It?s the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans

An hour ago whilst cruising at just over 30000 ft en-route to the Gold Coast from Sydney, the Gold Coast Titans officially became the ?Jetstar Gold Coast Titans? with the announcement of a five year multi million dollar naming rights sponsorship.

Gold Coast Titan?s Managing Director Michael Searle said announcing the club?s naming rights sponsor onboard a Jetstar flight was a tribute to the airline and to the thousands who benefit from the low fares offered every day by booking and flying with Jetstar.?This truly is a landmark day for the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and to be able to make the announcement to 177 passengers on route to Titans Territory was too good an opportunity to miss?, said Searle.

?Having an organisation of Jetstar?s quality as our Naming Rights? partner is a perfect brand alignment for the emerging Gold Coast Titans. As the NRL expansion licence we can learn a lot from the hugely successful strategies that Jetstar have employed to become a truly national and soon to be international airline carrier. We both have very similar target audiences and the benefits that Jetstar have brought to the Gold Coast have resulted in an outstanding fiscal result for this city. The opportunity to partner a brand with such strong recognition can only accelerate our own brand recognition in the highly competitive sporting market.?

?This partnership highlights the importance that the Gold Coast market presents to the national business community. This city has morphed into a growing youth market that is not only attractive to tourists but to businesses and permanent residents alike.?

Searle said the naming rights sponsorship will be signified by the player?s jersey carrying the Jetstar logo on both home and away jumpers.

Jetstar Gold Coast Titans Chairman Paul Broughton said, ?Jetstar is already the airline of choice for thousands of Gold Coasters and with Jetstar set to provide rugby league fans with low fares and attractive flight and accommodation packages, the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and the National Rugby League will be even more accessible to more fans in the very near future..?

Jetstar General Manager of Commercial Bruce Buchanan says having the Gold Coast return to the National Rugby League will ignite the entire region. ?With the Gold Coast being Jetstar?s most popular destination in our network - this partnership has all the potential to be a real winner. We are thrilled to be making such a significant commitment to the local community here on the Gold Coast,? Mr Buchanan said.

The involvement of Jetstar will enable more rugby league fans to attend Gold Coast and interstate matches each year ? for less - and allows Jetstar to make a major direct investment in the game through the naming rights? sponsorship of the Titans.

?By getting behind the Gold Coast Titans, we will allow people to take advantage of our every day low fares to travel to and from the Gold Coast to support the team from its kick-off in the NRL in 2007,? he said.

?Since launching in May 2004, our airline has grown to now offer over 200 direct weekly flights between the Gold Coast and 5 other cities, including Christchurch in New Zealand, helping generate ongoing record passenger numbers for Gold Coast Airport.

?Jetstar is thrilled to be associated with the Gold Coast Titans from their inaugural season,? Mr Buchanan said..

NRL CEO David Gallop was onboard for the mid-air announcement and like his fellow passengers was impressed by the creative launch.

Gallop said, ?This is another important step for the Gold Coast Titans and yet again they?ve shown an innovative approach in how they go about their business. We are pleased that a brand as strong and successful as Jetstar has formed a partnership with the Gold Coast Titans who continue to take all the right steps as they head towards kickoff. It?s ?win win? scenario for both organizations.?

?From the playing and coaching staff they have recruited to the way they are putting the business together behind the scenes, the Titans are already earning plenty of respect in the game,? said Gallop.

?There?s a lot of work ahead but importantly they are giving the Gold Coast Community something to look forward to in 2007 and beyond,? said Gallop.