Jointly owned and managed LOC in Germany
In Germany, the agreement has led to the establishment of a 50/50 joint venture between Infront and the DEB, which will be based in Munich. It will operate as the legal entity for the organising committee of the event.
Franz Reindl, General Secretary of the DEB, has been appointed Managing Director of the new company. Its Board of Directors consists of DEB President Uwe Harnos and two Infront representatives, Bruno Marty, Executive Director Winter Sports and Christoph Mauer, Director Winter Sports.
With its involvement, Infront will provide its know-how and services in event organisation and planning, support the national sponsorship marketing and cooperate in selected onsite operations.
Franz Reindl, General Secretary of the DEB, commented: “We already have strong proof for the joint impact and high-quality delivery of the DEB and Infront from staging the unforgotten 2010 edition of the tournament with its world spectator record at the opening game at Schalke. We look forward to building upon this success and make use of Infront’s in-depth understanding of all commercial and organisational aspects of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Together, we are able to best anticipate the interests and needs of all stakeholders for the 2017 event – most importantly the fans in Germany, France and all over the world.”
Consultancy and national marketing in France
In France, Infront has signed an advisory contract with the FFHG to consult the Local Organising Committee in all aspects related to promotion and marketing. Infront will also exclusively market hospitality packages for the games taking place at the Bercy Aréna in Paris.
Luc Tardif, President of the FFHG, said: „The partnership with Infront will allow the practical, front-line experience of organising previous IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships to be carried forward – to the benefit of the 2017 edition. With Infront supporting us in our co-hosting approach with Germany, we will all pull into the same direction, in order to stage a premium, well-integrated event in the two neighbouring countries. This will strongly add to our target to strengthen the sport of ice hockey in France – which has just recently experienced a boost through the success of our national team in Belarus.”
Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, said: „It is a challenge for each organising committee of a major and successful sports event, to tie into or even surpass the previous level of success. Through the JV with the DEB and the consultancy and marketing role for the FFHG, we will ensure that previous experience is carried forward and a premium event spurs the ice hockey fascination in both countries. Thereby, we are able to make commercial partners obtain a maximum on their investment.“
The DEB together with the FFGH was appointed by the IIHF at its annual congress in 2013 to host the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany and France. The games will be carried out in Cologne and Paris.
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 and summer sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 130 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of 500 experienced staff working from 20 offices across 10 countries, delivering 3,400 event days of top class sport around the world every year.
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