RNS Reach
23 November 2018
Brave Bison Group plc
("Brave Bison" or "the Group")
Rebel FC signs sponsorship deal with Utilita
Brave Bison has entered into a two-year deal with energy provider Utilita Energy Limited ("Utilita") for 'front of shirt' sponsorship of Rebel FC, the social influencer football team developed by Brave Bison in partnership with YouTube star Callum Airey (better known as Calfreezy).
This agreement sees Rebel FC join professional football clubs such as Leeds United, Southampton and Aston Villa who are also partners of Utilita, one of the UK's fastest growing independent energy suppliers.
The sponsorship agreement sits alongside the previously announced sponsorship and supplier deal with Under Armour and precedes Rebel FC's debut in this year's Wembley Cup on Sunday 25 November 2018. The team will be taking on fellow influencer football sides Hashtag United, The F2 and XOFC in a knock-out tournament featuring YouTube's most talked about teams as well as footballing legends such as Michael Essien and Cafu.
Rebel FC will wear bespoke kits featuring the Utlita logo for all their matches, which are broadcast to their amass of fans across social platforms as they continue their ambitious and unorthodox journey to the higher reaches of football - rebelling against the traditional system whilst entertaining their army of Gen Z fans.
Brave Bison's Chief Executive, Claire Hungate, commented: "Utilita are renowned for being a challenger brand and therefore a partnership with Rebel FC fits seamlessly with this reputation. I am delighted to see Rebel FC attract a major brand sponsor before they take part in their debut Wembley Cup and Utilita's decision to sponsor Rebel, alongside teams such as Leeds United and Aston Villa, really endorses our investment in creator football."
Utilita's Director of Marketing and Communications, Jem Maidment, commented: "Utilita is challenging the so-called 'Big Six' energy suppliers, similar to Rebel FC as they take on established social influencer brands in a competitive market. We are thrilled to be on board with Calfreezy and the team - not just for the Wembley Cup 2018 but to be powering the rebellion for the next two years, connecting us with a Gen Z and Millennial audience."
Whilst the fees payable are not material to the Group, this sponsorship deal is testament to the value in creator football. As the movement continues to grow, Brave Bison is front and centre, being well placed to benefit from its shareholding in Rebel FC and its commercial representation of the brand.
Rated as a Top 5 Energy Supplier for Customer Satisfaction according to Which?*, Utilita has 690,000 customers and operates from centres across the UK, making national headlines in July 2018 when it opened its first energy store in Gosport, Hants.
*https://switch.which.co.uk/energy-suppliers/energy-companies-rated.html
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Brave Bison Group plc
Jack Bates, Communications Manager
Email: [email protected]
Allenby Capital Limited
Jeremy Porter / Asha Chotai
Tel: 020 3328 5656
Newgate Communications
Elisabeth Cowell / Fiona Norman
[email protected]
Tel: 020 3757 6880
About Brave Bison:
Brave Bison is a social video company, proudly working with some of the biggest brands and most followed YouTube and Facebook talent in the world. Clients include P&G, Shell, PUMA and Hyundai.
Brave Bison makes it simple for content owners, creators, brands, publishers and platforms to unlock the value of online video, whether on a licensed, ad-funded, direct to consumer or paid placement basis.
The business is based in two regions - Europe, with headquarters in London; and APAC, with offices in Singapore.
