Objective
Pitch International was exclusively appointed by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) to secure a new Title Naming Rights Partner for the Champions Cup in time for the 2023/24 season. The primary objective was to find a suitable partner to replace Heineken, which had been a long-standing title sponsor but was moving down to the Premier Partner tier. The goal was to secure a new title sponsor who could enhance the competition’s commercial prospects.
Approach
Pitch adopted a strategic sales approach to fulfil EPCR’s objective. We targeted global brands based in regions with a high rugby fan base and supporter presence and identified emerging European brands seeking to access a broad market. Our analysis revealed Investec, an Anglo-South African financial services firm, as a potential partner, aligning the Champions Cup with a brand that could effectively promote the event, especially in South Africa. The addition of South African teams to the competition coincided with Investec’s decision to increase promotional activity in South Africa, the UK, and Europe, showcasing the potential of the partnership.
Delivered
Pitch Successfully secured a new title sponsorship deal for the Champions Cup, resulting in the rebranding of the competition as the ‘Investec Champions Cup’ for the 2023/24 season. Investec signed a five-year agreement commencing in 2023. Investec’s presence across both South Africa and the UK makes it an ideal partner to promote the competition across key targeted markets.