Salzburg, Austria - The German door supplier Hörmann is to become a Premium Sponsor of the BMW IBU World Cup and the World Championships Biathlon from the upcoming 2016/17 season. The agreement was brokered by Infront Sports & Media, exclusive marketing partner of the International Biathlon Union (IBU).
The rights package includes an extensive advertising presence in the stadium, along the track and at the shooting range as well as on the athletes’ starting bibs. Hörmann will further benefit from brand exposure across all official print materials, on the IBU website as well as in onsite video spots. The sponsorship package is rounded by a hospitality contingent and other advertising and promotional rights.
Christoph Hörmann, Partner at Hörmann KG, said: “By entering into a sponsorship agreement with the IBU, we are able to reach approximately 500 million viewers each year across Europe. The sport enjoys great popularity in significant markets for us including; Germany, Russia and Scandinavia amongst others. Football matches are usually not staged during the winter months and therefore an advertising presence at the IBU World Cup Biathlon races - which take place at this appealing time of year – is the perfect complement to our ongoing commitment to international football.”
Michael Witta, Managing Director of Infront Austria, added: “Over our 14-year partnership with the IBU, we have continuously developed the biathlon marketing platform. Today, its appeal extends beyond Germany as one of Europe’s most popular winter sports. Hörmann will benefit from increased national and international brand recognition and strong TV coverage as a result of this agreement.”
The upcoming biathlon season is set to start on 27 November in Ostersund, Sweden and will end on 19 March in Norway's capital Oslo. Overall, across the season, the IBU World Cup races are staged in nine different locations with the highlight - the BMW IBU World Championships Biathlon – taking place in Hochfilzen, Austria from 8 to 19 February 2017.
Infront Sports & Media 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.
The Hörmann Group is Europe's leading supplier of doors. More than 15 million doors have been produced and delivered worldwide since its foundation in 1935. More than 6,000 employees in 26 specialised factories in Europe, North America and Asia develop and produce high-quality doors, hinged doors, frames and operators for use in private and commercial properties. The headquarters of the globally active Hörmann Group is located in the small town of Steinhagen, Germany. The still family-run company recently recorded an annual turnover of more than 1 billion euros. Over 80 individual sales locations in more than 30 countries as well as hundreds of authorised dealers in about 35 additional countries ensure short distances for Hörmann customers around the globe.