Domain signs up for Cricket naming rights sponsorship
Cricket Australia has inked a major sponsorship deal with real estate company Domain just months after a cheating scandal saw a number of advertisers walk away from the sport.
The four-year deal will give the ASX-listed property portal naming rights for domestic test series, plus shared advertising content across its site and cricket.com.au.
The sponsorship follows Cricket Australia’s recent move from Nine and Ten to Foxtel and the Seven Network in a landmark six-year broadcast deal.
Domain will replace Magellan Financial Group, which ended its naming rights sponsorship of domestic Test matches one year into a three-year deal.
Magellan was one of a number of major brands to distance itself from Cricket Australia following March’s ball-tampering scandal. Others included LG’s Dave Warner, Commonwealth Bank, ASICS and Sanitarium also ended relationships with the players.
Under the new partnership, Domain has become the Cricket Australia live scoreboard partner and secured rights to ads on cricket.com.au. The portal’s ads and content will be promoted across the sport brand’s social media, news site and app over the next 12 months.
Cricket AustraliaCEO James Sutherland said: “Through this multi-year deal, Domain has made a significant commitment to cricket in Australia. We are grateful for this, and look forward to working closely with the Domain team to ensure this a highly successful partnership.”
Domain chief editorial and marketing officer Melina Cruickshank added: “Domain is delighted to begin a partnership with Cricket Australia. Our aligned audience strategies in mobile and content represent a unique opportunity for both brands. We believe the ‘spirit of cricket’ is resilient and look forward to the growth opportunities this partnership will provide.”
Founded as Fairfax Media’s real estate portal and content arm, Domain was listed on the Australian stock market as a stand alone business in November last year.
Fairfax Media, owner of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, currently has a 60% share of Domain’s stock.