By Tony Hallett, 18 June 2003 15:43
NEWS Vodafone has confirmed it doesn't expect to feel any direct fall out from David Beckham's £25m move from Manchester United to Spanish football giants Real Madrid. The England captain is one of the best known brands around the world and the face of Vodafone Live!, the telco's all-in-one bundle of services, so there were question marks over what would happen should the star player leave the Vodafone-sponsored Manchester United. But the Newbury-based company said it has a separate contract with Beckham, regardless of who he plays for. A Vodafone statement said: "Vodafone has a two-year contract with David Beckham and it is independent of the [Manchester United] team. David Beckham's move to Real Madrid will not compromise Vodafone's position with the England captain or Manchester United." The telco took the astute step of signing up Beckham individually in October last year, when it launched Live!. The company's relationship with English champions United started in 2000, and sits alongside sponsorship of the Derby horse race, the Ferrari F1 racing team and the hapless England cricket team. With Beckham a big star in countries such as Japan, where Vodafone runs the J-Phone mobile network, the celebrity is seen as a key marketing asset. Vodafone Live! has been a success since its launch with over one million consumers signing up for access to games, photo messaging, email and polyphonic ringtones in addition to voice calls.
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