Beach Volleyball set for Global Expansion with new Partners

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) today announced a historic new partnership agreement with the Beach Major Company - a joint venture between Hannes Jagerhofer (Acts) and Red Bull - demonstrating FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F°’s commitment to sport innovation as he looks to secure volleyball’s position as the most engaging sport entertainment in the world.

This ground breaking partnership will ensure that beach volleyball will set the benchmark as one of the world’s most dynamic forms of sport entertainment, with Red Bull bringing its full marketing, event management and media competence to the realisation of three Major Series events and the Swatch Beach Volleyball Season Final as part of the FIVB World Tour. Plans to significantly increase the number of Major Series events are already in place as Red Bull and Hannes Jagerhofer have committed to long term backing of this Olympic International Sports Federation.

Today’s announcement also signified the return of Swatch to beach volleyball as the title sponsor for the Major Series as part of the FIVB World Tour in what promises to be another spectacular year for the sport ahead of Rio 2016 - where beach volleyball has been tipped as a showcase sport of the Games.

President Graça, who attended the press conference at the Swatch LAB in Zurich, said: "This new partnership is the next step in the FIVB’s mission to ensure that volleyball is the world’s leading family sport entertainment through engagement, innovation and universality. Like the FIVB and volleyball, Red Bull is a dynamic, global brand and I look forward to working together to ensure that the FIVB’s beach volleyball events are a memorable spectacle for fans around the world.

"Red Bull is unrivalled in its marketing expertise. In combination with the Red Bull Media House with its outstanding network and knowledge of content production and distribution - this makes them an ideal partner for the FIVB. We are also delighted to be working closely with Hannes Jagerhofer – a renowned promoter who has set the benchmark for staging world-class volleyball events for many years. Finally, today we are announcing the renewal of the relationship between beach volleyball and one of the most respected sponsors in sport – Swatch. These are all incredibly prestigious partners for the FIVB and I look forward to working closely together to ensure that volleyball continues to lead through innovation as the number one family sport entertainment in the world."

CEO of the Beach Major Company Hannes Jagerhofer stated: "The joint venture was the result of 20 years’ close and successful cooperation with Red Bull. The Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series, together with the FIVB as the world governing body, was created to push beach volleyball to an entirely new level and position it on the world's stage of top global sports. Only with the strong support of the International Federation, which is entirely responsible for the sport’s progress, is it possible to realise the vision of the Major Series. Bringing Swatch on board as title sponsor, which is not only a strong global iconic brand but also a year long trusted partner, facilitator and driving force, is the best possible scenario for a new era in beach volleyball history. To top it off, the Red Bull Media House, known for its award winning live productions, innovative content creation, action sports series and top ranked social media community will be committed to delivering new standards in beach volleyball production, distribution and entertainment."

The 2015 FIVB World Tour marks the start of the second qualification process (alongside the Continental Cup) for beach volleyball athletes ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – where the sport is expected to be the signature event on Copacabana Beach.

2015 will be an action-packed year for beach volleyball. There will be three Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series and five FIVB Grand Slams – all carrying the same prize money of $800,000 – before the Swatch Beach Volleyball Season Final takes place in the USA in October. The Swatch Beach Volleyball Season Final - exclusively reserved for the top-ranked eight teams and two wildcards – will award a total prize package of $500,000, with the winning teams (men’s and women’s) receiving $100,000 each.

FIVB World Tour events:

Swatch Major Series:

Porec, Croatia

Stavanger, Norway

Gstaad, Switzerland

Grand Slams:

Moscow, Russia

Yokohama, Japan

St. Petersburg, USA

Long Beach, USA

Olsztyn, Poland

Swatch Beach Volleyball Season Final:

Fort Lauderdale, USA

For further information visit www.fivb.org

Press contact - FIVB Communications Director Richard Baker

Email: press@fivb.org

Mobile : 0041 79 603 3926

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