Marriott scores with global Manchester United partnership

Marriott International and Manchester United have entered into a multi-year marketing partnership, offering members of the Marriott Bonvoy travel programme exclusive opportunities to participate in football experiences. The new partnership launches with a film that features faces from the Manchester United first team and team management, bringing these magical moments to life. As part of the marketing partnership, one of the first of several events in Asia Pacific allows selected members to meet Manchester United legends in Guangzhou. Winning members can attend the #ILOVEUNITED live match screening of Manchester United against Southampton in March with pre-match on-stage entertainment.Additionally, members can bid for a chance to enjoy a curated dinner at W Guangzhou and arrive in style at the viewing party.  At the hotel, selected members will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience to meet with a Manchester United legend. Other list of exclusive experiences include being stadium announcer and kit manager as well as welcoming the team on arrival at Old Trafford. For the stadium announcer experience, Marriott Bonvoy members can go behind the scenes at the iconic "Theatre of Dreams", shadowing the stadium announcer with their pre-match preparations. As for the kit manager experience, members will shadow the first team kit manager to help prepare the match kit ahead of the players' arrival, before heading pitch side to meet a Manchester United legend. Meanwhile, members and their guest arriving at Old Trafford on match day will also be able to head pitch side to meet a Manchester United legend before heading to the players' tunnel to welcome the team. Marriott International's global marketing officer, Karin Timpone, said the partnership enables its members to access special VIP game experiences by using the points they have accumulated during hotel stays for unprecedented, exclusive experiences. Meanwhile, Manchester United's group managing director, Richard Arnold, added: "Together we look forward to creating some unforgettable moments for Marriott Bonvoy members, inspired by the thrill and excitement that only Manchester United can create for fans around the world." Last month, Marriott rolled out its new loyalty programme "Marriott Bonvoy", which repackages its existing loyalty programmes such as Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest. The new loyalty programme is built on the belief that travel “enriches” all and the world.