Vienna/AUT – 01 July 2005 – The 1st July 2005 marks a milestone in the evolution of the European Handball Federation (EHF) and a decisive step in the development of the sport of handball through the establishment of a subsidiary marketing company, under the name of EHF Marketing GmbH.

EHF Marketing will focus on European club handball. The EHF international club competitions have come a long way since they were introduced to the sporting market in 1993. All four competitions – Champions League, EHF Cup, Cupwinners Cup, Challenge Cup – will be marketed by the company, which will however primarily concentrate in the first phase on the further development of the Handball Champions League and the intensifying of the product placement.

Tor Lian, President of the EHF and Chairman of the EHF Marketing Advisory Board, sees the establishment of this “daughter company” as, “…. a positive development for club competitions, especially in terms of the further development of the Champions League, which has gone from strength to strength in the past two seasons with substantial increases and positive progression in TV and media presence. The company will be fully overseen by the EHF, which has – since its foundation in 1991- been a success story, working with the 47 Member Federations and in close cooperation with the top clubs to develop handball on the sporting stage, investing resources in gaining and securing its position on the competitive market.”

EHF Marketing GmbH (EHFM) will operate from the EHF Headquarters in Vienna, Austria and be directed by the Managing Director and EHF Secretary General Michael Wiederer, supported by Senior Manager Peter Vargo, Manager Nicole Gruber and two further Marketing Assistants. The Mission Statement of the Company declares to professionally market European club competitions to their full extent, prioritising the Handball Champions League, representing the interest of the sport of handball, its continual growth and the clubs from all corners of the European continent, while securing the product identity and keeping the passion of the game intact.

Managing Director Michael Wiederer is looking forward to taking on this challenge, “….EHF Marketing will be a platform for the sport of handball and the marketing of European club competitions. It is a chance to tighten the sports’ positioning through the marketing of the rights of the Handball Champions League and further club competitions. There is Europeanwide interest in seeing top handball on a European club level.”



The Company will be presented with this logo – which heads its Corporate Identity:
The logo constitutes the familiar Champions League colours and what has become known as the Champions League ball – which represents the speed of the sport. The court shows the handball markings. They are unique to the sport which connects the logo to handball immediately.

Further questions and statements should be addressed to:
Peter Vargo – Senior Manager
vargo@ehfmarketing.com
+43-1-801 51 215