Infront Sports & Media

Infront Sports & Media is a sports marketing company based in Zug, Switzerland. The company handles the media and marketing rights for international sports events and federations and also provides sports services - such as advertising, sponsorship and hospitality. It represents all seven Olympic winter sport federations,[1] several summer sport organizations and manages media rights for the FIS World Cup Events. Infront was created in late 2002 through the integration of CWL, Prisma and KirchSportAG.

"infront" redirects here. Not to be confused with Out Front (disambiguation).

Infront Sports & Media
TypeSports & Media
FoundedOctober 2002 (2002-10)
Headquarters
Zug
,
Switzerland
Number of locations
35
Key people
Philippe Blatter (President and CEO)
Number of employees
1000+
ParentDalian Wanda Group (among others)
Websiteinfront.sport

History

Infront Sports & Media was founded in October 2002 with FIFA as its core business[2] as the company who sold the television and radio broadcasts for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.[3] The company originated from a merger of two existing Swiss-based marketing companies, CWL and Prisma Sports & Media. CWL was founded by Cesar Lüthi, who sold the business to the Kirch Group.[4][5] In 2005 the company lost the right to resell the TV and radio rights in Europe, though it retained the ability to sell Asian rights, as part of a division of the rights by FIFA.[3] Infront subsidy HBS won the contract to manage the TV and radio broadcast production.[3] Two months later, the company hired President and CEO Phillippe Blatter, to replace departing chief Oscar Frei.[3] The appointment of Blatter, who is the nephew of Sepp Blatter, the then President of FIFA, was criticized by author Andrew Jennings and Transparency International.[3][6] During this time as chief executive, Phillippe Blatter was able to grow the company's revenues.[7]

Until 2011 it was owned by a consortium of shareholders.[7] In September 2011 – European private equity firm Bridgepoint reached an agreement to acquire the company.[8][9][10] In February 2015, Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda won an auction to purchase Infront from Bridgepoint for more than €1 billion.[11][12] In November of that same year, it was announced that Infront would merge with the World Triathlon Corporation (including the latter's Ironman brand) to form the Wanda Sports division.[13]

Services

Infront Sports & Media has 1000 employees in 14 countries.[14][15] Infront Sports & Media supports media rights distribution, marketing concepts and sponsorship sales for sporting events as well as media production[16] (host broadcasting, post production and archive management). Infront's subsidiary, Host Broadcast Services (HBS), manages television and radio signals for broadcasters at sports events such as the FIFA World Cup.[17][3] Infront subsidiary, Omnigon[18] helps sports and media companies, such as NASCAR, to develop mobile apps and websites.[19]

On 4 June 2018, Infront announced the acquisition of leading European obstacle course event organiser XLETIX GmbH in a move that extends its footprint in the growing personal and corporate fitness sector.[20]

In July 2018, Infront and FIDAL, the Italian Athletics Federation, announced a six-year partnership on Friday which will run until 2024. The agreement unveiled at a press conference in Rome, will see Infront and FIDAL collaborate at all levels of the federation's events and projects.[21]

Notable work

Association football

Infront has supported the FIFA World Cup since 2002. It distributes the Asian media rights and manages the host broadcast production.[22] Infront also works with the German Football Association (DFB),[23][24] the Italian Lega Serie A[25][26] and the Indonesian, Indonesia Super League.[27] In 2016 Infront with Omnigon collaborated on several projects including digital services to the Serie A and mobile app development for the German Football Association's DFB Cup.[28][29]

Infront's HBS subsidiary was awarded the Judge's award at the 2010 International Broadcasting Convention for its work helping FIFA broadcast the World Cup in stereoscopic 3D.[30]

In 2011, Transparency International asked FIFA to be more open about possible conflicts of interest, when it was discovered that the president of Infront was Philippe Blatter, nephew to the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter. FIFA said Blatter was not involved in awarding the deal to Infront.[6]

Winter sports

Infront has media and/or sponsorship partnerships with all seven international federations of Winter Olympic sports:[31] the International Ice Hockey Federation (since 1981),[32] the International Ski Federation (since 1990), the International Biathlon Union (since 1992),[33], the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (since 1999), the International Luge Federation (since 1999), the International Skating Union (since 2015), and the World Curling Federation (since 2018).[34] It also manages media and/or sponsorship rights to several events of the different FIS World Cups.[35]

Other sports

Infront is a media and sponsorship partner for the European Handball Federation (since 1993)[36][37][38] and the European Volleyball Confederation (since 1993).[39]

In 2011, Infront became a partner of the World Triathlon Corporation, promoter of the Ironman Triathlon races.[40] In 2018 it also became a partner for World Triathlon.[41]

Infront signed a media rights partnership with Union Cycliste Internationale in 2012.[42] It also has partnerships with several UCI World Tour races such as the Tour de Suisse, Tour de Romandie, Tour of Poland, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Amstel Gold Race and the Flanders Classics.[43]

In 2016, Infront became the media and sponsorship partner of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)[44] and the Badminton World Federation.[45] In 2021, it became a media and sponsorship partner of the Professional Squash Association.[46]

In China, Infront represents the Chinese Basketball Association and the Chinese national basketball team.[47]

