Zug, Switzerland / Innsbruck, Austria - Infront Sports & Media, as the exclusive media and marketing partner of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), provides a comprehensive range of services to the BMW IBSF World Championships in Innsbruck – Igls (8 to 21 February 2016), handling international media rights distribution, broadcast production in full HD (including signal distribution) as well as the marketing of Title and Main Sponsorship opportunities. For 2016, all aspects have been optimised - delivering extended TV coverage, using state-of-the-art broadcast technology and enhancing the exposure for sponsors.
Innovative camera technology in the start area
Providing comprehensive coverage of the sports action, Infront is producing all races with up to 30 cameras in HD 1080 quality to capture the maximum speeds of the athletes. For the first time in an IBSF production, an innovative hypermotion (super slow motion) camera is used as arm of the flexible polecam – allowing footage of the athletes to be taken from each side.
18 television channels to broadcast the event
Infront has signed significant TV contracts with a total of 18 international television channels. Amongst others, this includes key markets such as Germany (ARD / ZDF), Russia (NTV Plus / Match TV) and Latvia (LTV) as well as further important markets including Austria (ORF), UK (BBC and BT Sports) and Brazil (Globosat).
New curve branding and improved under ice advertising
In terms of sponsorship, Infront continuously evaluates the marketing platform available to commercial partners at the IBSF events. As a result, the commercial partners of this year’s IBSF World Championships are to benefit from cohesive advertising opportunities that maximise on their brand exposure. Advertising has been introduced along the upper curve of the ice track for greater visibility and improved under ice branding enhances the impact even further.
The sponsorship contingent is led by Title Sponsor BMW (automotive) and Crystall Lefortovo (beverage) as Main Sponsor. Innsbruck l Tirol (tourism) is the Presenting Sponsor while further brands including Tiroler Tageszeitung (newspaper), Conceptum Sport Logistics (sports logistics company) and Omega (watches) are Suppliers to the event.
Ivo Ferriani, IBSF President, stated: “With great spectator crowds, the first week of the IBSF World Championships was a big success - amongst other factors, due to our highly professional cooperation with Infront. For the IBSF World Cup as well as for the IBSF World Championships, Infront always strives to improve on benefits for both the partners of the event and for the audience in front of the TV at home – this all helps to lift the events to a new level.”
Bruno Marty, Executive Director Winter Sports Infront, said: “The BMW IBSF World Championships are an important fixture in the international winter sports calendar and delight fans worldwide. Together with the federation, we are constantly working to improve the TV product. The new camera technology used in the starting area allows us to capture better coverage of the very important first few seconds at the start to provide TV viewers with up-close insight into the action better than ever before.”
Final weekend sports highlights
The second week of the BMW IBSF World Championships starts on Thursday with the thrilling final phase. Programmed are the men’s and women’s skeleton competitions and – as a highlight and culmination of the championships - the 4-man bob event on Sunday. Furthermore, the premiere of the first 4-woman bobsled team event in the history of IBSF can be celebrated as they line up for a test race in Innsbruck - Igls.
About Infront Sports & Media
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 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 Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
