AFL Australian rules football team North Melbourne has announced a three-year extension to its long-running sponsorship deal with Japanese car manufacturer Mazda.
Mazda is North Melbourne’s sole major sponsor and will have been associated with the club for 18 seasons when the new deal runs its course in 2016.
In announcing the deal, Mazda Australia’s marketing director Alastair Doak outlined the huge increase in Australian sales the brand has enjoyed since beginning its association with North Melbourne.
“When Mazda started its relationship with North Melbourne we were selling 27,000 cars a year and ranked just inside the top 10 selling car brands, now sales have almost quadrupled,” he said.
“In 2013, thanks in part to our sponsorship with North Melbourne, we are approaching a record 105,000 sales and are one of the top three brands. Mazda3 is Australia’s best-selling car.”