New agreement to help strengthen link between FIBA and dynamic Chinese business sector
Beijing, China - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has announced a global partnership with Ganten, Asia's leading mineral water supplier. The agreement was brokered by FIBA Marketing, the strategic partnership between FIBA and Infront, who is responsible for securing multi-year agreements related to FIBA's new calendar of events.
The partnership will help Shenzen-based Ganten build its brand as it expands into new markets worldwide and strengthens links between FIBA and the dynamic Chinese business sector ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup. The sport's biggest showcase event will be played across eight Chinese cities next year from 31 August – 15 September.
The partnership comes into immediate effect and includes next month's FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup as well as other leading FIBA national team competitions until 31 December 2019.
Ganten, a part of the Shenzhen Ganten Food & Beverage co., Ltd is an experienced and selective sponsor of major international sports brands. Its partnership with FIBA adds to a portfolio that currently includes the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), Italian football giant Juventus FC and the Australian Open - the first of tennis' four annual Grand Slam events.
Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, said: "We are excited for Ganten to become our latest and newest FIBA Partner. This is a brand on the rise, currently opening new factories around the globe, including in the United States, Europe and Australia, as it sets out to fulfil its ambition of expanding globally. We look forward to teaming up with them to promote our premier competitions in China, throughout Asia and on a global scale, starting with next month's highly-anticipated Women's Basketball World Cup."
Chen Mengjia, Ganten Deputy General Manager, said: "Ganten's overseas water sources have been put in use gradually as part of the promotion process for our brand's globalisation strategy. The industry recognises Ganten as the first Chinese drinking water factory to be established overseas. As a result of the vigorous growth of our overseas markets, we are teaming up with FIBA and our partnership with such a highly-recognised international sports federation - and leading events like the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 - will help accelerate our globalisation."
Under the terms of the agreement, Ganten has key commercial rights and exclusivity in the water category across the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018. It will supply mineral water at both competitions.
The agreement also grants Ganten sponsorship rights for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers' remaining windows to be played in September and November 2018 as well as February 2019.
About Infront
Infront is a leading sports marketing company managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events, including the distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production, event operation and digital solutions. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 1,000 staff working from 39 offices across more than 14 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Group, part of Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group.
