Philippe Blatter to lead China's Wanda Sport
Updated: 2015-11-27 16:04
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
BEIJING - Philippe Blatter has been appointed head of sports businesses of Chinese property and entertainment conglomerate Dalian Wanda.
Blatter will act as CEO of Wanda Sports, which has been formed together by sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media and World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), Wanda said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The significance of establishing Wanda Sports is not only to integrate Wanda's interests in sports, but also to truly expand and strengthen Wanda's businesses in the industry," said Wang Jianlin, chairman of Wanda Group.
"We want to truly impact the development of sport around the world," he added.
Wanda Sports will be based on three core business pillars, including Spectator Sports (Media & Marketing business), Participation Sports (Active Lifestyle business) and Services (Production, Digital & Service business), according to a statement on Infront's website.
"All valued partners and clients as well as millions of sports enthusiasts worldwide will benefit. The new structure will provide continuity and stability, a much enhanced service offering and strengthened resources in event development and delivery," said Blatter.
Wanda group, formerly a Chinese top real estate company, has been looking to increase its influence in the global sports business.
Earlier this year Dalian spent more than a billion euros on Swiss sports marketing group Infront -- which holds some broadcasting rights to the football World Cup -- and took a 20 percent stake in Spanish football club Atletico Madrid. It also bought the company that owns the Ironman triathlon brand and race series.
Apart from Wanda, China has witnessed a huge influx of private investment into the sports sector since last year.
In September, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba set up a new company to focus on professional sports, one of its latest move after the online Titan invested 1.2 billion yuan ($192 million) to buy 50 percent stake of Guangzhou Evergrande, China's most successful soccer club.
Related Stories
Wanda plans film arm's IPO, eyes Hollywood size 2015-11-25 07:24
Wanda planning theme park in Australia 2015-11-14 09:33
Wanda to buy World Triathlon for $650m 2015-08-28 09:49
Wanda plans to slash 40 dept stores amid transformation 2015-07-27 14:43
Dalian Wanda invests $560m in online travel agency 2015-07-03 17:11
Today's Top News
Xi urges breakthroughs in military structural reform
Chinese play growing part in online shopping
Surviving Russian pilot says no warning from Turkey
Xi to attend Paris climate conference
Putin: Turkey's downing of jet 'stab in the back'
Russian senior military official confirms death of one Su-24 pilot
Nations to boost infrastructure ties
Turkey downs Russian fighter jet near Syria border
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi just needs to turn up for a grand welcome |
Stepping up |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |