Hankook renews Northampton rugby union elite sponsorship

Hankook Tyre UK has announced that its partnership with Northampton Saints Rugby Club will be extended for a further four years, having begun in 2009. The new agreement means Hankook will remain the elite sponsor until 2016, with the company’s logo positioned on the team’s shirts. The tyre manufacturer’s headquarters are in Daventry, Northamptonshire, near the Saints’ home ground, Franklin’s Gardens. Tony Lee, managing director of Hankook Tyre UK stated that “The partnership between Hankook and the Saints has been a great success to date.”

Lee said the sponsorship has so far increased UK awareness of the Hankook brand: “we are understandably thrilled to continue our commitment to the club as an elite sponsor. It has allowed us to increase brand awareness by reaching a wider audience through the support of an accomplished and talented squad.”

Chief executive of the Saints, Allan Robson, also added: “Hankook is investing into sports advertising in a variety of markets across the globe and our new deal reflects their view of the club as one of the major brands in world rugby,” he said. “It shows that they believe we are a club to be associated with in the next four years and that we will give them the exposure they demand from their investment.”

Allan continued: “Our elite sponsors want to be associated with success, and Hankook is no different. With five cup finals in as many years, and with the team in touching distance of a third consecutive Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final, we have shown clearly that we have re-established ourselves as a force to be reckoned with in English rugby.

“The vast majority of our top international stars have signed new long-term contracts in the past 12 months, and everyone at Franklin’s Gardens is excited about our future prospects.  Of course a good rapport with our elite sponsors is crucial to enable us to invest in the continued playing success. Over the past three years we have worked hard to develop and enhance our relationship with Hankook in a variety of ways, and we are delighted that this will be continuing until at least 2016.”