Bologna targets Asian growth with CSTS partnership
Bologna has appointed CSTS Enterprises as its official regional partner in Asia, with plans spanning digital content, matchday travel and commercial connections between Asian businesses and the Italian city.
Bologna FC 1909 has signed a regional partnership with CSTS Enterprises to expand its presence in Asia and develop travel, hospitality and commercial opportunities around the club.The New York-headquartered group, which operates across sport, entertainment, media and travel technology, becomes Bologna’s Official Regional Partner in Asia. The agreement will focus on brand visibility, digital engagement, matchday hospitality and commercial activation.Christoph Winterling, Bologna’s chief revenue officer, said: “We are very happy to welcome CSTS Enterprises to the Bologna family. This partnership represents an important opportunity to strengthen Bologna FC’s presence in Asia and, at the same time, showcase what makes our club unique: its history, its supporters and its strong connection with the local area.“The fact that CSTS Enterprises has chosen Bologna as a strategic partner to enrich its customers’ experiences confirms the value of our brand and offers us the opportunity to tell the story, through football, of Bologna’s business, cultural and manufacturing excellence.“We want this collaboration to be a bridge between our region and new international markets, capable of generating opportunities and value for everyone involved.”CSTS will develop dedicated travel packages bringing supporters and business guests from Asia to Bologna’s home matches. Branded content across the club’s digital channels will support its efforts to reach audiences throughout the region.The partners also intend to connect Asian companies with the club and the city, using the agreement to promote Bologna’s industrial expertise, businesses and cultural heritage internationally.The arrangement combines the club’s audience and identity with CSTS’s services in travel, hospitality, experiential marketing, data and technology. Both organisations identified Asia as a strategic market for developing their activities.Abel Zhao, group chief executive and executive director of CSTS Enterprises, added: “We are excited to join forces with Bologna FC 1909, a club whose identity is deeply rooted in its city and its people.“Asia’s passion for European football continues to grow, and we see a real opportunity to build a bridge that works in both directions: bringing Bologna’s story and the excellence of its region to audiences across Asia, while opening up opportunities for Asian businesses and supporters to connect with the club.“From matchday hospitality to digital content, we are delighted to bring the Bologna FC 1909 experience to supporters throughout the region, giving them unforgettable moments and strengthening cultural and commercial ties between East and West.”CSTS develops and supports brands and intellectual property through live events and digital channels. Its own initiatives include Generation C and PremierX, while its international activities include work around the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and Formula 1.