Purchase of top endurance event photography company from Gameface Media consolidates Infront’s leading position in the market
Zug, Switzerland/Boston, USA - Infront has acquired MarathonFoto, the leading provider of endurance event photography in the United States. The new agreement expands Infront’s position and makes it the leading provider of digital photo and video solutions for mass participation events globally having previously acquired Sportograf, one of the Europe’s top endurance event photographers.
MarathonFoto has been an industry leader in endurance sports photography for more than 40 years and has worked at over 3,000 races. It currently collaborates with some of the world’s top marathons, including the TCS New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and has partnerships with over 100 clients.
The acquisition means that together, MarathonFoto and Sportograf offer the highest quality digital photo and video solutions across an unmatched portfolio of endurance events globally including the most prestigious events in running, cycling, triathlon and fitness. Combined, both companies delivered 70 million photos across nearly 1,200 event days to almost 500,000 participants globally in 2022. It is also one of the most technologically-advanced providers of photography services to running races, triathlons and cycling events worldwide. Both photography companies fall under Infront’s Active Lifestyle unit.
Hans-Peter Zurbruegg, Infront Senior Vice President Active Lifestyle, said: “Part of Infront’s Active Lifestyle strategy is to seek new ways to enhance the key services offered at events all over the world. Event photography reflects a key element in the overall participant experience, therefore providing the highest quality photo-video solutions through seamless processes creates a core value to participants and event organizers. Our clear goal is to be also leader in the technology in this field. MarathonFoto perfectly complements the strategy and growth paths we have already started with Sportograf and means we place ourselves as firm leaders in this space.”
Brad Kroll, President of MarathonFoto, said: “The photography and logistical expertise of MarathonFoto will now be combined with the technology depth of Sportograf. Our team is thrilled to expand on our current services like instant photo uploads and individualized race videos with the deep team of technologists at Sportograf. We’re all incredibly excited to join forces with our new partners.”
Tom Janas, Managing Director of Sportograf, said: “We have been able to personally get to know the MarathonFoto over the last 10 years and are extremely excited about the collaboration. This is especially because of the long-term experience that MarathonFoto can now share with us. With a joint event portfolio of well over 1,200 event days, we are optimistic about the 2023 season, which should bring over 80 million pictures and infinitely more memories of sporting achievements to our clients."
About MarathonFoto
With over 40 years of race photography experience, MarathonFoto combines the industry’s best logistics, highly skilled photographers, and customer service, all supported by cutting-edge technology, to create the best opportunity for athletes to celebrate their achievements. MarathonFoto is a division of Infront Sports & Media AG along with its sister company, Sportograf Digital Solutions GmbH. Gameface Media Inc. had owned MarathonFoto since 2019 and will now exit the event photography business to focus on its Six Minute Mile email newsletter.
