07.11.2013, 12:30
International recognition for VELUX EHF FINAL4

NEWS REPORT: Silver and bronze awards for handball’s premier club event at International Sports Event Management Conference in London

International recognition for VELUX EHF FINAL4

The EHF and title sponsor of the VELUX EHF Champions League, the VELUX Group, collected awards at a gala evening at the Cumberland Hotel, London on 6 November 2013 for the success of the VELUX EHF FINAL4.

Nominated in three categories in the International Sports Event Management Awards (ISEM), the EHF and the VELUX Group, gained a silver award in the ‘best use of sponsorship’ category for its title sponsorship of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

The EHF also received the bronze award in the ‘event look’ category.

International recognition

On collecting the awards on behalf of the EHF, Jean Brihault, EHF President, said: “We’ve seen the partnership with the VELUX Group grow in strength since 2010 when it first became title sponsor of the EHF’s flagship club competition.

“From corporate hospitality to fan engagement, the EHF believes that the competition offers sponsors a unique proposition, and we are very pleased to have this confirmed by the sports industry.”

Best use of sponsorship: Common values drive success

The VELUX Group has been title sponsor of Europe’s premier club handball competition since 2010.

Handball and the EHF Champions League were natural choices for a company with the core values of mutual respect, team work and thoroughness. The company strives to be the best, a value that lies at the very core of the competition.

Through initiative such as the fan website - handballenergy.com – the VELUX Handball Manager Game and ‘Best Fan’ competitions, the company has been successful in activating its sponsorship and to actively engage the many fans of the competition.

The thrilling nature of the game, close decisions and the passion of players and fans alike are all aspects that attracted the VELUX Group to handball.

In the 2012/13, the VELUX Group invited more than 4,400 customers to matches and more than 720 guests to the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne.

Event look: An experience, not just an event

With a new brand identity launched in 2012 for the VELUX EHF Champions League by EHF Marketing GmbH, a new and fresh image was created for the competition, capturing its elements of prestige, dynamism and passion.

For the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in 2013, this new identity meant a clear and consistent approach to brand identity from the very first contact with fans or guests online or via ticketing to the arrival in the city, in the team hotel and in the arena.

Branding also provided an opportunity to engage with fans, through cutting edge LCD advertising technology, jointly developed by EHF Marketing GmbH and Sharp Europe, branding in the arena to identify fan blocks and innovative use of the video arena to engage fans through Twitter.

ISEM Awards

Conducted annually and now in its seventh year, the International Sports Management Awards honour sports event management industry leaders through the acknowledgment of outstanding performance and service excellence in the organising of major international sports events. 

The Awards are part of the ‘Informa Sports Week’ comprising three separate events; ISEM (International Sports Event Management Conference), ISEM Awards Night and the Future Sponsorship summit. 

Previous winners of ISEM Awards include UEFA Euro 2012, London 2012 and the Rugby World Cup.

TEXT: EHF / jjr