MAS, AirAsia sponsor QPR

In a multi-million dollar deal, Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia have agreed to sponsor Queens Park Rangers Football Club in the Barclays Premier League.Through the deal the MAS logo will be showcased on the club's jersey for its home games while the Air Asia logo will be used on QPR's away game and third kit for a term of two years.The sponsorship is being touted as the first in the history of professional football globally where two airlines from the same country have teamed up to sponsor a team."This sponsorship enables MAS to reinforce its global full-service presence and premium franchise via football fans and lovers from all over Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Australia and all the four corners of the world," Malaysia Airlines' executive director, Mohammed Rashdan Yusof said."It is the first major initiative of our new brand and marketing strategy that would see important advertising money spent on boosting our top line. This is a key component in our drive to regain global market share, profitability and pride for the people of MAS."In a recent deal between the two airlines to further explore opportunities to work together, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes joined the board of MAS.QPR's CEO Philip Beard said with the club attracting two major Asian companies as sponsors, it hopes to broaden its presence in the Southeast Asia market and beyond.