Manchester City appoints Endemol to promote global brand

An in-house production unit will work together with Endemol Sport to maintain the website content, headed by Chris Bailey, a former journalist at the Manchester Evening News.

The squad recently signed a multi-year deal with entertainment group Endemol to help brand itself to new and existing fans.

Endemol launched its sport entertainment division in January, working previously with the Dutch premier football league.

Manchester City, owned by Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the upcoming season will see a boost of international interest in the squad, which is currently trying to woo Samuel Eto'o away from Barcelona, and plans to branch the website out into at least four more non-English markets.

The club has even hired a social media executive, Chris Neild, to manage its online relationships and work with iCrossing to expand its search engine optimisation and "digital 'buzz' monitoring".

David Pullan, chief marketing officer of Manchester City, said: "Our new web platform is going to be a one-stop shop and the first place to go for anyone with an interest in Manchester City.

"It is the kind of site that our supporters, who are at the heart of our club, deserve.  It is visually stunning, richly interactive and in our view, unmissable."