EHF renews contract with Infront
Sport:
Infront has been responsible for both the television distribution and marketing of this event since 1993. Its contribution to European handball over the past years has been considerable, ensuring the successful development of the top EHF events. These are now supported by broadcast coverage in the most important television markets throughout the world and a loyal group of event sponsors.
The new agreement between the EHF and Infront also covers a series of additional technical services to further raise the event’s attractiveness and to make it more appealing to viewers, including top speed measurement for goal shots and an improved online scouting service for match statistics.
Broadcast coverage: From record to record
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.
Viewing for both 2006 European competitions (men’s & women’s events combined) exceeded the benchmark level set in 2004. The 2006 events had a cumulative viewing audience of 1.2 billion, with more than 1,200 hours of programming. Coverage now reaches virtually every European country on a regular basis – and the finals are broadcasted via news worldwide.
Infront has already concluded long-term agreements with broadcast partners in major handball markets in Europe for the up-coming four final tournaments, including:
- 2008 Men’s European Championship, Norway (17-27 January)
- 2008 Women’s European Championship, FYR Macedonia (2-14 December)
- 2010 Men's European Championship, Austria (19-31 January)
- 2010 Women's European Championship, Denmark & Norway (7-19 December)
The host countries for the 2012 EHF European Championships will be awarded during the EHF Congress in September 2008.
A loyal group of sponsors
The commercial hierarchy for the EHF European Championships has three categories: Official Sponsor, Official Supplier and EHF Partner. 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 – they include commercial rights for rotating and static boards, floor advertising and other arena signage.
The sponsors for the men’s event are eight well-known brands: Henkel (Consumer Products, Germany), Konica Minolta (Copies and document solutions, Japan), EuroHypo (Banking, Germany), Intersport (Sports retailing, Switzerland), AJ (Home and office furniture; Sweden), Grundfos (Pump solutions, Denmark) and Yara (Fertilizers, Norway).
Online Innovations
Infront has introduced many innovations to the major EHF tournaments, including the official website of the European Championships (www.ehf-euro.com), which has been developed in conjunction with the EHF. The platform gives fans extensive information about the events, participating nations and players, as well as online video content of the event. In 2006 the website of the Men’s tournament received 74.6 million page impressions from the beginning of January to the end of the event. This was three times that of the 2004 event website – another tournament record.
The official event website for the 2008 Men’s European Handball Championship has already been launched; the next highlight will be the live ticker direct from the 2008 final draw, which will take place in Oslo, Norway tomorrow. The new online platform for the tournaments series will now be available also in the periods between the single events.
EHF President, Tor Lian, said: “In partnership with Infront, we have developed the European Handball Championships significantly. The sport of handball has changed dramatically since the first European Championships were introduced back in 1994, not only in technical sporting terms but also in respect of the popularity of the game. Constant improvements to the product - in order to meet the requirements of the media, sponsors and fans – have created a showcase for the sport. The EHF euro events have become a sporting highlight on the market and offer sponsors a powerful handball platform.”
Infront's President & CEO Philippe Blatter said: "We very much believe in long-term client relationships, built on mutual respect and trust. As the figures prove, our partnership with the EHF has strengthened the European Championship in the international market. With this renewal we are looking forward to further developing the property for broadcasters and commercial partners.”
For further information, please contact:
Jörg Polzer
Manager, Communication & PR
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press@infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com
Sian Rowland
Corporate Communications Manager
European Handball Federation
Tel. +43-1-801 51 161
Fax +43-1-801 51 149
rowland@eurohandball.com
www.eurohandball.com
