Zug, Switzerland, 29 April 2005 Infront Sports & Media has signed an exclusive agreement with Dentsu Inc. for an extensive package of new media rights covering all 64 matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the territory of Japan.
 
The rights, which consist of mobile telephony and internet rights, allow for the transmission of a limited number of video clips of key footage (such as goals) over the internet and via mobile networks
to mobile phones, geoblocked for user access only within the territory of Japan. The rights apply to all matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup and also the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, which takes place in Germany in June this year (15-29 June).
 
Infront’s subsidiary, Host Broadcast Services (HBS) will provide the highlight video clips of each match. HBS is the dedicated host broadcaster for the FIFA World Cup™ and is responsible for the
production of the international signal.
 
Dentsu has the right to sub-license the designated rights to mobile operators and content providers in
Japan. 
 
New media services are becoming an increasingly important medium for transmission of highlights of sporting events, even more so for Japan, the most important and advanced market for mobile video content in Asia.
 
Oliver Seibert, an Executive Director of Infront, said: “Dentsu is a long-established partner of the FIFA World Cup and already holds the Japanese television rights for 2006. We are very pleased to be working with such an experienced partner in extending the frontiers of new media coverage for football.
 
Dentsu, with its headquarters in Tokyo, is one of the largest advertising agencies in the world and the number 1 in Japan. It operates in 27 countries, providing creative services for more than 6,000 clients, as well as public relations, media buying, event planning and market research. 


For further information, please contact:
 
John Kristick 
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax. +41-41-723-1516
info@infrontsports.com
http://www.infrontsports.com/