Michael M. Schmidt is the new Director Corporate Communications at Infront Sports & Media, a group company of Wanda Sports Holding. Assuming this position today, he will oversee the refinement and implementation of the global corporate communications and brand strategy, leading the existing team at the headquarters in Zug. Alongside him, Nike Möhle, newly promoted to Associate Director Corporate Communications, will hold the position of Deputy Head of Corporate Communications and continue to act as a spokesperson.
Michael M. Schmidt offers a proven track record in driving corporate communications and marketing strategy in fast-paced environments. He has worked in a team leading capacity for major international companies in the field of sports as well as engineering and manufacturing, bringing also a solid grounding in M&A communications and cross-continental operations from his previous career steps. Michael joins Infront Sports & Media from the Sauber Formula 1 Team, where he acted as Marketing Director and Executive Board Member responsible for marketing, sponsorship and communications. Previously, he spent over four years with the Schindler Group (elevators) as Deputy Chief Communications Officer and later Head of Employee and Customer Communications, as well as within the OC Oerlikon Group (technology components) as Head of Public Relations of OC Oerlikon Solar.
At Infront, Michael M. Schmidt will lead the Corporate Communications unit, which triggers all external and internal communications of the company, reaching out to its diverse stakeholder groups through various channels. This includes media relations, digital platforms and social media channels, corporate publications and events, as well as internal communication across 35 offices in 15 countries. Furthermore, all areas of brand positioning and CI implementation, as well as substantial marketing services are under the charge of the team. As the process of aligning the group companies Infront Sports & Media, IRONMAN and Wanda Sports China under the roof of Wanda Sports Holding is moving forward, Infront Corporate Communications will also have a significant role in coordinating the related communications – in close collaboration with all parties involved.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operation – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
About Wanda Sports Holding
Wanda Sports Holding is the world’s leading sports business entity, founded to capture the opportunities in the global sports industry and to contribute to the prosperous international sports landscape – both in spectator and participant sports. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Wanda Sports Holding incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN, and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.
