Diageo : GUINNESS ANNOUNCED AS TITLE SPONSOR OF RUGBY’S GREATEST CHAMPIONSHIP

Back to listing

07 DEC 2018

07 DEC 2018Press release

Press release

GUINNESS ANNOUNCED AS TITLE SPONSOR OF RUGBY'S GREATEST CHAMPIONSHIP

The iconic global brand GUINNESS is to become the new title sponsor of the Six Nations, with the Championship to be known as the GUINNESS SIX NATIONS from 2019. 

The Six Nations is one of the world's best attended sports events and regularly attracts record TV and online audiences in the UK, France, Ireland, Italy and all over the world.

The new partnership with Rugby's Greatest Championship cements the GUINNESS brand's position as one of the game's biggest supporters.

The new sponsorship is a six-year deal and considerably strengthens GUINNESS' commitment to rugby, adding to an already extensive portfolio that includes the Guinness PRO14, and partnerships with the four Home Unions and leading European clubs Leinster and Munster.

GUINNESS will work with Six Nations to build on its incredible brand heritage. In particular, the GUINNESS team will seek to champion both the player and fan experience and will use its sponsorship to encourage the millions of adult fans watching or attending the games to drink responsibly.

Commenting on this the new partnership, Six Nations CEO Benjamin Morel said: 'We are absolutely delighted to enhance our long-standing relationship with GUINNESS and they will be a terrific title sponsor for Rugby's greatest championship. GUINNESS are world leaders and our partnership between two great iconic brands will enable us to reach new audiences on a global scale.

'We could not be more excited to be working with the GUINNESS team over the coming years on developing new and innovative ways to connect with our fans and consumers.'

Diageo President for Europe, Turkey and India, John Kennedy said: 'We are really looking forward to the start of the GUINNESS SIX NATIONS in February 2019. Working with the Six Nations, we want to enhance both the Championship and the fan experience whilst using the partnership to encourage the adult fans watching, or attending, the games to drink responsibly.'

Mark Sandys, Global Head of Beer, Baileys and Smirnoff at Diageo said: 'This announcement affirms our long-standing support for the game of rugby and cements our position as one of the world's biggest rugby supporters. We truly believe in the power of sport to connect communities and we'll be working with the Six Nations to ensure that fans' experience of the GUINNESS SIX NATIONS is their best yet.'

ENDS

Contacts

For further information in GB please contact the GUINNESS RUGBY Team at freuds:

Laura Ewen
020 3003 6325
[e-mail]

James Cornelius
020 3003 6342
[e-mail]

 

For further information in IOI, France & Italy please contact the GUINNESS RUGBY Team at Wilson Hartnell:

Grace Murray
085 784 8129
[e-mail]

Rebecca Evans
087 612 9864
[e-mail]

Kate Fitzgerald
086 387 3083
[e-mail]

About Guinness Rugby

The GUINNESS brand has been sponsor of the Guinness Pro14 since 2014. In 2016, GUINNESS confirmed it would remain as title sponsor until 2020. GUINNESS has been the official beer Irish Rugby, English Rugby, Welsh Rugby, and Scottish Rugby as well as being proud partner of Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby, two of the most outstanding club teams in the Irish Provinces. In addition, GUINNESS is a proud sponsor of the Guinness Series Irish Rugby Autumn Internationals, a platform for Ireland to compete annually against elite opposition from all over the world.

The GUINNESS brand' legacy of enhancing the communities in which it operates, dates back to founder Arthur Guinness and his philanthropic vision and commitment. This philosophy has always underpinned and continues to define GUINNESS' approach to partnership.  Responsible drinking will be one of the cornerstones of the collaboration with The Six Nations Championship.

The GUINNESS brand is a strong believer in the power of sport to connect people, unite them in a common cause and positively contribute to their lives. This was brought to life by GUINNESS when it established the Guinness Athletic & Cycling Union in 1905 and when the Guinness Rugby Club was founded by brewery personnel in 1942.  It remains in existence to this day.

The GUINNESS words and associated logos are trademarks.
Enjoy Guinness Sensibly. Visit www.drinkaware.co.uk/www.drinkaware.ie