IIHF and InfrontSports & Media AG extend agreement

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source: iihf.com

IIHF and Infront Sports & Media AG extend partnership until 2011[/u][/color]

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and Infront Sports & Media AG signed an exclusive agreement in Zurich, which extends their long-term marketing partnership until 2011. Under the agreement, Infront is responsible for both television and marketing rights for the IIHF.

The contract extension was the next natural step in a successful relationship, which started in 1981.

The partnership between Infront and the IIHF has contributed considerably to the successful development of the top IIHF events, including the IIHF Men's World Championship, which will be held for the first time ever on Canadian soil in 2008 in conjunction with the 100-year anniversary of the IIHF. Infront has also been responsible for bringing in high-profile partners such as Skoda.

The IIHF Men's World Championship television and attendance numbers have continually increased since the IIHF and Infront teamed up. According to initial overviews already received from broadcasters, over 650 million television viewers in over 50 countries followed the event, which provided a total 1,400 hours of programming. The final match was broadcast worldwide.

The official website of the 2004 IIHF World Championships (www.ihwc.net), which was developed by Infront in conjunction with the IIHF, has continued to set records with each passing World Championship, both in terms of site visitors and hours spent on the site.

"Extending our contract with Infront was really the best way for the IIHF to make sure that we continue to move forward in the promotion of our sport," IIHF President Rene Fasel said. "Infront has been an excellent partner, which has tirelessly worked to promote ice hockey for us for the last several years. We look forward to an even brighter future for the next seven years under this contract."

Infront has already concluded agreements with numerous television, radio and sponsor partners in preparation for the IIHF World Championship next May in Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria.

Infront's Chief Executive Officer, Oscar Frei, said: "Infront is pleased to extend its partnership with the IIHF. It is a trusted partnership that shares common objectives for the growth of international ice hockey. Together, we are excited about the sport's future and look forward to raising the profile and success of the IIHF World Championships to an even higher level."

For more information, please visit the official Infront Sports & Media website

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IIHF and Infront extend partnership through 2011[/u][/color]

source: www.infrontsports.com

Zug, Switzerland, 23 July, 2004 -- Infront Sports & Media – the exclusive worldwide marketing partner of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) - has renewed its agreement for the marketing of the annual IIHF World Championships through to 2011.

This extension – for a period of four IIHF World Championships from 2008 until 2011 inclusive – creates a relationship that will have lasted 30 years, believed to be unique in sport. It builds on a partnership dating back to 1981 and includes all television, radio and marketing rights to the IIHF World Championships, as well as responsibility for the Host Broadcast of the event.

The partnership will be closer than ever before, including the formation of an IIHF/Infront Marketing Steering Committee. The members of both organisations will be working in tandem to develop stronger guidelines for the broadcast, marketing and branding strategy for the events.

The new agreement will allow for significant forward planning and provide the framework for the future growth of the sport. A key development – both historically and commercially – is the award of the 2008 IIHF World Championship to Canada. This will be the first time that the IIHF's showcase tournament is played in the birthplace of ice hockey, which will also coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the IIHF. Infront believes that this will encourage the participation of sponsors new to the sport and the event, as well as enhancing television exposure in North America.

The IIHF World Championship remains the single largest annual winter sports event, the most recent of which took place in the Czech Republic earlier this year. Based on preliminary results, the 2004 event was broadcast to a cumulative audience of more than 650 million in more than 50 countries, including approximately 1,400 hours of programming.

Renè Fasel, President of the IIHF, said, "Long-range planning is always fundamental to the commercial health of any sport. Infront has always proved itself as a reliable partner and by confirming this agreement, we will be able to fulfil the ambitious objectives that we have set ourselves."

The majority of the commercial partners for the IIHF World Championships, including Škoda, are signed up until 2007. Škoda's role as the main sponsor dates back to 1992, a testament to the strength of the IIHF World Championships as a marketing property.

Oscar Frei, CEO and President of Infront, commented, "We are delighted that we are able to make this announcement, not only from Infront's perspective but on behalf of the very loyal, long-term sponsors and broadcasters that ice hockey attracts. Since the IIHF World Championship is an annual event, we are always involved in organising up to three events concurrently, so seeing our way forward is important. We are entering a very exciting period for the sport."

For further information, please contact:
John Kristick
Infront Sports & Media AG
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