Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower signs naming rights agreement with Emirates
Emirates will be the first ever sponsor of the Tower which will be rebranded as Emirates Spinnaker Tower from July 2015.
The new agreement which will span five years and is worth £3.5million will see Emirates’ eye-catching red branding running up the length and breadth of the Tower. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Councillor Donna Jones fittingly announced the new partnership 105 metres in the air.
“As the most prominent landmark in Portsmouth we are honoured to be the inaugural sponsor of Emirates Spinnaker Tower,” said Sir Tim. “This sponsorship represents our vested interest in the UK where we currently operate 16 daily flights and where we are responsible for injecting and stimulating over £2.1 billion into the country’s GDP each year. Part of the reason that this sponsorship opportunity was so appealing to us is that it will enable the local City Council to reinvest this partnership money into the local community, something that we are proud to be able to support.”
Emirates' relationship with the tower is a massive boost for Portsmouth and the partnership will also see the city promoted to potential visitors across the world through additional Emirates marketing.
Cllr Donna Jones, Leader of the council, said: "I am delighted we have agreed this partnership, Emirates is one of the most prestigious brands in the world and this association can only benefit Portsmouth.
"With the financial situation the council faces we have to think creatively about how we can achieve the maximum income potential from our assets, and this is just one of several deals we are working on. The money this sponsorship brings in will help reduce the need for cuts to vital services such as social care and those things communities value so much like libraries, community centres and leisure facilities."
The Emirates Spinnaker Tower is situated on the waterfront in Portsmouth, 100 kilometres from London Gatwick and London Heathrow, where Emirates operates a total of eight daily flights.
Portsmouth is renowned for its rich naval and maritime history with the Emirates Spinnaker Tower designed to honour this heritage by representing sails billowing in the wind.
The prominent new branding is expected to be in place in time for the arrival of the America’s Cup World Series in Portsmouth from 23rd-26th July. Emirates already has close ties with the America’s Cup, as sponsor of Emirates Team New Zealand, one of the challengers for the 35th America’s Cup.
Above:
Artists impression of the rebranded Spinnaker Tower.
In addition to the airline’s UK based sport sponsorships Emirates is also the sponsor of the Emirates Air Line, London’s popular cable car across the Thames. In total Emirates invests over £70million into its various UK sponsorship properties each year.
The UK is Emirates’ largest European market with 112 weekly flights spanning the breadth of the country via six gateways including; London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester and Glasgow.
Emirates has been committed to the UK since 1987 when it launched flights to London Gatwick.
The Spinnaker Tower visitor attraction business is owned by Heritage Projects (Portsmouth) Ltd., part of Continuum Attractions. The building was built and is owned by Portsmouth City Council.
Soaring 170 metres high, the Spinnaker Tower is the centrepiece of the £38 million ‘Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour’ redevelopment project, combining stunning views by day or night.
Visitors to the Spinnaker Tower travel to the first of its three viewing decks in a high-speed internal lift, reaching 100 metres above sea level in just 28 seconds.
Stunning 350 degree views envelop visitors with views stretching out for up to 23 miles, out across Portsmouth harbour, the south coast and beyond. Those who are brave enough can test their nerve and venture across the glass floor Sky Walk. Free access to audio guides and interactive i-VIEW touch screens are available to visitors on a first come, first serve basis. There are two cafes at Spinnaker Tower – the ground floor Waterfront Café and Café in the Clouds, located on View Deck 2, 105 metres up.
Spinnaker Tower is part of the World Federation of Great Towers, working in partnership with 48 other viewing towers worldwide. The iconic building is celebrating its 10th birthday throughout 2015 with a series of events planned to mark the special occasion.
