McDonald’s and Ricoh enhance backing of A-League duo

A-League football clubs Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix have secured renewed and upgraded deals with existing sponsors McDonald’s and Ricoh.

The Newcastle & Hunter Region arm of the fast food restaurant giant has become a major partner of the Jets for the 2014-15 season, landing branding rights on the front of the team’s shorts.

The club has enjoyed a partnership with the local McDonald’s restaurants and licensees since 2012. The partnership will also see Ronald McDonald House Newcastle become an official charity partner of the club with the Jets supporting the charity with player visits, tickets and fundraising initiatives.

Newcastle Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said: “It is testament to the growth of the A-League and the level of support the Jets have in our community, that we have been able to secure such a well respected and well recognised international brand as a major partner. To add McDonald's to a partner group that already contains blue chip multinational brands such as nib, BLK, Coca-Cola and Westfield shows the fundamentals of the club are strong and the future is bright.”

Meanwhile, the New Zealand division of Japanese technology company Ricoh has upgraded its association with Wellington Phoenix to become a major partner, in a deal that also includes branding rights on the front of the team’s shorts. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Ricoh’s Wellington sales manager Clark McIntosh said: “We think this will be a breakthrough season for the Phoenix, which is perfect timing for Ricoh as we enter a new era with a focus on our business solutions and IT services divisions.”