Winston Zheng Strengens Infront Team as New Managing Director of Infront China

(06/03/2014) Infront Sports & Media has appointed Winston Zheng as the new Managing Director of Infront China. Zheng is a specialised sports marketing professional and holds in-depth knowledge of the Chinese sports market as well as diverse international expertise. Zheng is to take over all operational duties as Managing Director of Infront China from Ma Guoli with immediate effect. In turn and as previously announced, Ma Guoli is stepping up to become Chairman of the Infront China Board.

20 years in the sports industry

Winston Zheng joins Infront following a 20-year career in the Asian sport business industry. He has held several senior operational positions, covering roles that have included Managing Director for Greater China at Octagon, General Manager of the China Golf Tour Ltd at World Sports Group, Manager of Sponsorship, Marketing and Licensing at IMG and Director of Sponsorship for the Asia-Pacific region at banking group UBS. Earlier, he also worked for China's Ministry of Sports as a Marketing Manager for the Chinese Football Association and League. Zheng holds a Master of Science in Sports Administration and an MBA in International Management.

In his new role as Managing Director, Zheng will work in close collaboration with the Infront China Management Team.

Philippe Blatter, Infront's President & CEO, said: We welcome Winston as part of our global Infront team. He is a proven sports marketing professional with comprehensive experience from working across the industry. He will contribute his domestic and international market know-how to further drive the growth and expansion of the Infront Group in China. The sustained involvement of Ma Guoli as well as the stable Infront China Management Team will ensure continuity across all operations and client relationships. We are convinced that this combination of long-term experience and fresh input will help set new benchmarks in Chinese sports.

Triggering growth and diversification

Looking forward to his new role, Winston Zheng commented: It is a great honour to join Infront as the leading international sports marketing group in China. Past achievements such as the strengthened profile of the country's top sport basketball are impressive and I am looking forward to continuing the drive and development of the Chinese sports landscape together with Infront's local and international teams. Growth expectations for the region are above global average and Infront China is well set to continue the momentum that has been built in recent years under Ma Guoli's leadership.

Ma Guoli, designated Chairman of the Infront China Board, added: Following more than 25 inspiring years in operational business, I am now greatly looking forward to a new challenge as Chairman of the Infront China Board. Particularly, as my successor Winston Zheng holds strong expertise, which will help Infront China to further expand business operations and diversify its portfolio in the mid-term. Winston appreciates Infront's long-term strategy and vision and has the capacity to build on it with great aptitude. I am looking forward to working with him in my new role.

Ma Guoli takes over the chairmanship from Philippe Blatter who will remain a member of the Infront China Board of Directors.

Long-standing commitment to Chinese sports

Headquartered in Beijing, Infront China has seen considerable success over recent years, developing the country's Number 1 sport basketball on all commercial ends. As partner of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the CBA Professional League and Team China the sport reaches record levels in sponsorship and media coverage. In 2012, the company secured the Li Ning sport apparel brand as the CBA League's Official Partner by far the biggest sponsorship commitment ever for a Chinese sports property and one of the largest in today's world of sport. The annual CBA All-Star Game has achieved a cumulative media audience of over 100 million for each of the past three years. Maximising the potential of international synergies, Infront has successfully supported global companies keen to access the lucrative Chinese market and vice versa through its Gateway China service.

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