Zug, Switzerland, 28 November 2006 – Konica Minolta Europe has signed an agreement to become the title sponsor of the European events in the FIBT World Cup in bobsleigh and skeleton for the upcoming season. The sponsorship agreement was concluded with Infront Sports & Media, the exclusive commercial partner of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing (FIBT), the governing body of both sports.

The sponsorship package includes dominant venue advertising opportunities, together with branding on the fronts of all sleds and all athletes’ helmets. This ensures strong exposure on television. The company also has exclusive title association with the event – “Konica Minolta FIBT World Cup”.

 

The Konica Minolta FIBT World Cups include five events in three countries, starting with the World Cup in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (January 9-14, 2007) and ending with the season final in Koenigssee, Germany (February 20-25, 2007). Most events are combined competitions featuring all disciplines (Women’s Bobsleigh, 2-man and 4-Man Bobsleigh, and Men’s and Women’s skeleton) during a three to four-day event at the same track.

 

The group will also take a major sponsorship role for the 2007 FIBT World Championships taking place in St. Moritz, Switzerland, from 22 January to 4 February 2007. The sponsorship agreement signed by Konica Minolta Europe follows its successful title sponsorship of the 2005 FIBT World Championships in Calgary, Canada.

 

Carlos Baart, Manager Corporate Communications & Strategic Alliance of Konica Minolta said: "We have a strong presence in Europe and a long-standing relationship with the FIBT. The title sponsorship of the FIBT World Cups in Europe is a perfect opportunity for us to further strengthen our involvement with winter sports, helping to make the Konica Minolta brand well-known across the continent. We look forward to a successful and exiting world cup season."

 

Robert H. Storey, FIBT President added: “As manufacturer of highly developed technical products, Konica Minolta is a perfect partner for the FIBT because the sports of bobsleigh and skeleton are among the most technologically advanced in winter sports.”

 

Bruno Marty, Executive Director Winter Sport for Infront commented, “Infront has secured sponsorship for the FIBT over the past five years and we are delighted that we can extend our productive relationship with Konica Minolta into bobsleigh and skeleton.”

 

Infront Sports & Media has a strong and growing involvement with winter sport, representing five out of seven Olympic winter sport federations at international level.

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH is a leading provider of image information products with subsidiaries and distributors in more than 50 countries in the EMEA region. The company places major emphasis on the document management and solution business in the office and production environment, especially in the field of colour output as well as related supplies.

 

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is a subsidiary of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. With a total workforce of 19,800 employees worldwide, Konica Minolta Business Technologies gained net sales of over 4.42 billion Euros in fiscal 2005/2006. Building on its strong core of optical technologies developed over many years as a printer and camera manufacturer, Konica Minolta Business Technologies aims to be a corporation offering products and services that are essential to all areas of digital imaging.

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

 

Carlos Baart
Manager Corporate Communications & Strategic Alliance
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
Tel. +49-511-7404-0
carlos.baart@konicaminolta.eu
www.konicaminolta.eu