Keeping "App" to date with FIBA Marketing

Launch of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 app the latest success story in long-term collaboration

Zug, Switzerland – With the FIBA Basketball World Cup China 2019 Qualifiers beginning on Thursday – and the Official FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 app, developed by Infront's OMNIGON, launched earlier this week, here are some of the developments FIBA Marketing have initiated over the last few months.

New basketball era with new qualifiers format

A total of 80 national teams from four different regions will be fighting for a pass to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 and it's the first time that FIBA will host a qualification phase on such a large scale.The 2019 Qualifiers will feature six different windows of nine days each, to be played on a home and away basis.Just 32 teams will eventually qualify for the World Cup, out of which seven teams will get the chance to qualify directly for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Outstanding numbers

FIBA Marketing's impact on the Qualifiers began months ago.

Over 3,000 Molten Official Game basketballs have been delivered to almost 90 countries, while more than 75 countries were provided with over 150 branded ball carts in the last two weeks to be used at all of their games.

Over the next few days, during the first qualifying window, fans will see around 240 referees on the pitches, all wearing Nike uniforms with the Wanda logo displayed on the sleeve.

Additionally, FIBA Marketing has developed the visual identity for the 2019 Qualifiers. This will be rolled out across 80 venues during the first window and includes on-court branding, media backdrops, flags, ball plinths, uniform badges, print material and signage.

Latest agreements

Since Infront established FIBA Marketing one year ago, four major agreements have been signed. This was before the recent announcement that Infront China would be taking care of the World Cup domestic rights.

There has been a clear focus on investment in digital solutions, most notably through the partnership renewal with Tissot, one of the leading Swiss watch manufacturers, on a five-year basis. Tissot will serve as Presenting Partner for FIBA's mobile apps, contributing to the ongoing digital growth of basketball's world governing body. Besides that, it will bring further innovation to the World Cup in China, thanks to the introduction of a new Tissot timing & scoring system, featuring innovative shot clocks.

Additionally, all International competitions taking place until 2020 (Including the World Cup and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games) will be able to count on the support of SCHELDE SPORT, who will provide each venue with its newest Super SAM 325 backboard support units.

The most recent agreement sees Connor Sports appointed as Official Supplier of the World Cup, who will install their latest generation portable basketball courts in eight different Chinese venues.

Significant impact for summer 2017

Between 16 June and 16 September 2017, FIBA Marketing delivered 10 major events across four continents, including all men's, women's and age-grade tournaments. A total of 444 games were played in 16 different countries with more than 500,000 spectators enjoying live action.

With such numbers and stats, the future certainly looks bright.

Download the App on Android and iTunes and enjoy the first qualifying window.