Hawthorn Football Club is delighted to announce Audi Australia will join the club as a Principal Partner from 2016.



The three-year deal will unite one of the world’s most prestigious and rapidly growing car manufacturers with one of Australia’s most successful sporting organisations.



As part of the new sponsorship agreement, the Audi logo will be displayed on the players’ shorts and coaches’ property (apparel and coaches’ box) from 2016. The club will also refurbish and rename its Grande Suite at the MCG the ‘Audi Suite’.



Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox said the club was proud to partner with Audi and honoured to be associated with such an internationally respected automotive brand.



“We are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership between two iconic brands and we look forward to building a successful long-term relationship with Audi,” Mr Fox said.



“Audi’s philosophy, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’, (advancement through technology) signals the brand’s intent for innovation and progressiveness, which are highly appropriate for Hawthorn.



“The company’s goals of ‘financial strength’, ‘continuous growth’, ‘leaders in innovation’ and ‘employer of choice’ perfectly complement Hawthorn’s vision to be the destination club, and our ongoing pursuit of excellence, unity and success.”



“We believe the Hawthorn brand and greater Hawthorn member and supporter base can add exceptional value over the next three years to Audi’s strategic goal of premium market leadership,” Mr Fox said.



Audi Australia’s Managing Director Andrew Doyle confirmed the company’s excitement at forming this new partnership with the Hawks.



“This partnership represents a major sponsorship milestone for Audi Australia as it’s the first time we have aligned ourselves with a leading national sporting club, and it signals our arrival in the AFL,” Mr Doyle said.



“Hawthorn’s credentials and philosophy formed a major factor in our decision to sponsor the club.



“Supporting our drive to become Australia’s leading premium carmaker, we undertake major sponsorships with iconic brands to build awareness and generate customer loyalty, and this newest deal with the AFL’s Number 1 team was the ideal fit for Audi.



“It’s an association that also gives us the unique opportunity to present our brand to customers outside the showroom, and to really engage with Victorian and Tasmanian audiences through a mutual passion – Australia’s leading AFL team,” Mr Doyle added.



Internationally, Audi sponsors a number of exceptional global sporting brands which include football clubs Real Madrid FC, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Bayern Munich.



Throughout Australia, Audi has several partners in sport, contemporary art, theatre, film, lifestyle and motorsport through its significant sponsorship portfolio.



The company recently announced its Presenting Partnership status of the inaugural International Champions Cup Australia football tournament, which will see giants Real Madrid FC, AS Roma and Manchester City FC compete in a pre-season tournament at the MCG on 18, 21 and 24 July 2015.



About Audi Australia Pty Ltd

Audi Australia Pty Ltd has achieved year-on-year growth nationally since 2004, when it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingolstadt-based parent, AUDI AG. In the past 10 years, the company has grown by 600 per cent in the Australian market.



Internationally, the Audi Group delivered over 1,741,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2014, an all-time record result.



From now until 2019, AUDI AG plans to invest around 24 billion euros in new products, innovations and production. Of this, 70 percent has been earmarked for the development of new models and technologies which will make their way to Australia.



