Last year Mr Pickard - the Managing Director of the Pickard Group - joined forces with the Power in a three year arrangement to boost the club’s staffing and marketing operations.
A new Power advertising campaign, including a new television advertisement, will be launched next week.
The Pickard Group today announced it would provide a further $500,000 to the Port Adelaide Football Club as part of its 2010 sponsorship.
The payment is the second of a possible three such payments over three years. The payments come with strings attached and are not guaranteed unless Port performs in seeking new business in areas such as membership and sponsorship.
“We’ve been very pleased with the improvements made by the club,” said Mr Pickard. “There is a new vibrancy within the club, both on the field an off, that will lead to a much stronger 2010. We’re satisfied the club is heading in the right direction.”
The announcement came after a breakfast meeting held yesterday between Mr Pickard and PAFC officials.
Also discussed were various ways of helping to accelerate the business plans of the PAFC. Some of the topics included building two homes at Golden Grove to be used as fundraisers, possible financial support to help the Power purchase the Prince of Wales Hotel and several other business options.
“Some of these items still need to be worked through to see if they stack up after due diligence,” said Mr Pickard, “but we will start working through those items on my return from overseas.”
Power Chief Executive Mark Haysman says it’s an exciting opportunity for the Power.
“We were briefing Gordon on our new television campaign, which is set to begin next week, when Gordon asked how he could help our club further,” Haysman said.
“We began discussions around some possible commercial ventures, which are in line with our business plan.
“Those include potential investments in the Prince of Wales Hotel and some house and land packages, among other things. The possibilities are very exciting for our club.
“Our discussions are ongoing and, because the matters are quite complex and require due diligence, will take some time.”
