Beijing, China/Zug, Switzerland – A strategic cooperation agreement was officially announced on 20 November between Infront China, a Wanda Sports company, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 (FBWC 2019). During the press conference, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 marketing program and solicitation for event mascot were successfully presented. According to the partnership details, Infront China will become the exclusive marketing partner for the domestic commercial rights of FIBA’s flagship competition.The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 will be staged across eight Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan, from 31 August to 15 September 2019. It is the first time that such an event will be staged in China, thus becoming the most high-profile tournament to be held on Chinese soil before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
As the exclusive marketing partner for the domestic World Cup rights, Infront China’s role will be to drive the commercial program in China as it relates to sponsorship, merchandising and hospitality.Infront China has unique and extensive marketing expertise and a highly-respected reputation in the field of basketball, taking the Chinese game to a new level over its 13-year partnership with the CBA by utilising its excellent operation team, professional local knowledge, extensive global network and rich international experience.
Mr. Frank Leenders, Director of FIBA Marketing & Communications, said: “I very much appreciate the LOC and Infront China’s great support for the preparation of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. It is our honour to form a strategic partnership with Infront China, one of the most respected sports marketing companies in the world. As the exclusive marketing partner in China for FBWC 2019, Infront China's rich local marketing experience and international expertise will contribute greatly to the commercial development of the tournament." Mr. Li Jinsheng, Director of Basketball Administration Center, General Administration of Sport and Executive Vice President of the Local Organizing Committee said: ”With the official launch of marketing program, we expect enterprises from home and abroad to seize the rare opportunity to get involved and ultimately find a win-win solution for all.” Mrs. Anne Zhao, Managing Director of Infront China said: “In these 13 years of support given to Chinese basketball, Infront China has developed a unique basketball DNA. I am grateful to FIBA, CBA and the Joint Management Committee’s trust. We look forward to developing and providing mutually beneficial commercial opportunities to our partners and sponsors and making a joint effort to present a wonderful and successful World Cup to all the basketball fans around the world.”One of the event’s key marketing milestones will see the unveiling of the official mascot, an asset that will represent the look and feel of the tournament worldwide. Basketball fans all over China will be offered the chance to submit their own ideas for the design of the new mascot. FIBA Partner Wanda Group is lending its considerable support to this mascot solicitation process. Its subsidiary, Wanda Themed Entertainment, will host the final event in January 2018 at the Wanda Han Show Theatre in Wuhan, during which the ten most interesting concepts will be officially presented to the public. The best three ideas will be then shortlisted by an expert panel before the final winner of the contest is selected and unveiled on February 23 in Dongguan.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is one of the most respected sports marketing companies 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, event operation and digital solutions – 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 close to 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 Group, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
About Wanda Sports Group
Wanda Sports Group 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 in three key areas: 1) Spectator Sports (media & marketing business), 2) Participation Sports (active lifestyle business), 3) Services (digital, production and service business). Led by President & Vice Chairman Philippe Blatter, Wanda Sports incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.
