PORT Adelaide's joint major partnership with Renault Australia will come to a close at the end of October, following a five-year journey of success and innovation on and off the field.

It follows a review by Renault of their sponsorship program for 2018, which will see the French car manufacturer change its overall marketing focus in Australia.

Since joining Port Adelaide in 2013 under the banner of ‘Two Teams, One Journey’, Renault twice renewed the agreement with the club that has generated industry-leading sports sponsorship results for both brands.

Achievements for the partnership since 2013 include:
• Renault currently has one of the highest brand recalls for any joint major partner by club members – at 98%.
• $32.3 million in media value generated nationally for the Renault brand.
• Sales of nearly 500 Renault vehicles to club members and corporates
• Significant market growth in Australia, with a more than 60% increase in car sales since the first year of the partnership.

Port Adelaide’s search for a new joint major partner has been underway for several weeks, with the club hopeful of making an announcement at the commencement of the new financial year in November.

Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas thanked Renault for a successful five-year-long partnership.

“Renault joined Port Adelaide at the start of a new journey in 2013, when we announced Ken Hinkley as our new senior coach, and David Koch as our new chairman," he said.
“Since then they have been part of a fantastic journey that has reaped three finals campaigns in five years, and excellent results for our local dealerships, particularly Main North Renault which joined as one of our SANFL Major Partners too.

“Through our dedicated club vehicles sales team, we have helped Renault sell around 100 vehicles to Port Adelaide members and corporates each year of the partnership. This achievement is among one of the best figures for the AFL industry by clubs with automotive major partners, and shows the power of Port Adelaide as a vehicle for sports sponsorship.

“I thank Renault Australia for their support over five years, and for their vision and commitment to the Port Adelaide Football Club back in 2013.

“After many tough years on-field, Renault backed our football club at the beginning of an exciting new journey for both brands, and we now stand as two strong competitors in our respective industries.

“We are already in talks with a number of prospective new joint major partners to join OAK PLUS in 2018, and look forward to making an announcement later this year.”

Renault Australia Marketing Director Jason Miller also thanked Port Adelaide for a successful partnership.

“Renault Australia has been a proud and enthusiastic partner with Port Adelaide Football Club over the past five seasons," he said.

“We have built a close relationship with the club and its membership, including creating innovative activations and engagements. We have also developed a large number of brand loyalists among the supporter base.

“Renault Australia wishes Port Adelaide well for its 2018 campaign and beyond.”