Zug, Switzerland – Stora Enso has become the Presenting Sponsor of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 following the completion of a major new deal. The agreement was negotiated by TRIDEM Sports AG on behalf of Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company and the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) exclusive media and marketing partner for the event. The sponsorship guarantees Stora Enso significant exposure at the championships, which are being held in the Austrian town of Seefeld and will be broadcast worldwide to around 90 countries.
Stora Enso, the renewable materials company based in Helsinki, Finland, will see its name incorporated into the official event logo and title. Its branding will also feature on the athletes’ bibs, and its renewable raw materials derived from wood will be used on all event installations such as start gates, on the platinum circle in the ski jumping and cross-country stadiums, as well as on the backdrops where skiers are interviewed.
A sustainable future
Stora Enso’s sponsorship signals a bright future for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships as the company will support the organising committee in the use of sustainable products throughout the event. This includes renewable wood for temporary buildings, effective waste management systems, and renewable materials for arenas. Stora Enso’s expertise and backing of the event means the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 will be as good for the planet as it is exciting for fans of winter sports.
This marks the third time Stora Enso will be sponsoring the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships after being the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event in Lahti, Finland, from 22 February to 5 March 2017. Stora Enso was also a main sponsor of the event in Falun, Sweden in 2015.
“We’re very happy to be sponsoring the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships for the third time,” commented Stora Enso CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström. “Sustainability is the core of our business in the bioeconomy. Our products substitute fossil-based products, such as plastics. In Seefeld, our renewable materials and expertise will be combined in many special products and solutions. We will lead the way in promoting and supporting a sustainable event, by using renewable raw materials derived from wood and by maximising the recycling and reuse of products.
Michael Witta, Director of Winter Sports at Infront added: “Infront is happy to close the deal with Stora Enso at this early stage. At Infront we firmly value and encourage sustainability and we are pleased to help our partners be more sustainable by connecting them with environmentally conscious brands like Stora Enso. Together with the experienced team in Seefeld and the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), they will organise an excellent event.”
Professor Peter Schröcksnadel, President of the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) and of the organising committee for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 said: “ÖSV and the organising committee are happy to have Stora Enso joining us in Seefeld. Their philosophy fits perfectly with our mission statement: ‘Hand in hand – let’s celebrate a Nordic Ski festival’.”
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 takes place from 19 February to 3 March 2019.
About Stora Enso
Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Its customers include publishers, retailers, brand owners, print and board producers, printing houses, merchants, converters and joineries and construction companies. Stora Enso’s aim is to replace fossil based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. The group employs some 25 000 people and is publicly listed in Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R).
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is one of the most respected sports marketing companies 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, event operation and digital solutions – 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 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Group, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
About Wanda Sports Group
Wanda Sports Group is the world’s leading sports business entity, founded to capture the opportunities in the global sports industry and to contribute to the prosperous international sports landscape in three key areas: 1) Spectator Sports (media & marketing business), 2) Participation Sports (active lifestyle business), 3) Services (digital, production and service business). Led by President & Vice Chairman Philippe Blatter, Wanda Sports incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.
