Zug, Switzerland – Infront Sports & Media, exclusive media and marketing partner to the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), has enhanced the BMW IBSF World Cup and World Championships to several ends. Together with the federation and the new title sponsor BMW, a new World Cup brand identity was developed, which will shape all races from the season’s launch today in Altenberg, Germany. Through a full-service role for both IBSF flagship properties, Infront further handles the distribution of international media rights, the full HD production including signal distribution and the marketing of sponsorship rights. As another major outcome of the IBSF/Infront collaboration, the federation’s new website has been launched yesterday, reflecting its key events and integrating all partners.
www.ibsf.org
Based on a fully mobile responsive design, the new digital presence www.ibsf.org is set to increase engagement with new audience groups and allows for smooth sponsor integration. It has been conceptualised and created by Infront in close collaboration with the federation. With a full variety of content, the website will feature all relevant information on the IBSF, tracks and athletes – with a high focus on live event reporting. In addition, Infront manages a dedicated IBSF YouTube channel featuring live streaming* and VOD highlights coverage.
www.youtube.com/bobskeletv
Premium brand identity
The new look & feel, developed by Infront Sports & Media’s in-house designers, reinforces the premium character of the BMW IBSF World Cup events. The new logo draws from key elements of the sport – the sled and the track – whilst also emphasizing its speed-driven nature. All World Cup locations will have their own dedicated event logo – consistent with the overall brand appearance. By focusing on the full integration of the BMW logo and colour scheme, an appealing, distinctive brand has been created, which will build a consistent scene for all IBSF events as of the 2015/16 season.
Major brands committed
As already announced, BMW (automotive) has moved from the Main Sponsor to the Title Sponsorship for the IBSF World Cup as of this season – having had this role for the IBSF World Championships Bob & Skeleton already last year. Crystall Lefortovo (beverages) has taken the opportunity to become involved as Main Sponsor of both the World Cup and World Championship events this season, with both partners benefitting from the high reach as well as the enhanced branding environment.
Broadcast agreements signed worldwide
On the media side, Infront has secured a total of 14 broadcasters, covering key territories such as Germany, Latvia and Russia. The IBSF programming is produced in high definition TV quality with more than 30 cameras transmitting the IBSF top athletes’ speed whilst meeting the highest quality and technical controls. As of this year, Infront is also managing signal distribution via satellite to licensees worldwide.
Bruno Marty, Executive Director Winter Sports at Infront, said: “Over the last twelve years, we have achieved a 50 per cent increase in the cumulative audience across all IBSF World Cup disciplines, as well as secured major international brands like BMW. Based on the commercial success and a reliable delivery at highest standards, the IBSF has chosen to continuously extend our role to benefit from expertise along the entire value chain. Today, we are proud to support the IBSF in a full-service capacity, delivering best in class solutions across media, marketing, production, digital services and design.”
Ivo Ferriani, IBSF President, commented: “Infront is a partner that cannot only support us in increasing our media and marketing impact, but also in strengthening the overall profile of our events and reach out to new target groups. For the upcoming season, we have jointly optimised the appearance of the IBSF and our events on all ends – including a new brand presence, an enhanced digital presence and our high level TV product. We look forward to opening the new online portal for international bobsleigh and skeleton fans these days.”
The 2015/16 BMW IBSF World Cup Bob & Skeleton season will start in Germany, with races in Altenberg (27-29 November), Winterberg (4-6 December 2015), and Königssee (11-13 December), then move to the USA and Canada in the New Year. Races in Switzerland and the BMW IBSF World Championships in Austria will follow in February before the season final held in Königssee, Germany (26-28 February 2016). *The programme is geo-blocked in territories where exclusive media rights agreements are in place.
About Infront
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, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 650 experienced staff working from 25 offices across 13 countries, delivering 4,000 event days of top class sport around the world every year.
