Zug, Switzerland / Salzburg, Austria – As long-term marketing partner of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is collaborating with the organising committee of Antholz to handle the full commercialisation of the marketing and sponsorship rights to the IBU World Championships Biathlon 2020 in Antholz, Italy. The announcement follows Infront’s contract extension with the IBU in the spring of this year and the official announcement of the IBU World Championship Biathlon venue at the 12th IBU Congress in September.
All IBU flagship events with Infront for the long term
As a result, Infront holds the marketing mandate for the next three editions of the IBU World Championships handling all commercial opportunities for the flagship events including the IBU World Championships Biathlon 2017 and 2019 held in Hochfilzen (Austria) and Oestersund (Sweden), respectively. In addition, Infront has reached long-term agreements with the biathlon committee Antholz for IBU World Cup Biathlon events in Antholz-Anterselva.
Collective marketing approach as guarantee for success
Infront markets the global rights for all IBU World Cup events and IBU World Championships Biathlon collectively. This approach allows for the creation of attractive marketing and sponsorship packages and offers greatest exclusivity to partners and sponsors. The collective marketing approach not only ensures the consistent presence of the partners and sponsors at the events but also contributes to the increasing commercial appeal and value of the biathlon platform.
Stefan Krauß, Managing Director of Infront Austria: "We are extremely pleased that we were able to acquire all marketing rights for the 2020 IBU World Championship Biathlon and continue developing our collaboration with the Antholz organising committee. Our collective marketing approach for each event location ensures the very best sponsorship opportunities for our IBU partners. The additional prolongation of the existing marketing mandate for the IBU World Cups Biathlon at this important location means Infront is managing the key biathlon events for the long term and that this is providing security which will ultimately benefit all parties involved."
Erika Pallhuber, General Secretary of the Antholz organising committee: "After the renewal of the existing contracts for the IBU World Cups Biathlon in Antholz-Anterselva, the decision to cooperate with Infront with regard to the 2020 IBU World Championships Biathlon was a logical outcome. We are firmly convinced that Infront’s expertise and network will help us tremendously in planning, organising and implementing the IBU World Cups Biathlon and above all the absolute highlight - the IBU World Championships Biathlon 2020. The Antholz region is already looking forward to presenting itself as the Biathlon centre of Italy and will do its utmost to offer spectators, partners and sponsors an unforgettable experience with first-class biathlon."
2016/17 season to start this weekend
The upcoming biathlon season is set to start on 27 November in Oestersund, Sweden and will end on 19 March in Norway's capital Oslo. Overall, across the season, the BMW IBU World Cup races are staged in nine different locations with the highlight - the IBU World Championships Biathlon – taking place in Hochfilzen, Austria from 8 to 19 February 2017.
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 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.
