Title - Infront Sports & Media

1 | Press Release 

EHF and Infront Sports & Media sign partnership 

agreement until 2020 

Vienna, Austria, 31 January 2010 - The European Handball Federation (EHF) and the international 

sports marketing group Infront Sports & Media have extended their current long-term marketing 

partnership in respect of the Men's and Women's European Handball Championships (EHF EURO) until 

2020. The respective contract was signed today during the final press conference of the EHF EURO 

2010 in Vienna. 

Infront has been responsible for the television distribution and marketing for the EHF EURO events 

since 1993. Its contribution to European handball has been considerable, ensuring the successful 

development of the top EHF events. These are now broadcast in important television markets 

throughout the world and offer strong, tailor-made marketing opportunities for sponsors. 

EHF President, Tor Lian, said: “In our experience, partnership has meant progress. Our relationship 

with Infront has helped us to develop the EHF EURO events significantly over the years and this is why 

we want to maintain continuity. We have chosen to prolong our marketing partnership with Infront 

early, based on a state-of-the-art business model, in order to ensure stability and allow for long-term 

planning.” 

Infront's President & CEO Philippe Blatter said: “This agreement up to 2020 is a remarkable 

demonstration of trust in Infront and we will do everything possible to make good use of this 

opportunity to ensure that the EHF EURO events continue to flourish in the long term on an 

international level. We have already extended many key media rights agreements to cover the EHF 

EURO to 2015 and we can now continue to look at all aspects of the marketing of the events with a 

longer perspective.” 

Provision of first class services 

The new agreement between the EHF and Infront will again include the provision of additional 

technical services to further raise the profile of the events and make them more appealing and 

accessible to fans. These include the management of the event websites, the television graphics, 

speed measurement for goal shots and an improved online scouting service for match statistics. 

Increasing broadcast coverage 

Infront has increased the television coverage of both the Men’s and Women's European Handball 

Championships significantly since the inception of the events in 1994. The television results for the 

2008 men’s and women’s events together have achieved a total cumulative television audience in 

excess of 1.5 billion, which is an all-time record for the events. The men’s event had more than 1.2 

billion viewers, which also set a record for a single EHF EURO event. 

For the 2010 EHF EURO, Infront concluded agreements for close to 70 territories – in Europe, Middle 

East, Asia and South America – and the event will be broadcasted by around 70 television and radio 

stations. 

Infront Sports & Media AG 

Grafenauweg 2 

P.O. Box 4442 

6304 Zug, Switzerland 

Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723 15 16 

www.infrontsports.com 

info@infrontsports.com

Building on long-term agreements 

For the up-coming tournaments, Infront has already concluded long-term agreements with broadcast 

partners in major handball markets in Europe: 

• 2010 Women’s European Handball Championship, 7 — 19 Dec in Denmark/Norway 

• 2012 Men’s European Handball Championship, 17 — 29 Jan in Serbia 

• 2012 Women’s European Handball Championship, 4 — 16 Dec in the Netherlands 

In 13 European countries Infront has already sold media rights to EHF EURO until 2015. 

Tailor-made marketing opportunities 

The commercial hierarchy for the EHF Euro events consists of three categories: Official Presenting or 

Title Sponsor, Official Sponsors and Official Suppliers. This hierarchy has been developed to provide a 

variety of entry levels with tailor-made marketing opportunities for the companies taking part. Since 

the inception of the tournament, Infront has marketed the Official Sponsorship packages with 

complete success, with a comprehensive rights package including official designations, advertising 

boards, floor advertising and arena signage, promotional rights and hospitality. 

Online Innovations 

The official website of the European Championships (www.ehf-euro.com), which has been developed in 

conjunction with the EHF, has added considerably to the enjoyment of fans. The platform gives 

extensive information about the events, participating nations and players, as well as online video 

coverage of the event. In 2008 the website of the Men’s tournament received 5.8 million visits from 

the beginning of January to the end of the event. This was three times that of the 2004 event website 

– another tournament record. 

- Ends - 

For further information, please contact: 

Jörg Polzer 


Associate Director, Communication & PR 

Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723-15 16 

press@infrontsports.com 


Subject: EHF and Infront Sports & Media sign partnership agreement until 2020 

Event: 2010 EHF EURO / 19 – 31 January in Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, Wien and Wiener Neustadt, Austria 

Page: 2 of 2

2 | Press Release 

Infront announces extensive broadcast coverage 

and marketing highlights for EHF EURO 2010 

Zug, Switzerland / Vienna, Austria, 15 January 2010 – The start of the 2010 EHF European 

Handball Championship (EHF EURO), running form 19 - 31 January, will feature the most 

comprehensive global media and marketing programme implemented by Infront Sports & Media, the 

exclusive commercial partner for the European Handball Federation’s (EHF) premier event. 

