Shanghai, China, 11 November 2010 – The CBA League, one of the most successful and popular sports leagues in Asia, welcomes a new international sponsor. Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., the Japanese multinational corporation, announced that it is becoming an Official Sponsor of the CBA League, starting in the 2010/2011 season. The agreement was brokered by the CBA’s long-term marketing partner, the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media.

This is the first involvement in Chinese basketball for Konica Minolta. As one of the biggest manufacturers in its category, Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. is among the world’s top 500 companies. It has 36,000 employees worldwide and assets of more than three billion Euros. Its subsidiary in China is one of Konica Minolta’s most important components and has been growing rapidly in recent years.  Konica Minolta is dedicated to the concept of “giving back” to society, helping with the development of sport is one way of achieving that.

 

Strong commitment to sport
Involvement in the development of sport in China has been an objective of Konica Minolta for some time. “As we all know, CBA is the most influential sports league in China”, said Tadayuki Funakura, Managing Director of Konica Minolta China. “It has achieved a continuous increase in its brand value and worked hard on bringing the competition to a higher level. The CBA dovetails well with Konica Minolta’s core values. We are happy to become an official sponsor of the CBA.”

 

Konica Minolta will provide support and office services to the CBA League, including printing machines for scoring desks, as well as professional printing, copying and faxing “three in one” machines for the media centres at each match. Its brand will be on display at all 272 CBA League games during the 2010/11 season.

 

Strong league, strong sponsors
CBA League has been the fastest growing Asian sports league in the past 15 years and is the most successful sports league in China. Six years of professional marketing by Infront have elevated the CBA League’s brand value and encouraged multinational corporations – such as NIKE, UPS and Tissot - to sponsor the League. Joining the CBA League is a logical step for Konica Minolta to further promote its positive brand awareness in China, one of the company’s most important growth markets.

 

“The CBA League is about to enter the 16th year of its development. To follow the League has become part of life for millions of Chinese fans”, said Liu Xiaonong, the Deputy Director of the Chinese Basketball Association. “The CBA League will reach an even higher level of competition and entertainment value in the coming season. I’m very glad to see that more and more top international companies are joining the CBA family. Congratulations to Konica Minolta and thanks for its support to CBA!”

 

Ma Guoli, CEO of Infront China, said, “The signing of Konica Minolta further demonstrates the strength of the CBA League as one of the most effective communication platforms for major international brands in China. The joint development work of the CBA and Infront China continues to pay-off. Historically the company was involved with three of Infronts major properities - the IIHF, EHF and FIBT events - we now welcome Konica Minolta back to Infront and to China.”

 

About Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc
The establishment of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc took place in 2003 with the integration of the management of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Ltd. However, the start of the business of Konica Corporation dates back to 1873, by selling photographic and lithographic materials in Tokyo. Konica Minolta Group is now involved in a wide variety of businesses including office equipment, optical devices, medical systems and measuring instruments.

 

About the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and CBA League
The Chinese Basketball Association was established in June in 1956. It is the only non-governmental organization in China recognised by FIBA and the General Administration of Sport of China. The CBA is in charge of basketball at a national level. After the introduction of reforms in 1995, the first CBA league was launched the following year. In 2005, the launch of the first CBA professional league represented a giant step in the development of professional basketball in China. Currently, 18 clubs are taking part. China’s national men’s team is 10th in the FIBA world ranking while the women’s team is ranked 8th.
 
About Infront Sport & Media
Infront, based in Zug, Switzerland, is one of the most experienced international sports marketing companies in the world with an exceptional track record in major events. Infront has 500 employees across 24 offices in 10 countries.

 

Infront has successfully entered the Asian market with China as its first point of entry. With its office in Beijing, the company is now an established player. Infront has already made a real impact through important strategic partnerships with China’s top sport – basketball – at both League and national team level. Infront is creating a new resource for companies and federations/properties interested in growing their brands or sports in China, whilst also allowing Chinese rights holder’s and commercial partner’s access to the European market.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jörg Polzer
Associate Director, Corporate Communications
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press infrontsports.com 
www.infrontsports.com