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In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – the home of the AFC Headquarters – Shaikh Salman and Dr Yi Rentao, the Chairman of DDMC Fortis, signed the deal which gives the exclusive rights to DDMC Fortis to market the AFC’s commercial properties for the next two cycles that take place from 2021 to 2028 – starting with the 2022 FIFA World Cup final qualifying round.
The AFC President said, “This is a most significant day in the history of the AFC. With the signing of this contract, the AFC can guarantee its Member Associations that the game in Asia has tremendously solid financial foundations from which to build.”
“I am grateful to DDMC Fortis for the confidence and trust that they have shown in the current success and future potential of the Asian Football Confederation. The game in Asia has never been in a better position and we should cherish that.”
Dr. Yi Rentao, Chairman of DDMC Fortis and Wuhan DDMC Culture Co. Ltd said, “We are extremely proud to sign this contract and enter into this significant partnership becoming the first Chinese enterprise to have secured such a comprehensive commercial mandate for a prestigious global football property. We see this partnership as an opportunity for DDMC to carry out the important ‘Belt and Road’ strategy.”
“DDMC Fortis was created specifically for the purpose of delivering this prestigious mandate for the AFC. We built the company by combining DDMC, a leading Chinese Sports, Media and Entertainment company, with Fortis Sports, an expert sports marketing agency founded by Patrick Murphy and David Tyler.”
“By combining the global market expertise of the two companies we are in the position to take Asian football to the next level and kick-off a golden decade of growth.”
The agreement will confirm DDMC Fortis as the exclusive agency for the AFC during the period 2021-2028 and in turn they will be dedicated entirely to the AFC’s determination to deliver the three AFC Vision statements of being the world’s leading confederation; to produce successful teams and to confirm football as the number one sport in Asia.
DDMC Fortis are also committed to work with the AFC in developing competitions and events. The partnership will focus on enhancing the competition brands with particular emphasis on engaging young audiences across the region. They will also develop and implement the next phase of the AFC’s fan focused marketing and digital strategy from 2021 onwards.
“We are incredibly enthusiastic about the length of the partnership as we strongly feel that, in cooperation with the AFC, we are in a position to transform the way Asian football is organised, enjoyed and commercialised across Asia,” said DDMC Fortis CEO, Patrick Murphy.
“We are excited to begin this journey of a new era in Asian football in partnership with the AFC. We believe a key factor to success will be the creation of a marketing and content strategy that focuses on fan entertainment and engagement.”
After the signing the AFC President added, “We have reached this historic moment through the strength and unity of our organisation, which in turn, has allowed the AFC to provide our Member Associations with tailor-made support through the President’s Development and Infrastructure Initiatives and the AFC Financial Assistance Programme.”
“Alongside so many development initiatives, the AFC has been able to grow our competitions to the level where they are considered among the best in the world and we have seen the standards of our teams rise on the world stage.”
The AFC President also praised the good governance and integrity of the process which led to the appointment of DDMC Fortis and added, “We are now looking forward with great excitement to working closely with our new partners.”
“The potential in this Continent is enormous and, of course, it will be the focal point for the football world when the FIFA World Cup comes to Asia for a second time in 2022. I am convinced that, with the wise use of the new finances available, our Member Associations will reach new heights and the overall standard of football and administration will continue to improve.”
