We'd Love to Hear from You

The Sports Sponsorship POV is back.

This microsite will feature thoughts, comments, questions and debate on some of the hot topics in sponsorship, advertising and marketing leading up to the Sports Sponsorship Symposium in New York City.

Press Credentials

If you are interested in attending the Sports Sponsorship Symposium as a member of the working press, please contact:

Martin Bounds
SportsBusiness Journal
Telephone: 704-973-1413
Email: mbounds@sportsbusinessjournal.com

Speaker Faculty Set for the 2008 Sports Sponsorship Symposium

On September 16 and 17, the Relay Worldwide Sports Sponsorship Symposium will showcase a full line-up of brand-side marketers and notable industry executives who will discuss the success behind their sports sponsorships.

In the opening roundtable discussion, Dana Bates, Continental Airlines; Tim Ellis, VW USA; Bea Perez, Coca-Cola; Mark Ingall, Citibank; Tim Schoen, Anheuser-Busch; and Tony Pace, Subway will discuss the interplay between their macro brand-strategies and micro execution through sports sponsorship.

And later in the program, a panel consisting of sponsors and sports properties will evaluate the current state of sponsor/property relations and how to make their partnerships work even better for both parties. Sponsors Ray Bednar, Bank of America; Tom Murphy, Sprint; Jeff Urban, Gatorade; and Judah Zeigler, Sharp, along with property representatives Matt Higgins, New York Jets; Mark Tatum, NBA; John Brody, MLB; Keith Wachtel, NHL; and Steve Phelps, NASCAR will discuss aligning the needs and objectives of both sponsors and sports properties to achieve success.

In addition to these discussions, this year's Symposium will feature:

• Keynote addresses: Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi and Neil Golden, Senior VP & CMO, McDonald's USA
• Presentations: Kevin Plank, CEO, Under Armour and Rick Burton, CMO, USOC
• One-On-One Interview: Jim Courier, Member, International Tennis Hall of Fame and Founding Partner, InsideOut Sports & Entertainment.

Once you have reviewed the full program agenda, you'll agree that there's only one place for you to be on September 16 and 17 and that's in New York City at the Sports Sponsorship Symposium.

The Sports Sponsorship Symposium is the "must attend" event in New York each fall.

So mark your calendars and REGISTER TODAY.

Lovemarks Author Kevin Roberts to Kick-Off 2008 Relay Worldwide Sports Sponsorship Symposium

This year's opening keynote speaker will be Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi and author of the best-selling books Peak Performance: Business Lessons from the World's Top Sports Organisations, Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands and The Lovemarks Effect: Winning in the Consumer Revolution.

Roberts has said the real challenge to winning in today's marketplace is how to attract and involve people, not just shout at them. To win Loyalty Beyond Reason and the status of a Lovemark, people have to love you and what you do.

In his address, Roberts will share his insights into how marketers can meet this challenge head-on. As a passionate fan he knows the world of sport first-hand. He will show how brands become Lovemarks through authentic emotional connections, compelling experiences and inspiration.

The Sports Sponsorship Symposium is the "must attend" event in New York this fall for cutting-edge content and outstanding industry networking with senior brand-side marketers and notable industry executives.

So mark your calendars and REGISTER TODAY.