The IBU extends marketing rights contract with Infront

Salzburg, Austria - The International Biathlon Union has extended its marketing rights contract with Infront Sports & Media for the IBU World Cup and World Championships Biathlon for 2018-2022. This covers the Title Sponsorship as well as key advertising rights at all races throughout the season. Further, the agreement includes a marketing mandate for the 2017-2022 IBU Cup Biathlon, the IBU Open European Championships Biathlon and the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships Biathlon. For these emerging events, Infront will provide its expertise to sell title or presenting partnerships, and further sponsorship packages such as bib or rifle advertising.

The cooperation between the IBU and Infront dates back to 2002, when Infront initiated its central marketing approach, resulting in higher exclusivity for sponsors and consistent public visibility of all events. The current marketing rights contract for the IBU World Cup and the IBU World Championships Biathlon was signed for the period 2014-2018 at the 10th Regular IBU Congress in 2012 in Merano, Italy. The successful cooperation and mutual trust acquired have resulted in the extension of the term of the contract and the addition of new IBU events of different levels. The contract will be implemented by Infront’s wholly-owned subsidiary Infront Austria, located in Salzburg.

“The IBU is very pleased to have one of the main marketing firms, Infront, as an important global partner to further develop and promote the sport of biathlon. It came as no surprise to me that the IBU Executive Board and the key IBU member federations unanimously voted in favor of prolonging the present contract with Infront for the period 2018-2022,” said IBU President Anders Besseberg.

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront, said: “We are delighted about the prolongation of this partnership, and thank the IBU for the ongoing trust it places in the Infront team and in our proven winter sports marketing experience. Biathlon is a key pillar in our global portfolio, and we look forward to accompanying the federation on its future growth path.”

IBU Secretary General Nicole Resch commented: “We have been enjoying a very constructive atmosphere in jointly developing not only the strategy for marketing in the IBU World Cups and WCHs, but also for our ‘second league’, namely the IBU Cup, Open European Championships and also Youth and Junior World Championships. Infront and its partners have been contributing to develop these events that are not live on TV and don’t generate income. This shows the dedication and long-term commitment that the IBU members and OCs appreciate. I look forward to many joint tasks to come that will promote our Olympic winter sport, while maintaining its core value, the ‘biathlon family‘.”

Bruno Marty, Executive Director Winter Sports at Infront, added: “The new agreement also confirms the success of the enhancements being introduced on an ongoing basis, most recently with the illuminated advertising banners. We also wish to continue strengthening the link between biathlon and international top brands in the future, delivering on our promise to implement foresighted advertising solutions, and enable the IBU to remain at the forefront of the international sports marketing landscape.”

About the IBU

The International Biathlon Union is the international umbrella organization of all organizations representing the sport of biathlon and those who have an interest in the sport. The IBU was founded in 1993 as an independent association under the umbrella of the UIPMB alongside the UIPM (Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne). The IBU separated from the UIPMB in 1998. National Federations are the members of the IBU with their non-profit purposes represented internationally by the IBU. The IBU is a non-government and not-for-profit organization with its headquarters in Salzburg, Austria. The IBU also represents the sport of biathlon in other international organizations.

About Infront Sports & Media

Infront Sports & Media is the most respected sports marketing company 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.