Retired Beckham Not Deterring Sponsors as Car Auto Rental Inks Partnership

China Auto Rental (CAR), the largest company in China’s burgeoning car rental industry, has announced a partnership with retired global football star David Beckham broquered by IMG Worldwide.

The alliance with China Auto Rental was announced today as Beckham concluded his second visit to China as Ambassador to the CSL and youth development of the game in China. IMG, in partnership with Simon Fuller, CEO of XIX Entertainment, who represents David Beckham, arranged and hosted the visit. During the seven-day ambassadorial tour, Beckham visited football clubs and youth football programs in Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou.

Today’s partnership is Beckham’s first business partnership since the announcement of his retirement from his football career on May 16^th this year. It follows previously announced IMG brokered sponsorship deals for the CSL, with Carlsberg China as the official beer company of the CSL and Jingdon, as the official online retail partner of the League.

The partnership Beckham embodies China Auto Rental’s future five-year plan of action, involving implementation of technology research and development, product design and service optimization in all aspects.

Lu Zhengyao, Chairman of CAR, said: “We are extremely pleased to have entered into this partnership with David, a global football icon. Together our goal is to promote healthy living, a commitment to sport and innovative solutions to car rentals. We at CAR are proud that David has agreed to support us in our future business initiatives.”

On the partnership with CAR, David Beckham said: “China holds a special place in my heart. I have seen with my own eyes the joys and aspirations of this country during my multiple visits here. It is an honour to have established this partnership with a company as dynamic and innovative as CAR. I would like to personally thank Chairman Lu for his commitment to this relationship as well as congratulate him on the amazing success of CAR.”

Adam Zhu, Vice Chairman of IMG Asia Pacific and Chairman and President of IMG Greater China, said, “This alliance is the perfect fit for David. He will be associated with one of the fastest growing businesses in China and one that is already a sponsor of the CSL. David’s popularity in China will also be instrumental to the future growth of CAR. We are very pleased with our leadership role in this exciting partnership.”

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