Zug, Switzerland, 10 November 2004 – Infront Sports & Media has signed an agreement with Suzuki International Europe GmbH to become an official sponsor of the Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course (FIL), with title identification with its leading competition.
The comprehensive sponsorship rights package includes advertising opportunities in connection with all televised FIL events during the 2004/2005 calendar. Additionally, Suzuki will become the title sponsor of the ‘Suzuki Challenge Cup’, which is an exciting ‘one-off’ knock-out competition consisting of four races, staged at the ice tracks of the respective FIL World Cup venues.
Guido Hannich, Marketing Director of Suzuki Automobile Europe GmbH ‘The sport of Luge is fast, exciting, aero-dynamic and extremely popular in the markets of Europe that we are targeting with our products. The winter conditions bring out the finest skills of the Luge athletes, demonstrating exhilarating downhill speeds. Such challenging conditions equally demonstrate the impressive uphill abilities of the Suzuki Offroaders. We are delighted with this opportunity of association with Luge and the promising title sponsorship at the Challenge Cup event.’
Joseph Fendt, President of FIL, said ‘We are delighted with the agreement of an additional important partner along with the official sponsors of Viessmann and Eberspächer. As an international sports association we consider the commitment of the global brand, Suzuki, as an extremely appealing match for Luge sport’
Infront has a marketing partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course, which is based in Salzburg in Austria – a relationship that dates back to 1999. Infront’s role involves the exclusive marketing of key rights within the FIL’s sponsorship programme. ‘The involvement of Suzuki is an important achievement for the sport as Infront continues working to elevate the profile and attractiveness of the FIL properties for major corporate brands,’ said Oscar Frei CEO of Infront Sports
& Media.
The 2004/2005 season will be launched on 12th November 2004 with the Suzuki Challenge Cup and World Cup in Altenberg (GER). The official FIL calendar includes nine World Cup races, four Challenge Cup competitions as well as the World Championships. All events are contested in the disciplines of the Women’s and men’s singles as well as Men’s doubles. Future highlights on the FIL calendar include the 2007 World Championship in Igls/Innsbruck (AUT) as well as the 2008 World Championship to be
staged in Oberhof (GER).
Germany’s ARD/ZDF will cover the FIL events comprehensively in Germany while Eurosport will provide television coverage on a pan-European level. Broadcasts of the last World Cup season regularly achieved market shares of more than 20%. Georg Hackl’s World Cup victory in Winterberg was the most successful Luge broadcast in the 2003/2004 season with a market share of almost 30%.
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
www.infrontsports.com