Infront China Appoints Winston Zheng as Managing Director, Guoli Promoted to Chairman

Infront Sports & Media has appointed Winston Zheng as the new Managing Director of Chinese subsidiary, cure Infront China.

Zheng is a specialised sports marketing professional and holds in-depth knowledge of the Chinese sports market as well as diverse international expertise. Zheng is to take over all operational duties as Managing Director of Infront China from Ma Guoli with immediate effect. In turn, impotent Ma Guoli is stepping up to become Chairman of the Infront China Board.

Winston Zheng joins Infront following a 20-year career in the Asian sport business industry. He has held several senior operational positions, symptoms covering roles that have included Managing Director for Greater China at Octagon, General Manager of the China Golf Tour Ltd at World Sports Group, Manager of Sponsorship, Marketing and Licensing at IMG and Director of Sponsorship for the Asia-Pacific region at banking group UBS.

Earlier in his career, he also worked for China’s Ministry of Sports as a Marketing Manager for the Chinese Football Association and League.  

In his new role as Managing Director, Zheng will work in close collaboration with the Infront China Management Team. 

Philippe Blatter, Infront’s President & CEO, said: “We welcome Winston as part of our global Infront team. He is a proven sports marketing professional with comprehensive experience from working across the industry. He will contribute his domestic and international market know-how to further drive the growth and expansion of the Infront Group in China. The sustained involvement of Ma Guoli as well as the stable Infront China Management Team will ensure continuity across all operations and client relationships. We are convinced that this combination of long-term experience and fresh input will help set new benchmarks in Chinese sports.”

Looking forward to his new role, Winston Zheng commented: “It is a great honour to join Infront as the leading international sports marketing group in China. Past achievements such as the strengthened profile of the country’s top sport basketball are impressive and I am looking forward to continuing the drive and development of the Chinese sports landscape together with Infront’s local and international teams. Growth expectations for the region are above global average and Infront China is well set to continue the momentum that has been built in recent years under Ma Guoli’s leadership.” 

Ma Guoli, designated Chairman of the Infront China Board, added: “Following more than 25 inspiring years in operational business, I am now greatly looking forward to a new challenge as Chairman of the Infront China Board. Particularly, as my successor Winston Zheng holds strong expertise, which will help Infront China to further expand business operations and diversify its portfolio in the mid-term. Winston appreciates Infront’s long-term strategy and vision and has the capacity to build on it with great aptitude. I am looking forward to working with him in my new role.”

Ma Guoli takes over the chairmanship from Philippe Blatter who will remain a member of the Infront China Board of Directors.