The Premier League (PL) club, Southampton FC have developed a sponsorship extension with the American provider of voice over IP products, 8×8.
As part of the deal, the brand, for the 2024-25 season, will remain the club’s official business communications specialist.
"No it's not Mike, it's Taylor Harwood-Bellis!" 🤣
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) April 11, 2024
Flynn Downes, David Brooks and 'Mike' surprise fans with @8×8 ☎️ pic.twitter.com/si7Ki6ysTz
8×8 was named Southampton FC’s official partner in February 2024, after the successful sponsorship of their home game against Bristol City FC in November 2023.
Notably, the agreement includes 8×8’s logo during press conferences, stadium advertising, hospitality ticket competitions, and other activities.
8×8 is widely recognised as one of the globe’s leading producers of corporate communication software. At Southampton Football Club, the brand’s contact centre solution is utilised by personnel in the ticket office, hospitality team, supporter services, and other crucial points of contact throughout the business, allowing the club to stay connected to its supporters.
Southampton FC, Director of IT, Huw Fielding, said, “8×8’s contact centre solution is instrumental in helping our fans stay connected to the club. We deal with tens of thousands of calls per season and the software provided by 8×8 enables us to provide the best possible experience for our callers and our staff.”
Southampton FC, Chief Revenue Officer, Greg Baker, said, “8×8 have been fantastic partners of the club. We’ve been able to achieve some great success together off the pitch, initially through their match sponsorship, which we have since developed into a highly beneficial Official Partnership for both organisations. We look forward to working closely with them to continue this success.”
Russell Tilsed, 8×8 EMEA Sales VP, said, “It’s fantastic to be named as Saints’ Official Business Communication Partner. We’ve had a really positive relationship working with everyone at the club last season and I’m keen to see that go to the next level. It’s also rewarding that Saints have confidence in 8×8’s solutions for their engagement with their fans. Football clubs need the ability to be able to engage with fans across multiple platforms, handling spikes in activity on and around matchdays, and it’s really gratifying to all of us at 8×8 to know that a Premier League club sees us as a premier solution for their needs.”
Recently, the unit also inked collaborations with P1 Travel, Paris Smith LLP, and P&O Cruises.