NEW JERSEY – Erick Thohir gave another exclusive interview to Inter Channel on the third day of the club's management meeting in New Jersey.
"On the first day we focused purely on the football side of things, on the second we discussed the financial side and on the third we've been looking at marketing, sponsorship and other aspects," the president explained.
“We're happy because, as I said [on Tuesday], our fanbase has increased to 311 million. It's important to understand how we can reach out to those fans and give them what they expect from us, which services and content to provide via our digital strategy.
"As management we're also happy that our revenue has risen from 164 to 186 million as it takes us towards the €200 million barrier. We need to keep working hard and with confidence if we want to achieve that.
"Recent research has revealed that we're one of the top ten football brands in the world and in China we're among the top four. We're pleased with that result – it's a big step forward and it motivates us to work even harder. It's definitely been a good week.
“Our founders said right from the very start that we are Brothers of the World and I think everyone understands that's what we are. It's important for us to be show to the world that F.C. Internazionale is part of the globalisation process.
“We must thank Inter Campus for its work in 29 countries around the globe – a number which is sure to increase over the next two years.
“We were invited to the United Nations for the third time in six years and the secretary-general came to one of our games and wore an Inter shirt, so it's a fantastic period. I'd like to thank him for honouring our shirt and now the management, the coach, the players and the fans will be able to do the same. The UN secretary-general, Mr Ban Ki-moon, has done it and we too must continue to honour our shirt.
“We're in our pre-season. We beat Real Salt Lake with a wonderful goal by Stevan Jovetic and lost to PSG after fighting hard for 70 minutes only to run out of steam towards the end.
"We found ourselves in a tricky situation against Estudiantes with a number of injuries and we still managed to play a good game while giving our youngsters some quality playing time.
“We have Bayern next and they're a top team. We'll need to produce a great performance against them because it's an opportunity both for the regular first-teamers and the younger lads to prove Inter's worth. We must fight and play a good game.
“After that we'll head back to Italy and we have another three big friendlies. It's been a good summer. We've had lots of meetings and we'll organise a similar management meeting again next year.”
