Leading sports retailer Intersport has enhanced its partnership with the Vierschanzentournee – also known as the Four Hills Tournament – by becoming the official presenting sponsor of the winter sports showpiece.
Intersport has a long tradition and affiliation with ski jumping. The brand was a dedicated partner for over 25 years as main and title sponsor of the Springertournee, which was later renamed Vierschanzentournee, or Four Hills Tournament, in 1995.
In 2013, the brand resumed involvement with the prestigious event as main sponsor. Under the new partnership, the terms of which were undisclosed, Intersport will benefit from comprehensive advertising opportunities in prime locations in TV camera view at the event venues.
These include LED advertising boards, the start backdrop, the coaches’ tower, the video wall and the stadium exit gate. Further promotion and activation rights are included.
The deal has been brokered by the Infront Sports & Media agency, which serves as the exclusive marketing partner of the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) and the German Ski Federation (DSV) for the ski jumping series.
Franz Julen, chief executive of Intersport International, said: “After the main sponsorship commitment last year was crowned with success, we now want to lead the orchestra. Winter sports accounts for €1.7bn ($2.18bn) of sales, so is a key focus for Intersport. As the presenting sponsor of the Vierschanzentournee, we can emphasise our winter sport passion even more and become an integral part of the season skiing highlight with our brand. In the host countries, Germany and Austria, Intersport has held a dominant market position for many years and today operates through more than 1,800 stores.”
Besides Intersport as presenting sponsor, Infront has secured a line-up of other major international brands as main sponsors. For the 2014-15 season, Audi, Bauhaus, Generali and Veltins will partner with the four competitions in Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.