PR- and Marketing Director Kimmo Leinonen Returns Home to Join Finnish Ice Hockey Association

Kimmo Leinonen, the PR and Marketing Director of the International Ice Hockey Federation will join the Finnish Ice Hockey Association (FIHA) on August 1, 2007. Leinonen will first serve as Project Leader responsible for the commercial activities of FIHA and their development. Additionally, the FIHA Board of Directors has appointed Leinonen as General Secretary of the next IIHF World Championship to be held in Finland. Finland bids as one of four candidates for the 2012 IIHF World Championship together with Czech Republic, Hungary and Sweden.

Leinonen will continue in his current position in the IIHF until the end of June. However, the IIHF and FIHA have agreed that Leinonen will be able to reinforce FIHA in the 2012 bid process. The host country of the 2012 event will be determined by vote in the Annual Congress during the IIHF World Championship in Moscow on May 11, 2007.

Kimmo Leinonen’s main objectives for the first year and a half will be the development of commercial activities of FIHA, including developing the partnership strategy, upgrading current products and events, creating new commercial products, as well as improving the product licensing program.

“The IIHF is sad to lose Kimmo Leinonen,” said IIHF President René Fasel. “However we respect his decision to go back to Finland to pursue his career in the important position in the Finnish ice hockey. It has been wonderful twelve years with Kimmo Leinonen at the IIHF, and we all are going to enjoy his determination of organising an excellent IIHF World Championship in Finland. The IIHF wishes him best of luck with his new duties.” 

”The vast international experience that Leinonen has is a substantial asset to FIHA. His appointment to the position of General Secretary ensures Finland’s credibility as a candidate for the 2012 IIHF World Championship. Owing to his relationship network and experience he will be able to have a positive affect on our candidacy. Additionally his expertise in sports marketing opens FIHA new opportunities to shift the commercial activities on a new level”, Finnish Ice Hockey Association President Kalervo Kummola states.

For more information:
Kalervo Kummola, FIHA President, +358 50 2466,
Heikki Hietanen, FIHA Executive Director, +358 50 373 0303,
Kimmo Leinonen, +41 79 774 0704

For further information:
Szymon Szemberg
IIHF Information & Media Relations Manager
Brandschenkestrasse 50, 8027 Zürich, Switzerland
0041-44-562 22 75 (direct), 0041-79-774 07 11 (mobile)
0041-44-562 22 39 (Fax)
http://www.iihf.com/