[Albion] Amex Stadium name change..

[chaileyjem]

The twin removal of the word “community”, whilst trying to infer we’re now *more* community is just odd.

I get that sponsors get to name the stadium but surely they shouldn’t name a charity.

The club have changed the charity name - is my reading. It’s nothing to do with Amex. They are announcing it at same time as the stadium due to the new signage etc.

 

[Silverhatch]

As a planorak, I find this more interesting as it was the perceived economic benefits to Moulsecoomb (in the 10% most deprived communities in the country) that gave John Prescott the justification to argue that the stadium would be in the national interest and could therefore be located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Is this a tacit acknowledgement
that those community benefits to Moulsecoomb no longer exist?

The community benefits of having a globally famous football club associated with a 173 year old American financial institution together with all the inward investment opportunities it creates are massively important for the region. When Mitoma is advertising Amex to the Japanese populace wearing an Albion shirt that’s a very good thing for the Brighton and Hove Albion charitable foundation. It could be the Bet your last quid away you f***ing mugs Community stadium. What a benefit that’d be. Honestly, why is this such a big deal? It’ll always be the Amex. They’ll be more official Amex branding. And what’s the problem with that? Amex HAS BEEN a fundamental part of Brighton & Hove for nearly 60 years. Generations of the COMMUNITY have worked for them and benefitted from their being here.

 

[chaileyjem]

PS Aston Villa have just announced a new sponsorship deal with a far east betting firm - despite the imminent ban, and clearly in face of universal condemnation for fans. They really have got something to fight and worry about as a football community.

I’d like the stadium name to still have community front and centre too in its name too - but honestly - reading the hyperbolic and cynical feedback from some - pick your battles. Albion haven’t by any stretch overnight lost sight of what they stand for. And Amex are probably the most benign big business partner in PL. And if Albion should/could be doing more the community - AITC is an award winning charity ! So it’s hardly broken - then what ? Specifically ? And campaign for it then !

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Meaningless word removed, oh well.

Nothing they do is meaningless. They have just distanced themselves from their prime argument for getting stadium approval in the first place.

 

[chaileyjem]

Nothing they do is meaningless. They have just distanced themselves from their prime argument for getting stadium approval in the first place.

Have they ? And how have they done this ? Is the work - award winning and well established - they do in the community going to stop overnight on August 1st ?

 

[Charles 'Charley' Charles]

I think that the AITC name change is more to do with expanding globally, I say this as a good thing. We've seen many things over the years about the Albion & AITC benefitting different needs globally, from clean water supplies in Africa, to kits being donated in South America etc, that's before you even start to list the frankly amazing things they've done on our own doorstep. However as the club grows, and the there becomes more interest internationally, USA Tour, Mitoma fans and tourists, I do think that changing to Bright & Hove Albion Foundation is a way of demonstrating and increasing awareness and possible fundraising over seas. Albion In The Community does to a degree make it sound a more localised concern.

I have no doubt that the incredible work the AITC Team do, will continue, and increase, but the name change does make it sound slightly more interesting to over seas companies and individuals who may feel inclined to get involved.

As for the stadium name change, well to be honest that is not going to change what everyone has been calling it since it opened anyway. It does allow for a more succinct acknowledgment of our major sponsor. I really wouldn't be surprised to hear about further AMEX partnerships involving the club, possibly a new long term sponsorship deal unveiled further down the line. Let's be honest out of all the potential sponsors we could have, national or international, American Express is a pretty big company with a much better reputation and name then 100's of others. In fact I don't think of a current football sponsor I would prefer to be associated with us.

 

[Albion my Albion]

They could have added the American Express Centurion logo brand

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Have they ? And how have they done this ? Is the work - award winning and well established - they do in the community going to stop overnight on August 1st ?

I said distanced, not stopped. Everything’s done for a reason.

 

[CheeseRolls]

Have they ? And how have they done this ? Is the work - award winning and well established - they do in the community going to stop overnight on August 1st ?

Foundation adds scope to add more international good causes. This is especially important when we are recruiting players from poorer countries. I see this as an expansion of the community work not a dilution. Community stadium to global brand is progress, it brings with it both good and bad. The positives have it for me by a country mile. If others feel differently, there is a thriving local football scene and you don't have to stop supporting BHAFC to get involved at Lewes, Whitehawk, Worthing, Eastbourne or any of the other thriving local clubs.

 

[Hotchilidog]

I said distanced, not stopped. Everything’s done for a reason.

Yes name recognition. The Brighton & Hove Albion brand is more widely known than AITC so it makes sense to change that now that we are getting more publicity. As for the stadium name, we'll still call it The Amex. After all their support I do not begrudge American Express requesting the change. We are striking whilst the iron is hot.

I do not think this anything to get het up about.

 

[PeterT]

Presumably they will have to change the signs on the outside, might be a good chance to get the ones that don’t light up properly at night working! It was probably the word ‘community’ that didn’t light up and that has driven the change!!

 

[Thunder Bolt]

What space does this free up at the stadium.

I’ve heard it in the east side of the north but never by the police box

How much space do they occupy and is it first floor level

Aha, redeveloping the North Stand?

 

[BNthree]

What’s going to be in place of the aitc offices at the Amex?

They're behind the north stand so presumably freeing the space up for the hospitality/boxes tier the club got planning permission for.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Cost of living crisis. Dropping the word community must save a fortune in saved ink, lettering etc

Smart move by the club.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

In terms of AITC/The Foundation, as long as the work in the 'community' continues (soccer clubs, support for the disadvantaged and EVERYTHING else that AITC currently does) and the people involved don't lose their jobs, I don't really see the issue with what the damn thing is called.

Latterly, I see the abbreviated AITC mentioned, as opposed to 'Albion in the Community' and I'm sure that some people don't even know what AITC stands for

 

[Silverhatch]

I said distanced, not stopped. Everything’s done for a reason.

It has been. Branding, communication and organisational focus.

 

[halbpro]

The Albion in the Community name change seems far stranger than the stadium one. That's a pretty big shift and the name worked a lot better than the Foundation name does. I think perhaps the only benefit of switching to Foundation is it feels a bit more like its own charity, which would fit with the move to new digs. I wonder if they'll stand brand some of their work as AITC?

 

[atomised]

They could have added the American Express Centurion logo brand

View attachment 162776

paging Mr Barber . seagulls are dirty pesky creatures. perhaps we should consider a new nickname. perhaps the Centurions, I'm sure there's a few extra sponsorship dollars in that

 

[Silverhatch]

The Albion in the Community name change seems far stranger than the stadium one. That's a pretty big shift and the name worked a lot better than the Foundation name does. I think perhaps the only benefit of switching to Foundation is it feels a bit more like its own charity, which would fit with the move to new digs. I wonder if they'll stand brand some of their work as AITC?

Foundation is much better understood description/word in global/US corporate speech. The B&HAlbion Foudation might be looking for income from global contributors. Albion in the Community is a very local brand and no doubt will continue to be used informally/colloquially.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

paging Mr Barber . seagulls are dirty pesky creatures. perhaps we should consider a new nickname. perhaps the Centurions, I'm sure there's a few extra sponsorship dollars in that

Why not go the whole hog and change the name of the club to Brighton Centurians?