The sponsorship rights package includes advertising opportunities for all televised FIL events during 2004/2005.
Suzuki will become the title sponsor of the “Suzuki Challenge Cup”, a “one-off” knock-out competition consisting of four races, staged at the ice tracks of the respective FIL World Cup venues.
Joseph Fendt, president of FIL, said: “We are delighted with the agreement of an additional important partner along with the official sponsors of Viessmann and EberspC$cher. As an international sports association we consider the commitment of the global brand, Suzuki, as an extremely appealing match for Luge sport.”
Infront has a marketing partnership with the FC)dC)ration Internationale de Luge de Course and the role involves the exclusive marketing of key rights within the FIL’s sponsorship programme.
“The involvement of Suzuki is an important achievement for the sport as Infront continues working to elevate the profile and attractiveness of the FIL properties for major corporate brands,” said Oscar Frei, CEO of Infront Sports & Media.
The 2004/2005 season will be launched on November 12, 2004 with the Suzuki Challenge Cup and World Cup in Altenberg (GER). The official FIL calendar includes nine World Cup races, four Challenge Cup competitions as well as the World Championships.
Germany’s ARD/ZDF will cover the FIL events in Germany while Eurosport will provide television coverage on a pan-European level.
Broadcasts of the last World Cup season regularly achieved market shares of more than 20 per cent.
Georg Hackl’s World Cup victory in Winterberg was the most successful Luge broadcast in the 2003/2004 season, with a market share of almost 30 per cent.