The tournament is taking place in Austria, bringing together Europe’s best men’s handball teams. The 

line-up includes established handball countries from Scandinavia (with defending champion Denmark), 

France, Germany, Poland, Russia and Spain, as well as successful teams from upcoming handball 

nations such as Croatia, Hungary and Serbia. The 47 games will be played in five host cities Graz, 

Innsbruck, Linz, Wien and Wiener Neustadt. 

Infront’s longstanding relationship with the event is a strong one and the company will deliver 

worldwide coverage, including dedicated live online coverage on www.ehf-euro.com, the official 

website of the event, and a comprehensive marketing programme. 

Extensive Broadcast Coverage 

Distribution of the media rights for the Championship has been very successful. Infront concluded 

agreements for close to 70 territories – in Europe, Middle East, Asia and South America – and the 

event will be transmitted by around 70 television and radio stations. 

Most of these broadcasters will provide live or near-live transmissions, depending on the time zones 

and broadcaster schedules. In addition, there is a high level of news access coverage. News access will 

be available worldwide through broadcast partners with international television stations, such as 

Reuters and Deutsche Welle TV. 

The host broadcasting for 2010 EHF EURO, overseen by Infront and being carried out by Austrian 

public broadcaster ORF, will provide a state-of-the-art multi- and unilateral broadcast production. This 

includes filming and transmitting a high quality signal, as well as supporting broadcasters in their 

unilateral production, transmission and commentary facilities and services. The production will include 

up to 15 cameras per game, including state-of-the-art Tower Cameras behind the goals and additional 

ceiling mounted Hot Head Cameras. All games will be covered and distributed in wide-screen 16/9 

format with adapted and animated on-screen graphics. 

Infront has increased the television coverage and audience figures over the past 17 years. The 2008 

men’s and women’s events together achieved a total cumulative television audience in excess of 1.5 

billion, with a total of more than 2,000 hours of programming. The January 2008 men’s event in 

Norway had more than 1.2 billion viewers, which also set a record for a single EHF EURO event. It was 

the most extensively covered and viewed tournament in the history of the competition. Overall, the 

men’s tournament was broadcast with 1,100 programme hours. 


Grafenauweg 2 

P.O. Box 4442 


Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723 15 16 


info@infrontsports.com

The latest broadcast statistics will be available mid 2010. 

Live and on demand online 

The official website, www.ehf-euro.com, will again be jointly produced by the EHF and Infront. This 

platform offers fans extensive information about the event, participating nations, players and live 

game statistics. The coverage of the EHF EURO 2010 will be highlighted by a dedicated online 

broadcast service. The complete schedule of all games will be offered Live and On Demand. Fans can 

choose between 500 Kbit/s and 1.5 Mbit/s (close-to-television quality) of video stream. Prices for the 

service range from €3 for a single game to €18 for the entire live Tournament Pass (47 games). 

A comprehensive marketing programme for international brands 

The marketing programme for the EHF EURO 2010 has been developed to provide enhanced visibility, 

perimeter and board advertising, on-floor signage, branding on referees’ shirts, media backdrops and 

promotion stands. The program also includes VIP hospitality services. 

The Official Sponsors include eight international and regional companies and brands: AJ (Home and 

office furniture), Appel Feinkost (Delicatessen), bet-at-home.com (Betting services), Grundfos (Pump 

solutions), Henkel (Consumer Products), Mekkonomen (Car parts retailing), Spar (Food retailing) and 

Vola (Brassware design). 

EHF and Infront – Partners for 17 years 

Infront Sports & Media’s relationship with the EHF dates back to 1993, when the Swiss-based sports 

marketing group took over the responsibility for both the television distribution and marketing of the 

European Handball Championships (EHF EURO) on a worldwide basis. 

- Ends - 


Jörg Polzer 



Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723-15 16 



Subject: Infront announces extensive broadcast coverage and marketing highlights for EHF EURO 2010 


Page: 2 of 2

3 | Background Information 

Handball hits new heights 

The EHF EURO has become a hit with viewers. Handball is the most popular indoor 

sport in most European countries and, as one of the fastest sports worldwide, 

continues to rapidly increase in popularity. 

