Zug, Switzerland, 23 December 2011 – Infront Sports & Media, marketing partner of the Vierschanzentournee (Four Hills Tournament), has successfully sold the sponsorship packages for the forthcoming event. Based on a streamlined marketing concept, which was introduced to the ski jumping series last year, the brands Actavis, Jack Wolfskin, Vattenfall, bet-at-home.com and ABT Sportsline will each be associated with the four events in Germany and Austria. Infront has also been the driving force behind the introduction of a grand slam jackpot – an innovation for the 60th edition of the Vierschanzentournee as well as for the sport of ski jumping. The prize will be awarded should one single athlete rank first across each of the four competitions.

High exclusivity appeals to international brands
The Vierschanzentournee takes place from 30 December 2011 to 6 January 2012 and a full inventory of sponsors has lined up to associate their brand with the popular series. The platform’s streamlined sponsorship concept reduced the number of sponsors involved and as a result is delivering exceptional levels of exclusivity and exposure. The concept has led to higher media value and stronger impact for the brands involved than ever before.

As the new Presenting Sponsor, Actavis – a manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals – leads the group and will benefit from the wide reach of the event boosting its brand awareness across Europe. Continuing involvement, the outdoor apparel company Jack Wolfskin holds again two main sponsor packages, gaining an increased level of exposure across all events.

The other two Main Sponsor packages are occupied by Vattenfall and bet-at-home.com. The Swedish energy company Vattenfall is one of Europe’s largest generators of electricity and already a well-established brand in winter sports. Bet-at-home.com is a leading sports gaming and online gambling company and new to the Vierschanzentournee for 2011/12 – just as Car Partner ABT Sportsline, the largest international automobile tuner from the Volkswagen Group. Each of the sponsors will benefit from a comprehensive presence in camera view around all four ski jumping locations and the wide reach of the series – expected to once again reach a cumulative audience of more than 75 million.

New grand slam prize incentive
In a new campaign for this year, Infront has been the motivating force behind the introduction of a CHF 1 million grand slam jackpot which this season adds a further dimension to the excitement and prestige surrounding the Vierschanzentournee. In the event of one ski jumper winning all four jumps, the organisers will award the prize. To date there has only ever been one jumper in the history of the competition to have achieved grand slam status – the German Sven Hannawald in 2001/02.

About the Vierschanzentournee (Four Hills Tournament)
The Vierschanzentournee – conducted at the Schattenbergschanze (Oberstdorf, Germany), Große Olympiaschanze (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany), Bergiselschanze (Innsbruck, Austria) and Paul-Ausserleitner-Schanze (Bischofshofen, Austria) - is part of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and looks back to a 60-year tradition. Unlike other events in the World Cup calendar, the champion is decided by whoever scores the most points over all four events – World Cup points or the respective rankings are not decisive. Based on an agreement with the German Ski Association (DSV) and the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV), Infront markets the sponsorship rights for the Vierschanzentournee. The contract runs for four seasons and will include the series’ 62nd edition in 2013/2014.

About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, is one of the leading international sports marketing groups in the world. Known for its high standards of delivery, the company covers all aspects of a successful sport event – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operations. As a key player in winter sport, football and other summer sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 120 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. With an experienced and passionate team of 500 staff in 20 offices across 10 countries, the Group helps to annually deliver 3,300 event days of top class sport around the world.


For further information, please contact:
 
Jörg Polzer / Nike Möhle
Corporate Communications
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
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