briefs

Carlsberg in 3-year partnership with EPL

Carlsberg is to be the official beer partner of the English Premier League. The deal with Barclays, the soccer club's main partner, will run for three seasons from 2013-14 until the end of the 2015-16 season.

This partnership offers a range of rights and opportunities for consumers to engage with the Carlsberg brand, including use of official designations; marks and imagery; match-day access and hospitality; and content for online and social-media channels.

"At a time when we are fully committed to growing the Carlsberg brand, it is fantastic to be associated with such an iconic football property as the Premier League," said Tom Moradpour, vice president of the Carlsberg Brand.

Bond offerings to dip

The Thai Bond Market Association forecasts new corporate bond offerings this year will decline to Bt350 billion from Bt509 billion in 2012 as the banking industry ease issues to comply with Basel III regulations, said ThaiBMA chairman Bandid Nijathaworn.

The banking industry has been the top bond issuer for several years, and last year volumes surged to Bt180 billion. However, this instrument is less attractive after Basel III was implemented on January 1 because banks face more costs from their issuance.

Bandid said bond holdings by foreign investors this year were expected to fall to Bt100 billion from Bt280 billion last year because the problems in Europe and the US had eased. As a result, capital fund flows into the bond market will be reduced.



Visa/King deals

To celebrate the seven-year partnership between Visa and King Power, the two brands have signed an agreement that offers Thai shoppers and foreign travellers special deals for Visa cardholders throughout this year at all King Power stores.

They include shopping complexes in Bangkok and Pattaya and at major international airports Suvarnabhumi, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

For the upcoming Chinese New Year, Visa cardholders who spend Bt5,000 or more at King Power will receive a Bt200 cash voucher. This promotion runs from yesterday to February 28.