Fast, furious and fun 

This highly physical and demanding team sport is fast and exciting to watch and more popular than 

ever before. The European game is growing robustly throughout all regions. Every two years in the 

second part of January, Europe’s best men’s handball teams meet to contest the EHF European 

Championships. The women’s teams meet in December of the same year. 

Infront and the EHF 

The European Handball Federation (EHF) and Infront Sports & Media have extended their current longterm 

marketing partnership in respect of the Men’s and Women’s EHF EURO until 2020. The 

relationship is a long-running success story — Infront has been responsible for television distribution 

and marketing for EHF EURO events since 1993. 

Qualifications and Championships under one roof 

In addition to the handling of the commercial rights for the Men’s and Women’s European handball 

events, Infront is also marketing the media rights and some marketing rights of the qualification 

matches. This combination of rights under one roof is already bringing positive results. The 150 

matches of the Men’s EHF EURO 2010 qualification provided significant levels of additional coverage 

for European Handball — a total of over 400 hours. More coverage is expected from the Women’s EHF 

EURO 2010 qualifiers, which started in October 2009, played by 28 national teams throughout Europe. 

Handball keeps on growing 

The big handball countries, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Russia and many 

of the smaller countries and Eastern European nations are strong contenders, making the competition 

inclusive and adding to its democratic appeal. 

Infront has increased the television coverage and audience figures over the past 17 years. The 2008 

men’s and women’s events together achieved a total cumulative television audience in excess of 1.5 

billion, with a total of more than 2,000 hours of programming. The January 2008 men’s event in 

Norway had more than 1.2 billion viewers, which also set a record for a single EHF EURO event. It was 

the most extensively covered and viewed tournament in the history of the competition. Overall, the 

men’s tournament was broadcast with 1,100 programme hours. 

For the 2010 EHF EURO, Infront concluded agreements for close to 70 territories – in Europe, Middle 

East, Asia and South America – and the event will be broadcasted by around 70 television and radio 

stations. 

The latest broadcast statistics will be available mid 2010. 


Grafenauweg 2, P.O. Box 4442 


Infront Press Office 

Jörg Polzer / Mark Hauser 

www.infrontsports.com/press 


Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723 15 16

A first point of contact for broadcasters 

Infront’s Broadcaster Servicing team supports contracted broadcasters both before and during the 

events, ensuring that contracts are implemented correctly, handling liaison on bookable services and 

providing a first point of contact for the right holders - the link between broadcasters and the 

production operation. 

Production overseen by Infront 

The host broadcasting for the EHF EURO is overseen by Infront and provides a state-of-the-art multi- 

and unilateral broadcast production. This includes filming and transmitting a high quality signal, as 

well as supporting broadcasters in their unilateral production, transmission and commentary facilities 

and services. The production includes up to 15 cameras per game, including state-of-the-art Tower 

Cameras behind the goals and additional ceiling mounted Hot Head Cameras. All games are covered 

and distributed in wide-screen 16/9 format with adapted and animated on-screen graphics. Starting 

from 2012 all games will be produces in high definition television (HDTV) quality. 

Online Innovations 

The official website of the European Championships (www.ehf-euro.com), which has been developed in 

conjunction with the EHF, has added considerably to the enjoyment of fans. The platform gives 

extensive information about the events, participating nations and players, as well as online video 

coverage of the event. In 2008 the website of the Men’s tournament received 5.8 million visits from 

the beginning of January to the end of the event. This was three times that of the 2004 event website 

– another tournament record. 

Popular with fans & sponsors 

With the image of handball being exciting, international, demanding and competitive it appeals to a 

high income and well educated male audience of between 30-69 years old. In 2008, the semi-final 

between Germany and Denmark found 8.5 million viewers enjoying the fast paced action. 

Both the Men’s and Women’s events are well supported by a full complement of sponsors, indicative of 

their popularity and appeal. In 2008, the total brand visibility achieved from cumulated television 

coverage reached over 1,200 hours. 

Tailor-made marketing opportunities 

The commercial hierarchy for the EHF Euro events consists of three categories: Official Presenting or 

Title Sponsor, Official Sponsors and Official Suppliers. This hierarchy has been developed to provide a 

variety of entry levels with tailor-made marketing opportunities for the companies taking part. Since 

the inception of the tournament, Infront has marketed the Official Sponsorship packages with 

complete success, with a comprehensive rights package including official designations, advertising 

boards, floor advertising and arena signage, promotional rights and hospitality. 

