Zug, Switzerland, 30 November 2004 -- KONICA MINOLTA Business Solutions Europe GmbH has acquired the title sponsorship for the 2005 World Bobsleigh and Skeleton Championships, it has been jointly announced by Infront Sports & Media and the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT*). The Championships will take place in Calgary, Canada, from 15th – 27th February 2005.

The title sponsorship package is the premium package in association with the FIBT events, offering KONICA MINOLTA unique benefits and high impact, with advertising at the track, plus on the fronts of all sleds, with guaranteed television coverage. It has exclusive title association with the event – "KONICA MINOLTA FIBT World Championship". Infront secured the sponsorship in its role as the exclusive marketing consultant to the FIBT.
 
Carlos Baart, Manager New Business Development & Strategic Alliances KONICA MINOLTA: "This sponsorship commitment is a fitting tool whereby we will be able to promote our leading role as manufacturer of multifunctional office communication products with innovative technologies as well as state-of-the-art optical products. We are convinced that the extensive media coverage of the KONICA MINOLTA FIBT World Championship as well as the association with an outstanding International Olympic Sport Federation, such as the FIBT, will make this engagement a successful one."
 
"The combined FIBT World Championships was initiated with great success last year" said FIBT President Robert H. Storey. "The sports of bobsleigh and skeleton are among the most technologically advanced in winter sports, a perfect fit for KONICA MINOLTA, which has excelled in developing technical products."
 
The KONICA MINOLTA FIBT World Championship will be held in the disciplines of women's 2-man, men's 2- and 4-man bobsleigh as well as women's and men's skeleton. The Championship promises to attract unprecedented television interest and audiences, with seven days of live and slightly delayed broadcasts of the event on networks across the globe, including Eurosport, ARD/ZDF in Germany, and SPEED Channel in the USA.
 
Infront Sports & Media has a strong and growing involvement with winter sport, including the IIHF World Championships in ice hockey, skiing, luge and bobsleigh. Infront has secured sponsorships for the FIBT over the past three years.
 
* Fédération de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing
 
The Konica Minolta Group has operations in 23 countries throughout Europe. These companies directly market Konica Minolta products, primarily image information and optical products but also industrial instruments, and offer rapid-response services in line with customer needs. Konica Minolta's marketing network has subsequently grown to include 33 subsidiaries around the world. 80% of sales are generated outside Japan. 
 
For further information, please contact:
John Kristick
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax. +41-41-723-1516
info@infrontsports.com