Tony Fernandes CEO Blog - Latest comments on Manchester United love affair

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:39:46 +0000

Hi Mr Tony, As a great supporter of the Red Devils, I would have certainly said" Got for it !" Yeah! Just do it AirAsia... Love to wear Manchester United jersey with AirAsia logo..it would be Great !

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:43:15 +0000

Hey Tony, Cool Blog u have there. I've just came across the entrepreneur, although i have been an avid reader of the company's commercial blog, Just Plane Thoughts. Guess What? i am also one of your shortlisted candidate in so you wanna be a pilot contest. Cool rite? hehe...self-promoting, coz i wana be a pilot.haha However, lets get into business and i meant the MU shirt sponsorship. Anyway, I am an analyst by practice for more than 5 years now, in the field of economics obviously, and i would like to share my common sense thoughts, not as an analyst, but as a normal sensible reader of your blog, about about this latest marketing strategy of yours. Lets derive the Airline's theme, Now evryone can fly. Obviously evn a 5 year old kid knows that air asia's aim is to provide cheap fares by saving costs at all cost. I am a fan of MU..too bad they lost to Barcelona. it sucks..:'( From my POV, MU shirt sponsorhip is viable, but it is not likely to be profitable. Why? C'mon Tony, I've browsed thru the financial report and cud not find links that MU did generate money as a result of the airliner sponsorship. Maybe it's a hidden thing. very much unseen, but lets assume the ratio is 1:1. since AIG sponsors MU's jersey, and at the same time they earned from policy premiums of MU players, staffs and other facilities. The ratio of Air Asia sponsorhip and hmmm i guess you too derive some incoem from MU could alread b 1:1. so its equal. MU cannot benefit more than the lesser profit they generate for you. Air Asia is already well known. Londoners and Britons are already plying air asia's asian routes bcoz of its cheap fares. You have the referees tees' badged, you have sponsor cards ard old trafford, billboards telling britons that they can fly cheap on air asia. and what more do you want? you are making already making big bucks from pound sterling income earners. For spending an additional US$100k for shirt sponsorhip is akin to throwing good money over bad. MU players are already riding on your airbus, you are familiar to them, and giving t-shirt sponsor is like is said earlier, is an additional wastage. If Air Asia is so fond about MU, why don't buy the whole club and run it as another business entity. rational isnt it? you are earning big bucks from these pound sterling earners, dun reduce it by wasting on t-shirt sponsorship. It is a good thing, but the airline needs to be prudent. Why dont putting that US$100k into the company's reserve. strengthen the reserves in recessionary times like this. Or why not, invest in some CSR program like giving scholarships to potential footballers to further their kicking skills in MU football school, or even upgrade your airline facilities. Business is booming not because of football, but because of the air asia's brand name and its trademark cheaper fares than other competitors. If it is the company's passion for sport, i reckon throwing good money into MU is enough. Air Asia is already well known in London. You could however, sponsor other sports in other countries that have love and hate relationship with Malaysia like NBA. There are many markets that shared our games that are yet to be tapped. Apparently u might not have the permission to fly to these country because MAS is plying that route. However, by sponsoring them you are literally earning your way to fly there like what you did to the UK. Another way of increasing your income. My 2 cents worth of ideas and best of luck. Cheers TOny, Herman

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Sat, 09 May 2009 02:14:32 +0000

Do it, Datuk Seri. It's one of the best, if not the BEST marketing tool. Just imagine if Europeans want to travel to Asia, they will think of 'AirAsia'. Besides the word 'Asia' is a catalyst that they can rely for flying to Asia. It would boost our tourism industry too.

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Mon, 04 May 2009 16:34:18 +0000

the shareholders money must be put to good use a team like man united i recon.

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:17:07 +0000

Hi Tony, As much as it pisses me off to see the logo of my favourite low-cost airline on the jersey of the team that i hate the most, but I have to say, it looks like a pretty good deal. I'm sure that being an ACCA Chartered Accountant (just like me hehehe!), you would have done your Cost Benefit Analysis (i'm sure this deal is going to cost a bomb to Air Asia) and would be able to take the decisive action on this deal. On face value, without a doubt it looks good. By the way, if this deal doesn't go thru with Man U, any chance of trying with Arsenal?!!! hehe! Good Luck and all the best!

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:53:59 +0000

For a long time in Business Development and Marketing experience, i personally think that this is a major marketing plan ever. A new brand, a new publicity and new era of Malaysian brand going through International market. A big one i guess. a big move! Not just England but the whole European country will see the brand. A lo of things and opportunity to grab. Way to go. Good luck and congratulation! Whatever the outcome later, they still recognize Malaysian brand by approaching Tony Fernandes for the sponsorship. His Brand, Our Brand and Malaysian Brand!

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:14:20 +0000

I think that's a worthy sight to look at and I think that it would be a fantastic deal as the ripple effect could be quite amazing. Imagine AirAsia logo all over the TV, newspapers, internet portals, social media etc and AirAsia gets all these promo and PR for absolutely free, I mean if you guys paid whatever sum of dosh to ManU that is ;)

As a marketer, I think it's a great opportunity but as you've said, you need to judge it based on ROIs. However, this opportunity is too big to lose. Brand is all about repetition and ManU deal is way to good to pass up. Too may pros against the cons..so if you want my take and subject to your permissible budgets then go for it!

Anyway, this is just my 2 cents on things :)

All the best,

Ambar Hamid

In response to: Manchester United love affair

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:35:06 +0000

hi Tony!
This is great news: go on do it. It's a real pleasure to see AirAsia instead of AIG. I am a great fan of MU and I love to see you so happy. So once again GO AHEAD AND DO IT.m