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NIVEA MEN and Real Madrid kickoff deal on global scale

NIVEA MEN and Real Madrid kickoff deal on global scale (Photo courtesy: Beiersdorf AG)

Two champions build one global team: NIVEA MEN, global market leader in men care, and world-famous football club Real Madrid C.F., are rolling out their partnership in 70 countries. For the kickoff of their global collaboration, NIVEA MEN showcases the importance of preparation, thus activating men worldwide to unlock their full potential in their everyday lives.

NIVEA MEN and Real Madrid have been successful partners since 2013 in select countries. Now, Stefan F. Heidenreich, Beiersdorf Chairman of the Executive Board and Florentino Pérez Rodriguez, club president of Real Madrid C.F. have signed a five-year contract extending their partnership globally. “Modern football and men care make a great match, both standing for values like confidence, togetherness, passion and mastery. Therefore, we are excited to bring our cooperation with the world-famous football club Real Madrid to a global level,” says Beiersdorf CEO Stefan F. Heidenreich.

Real Madrid has more than 500 million fans worldwide and is the club with the highest brand value (FORBES 2013-2016). “Men around the world share a big passion for football,” says Thomas Ingelfinger, Executive Board Member Europe, Beiersdorf AG. “Positioning NIVEA MEN and its care products in this environment enables a powerful, emotional bond with the male target group.” An international study1 that accompanies the global partnership rollout underlines the relevance of bringing together NIVEA MEN with the Real Madrid team: 71 percent of men confirmed that they have more trust in the quality and performance of products or brands when they know that they are being used by professionals.

Global study: preparation boosts self-confidence of men

“Besides our values, the importance of thorough preparation strongly binds NIVEA MEN and football together. Being prepared makes men feel better in their skin and more self-confident,” continues Ingelfinger. “Even superior talent is nothing without confidence: believing in yourself, your skills and in your team is what has the power to rule the game.”

NIVEA MEN is using the global rollout of the partnership with Real Madrid to activate men to unlock their full potential by preparing themselves for the challenges in their everyday lives – because preparation proves to be one of the greatest sources for self-confidence. The study was conducted among 18-to-69-year-old men in 19 countries and reveals: 92 percent of men consider feeling good in their skin as relevant for their performance, be it in sports or at work.

Preparation insights from the locker room: video of Real Madrid players

Furthermore, 79 percent of men in the study confirm that sport professionals and their preparation routines are a valuable source of inspiration to enhance their own preparation and performance. NIVEA MEN therefore offers an exceptional look behind the scenes of Real Madrid: In a video, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Isco and Lucas Vázquez share personal insights from the locker room. Fans get to know the “men behind the players” – their rituals, their motivations and their preparation techniques.

“Thanks to the trusting collaboration with Real Madrid we are able to give football fans such moments of unique closeness,” says Ingelfinger. “Through this we inspire men to prepare and become the best possible versions of themselves.” Throughout the five-year contract, NIVEA MEN will continue to innovate and produce a wide range of marketing activities featuring Real Madrid players as protagonists across touchpoints like point of sales, TV, in-stadium and social platforms. With the digital power of both brands, online activities will remain a major focus to address the target group.