Group 1 Agency

Exciting times at Fanatics Fest NYC this weekend! This inaugural event brought together leagues, athletes, and brands to celebrate passionate sports fans. It emphasized elevating the card collecting hobby, building community, and engaging fans. The card collecting hobby started in the US, but it is growing in popularity around the world. We look forward to seeing it expand internationally!

The Olympics are always special, but attending the Olympics in your home country is something different! I had a blast representing Group 1 Agency on-site, coordinating access and experiences for some of our clients as well as connecting with new and old friends. Kudos to Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 for the spectacular organization and execution of a memorable Olympic Games. I look forward to LA 2028!

Many European soccer clubs are prioritizing expansion into the US, and the past few weeks have seen many friendly matches across the market. Group 1 supported two of those clubs with cross-sport marketing activities. Both engagements showcased an athlete’s personal interest in the club they were connecting with, which leads to more authentic and engaging content. The first was a tour and content capture session of the Brooklyn Nets for Eintracht Frankfurt footballer Aurèle Amenda. The second was a marketing and media opportunity for NBA player (and major Man City fan) Alex Caruso at the Manchester City Football Club friendly match in Columbus, Ohio.

NBA Summer League is more than a series of exhibition games. It serves as a networking hub amongst players, coaches, agents, team reps, and industry executives. The basketball industry converges to foster relationships that shape careers and influence future opportunities. Group 1 was onsite in Las Vegas this week and enjoyed connecting with many friends from across the industry.

The UEFA EURO 2024 brings the world of football together! Group 1 was in Munich for the semi final between Spain and France. We set up a VIP experience for one of our clients taking care of access and logistics during the day. Now, looking forward to the Final in Berlin on Sunday!

Last week, I had the privilege to speak at the Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea Graduation Ceremony which took place on the pitch of the recently renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Eight years after graduating myself from this school, this spectacular event brought back a lot of memories. From studying the master's, to my experience at Real Madrid C.F., to my 7 years tenure at the National Basketball Association (NBA), to now driving my own international sports marketing agency Group 1 Agency. Special thanks to Marisa Sáenz Bravo and her team for the invite. And shout out to Maria Lafrenz Cuervo who I had the chance to share the stage with on this memorable evening.

Footballer Vero Boquete is the first woman in Spain to be a pundit for a men’s football tournament. Group 1 brokered a deal for Vero with Ted Baker, a global lifestyle brand that offers clothing and accessories renowned for unswerving attention to detail. The brand provided many styles to keep her looking sharp during UEFA EURO 2024. Group 1 has strong connections with brands globally. We can come to athletes with opportunities, or athletes can come to us with a specific category or market in mind. We secure commercial and brand building opportunities around the world.

Please join us in welcoming Marina Peñalver Pereira to Group 1 as our new Account Manager! Marina is originally from and currently based in Madrid, Spain and grew up passionate about sports, especially basketball, tennis, and skiing. She recently graduated from Centro de Estudios Garrigues with an MBA in Sports, Business, and Law. Prior to pursuing this degree and changing industries, Marina worked at Siemens Gamesa in project management and BIP Consulting. In her spare time, Marina enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and playing a lot of padel.

We organized a few cross-sport engagements for Chelsea Football Club footballer Axel Disasi while he was in Miami. It was wonderful partnering with the Miami Marlins and loanDepot park to provide benefits to both parties. Axel threw the ceremonial first pitch, met several players, and received a signed jersey with his name on it. We look forward to continued collaborations with Major League Baseball (MLB) and its teams. Axel also visited the Miami HEAT while in town. We also set him up with a content crew to capture the appearances! Group 1 will continue to champion the synergy and the endless opportunities cross-sport promotions can provide.

When traveling overseas, professional athletes require the proper facilities to continue their training regimen. We offer tailored services to meet this need anywhere in the world. We recently set up workouts for NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell in London. Group 1 is the best resource for athletes, agents, and properties to operate internationally.