Infront and IBU take partnership into third decade with extended agreement
February 21 2020 - 3:29AM
Infront, a Wanda Sports Group company (Nasdaq: WSG), will continue
as the exclusive marketing partner of the International Biathlon
Union (IBU) after extending its partnership by eight years, to the
2029/30 season. The current agreement was due to end after the
2021/22 season.
By the time the 2030 season arrives, Infront and
the IBU will have celebrated 36 years of partnership. The first
agreement was signed in 1994 between the IBU and APF Marketing
Services, which Infront acquired in 2005.
Infront Vice President Winter Sports Stefan
Krauss said: "Biathlon is and will remain a fascinating sport and
highly attractive advertising platform. We have agreed with the IBU
to set the highest possible benchmark when it comes to implementing
innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable methods to
attract commercial partners. This long-term partnership offers
Infront and the IBU's sponsors an excellent opportunity to plan,
collaborate and implement their future strategy already as of
now."
IBU President Olle Dahlin said: "Through our
strategic plan, Target 26, we are committed to fulfilling our
sport’s enormous potential and our progressive partnership with
Infront will support us in doing that. This agreement guarantees
IBU long-term sponsors’ support and allows us to plan our
reinvestment into the sport as we aim to extend our reach, innovate
our future and enhance our events. Infront is a familiar partner,
but a progressive one and I look forward to writing the next
chapter in the IBU's history with them."
Hengming Yang, President and CEO of Wanda Sports
Group said: “The extension and expansion of our IBU partnership
reflects the value of our marketing services and ability to tailor
and scale our support to meet the federation’s evolving needs. We
are proud of our decades-long relationship, which is a strong
testament to the sustainability and trusted solutions that we
deliver across our Spectator Sports business.”
This new deal expands on Infront's current role
by adding the IBU Cup and IBU Junior Cup – the second and third
tier biathlon competition series – to the portfolio. Previously the
marketing rights included World Cup and World Championship events
only.
About Wanda Sports Group
Wanda Sports Group is a leading global sports
events, media and marketing platform with a mission to unite people
in sports and enable athletes and fans to live their passions and
dreams. Through our businesses, including Infront and The IRONMAN
Group, we have significant intellectual property rights, long-term
relationships and broad execution capabilities, enabling us to
deliver unrivalled sports event experiences, creating access to
engaging content and building inclusive communities. We offer a
comprehensive array of events, marketing and media services through
three primary segments: Mass Participation, Spectator Sports and
Digital, Production, Sports Solutions (DPSS). Our full-service
platform creates value for our partners and clients as well as
other stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, from rights owners, to
brands and advertisers, and to fans and athletes.
Headquartered in Beijing, China, Wanda Sports
Group has more than 60 offices and 1,600 employees around the
world.
About Infront
Connecting fans and consumers to the greatest
sports events, Infront, a Wanda Sports Group company, offers
everything an event or commercial partner needs to be successful.
With a team of over 1,000 experts working from 45 offices across
more than 16 countries around the world, Infront is equipped to
tackle any challenge – be it innovative digital solutions,
world-class event operations, international media rights
distribution, sponsorship sales and activations or cutting-edge
media production. Headquartered in Switzerland, Infront is
passionate and #AllAboutSports. @infrontsports
www.infront.sport.
About IBU
The IBU is the governing body for biathlon
world, which organizes competitions, promotes biathlon, develops
the rules and protects the integrity of the sport. The IBU has
recently adopted a state-of-the-art constitution and a strategic
plan, called Target 26. This strategy was developed and approved by
the IBU’s membership and sees the IBU build on its strong
foundation, while providing a framework for future success.
Extending biathlon’s reach, enhancing its events and innovating its
future are three of the five key targets set out in the strategic
plan.
For more information, please contact:
Wanda Sports GroupEdith KwanTel: +86 (10) 8558
7456E-mail: ir@wsg.cn
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