Berne, Switzerland, 8 May 2009 – The Organising Committees of 2012 IIHF World Championship in Finland and 2013 IIHF World Championship in Sweden have today announced that they will collaborate in the management and organisation of the two events. This is a first in the history of the IIHF World Championship and it is made feasible by the geographic proximity of the two markets.

This “cross-over” organisational system will create many synergies and efficiencies in areas such as ticket sales, promotional activities for the two events, hospitality and the recruitment of national partners.

The benefits could be considerable. It is expected that it will increase the number of tickets sold; encourage regional companies to support both events – thus achieving greater exposure over a two year period – and result in a transfer of knowledge and shared systems. It should also encourage cost efficiencies. This organisational model is exceptional and would only apply in the special circumstances where two close neighbours – Sweden and Finland – share borders and a passion for ice hockey.

Normally, the IIHF World Championship is only staged in a single host country. In this case, a special agreement was reached between the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and Infront Sports & Media – as the exclusive marketing partner for the IIHF World Championship – to permit the collaboration. The IIHF Council took a positive approach from the start, encouraging Finland and Sweden to proceed with the project.

“The International Ice Hockey Federation welcomes the idea of this unique collaboration and we are all enthusiastic about it. We look forward to outstanding events - two years in a row - in Northern Europe” said Réne Fasel, IIHF President. “We have always enjoyed extremely well-organised tournaments in Finland and Sweden and now these nations are combining their expertise, we know it will result in something very special”.

Kalervo Kummola, President of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association and Vice President of the IIHF sees this “cross over” marketing as a great opportunity. “Having home teams on home ground playing two years in a row will mean a lot to both Swedish and Finnish ice hockey fans and bring a powerful boost to ice hockey in two key markets.”

Christer Englund, President of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and member of the IIHF Council believes: “Each nation is strong and capable in the organisation of major events; this joint operation makes us even stronger. I look forward to welcoming fans, media and sponsors to experience the results in 2012 and 2013”.

“Our 28 year relationship with the IIHF has produced many innovative developments in the organisation of the IIHF World Championship” said Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront Sports & Media. “Jointly owning and managing the Organising Committee for the event together with national associations, as for example in 2005, 2009 and 2010, is one such development. This is now another variation, which ideally suits this set of circumstances and will be positive for the commercial aspects of the property”.

Infront Sports & Media will not only handle once again the global media and marketing rights for both events but will also provide a multi-faceted array of services, including the host broadcast production. In addition, Infront’s subsidiaries in Finland and Sweden intend to provide significant services in support of both Organising Committees including the distribution of the national sponsorship rights, consulting and VIP hospitality services. The respective agreements between the Organising Committee for the 2012 event and Infront Finland are already signed. The Organising Committee for 2013 has the intention to close such an agreement with Infront Sweden as well.

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
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