Infront Secure Curling Deal with Major Chinese Apparel Brand

Major Chinese sports apparel brand, 361° has become a key partner of the World Curling Federation and the Swedish Curling Association, in a deal brokered by Infront Sports & Media.

In their role as Official Media and Marketing Partner of the World Curling Federation (WCF), Infront has secured 361° in a sponsorship and equipment contract, covering the full schedule of international WCF events in the 2010/11 to 2013/14 period.

The Chinese company also becomes Official Partner and Equipment Provider of the Swedish Curling Association. The agreement has been brokered by Infront’s “Gateway to China” service, based in Switzerland.

The contract with 361°, one of China’s top sport apparel brands, includes a wide range of rights over a four-year period with product category exclusivity. The company will be both – Official Equipment Provider and Official Partner, for the international governing body, the World Curling Federation (WCF), as well as for the Swedish Curling Association (SCA).

All Board Members and Staff of the WCF will wear 361° clothing at all World Curling Championship events and during the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. The Swedish Curling team will wear 361° apparel at all its major international curling events as well. The 361° logo will be featured on all team clothing.

Jun Ling, Brand Director of 361°, said: “The sport of curling has drastically gained in popularity in China as well as internationally. Our partnership with the WCF and the SCA provide our company with a perfect platform to communicate our brand both domestically and internationally. Given the growing popularity of curling and the strong communication impact of major international curling events including the competitions during the Winter Olympic Games, our brand will highly benefit from this sponsorship commitment. Thanks to its intercontinental approach and network, Infront provided us with an attractive way to enter a new market and position 361° outside China.”

Kate Caithness, President of the World Curling Federation, added: “Once again, Infront’s efforts in streamlining the marketing programme and enhancing the communication value of WCF events for major brands has proved successful. In addition, 361° has – already in the past – proven its commitment to our sport, when it provided the official sportswear of the Chinese Men’s and Women’s Curling teams during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.”