As Ringier Sports AG is placing its focus on marketing, consultancy and digitalisation in a strategic realignment, the decision has been taken to transfer ownership of the Merchandising & Licensing department. From 1 January 2022, Ivo Heuberger’s company HI-PRO GmbH will take over this area of Ringier Sports AG, along with all rights and obligations in relation to customers and suppliers. At the same time, HI-PRO will become a partner company of Ringier Sports AG and of Ringier AG for advertising and promotional items.
Mark A. Rebsamen will remain in his role as Chief Operating Officer following the takeover by HI-PRO GmbH. He will continue to be available to all customers in future with the usual support and services.
Ivo Heuberger, founder and CEO of HI-PRO: «HI-PRO’s primary objective is long-term partnerships with our customers – we have now laid the foundations for this with Ringier Sports AG. We strongly believe that with this takeover of the Merchandising & Licensing division we have created the ideal basis for further developing our innovative company. We are especially pleased that Mark A. Rebsamen will remain in place as Chief Operating Officer and continue to offer his many years of experience and his proven capabilities.»
Alexander Grimm, CEO of Ringier Sports: «Ringier Sports AG is concentrating on the key areas of digitalisation in sports, consultancy and marketing. Our valuable partnership with HI-PRO gives rise to new possibilities for Ringier Sports, and new development opportunities are opened up for the Merchandising & Licensing department thanks to the takeover. It’s a win-win situation.»
Ringier AG, Corporate Communications
About HI-PRO GmbH
HI-PRO GmbH was founded in 2002 by the former Swiss tennis pro Ivo Heuberger and has developed into a modern and innovative company in the Swiss advertising and promotional items market and in the area of work clothing.
About Ringier Sports
Ringier Sports AG is a subsidiary of the Ringier Group and focuses on the marketing, consulting, digitisation and activation of clubs, associations, leagues and organisations as well as national and international events in the Swiss market. The focus is on public sports such as football and ice hockey as well as sports that have a high number of licensed and/or active players. At the same time, Ringier Sports AG focuses on the exploitation of marketing and media rights to national leagues and the future development as well as marketing and digitisation of event and championship formats with a national character.