Magazine programming to be increased – distributed to broadcasters from the upcoming World Cup event in Andorra onwards
Zug, Switzerland, 14 December 2015 – The leading international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media and the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), have extended their media rights and production agreement for the 2015-2016 ISMF Individual, Sprint and Vertical World Cup and the ISMF European Championships. The agreement includes an increased production offer for broadcasters of 5×15 minute magazine highlight programmes. The programming will be produced in HD by Infront – to the highest industry standards, increasing exposure for Ski Mountaineering in line with its growing popularity as a winter discipline. Furthermore, Infront will start to handle ISMF’s key event advertising rights as of the 2015/16 season.
The extended programming is as a result of the successful pilot of Infront’s media production and distribution last season, which resulted in increased awareness of the sport. In April 2014, the ISMF obtained provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee and is currently monitored by IOC for the final and definitive recognition.
Full extended coverage of all disciplines
Broken down into three disciplines including Individual, Vertical and Sprint, the 2015-2016 ISMF World Cup is scheduled from 16 January to 23 April and will be held in Andorra, France, Italy and Switzerland. The ISMF European Championships will be held in Salvan / Les Marécottes, Switzerland from 5 to 7 February 2016.
The magazine programming offers race footage as well as results and standings, background on the event location, insight into training sessions, athlete profiles and background coverage – all with English commentary. The distribution strategy is global, with a particular focus on countries where World Cup events are being staged.
Success of initial pilot leads to additional commercial options
For the current season, Infront is to acquire the majority of advertising rights within camera view to ISMF Individual, Sprint and Vertical World Cup and European Championships races and shall handle the implementation of partner advertising materials. In addition this year, Infront will also manage the event press office including the upload of race footage (video clips and photographs) on the ISMF website.
There will be an option for Infront to exclusively and comprehensively handle all multimedia, broadcast and commercial rights to the ISMF World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championships for a period of five years, from next season onwards up to and including 2020/21.
A sport with great potential
Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, said: “The extension and expansion of the agreement with the ISMF for the sport of Ski Mountaineering is a positive reflection on the achievements of last season. This year, the extended programming allows even broader exposure for the sport, which we believe has great potential. The magazine highlights were already well received by the broadcasters last year and we are firmly on the path towards achieving greater adoption of this captivating winter discipline.”
Armando Mariotta, ISMF President, said: “The new agreement with Infront is the result of a great collaboration with a partner that can really help Ski Mountaineering to reach an important position among the winter sports as a very dynamic, popular and low environmental impact activity.”
About ISMF
The International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) is the world governing body of Ski Mountaineering based in Lausanne (CH) and Villanova Mondovì (Italy). As a non-profit association it co-ordinates and promotes all matters in respect to the sport and its competitions, consisting of 31 National Federations from Europe, Asia and North America. The ISMF Series of events includes the World Cup held annually, the ISMF World Championships held biennially on odd years and the Continental Championships also staged on a biennial basis held on even years. For further information please visit www.ismfskievents.com
About Infront
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 650 experienced staff working from 25 offices across 13 countries, delivering 4,000 event days of top class sport around the world every year.