[Albion] What happens when the stadium stops being the Amex?

[portlock seagull]

Six years or so ago American Express was, to 90% of Brightonians, something that would do nicely.
But in the time that Amex have pushed their brand on to us, how many people on NSC have actually now got an American Express card?
I do accept Amex in my shops, something I don't have to do, but the sales using an Amex card are 1 in 1000.

I've not idea about American Express, seems a little odd we've never been targeted as fans with 'special offers' - which I'm glad about because it's just about being in debt at the end of the day.

 

[happypig]

The Hooters Arena has a nice ring to it...

 

[southdownswolf]

As a neutral, I can see that AmEx have a popular following for the naming rights currently as they are a large employer in the City. However, would people still be happy to call it the AmEx if they moved their European HQ out of the UK in the next few years?

 

[DavidRyder]

We are probably giving American Express the exposure, through Premier League global football audiences, that they were hoping for when they started sponsoring the stadium, so I can't see it ending any time soon - hopefully!

 

[Brovion]

As a neutral, I can see that AmEx have a popular following for the naming rights currently as they are a large employer in the City. However, would people still be happy to call it the AmEx if they moved their European HQ out of the UK in the next few years?

Speaking for myself it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. The name itself indicates that they're far from being a Brighton company, so as long as the deal's right for us I don't give a shit where they're based.

Also I wouldn't describe them as popular. Sure we're happy to call it the Amex stadium - but that's simply because they got in there first, and yes it is better than something like 'Stadium of Light' or the Tampax Stadium. However there is still a slight undercurrent of resentment against the company inasmuch as they didn't want to know us when we were struggling and really needed the cash. Sure we know there were valid commercial reasons for them not wanting to be associated with a tinpot outfit, but if they were really Brighton at heart they'd have got involved earlier.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Speaking for myself it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. The name itself indicates that they're far from being a Brighton company, so as long as the deal's right for us I don't give a shit where they're based.

Also I wouldn't describe them popular. Sure we're happy to call it the Amex stadium - but that's simply because they got in there first, and yes it is better than something like 'Stadium of Light' or the Tampax Stadium. However there is still a slight undercurrent of resentment against the company inasmuch as they didn't want to know us when we were struggling and really needed the cash. Sure we know there were valid commercial reasons for them not wanting to be associated with a tinpot outfit, but if they were really Brighton at heart they'd have got involved earlier.

Earlier than when? Dick Knight was already courting American Express to sponsor the Community side of the club, before Tony Bloom took over.

 

[Brovion]

Earlier than when? Dick Knight was already courting American Express to sponsor the Community side of the club, before Tony Bloom took over.

Precisely.

 

[BBassic]

The Hooters Arena has a nice ring to it...

Make the centre circle a nice skin sort of colour and raise the centre spot. Job done.

 

[Smiley Miley]

Got friends in Bolton and they still refer to stadium as The Reebok, dismissed The Macron Stadium and now officially it is The University of Bolton Stadium - but to the locals it will always be The Reebok

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

Having American Express as the Albion's stadium and shirt sponsor immediately positions the club's own brand as decidedly upmarket. No connection here to the grubby worlds of shirt-off-your-back payday loans and online gambling that emblazon the shirts of far too many Premier League clubs. ManBetX anyone? [And yes, Palace fans, I am aware of TB's business interests]. The benefit to American Express of vastly increased global exposure of their brand following Albion's promotion must be enormous.

So, American Express? A Far cry from the old days of BrightonandHovejobs.com, IT First and Skint. (But how we needed the money, back then.) As a stadium name, the Amex trips off the tongue, and will be hard to replace in the minds of all of us, for many years to come. Long may the existing deal continue.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Dig up the 'gold stone' from Hove Park, transport it up to Falmer, stick it in the middle of Bennet's Field and call the Stadium 'The New Goldstone'.

Job done.

 

[mikeyjh]

Earlier than when? Dick Knight was already courting American Express to sponsor the Community side of the club, before Tony Bloom took over.

Dick Knight was instrumental in doing the original sponsorship deal (along with MP), it was a fundamental part of the stadium funding - Until Tony Bloom rode in to town of course....

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Six years or so ago American Express was, to 90% of Brightonians, something that would do nicely.
But in the time that Amex have pushed their brand on to us, how many people on NSC have actually now got an American Express card?
I do accept Amex in my shops, something I don't have to do, but the sales using an Amex card are 1 in 1000.

The problem with Amex is that it isn't accepted in as many places as Visa/MasterCard. I looked the other day at a BA card to use specifically for my work expenses to get more exec club points but it is an Amex card and I know from other colleagues that they have had issues in getting it accepted when paying their bills so I decided against it

 

[Gazwag]

St James Park will always be St James Park in my head... the Etihad is still Maine Road to me and that isn't even the same place.

If you call the Eithad Maine Road then you may as well call the Amex the Goldstone Ground

 

[Gazwag]

Six years or so ago American Express was, to 90% of Brightonians, something that would do nicely.
But in the time that Amex have pushed their brand on to us, how many people on NSC have actually now got an American Express card?
I do accept Amex in my shops, something I don't have to do, but the sales using an Amex card are 1 in 1000.

I use my Amex almost everywhere to collect Avios points. There are very few places I have found where you can't use it, the only really I can think of is B&Q

 

[spence]

I'll probably still call it the Amex, the same way as I refer to the Reebok (Bolton), the McAlpine (Hudds) and the Rose Bowl (Hampshire cricket). I'm 99% certain that none of those are their current names; without googling I think the McAlpine is now the John Smith stadium, the Rose Bowl is the Aegus Bowl ..... and I haven't a clue what Bolton's ground is called now. (Markon? That rings a bell EDIT: Just read post #7. Macron).

It's probably a bit like when pubs change their names. Those of use who knew the old name still use it, whereas the next generation refer to the newer name - providing it doesn't change again too quickly.

I call Hudds Leeds road still. Agree with Bolton.

 

[beorhthelm]

i call it Falmer anyway, though to be understood by others often refer to it as Amex. Unless they left the city, i doubt American Express will let the naming lapse, and pay around market rate for rights when they come around.

 

[OzMike]

The Palace Pier will always be the Palace Pier.

 

[Greavsey]

I think the key here is when the contract comes up for re-negotiation that the club don't get too greedy, and appreciate the non-financial benefits that the sponsorship brings them. Amex staff make a valuable resource contribution to AITC and as a previous poster mentioned there is a valuable cache of not being sponsored by some Taiwanese betting company.

Amex will want to continue the sponsorship as it reinforces their commitment to the local community, but also now with the added benefit of global brand exposure in the "EPL". However, I believe the amount paid by Amex on an annual basis for the sponsorship is the second lowest in the Prem. Around £1.5m per annum, compared with £40m at the top end with Man Utd.

 

[The Large One]

We are probably giving American Express the exposure, through Premier League global football audiences, that they were hoping for when they started sponsoring the stadium, so I can't see it ending any time soon - hopefully!

I think that American Express was far more a global brand way before the Premier League came along than the consideration of anything we can offer. They're also worth a lot more.

Believe me, American Express don't need the exposure.