Ma Guoli is known not just in China but throughout the sports world for his role as founder of CCTV-5, the first sports TV channel in China. With more than 20 years experience in the sports industry, he has been responsible for China’s television broadcast of the 1990 and 1994 Asian Games and has worked on six Summer Games and four Winter Games in total before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of BOB. In 2000 he has been named as one of the top 50 “Most Influential People in Sport” in a survey by the Guardian newspaper in the UK.

Contributing to the Olympic legacy
Infront China is entering a new phase of development. It already represents China’s two top sports – football and basketball – at League and National Team level.  It is now embarking on its second phase of expansion, implementing a number of key strategic initiatives that will contribute to the Olympic legacy through the further development of Chinese sport.

Robert Louis-Dreyfus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Infront Group, said: “This is a highly significant appointment that will have considerable resonance among the sports world, in China and beyond. We are delighted that Ma has agreed to lend his considerable endorsement to our vision for the development of sport in China.”

Philippe Blatter, Infront’s President & CEO, added: “Ma – who has been instrumental in bringing so much international sport to Chinese audiences – now sees an opportunity to ‘give back’ to indigenous Chinese sport. Chinese sports are growing strongly and Ma will help us to ensure this growth is effectively realised in partnership with the Chinese sports authorities. He has the expertise and influence to bring about real change. A successful sports marketing industry in China, with more understanding of the contribution that sponsorship and media partnerships can make are very important.”

Ma Guoli commented: “I am convinced by Infront’s approach and understanding of China’s needs, combined with the resources it is deploying around the world to promote key sports properties. It is not easy to introduce new ideas successfully in a market the size of China, but Infront has demonstrated real commitment, not just to the marketing of China’s major sports, but also in their technical development, the quality of their media coverage and by working towards more rewarding prospects for players and athletes. This long-term attitude is the right one. I believe that Infront has only just started to demonstrate what it can do for the sports industry in China.”

The appointment of Ma Guoli will commence officially on 1 January 2009, although there will be a period of transition when he will spend time in the Infront Beijing office.

About Infront Sport & Media
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, is an experienced international full service sports marketing company with a capacity for innovation that is helping to transform the industry. These innovations have enhanced every area of sports marketing, including distribution of rights, host broadcast, programme production, event operations, brand development, sponsorship and even online entertainment. Infront has 400 employees across 24 offices in 11 countries.

In China, Infront has made a real impact through important strategic partnerships with two of China’s top sports – football and basketball – at both League and national team level. No other international sports marketing company has been able to establish such a high profile rights portfolio including close links with China’s top sports.

Infront’s Beijing office has more than 40 employees. The existing Infront China management team is a strong one, with specialised expertise in Infront’s core sports of football and basketball and strong financial management. This team has recently been expanded with the appointment of Kenneth Lim, who joined from NBA China as Head of Basketball.

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
press infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com

Jenna Li
Communication Manager
Infront Sports & Media (China) Co., Ltd.
Tel. +86-10-84 58 46 98 (Ext. 121)
Fax +86-10-84 58 45 23
jenna.li infrontasia.com
www.infrontasia.com  

An Executive Biography of Ma Guoli is available for download below: