BEIJING, China (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Wanda Sports company Infront China, a part of global FIBA Partner Wanda Group, on Monday was unveiled as the exclusive partner for the domestic marketing rights of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, as part of a strategic cooperation agreement with FIBA and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

The announcement took place during a press conference in Beijing which also served to launch the solicitation for event mascot.

As the exclusive marketing partner for the World Cup's domestic rights, Infront China will drive the commercial program on Chinese soil for sponsorship and hospitality and support the LOC and FIBA as it relates to ticketing and merchandising for basketball's biggest competition.

Infront China has unique and extensive marketing expertise and a highly-respected reputation in basketball, having taken the Chinese game to a new level over its 13-year partnership with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) by utilizing its excellent operation team, professional local knowledge, extensive global network and rich international experience.

Burton Shipley, Chairman of the Coordination Commission of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, said: "I very much appreciate the LOC and Infront China's great support for the preparation of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. It is our honor to form a strategic partnership with Infront China, one of the most respected sports marketing companies in the world. As the exclusive marketing partner in China for FBWC 2019, Infront China's rich local marketing experience and international expertise will contribute greatly to the commercial development of the tournament."

Li Jinsheng, Standing Vice Director General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, said: "As we officially launch the Domestic Commercial Program, we are expecting domestic and international enterprises to seize this opportunity to participate in the program and other aspects of preparations for the event and strengthen exchange and cooperation for win-win outcomes. The LOC will work together with Infront (China) to safeguard sponsors' interest, ensure returns on each of their rights and create a good marketing environment for the event."

Anne Zhao, Managing Director of Infront China, said: "In these 13 years of support given to Chinese basketball, Infront China has developed a unique basketball DNA. I am grateful to FIBA, CBA and the Joint Management Committee's trust. We look forward to developing and providing win-win commercial opportunities to our partners and sponsors and making a joint effort to present a wonderful and successful World Cup to all the basketball fans around the world."

One of the key marketing milestones on the Road to China 2019 will be the unveiling of the official mascot, an important asset that will be an ambassador of FIBA's flagship competition all around the globe.

As of today, basketball fans have the unique opportunity to submit their own ideas for the mascot, with the deadline to submit a complete concept - consisting of the design, name and storyline - set for January 7, 2018.

Thanks to the considerable support of Wanda Group's subsidiary, Wanda Themed Entertainment, the 10 most interesting ones will officially be presented to the Chinese public at the Wanda Han Show Theatre in Wuhan at the end of January and whittled down to a final shortlist of three by a panel of experts.

The winning mascot design will then be selected and unveiled on February 23 in Dongguan.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 will be staged across eight Chinese cities - Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan - from 31 August to September 15, 2019 and will feature a record 32 teams. It is the first time that the International Basketball Federation's flagship competition is staged in China. It becomes the most high-profile sporting event to be held on Chinese soil ahead of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

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FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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