Infront announces partnership between DB Schenker and the World Curling Federation (WCF)

On land, on sea, on air and now on ice: Global transport logistics company signs WCF sponsorship agreement

News Item Entered: Thursday, February 25, 2010

Zug, Switzerland / Vancouver, Canada, 25 February 2010 - Infront Sports & Media, exclusive marketing and media partner of the World Curling Federation (WCF), has secured DB Schenker as Official Supplier and Logistics Partner for the next four years. The long-term agreement includes two Winter Olympic Games (Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014) as well as all WCF events until 2014.

Dr Thomas Lieb, Chairman of Schenker AG, said: “There is an excellent fit between curling and the DB Schenker brand - the nature of our involvement provides us with the perfect platform to fortify our position in key markets across the globe. Specifically, we are looking forward to involvement with the sports events in the years to come. It will be remarkable to experience the benefits that come with being an essential component to the organisation of the WCF.”

Vital storage and shipment solutions
Throughout the agreement DB Schenker will provide vital storage and shipment solutions to the WCF – including a 40ft container to ease the logistical transportation of WCF equipment between games. As an Official Supplier, DB Schenker receives exposure at the events and on the website. The excellent sponsorship opportunities include advertising on-site Logo integration on all print materials and internet presence, on-site product placement and VIP access as well as meet and greet opportunities with athletes.

High level of exclusivity
Alongside partner brands such as Capital One, the Canadian financial services company, and Le Gruyère, the Swiss cheese company, DB Schenker is the first of four suppliers to become part of a new marketing programme organised by Infront and the WCF which was introduced in 2009. The idea is to optimise the visibility of sponsors and partners involved providing a clear hierarchy.

The Programme offers companies the opportunity to be directly associated with the World Curling Federation and benefit from its excellent world-wide exposure and reputation. The WCF is one of the seven International Sports Federations that are currently part of the Winter Olympic Games programme.

Les Harrison, President of WCF, comments: “With DB Schenker Infront has found another strong and prestigious partner for the WCF. The company will be able to deliver on logistical challenges, providing security and confidence for our operations. It’s good to have a globally stable partner; we are looking forward to DB Schenker benefiting from their return on investment as partner to the WCF, we are confident the rewards of our association will be first class, strengthened further by our status as an Olympic Sport.”

Bruno Marty, Executive Director of Winter Sports, Infront adds: “We are delighted to have secured an additional major partner for the WCF in a very short period of time. We are exceeding our project expectations and are encouraged by our significant sponsorship sales for the WCF. We will continue to prove that working with Infront’s experienced team means success for both rights-in and right-out clients.”

About the WCF
The World Curling Federation (WCF) is the international sport federation governing the Olympic winter sport of curling and the Paralympics winter sport of wheelchair curling with headquarters in Perth, Scotland. The WCF represents 45 Member Associations and is generally acknowledged to direct one of the fastest-growing international winter sports.

About DB Schenker
DB Schenker is one of the leading globally integrated logistics service providers and handles all of Deutsche Bahn’s transportation and logistics operations. DB Schenker Logistics, with its three business segments Land Transport, Air/Ocean Freight and Contract Logistics/SCM, is one of the world’s leading logistics service providers. The business unit offers land transport, air and ocean freight, as well as comprehensive logistics solutions and global supply chain management from a single source and enjoys top positions in automotive, high-tech, electronics and consumer goods, as well as in trade fair forwarding, special transportation and services for major sporting events.

Infront and Winter Sports
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, is the strongest, most experienced marketing agency in the winter sports arena. It has focused strongly on developing its role in winter sports in recent years, to the point that it now represents six of seven Olympic winter sport federations at international level. The Group is the commercial partner of more than 90% of all national skiing federations hosting FIS Alpine Ski and Nordic World Cup races. It also markets the FIS World Championships. It has a long term partnership with the IIHF in international ice hockey and relationships with the winter sports of biathlon, bobsleigh and skeleton, curling and luge.