The line-up of Official Sponsors at men’s event in 2010 included eight international and regional 

companies and brands: AJ (Home and office furniture), Appel Feinkost (Delicatessen), bet-athome.com 

(Betting services), Grundfos (Pump solutions), Henkel (Consumer Products), Mekkonomen 

(Car parts retailing), Spar (Food retailing) and Vola (Brassware design). 

Subject: Handball hits new heights 


Page: 2 of 3

Upcoming Events 

The EHF EURO takes place every two years: 

• 2010 Women’s European Handball Championship, 7 - 19 Dec in Denmark and Norway 

• 2012 Men’s European Handball Championship, 17 — 29 Jan in Serbia 

• 2012 Women’s European Handball Championship, 4 — 16 Dec in the Netherlands 

- Ends - 


Jörg Polzer 



Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723-15 16 



Subject: Handball hits new heights 


Page: 3 of 3


About Infront Sports & Media 

Putting its clients in front, on screen, in the spotlight of attention, before the right 

target audience – Infront Sports & Media has a reputation for delivering what it 

promises and is dedicated to achieving market leadership in its chosen fields. 

A leader in international sports marketing 

Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years and is now 

one of the leading international sports marketing companies in the world. It has expanded organically 

and through strategic acquisition, with the objective of building a full-service agency offering a 

comprehensive menu of specialised services to sport and a diversified portfolio of top sports rights. 

It now has more than 500 employees across 24 offices in 10 countries: Austria, China, Finland, France, 

Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden and Switzerland. The company enjoys successful 

partnerships with around 130 rights holders and hundreds of commercial partners. 

Innovation and high standards of delivery make Infront successful in an increasingly complex and 

competitive sports marketing landscape. In everything it does — including distribution of media rights, 

host broadcast, production, event operations, brand development, sponsorship and even online 

entertainment — it has helped to introduce ground-breaking solutions and services. 

Number one in winter sports 

Infront is the strongest, most experienced marketing agency in the winter sports arena, representing 

six out of seven Olympic winter sport federations. This includes a long-term partnership with the IIHF 

in world ice hockey and a major role in international skiing, where it manages more than 90% of the 

media and/or marketing rights to FIS World Cup events, including the prestigious International Four 

Hills Tournament. Through its close working relationship with the Fédération Internationale de Ski 

(FIS), Infront is also involved in the distribution of media and marketing rights of other FIS events. 

Partnerships with the FIBT for bobsleigh and skeleton, FIL for luge, the IBU for biathlon and the WCF 

for curling complete Infront’s winter sports portfolio. As a result Infront is able to offer the very best 

winter sports opportunities from one central source. 

Strong in summer sports 

Infront is a renowned player in various summer sports. In particular it has a unique heritage in 

football. The Group is a partner of top European football leagues, including Italian's Lega Calcio and 

the French Football League (Ligue 1) – handling the host broadcast for the first division of the up until 

2011/2012 – national football associations including the DFB in Germany and several clubs like A.C. 

Milan, S.S. Lazio Rome, SV Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04. Infront is also best known for working 

with the sport’s governing bodies. It successfully delivered the global media rights sales and host 

broadcast of the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup. Today, Infront is involved in the distribution of the 

Asian media rights to the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup (in a joint venture with Dentsu). The 

company’s dedicated and highly specialised host broadcast organisation Host Broadcast Services 

(HBS), is handling the host broadcast of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup and also contributes to 

UEFA Euro events. 








Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723 15 16

Other partnerships in summer sports include a long term relationship with the European Handball 

Federation (EHF). Infront is the exclusive commercial partner of the EHF for the media and advertising 

rights of the EHF EURO. Through Infront Motor Sports, promoter of the FIM SBK Superbike World 

Championship, Infront has a major, long-term property in motor sports. The group is also involved with 

the CEV European Volleyball Championships and has been appointed as marketing partner of the 2010 

FIVB Men’s World Championship. 

Leading the way in Asia 

Infront has become the leading sports marketing organisation in China, representing China’s top sport, 

basketball. It has an office in Beijing with 50 staff, offering a combination of international expertise 

and local market knowledge. The agreement with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) covers all 

key aspects of not just the marketing but also the development of the Chinese national teams and the 

CBA League. Infront has also established a “Gateway China” service, to encourage European-based 

companies and sports to access the world’s largest emerging market through experienced 

consultancy advice and assistance with implementation. 

