[Coolhand]

from bangkok post....
"The Everton football club will march into Europe next season bearing the Chang beer logo on its jerseys, as part of a three-year sponsorship extension signed yesterday with Thai Beverage Marketing Co, a subsidiary of Beer Thai (1991) Co.

The value of the deal was not disclosed but the English Premier League club said it was ''very substantial'' and the biggest in the club's 100-year history.

The new agreement will allow Chang to cash in on Everton's rising popularity by putting its logo on team jerseys and also acting as the exclusive beer brand sold at Goodison Park, the home pitch of the Liverpool-based club. As well, Chang advertising will be featured at the stadium and on the club's web site.

Chang signed a one-year agreement worth 1.5 million (112 million baht) with Everton in July 2004. The club finished fourth in the Premier League to secure its first-ever place in the UEFA Champions League competition next season.

James Powell, commercial director of Everton Football Club, said the longer term of the agreement with Chang reflected the success that both parties had enjoyed last season.

Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, director of Thai Beverage Marketing, said the first year of the sponsorship had helped to build the popularity of the Chang brand not only in the UK and Europe but also worldwide. Everton's television exposure in Asia has been among the success factors.

However, Chang remains a niche product in the UK where it is sold mainly in Thai restaurants. The company is now pushing to get the beer into Britain's convenience stores, according to Mr Thapana.

At the same time, he said, the company planned to appoint an authorised distributor in the UK to handle domestic as well as European sales."