Liverpool FC (LFC) is thrilled to announce a long-term partnership extension with Kodansha. Kodansha, LFC’s official publication partner and Japan’s largest publisher, first started collaborating with the club in 2021 and has agreed to an early renewal, demonstrating their commitment to the club’s future and their ambition to create a legacy with LFC.
The new extension will see Kodansha expand their relationship with LFC to include both the men’s and women’s teams, thereby supporting the continued growth of the women’s team. This development comes at an exciting time as the teams prepare to move to Melwood later this year.
The partnership aims to ‘Inspire Impossible Stories’ by inspiring future generations through community work and the ‘Creative Works’ program, in collaboration with the LFC Foundation. This program provides children and young adults with an opportunity to express themselves through creativity and storytelling. With this new long-term commitment, the program will expand into the USA, allowing Kodansha and LFC Foundation to build on the impact they have already made in the UK.
Through this partnership, LFC has helped Kodansha enhance global brand awareness and reach new audiences while inspiring a younger generation. During this period, LFC and Kodansha have connected with over 850 school children in Liverpool and supported nearly 40 young people in completing the LFC Foundation’s Creative Works program. Recently, Kodansha, LFC, and LFC Foundation exhibited at the famous Tate Liverpool, providing local children, artists, and visitors with an opportunity to be inspired, creative, and enjoy art.
Ben Latty, commercial director at Liverpool FC, expressed his delight about the renewal, saying, “Our activations with Kodansha over the last two years truly embody the term partnership. There is a true alignment in values between LFC and Kodansha, which we are excited to build upon. This extension will see significant support and focus on the brilliant work of LFC Foundation and see us expand that work into the USA. It’s also pleasing to see Kodansha extend their support of the club to both the men’s and women’s teams.”
Tokuo Kanemura, senior vice president and COO at Kodansha, added, “We take great pride in the extension of this agreement, which allows us to be a part of Liverpool FC’s illustrious history and to leave our legacy. Let’s continue to join hands and inspire people all over the world together. Furthermore, our partnership with the women’s team is profoundly meaningful to us. We hope that this partnership will serve as a catalyst for their further achievements and that will continue to captivate audiences with its creativity.”
Liverpool FC, founded in 1892, is one of the world’s most historic and renowned football clubs. The club’s achievements include 19 League Titles, including the Premier League, eight FA Cups, nine League Cups, six European Cups, three UEFA Cups, four European Super Cups, 16 Charity Shields, two Women’s Super League titles, and one Women’s Championship. As a socially responsible club, Liverpool FC is committed to creating a better future for its people, planet, and communities through sustainability efforts, enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion, and providing life-changing opportunities for children and young people in Merseyside and beyond through its official charity, LFC Foundation.
