resort & Casino in this exciting long term initiative which will see exciting thrills offered by both AirAsia and Solaire,” concluded Lockwood.

#SkySolaire: The Making

#SkySolaire: Unveiling

The 2014/15 Premier League fixtures have been unveiled

The team at PHAR has over 20 years’ experience in finding exclusive opportunities for brands in English football. For example, partnering AirAsia with Manchester United and the Referees, to working with Forex.com to create a unique B2B partnership with Manchester City.
Last season we helped Asian brands like S P Setia, Yamaha Thailand and XL advertise in the Premier League via LED perimeter boards.

Check out the 2014/15 Premier League fixtures here and talk to us now to find out how we can work with you to find the right solution for your brand.

Contact David Hoggins (david.hoggins@pharpartnerships.com) for more details.

AirAsia unveiled as the official airline of Taylor Swift’s RED Tour throughout South East Asia

AirAsia has been unveiled as the official airline of Taylor Swift’s RED Tour throughout South East Asia. The seven-time Grammy award winner will travel with her 80 member entourage on board AirAsia, to the show venues including Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
To celebrate, AirAsia has painted one of its 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft in a special Taylor Swift livery, unveiled at the beginning of June at the RED Hot Party held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

According to Aireen Omar, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, the airline is excited to have the opportunity to work with one of the most popular international singers. “We are very excited because she’s a very popular international star and for her to be associated with AirAsia is an extremely fortunate event for us,” said Omar. “It is truly an honour for us to have her and to be able to fly her and her group in her tour around Southeast Asia. She represents the youth and like the brand, she reaches out to the masses as well. It’s something that we feel is similar to who we are.”

AirAsia says that it intends to keep the exclusive Taylor Swift aircraft livery for at least the next year. “She’s very relevant to the world right now and I think a lot of people reach out and can relate to her,” said Omar. “We will have it for a long time.” Upon completion of the RED Tour, the aircraft will continue to service AirAsia routes covering 88 destinations in 22 countries.

PHAR has been working with AirAsia since our launch, spearheading a number of innovating marketing campaigns including the partnership with Malaysian phone manufacturer Ninetology and the partnership with leading automotive brand Chevrolet, both of which involved the design of exclusive aircraft liveries.

Watch the video of Taylor Swift’s RED Hot Tour Bus

PHAR Talent’s Lynsey Sharp selected to compete in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

European 800m champion Lynsey Sharp has been selected to compete for Team Scotland in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, after achieving the qualifying standard last month.
Sharp, the reigning European champion, is racing towards a competitive comeback after missing the entire 2013 season due to injury.

“Our aim was to select our largest team ever meeting the tough selection standards and clearly athletes in all sports have risen to the occasion,” said Team Scotland chef de mission Jon Doig. “This however is just the first step and our focus now turns to ensuring we are the best prepared team ever, capable of delivering our best ever performance, competing with distinction across all sports. Looking at the athletes we have selected I am confident that we can achieve our target of at least 34 medals.”

With 310 participants, it is the largest squad Scotland have ever entered in a Commonwealth Games.

Sharp believes setting a target of at least 34 medals is good for the team. “It really makes you think we mean business here,” said Sharp.

“It’s all very well making the team but now it’s about stepping up and really fighting for those medals.”

Lynsey will be competing at the Glasgow Diamond League 11-12 July as part of her build up to the Commonwealth Games.

Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images Europe

PHAR secures innovative brand partnerships through AirAsia

A bespoke plane livery has been unveiled promoting Ninetology Malaysia’s ASEAN wide expansion. The phone manufacturer and retailer based in Malaysia & Indonesia provide cost effective and highly reliable smartphones, which have captured the Malaysian market by storm, especially amongst the 16 to 25 age groups.
This innovative marketing partnership, which also included advertising for Ninetology through AirAsia’s other media channels, was coordinated and by PHAR. Since the branding and advertising went live, Ninetology’s business has soared by 40%, with CEO Sean Ng highly recommending the AirAsia media channels for other brands in the market wanting creative advertising platforms with the ability to reach millions of eyeballs.

Earlier this year PHAR launched AirAsia’s new regional Travel 3Sixty magazine, specially designed for the Indonesian market. Click here to read more.

PHAR appointed as exclusive sales agency to Pertamina

On the 12th May 2014, PHAR signed an agreement with Pertamina to become their exclusive agency to manage all advertising sales and experiential marketing programmes at SPBU’s in Indonesia. Pertamina has a 99% share of the fuel sales market, and PHAR will manage 3,300 across Java and Bali. The photo below shows PHAR CEO Marcus Wight and Asia MD Prem Bhatia at the signing of the contract along with key Pertamina representatives including Mr Zulfiansyah, Mr Iskandar and Mr Suhartoko.
PHAR have created the Pertamina Brand Partner Programme, enabling brands to select SPBU’s based on their target demographics and preferred geographical locations, benefitting from an analysis programme that measures the number of eyeballs as well as consumer research on consumption habits at the petrol stations, and perception of those brands taking part in the programme. Through this programme PHAR can offer brands advertising, activation and retail promotion services at a scale that best fits a companines objectives. The first PHAR managed SPBU went live in Jakarta last week – any further information you would like on this project please contact andito.prakoso@pharpartnerships.com.