Notable employees

References
  1. David Owen (7 February 2015). "Infront to acquire Dutch agency specialising in speed skating". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  2. "Ohne Kirch "in Front" | NZZ". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). 21 November 2002. ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  3. Carvajal, Doreen (6 August 2006). "Another Blatter on world soccer stage - Technology - International Herald Tribune". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  4. "Marketing-Pionier Cesar W. Lüthi gestorben". News.ch (in German). 18 July 2002. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  5. "Cesar W. Lüthi verstorben". Hockeyfans.ch (in German). 18 July 2002. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  6. David Bond. "Fifa criticised after TV rights handed to Sepp Blatter's nephew". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  7. Ebrahimi, Helia (2 September 2011). "Bridgepoint buys Swiss sports rights company". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  8. Helia Ebrahimi. "Bridgepoint Buys Swiss Sports Rights Company". Telegraph. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  9. "Bridgepoint Reaches Agreement to Acquire Infront Sports & Media AG". Bridgepoint.eu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  10. "Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of sports marketing group Infront by Bridgepoint". Europa.eu. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  11. Cotterill, Joseph; Massoudi, Arash; Blitz, Roger. "Dalian Wanda buys Sepp Blatter nephew's sports rights agency". Financial Times. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  12. "Chinas Wanda buys sports group Infront for 1.05 billion euros". businessinsider.com. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  13. Liam Morgan. "Infront Sports & Media and World Triathlon Corporation to merge following purchase by Dalian Wanda Group". Inside the games.biz. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  14. "About Infront Sports & Media". www.infrontsports.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  15. "Philippe Blatter on Wanda Sports Group's bid to become a global sports industry player". www.sportspromedia.com. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  16. "WTC to offer Magazine Programming to Ironman Series". isportconnect.com. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  17. "End of host broadcasting era as Tellier steps down". www.insidethegames.biz. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  18. David Lieberman (20 January 2016). "Wanda's Infront Builds Digital Sports Muscle With Acquisition of Omnigon". deadline.com. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  19. Dan Palmer (21 December 2016). "International Ski Federation launch new mobile app". insidethegames.bi. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  20. "Infront strengthens themed run portfolio with XLETIX GmbH acquisition | Infront Sports & Media AG". www.infrontsports.com. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  21. "Running to future: Infront adds Athletics to Italian portfolio with FIDAL partnership".
  22. "FIFA appoints Infront as Exclusive Sales Representative for Asian Broadcast Rights". liveproduction.tv. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  23. Matt Cutler (22 December 2011). "DFB Expands Infront Media Rights Partnership". sportsbusiness.com. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  24. Paul Nicholson. "Infront secures four more years to their package of German sales rights". insideworldfootball.com. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  25. "Football made in Italy". sportelmonaco.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
  26. "Italy football clubs pick adviser for TV rights negotiations". uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  27. "ISL Musim 2015 Tak Bisa Lagi Disaksikan Melalui Antena UHF" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 15 May 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  28. David Lieberman (20 January 2016). "Wanda's Infront Builds Digital Sports Muscle With Acquisition of Omnigon". Deadline.
  29. "Infront Sports & Media Acquires Controlling 51% Equity Interest in Omnigon". Sports Business Daily. 20 January 2016.
  30. "3D Production: FIFA World Cup™ 2010". liveproduction.tv. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  31. David Cushnan. "Eurosport Renews Major Winter Sports Package". SportsPro. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  32. Adam Fraser (16 May 2011). "Infront Signs Skoda to Record Breaking IIHF Deal". SportsPro. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  33. "International Biathlon Union (IBU) Renews With Infront company, APF". Sportcal (Press release). 5 March 2009.
  34. "Infront: Winter sports dominance good for partners". Sportcal (Press release). 28 February 2019.
  35. David Cushnan (11 January 2013). "Infront re-ups with Finnish Ski Association". SportsPro. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  36. "EHF expands 25-year-long partnership with Infront". Infront (Press release). Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  37. "European Handball Federation Extends Contract with Infront". Sportcal (Press release). 29 March 2004.
  38. "Men's EHF Euro 2022 Official Magazine" (PDF). European Handball Federation. 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2023.
  39. "CEV Champions League Volley 2023: Where to watch". European Volleyball Confederation. 2023.
  40. "World Triathlon Corporation Partner with Infront to Attract Sponsors". isportconnect.com. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  41. "World Triathlon extends Infront media partnership until 2028". Inside the Games. 11 November 2020.
  42. James Emmett (20 September 2012). "UCI Set for Commercial Growth after Infront landmark deal". sportspromedia.com. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  43. "Multi-year agreement to cover both men's and women's UCI WorldTour races". Infront Sports & Media (Press release). 25 January 2023.
  44. "China-Based Wanda Group Reaches Deal To Market FIBA World Cup". Sports Business Journal. 17 June 2016.
  45. "BWF seals major rights deal with Infront". SportBusiness media (Press release). 30 September 2016.
  46. Sam Carp (12 February 2021). "Infront invests in PSA's new commercial arm to accelerate squash development". SportsPro.
  47. Matt Cutler (6 September 2012). "Infront to Continue Forward Momentum of Chinese Basketball". sportsbusiness.com. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  48. "Infront employee to receive prestigious IIHF award". Infront Sports & Media AG. May 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  49. "IIHF Hall of Fame inducts five". International Ice Hockey Federation. May 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
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