FIS MEDIA INFO: Sunset+Vine to manage media rights for FIS Snowboard and Freestyle World Championships

Oberhofen (SUI), 14th May, 2009/-- The International Ski Federation (FIS) has appointed Sunset+Vine International to manage the global media rights to the FIS Snowboard and Freestyle World Championships for the next five years. The contract includes the FIS World Championships for 2011, Snowboard in La Molina (ESP) and Freestyle in Deer Valley (USA), and for 2013, Snowboard in Stoneham, Quebec (CAN) and Freestyle in Voss (NOR).

The UK based agency Sunset+Vine was chosen after a structured process during which several agencies showed interest in selling and distributing these media rights. In order to reach the growing youth market, there will be a special focus on using new technologies and innovative means to exploit the rights, to grow digital coverage and capture the interest of a wider demographic.

Looking forward to this new cooperation, FIS President Gian Franco Kasper stated: "Sunset & Vine International is a new partner for FIS with substantial experience in creative production and distribution activities. The fact that their innovative concept for managing these rights could be chosen from several high-level applicants underscores the popularity and value of the FIS World Championships in these youth-oriented disciplines."

Jeff Foulser, Chairman of Sunset+Vine, added: "We are delighted to be working with FIS on these prestigious World Championships. Both Snowboarding and Freestyle Skiing have grown in popularity as television sports over the past few years and we look forward to broadening their appeal even further."

* * *

About FIS

Founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, the International Ski Federation (FIS) aims to promote the sport of skiing and snowboarding and directs the development of all ski and snowboarding activities world-wide. It administers the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. With the help of its 110 member nations (one currently suspended), FIS stages more than 6'000 ski and snowboard competitions annually. FIS also makes recommendations for recreational skiing and snowboarding in the interest of all and promotes play in the snow as a healthy leisure activity for children and the youth. For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com.

* * *

About Sunset+Vine

Sunset+Vine International is the distribution arm of UK Production Company Sunset+Vine. Over the past 25 years it has built up a global reputation as one of the top sports distribution agencies, and has earned numerous accolades including the Queen's Award for international trade and most recently the M+M award for best use of branded content. Widely acknowledged as the market leader in the production and distribution of advertiser-funded programming, Sunset+Vine International has created branded content television solutions for household names such as Gillette, Martini, Toyota, Philips Shavers, Allianz and Mobil 1, and prides itself on its long-term relationships and high level of repeat business.

The Production Company Sunset+Vine, the UK's most creative independent sports production company [source: Broadcast Magazine], was established in 1983 and is the leading independent supplier of sports programming to broadcasters in the UK. Sunset+Vine's parent company Tinopolis Plc is one of the UK's leading independent media companies. The Tinopolis Group consists of Mentorn, Folio, Fiction Factory, Pop1, Deem, Video Arts and Daybreak Pictures.

 PDF Version