Snacking company named as Official Sponsor for 2019 edition
Zug, Switzerland – Mondelez International has been named the Official Sponsor of the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Slovakia.
It is the first time Mondelez International group of companies – whose brands include MILKA, TUC, OREO and HALLS – will have a presence at an international ice hockey tournament and the organisation will use the event to promote selected brands from its portfolio.
Bratislava and Kosice will welcome 16 of the world's best ice hockey teams from 10-26 May with the tournament returning to Slovakia for the first time since 2011. On that occasion over 406,000 fans from across the world attended games with TV coverage across 114 countries.
The 2019 will take place at the same venues – the Ondrej Nepela Arena in Bratislava and the Steel Arena in Kosice – with over 11,000 packages and daily passes sold on the first day alone.
New agreement "testament to continued growth of tournament"
Bruno Marty, Infront Senior Vice President Winter Sports said: "Collaborating with a company the size of Mondelez International is a clear indication that ice hockey sponsorship continues to be considered an effective way to positively impact both brand awareness and revenue. The global reach of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship will allow company to connect with a wide fan base and I am pleased to welcome them as we continue to build towards the tournament next year."
Hossam Ashour, President of Mondelez International Eastern Europe BU: "Starting from supporting the Russian national soccer team last year, Mondelez International in Russia has been leveraging opportunities of linkage of our iconic snacking brands with sports. We see a huge potential there as snacks are very much part of the sports and entertainment experience for our consumers. I’m convinced that participation in such a wonderful ice hockey event will complement the philosophy of our brands. Hockey is family-loved sport – and in Russia particularly - it is a very popular winter sport. So having your favourite snack while being with your family at your favourite sport match will be truly the right experience this winter."
Rene Fasel, IIHF President: "I am delighted that the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship continues to attract sponsors of the quality of Mondelez International. It is testament to the continued growth of the tournament both in audience and quality. I look forward to seeing Mondelez International embracing the tournament in Slovakia next year."
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.
About the IIHF
The IIHF, founded on 15 May 1908 in Paris, France, is the governing body of international ice hockey and inline hockey. The IIHF features 76 member associations, each of which is the national governing body of the sport in its nation. Besides controlling the international rulebook, processing international player transfers, and dictating officiating guidelines, the IIHF runs numerous development programmes designed to bring hockey to a broader population. The IIHF also presides over ice hockey in the Olympic Games, and over the IIHF World Championships at all levels, men, women, juniors under-20, juniors under-18 and women under-18. Each season, the IIHF in collaboration with its local organising committees, runs around 25 different World Championships in the five different categories.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in approximately 160 countries around the world. With 2017 net revenues of approximately $26 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.