Entertainment – transforming sport business 

In a fresh strategic direction for the group, Infront has launched Empire of Sports (EoS) — a virtual 

sporting world on line — in a joint venture with F4, a Paris-based video gaming company. The world’s 

first true multi-sports gaming world offers a wide range of sports games, such as tennis, basketball, 

skiing, bobsleigh, fitness, track & field and football. 

It can accommodate millions of players, who can interact socially, challenge one another in sporting 

competition and even rise to star status. EoS opens up a completely new frontier for business 

partners, such as brands, media companies and rights holders — www.empireofsports.com 

World-class services 

The Infront Sports Services division focuses the servicing experience and operational expertise gained 

on Infront’s top events to help other sports. It is event-oriented and provides advice, practical help, 

resources and access to well-tested systems. It can offer a complete account management solution 

that can be more cost-effective than recruiting your own team. Services include hospitality and 

catering through Infront Hospitality Management; ticketing through a partnership with Ticketcorner; 

accreditation for sponsors and broadcast partners; venue dressing, state-of-the-art advertising and 

design solutions — in fact, everything that a successful sports event needs to function efficiently. 

Host broadcasting - a job for specialists 

Host Broadcast Services (HBS), as a dedicated, independent host broadcast specialist, helps sports 

federations, organising committees and rights holders worldwide to broadcast their events in the most 

exciting and effective way. It provides the full spectrum of host broadcast services, to a highly 

developed and technologically advanced standard. HBS works with international federations including 

FIFA for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and UEFA for the UEFA EURO 2008, national 

leagues, such as Ligue 1 in France, as well as the organisers of multi-sports games. It is in charge of 

events which typically run for weeks or even months; involve several years of planning, the creation of 

an International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and the provision of tailored facilities and services. 

Subject: About Infront Sports & Media 


Page: 2 of 3

HBS has established a dedicated production division to expand the multimedia and production 

capabilities of the Infront Group and develop new business in the area of sports production. This 

Production & Programming division focuses on production-led projects, working on shorter timescales 

where a smaller infrastructure is required. The division works to the same high quality level as the HB 

division and uses the same methodologies, systems and techniques to deliver world-class products 

and solutions. — www.hbs.tv 

New media competence 

Infront’s innovative services are completed by a dedicated competence centre for the distribution of 

new media sports rights. Infront Advanced Media Solutions (IAMS), located in Milan, Italy, is a onestop-shop 

for producing, delivering, protecting and billing new media content, to help clients obtain 

additional exposure for their events. The company produces a variety of tailor-made new media 

services and broadcast programmes, including magazine programmes for the FIS Ski World Cup, the 

FIM Superbike World Championship, the Euroleague (Euroleague.tv) and Serie A. 

- Ends - 


Jörg Polzer 



Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax. +41-41-723-15 16 



Subject: About Infront Sports & Media 


Page: 3 of 3


Selected Infront Management Biographies 

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO 

Philippe Blatter is responsible for the group strategy and leads the Group Management Committee in 

charge of the operational business. Prior to joining Infront Sports & Media, Philippe Blatter spent 11 

years working for the international top-management consulting firm McKinsey & Company as a 

Partner, leading the worldwide McKinsey Sports Practice. He has worked extensively in various 

organisations/fields related to sports business and is a board member of the Right To Play Foundation 

Switzerland. Philippe Blatter holds a Master of Science degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of 

Technology in Zurich (ETH) and an MBA degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at 

Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, USA. 

Stephan Herth, Executive Director - Summer Sports 

Stephan Herth was previously Senior Vice President Media at Infront before taking on his current 

position as head of Summer Sports and as part of the Group Management Committee. In his previous 

role he was responsible for the European media rights sales to the 2006 FIFA World Cup and other 

major media & marketing projects such as the German Bundesliga. He has over 10 years of experience 

in the sports rights field. Before joining the Infront Group, Stephan was MD of BuLi-Vermarktungs 

GmbH and previously Head of Sports Rights at TaurusSport/KirchSport in Germany. Stephan Herth is 

a qualified German Lawyer and holds a L.L.M degree in International Law. 

- Ends - 


Jörg Polzer 



Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax. +41-41-723-15 16 










Tel. +41-41-723 15 15 

Fax +41-41-723 15 16

Title - Infront Sports & Media

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