Annals of Marketing – Porsche AG Buys into VfB Stuttgart

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Annals of Marketing - Porsche AG Buys into VfB Stuttgart

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Porsche AG said today it is joining football Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart as an investor by buying 5.49% of the shares of VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG. In the coming years Porsche said it “is making a comprehensive commitment to VfB Stuttgart as a sponsor, supporting the youth development center among other things.” The Stuttgart based automaker has signed the final documents. All the necessary agreements were found to be in order by the responsible authorities and institutions, including the Deutsche Fussball Liga (DFL) and the German Federal Cartel Office.

“We are delighted that the Deutsche Fussball Liga has recognized our investment to be independent,” said Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman and Executive Board Member for Finance and IT at Porsche. “This gives us the opportunity to increase our stake to more than 10%. We want to contribute our know-how actively in order to keep developing the team successfully together with all our partners. We share a great tradition with VfB Stuttgart. Porsche is hereby strengthening its long-term commitment to the Stuttgart region, in which both of us have deep roots.”

A second tranche of shares can be acquired in June 2024. As part of the deal, Porsche is also taking two seats on the Supervisory Board of VfB Stuttgart. These positions will be occupied by Lutz Meschke, and Executive Board Member for Production, Albrecht Reimold.

Under the motto ‘Turbo für Talente,’ Porsche said it is committed to supporting young talent at VfB Stuttgart on and off the pitch. This season, Porsche became the team’s official youth academy partner and the main partner of the ‘Jungen Wilden’ and the VfB Football School. This partnership includes Porsche appearing on the sleeve of the team jersey and on the training outfits of the VfB junior teams from U11 to U21. “Our ‘Turbo für Talente’ youth promotion program is mainly about social issues. We want to foster both the sporting and personal development of young players and instill in them values such as team spirit, fairness, respect and passion,” said Lutz Meschke.

MHP is Title Sponsor of the Arena

The Management and IT Consultancy MHP, a subsidiary of Porsche, has owned the name rights for the MHP Arena Stuttgart since the start of this season. MHP is also title sponsor of the MHP Arena in Ludwigsburg, home of basketball Bundesliga team MHP Riesen.

“The Stuttgart stadium is a symbol far beyond the region. The renaming of the former Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium to the MHP Arena Stuttgart emotionalizes our brand and supports our growth course,” said Ralf Hofmann, co-founder, shareholder and Chairman of the Management Board of MHP. The company, whose headquarters are in Ludwigsburg, has other social initiatives in its home region and says it is committed to e-sports, women’s and girls’ football, athletics and youth development at VfB Stuttgart.

Exclusive Porsche Tunnel Club

Starting from the second half of this season, Porsche will have pronounced representation in the MHP Arena. A new, exclusive lounge in the main stand, said to be the first of its kind in Europe, will be known as the Porsche Tunnel Club. Its 215 guests will be able to enjoy a clear view into the players’ tunnel.

“We want to warmly welcome Porsche into our VfB family, and we very much look forward to working together,” said Claus Vogt, President and Chair of the Supervisory Board of VfB Stuttgart. “With Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Jako we have strong partners by our side who have roots in the region and at VfB, and from whose experience and expertise we benefit. I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks for the goal-oriented discussions I have had with all the participants. Great compliments are due in particular to our Chair of the Executive Board Alexander Wehrle and Executive Board Member for Marketing, Rouven Kasper for orchestrating this unique collaboration together with Lutz Meschke.”

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