Vishnu K M’s Post

Good work appreciation post: When it comes to announcing football partnerships, there seems to be a template in place that most teams, brands and agencies use. Generally traditional, with a boiler plate as the starting point, often leading to a minimal viable product that all parties are ‘kind of’ happy with. As a football fan, and a marketer, I could not be more impressed with Man U and Snapdragons latest jersey sponsorship announcement. Legacy and tradition at the very heart of it. Clearly understanding their audience by tapping into the rich iconography of the club, and its storied history, the Old Trafford faithful with no doubt resonate with this. Leveraging Cantona as the chief protagonist and stroryteller was genius. The club were obviously instrumental here from both an insights and access pov. Using that as the starting point, the brand was able to ensure product salience and integration throughout. This added a certain authenticity and credibility to it, one that placed fans in the center, and not the other way around. Fan led vs. brand led, yet, more effective. Not always easy, but when done properly, rights holders and brands can come together and deliver a 1+1=3 result… As a non Man U fan, but a fan of football and someone who appreciates and operates within the broader football ecosystem, this is very well done! Kudos, to Manchester United, Qualcomm and their agency partners. I look forward to watching how this partnership comes to life over the next few years and how it benefits both parties, and most importantly, the fans of Man U. It is certainly off to a good start. #sportsmarketing #football #ManchesterUnited

🏉 With the footy finals upon us (AFL starting tonight) I recalled being in awe of how 1 team navigated the draft in the past... In the 2004 draft, Hawthorn recruited three future stars: Jarryd Roughead, Lance “Buddy” Franklin and Jordan Lewis at picks 2, 5 and 7. If the draft were redone today, they’d likely go at 1, 2 and 4. An even bigger steal came in 2001 when the Hawks picked up Sam Mitchell at pick 36. In hindsight, he should have been closer to pick 4. He was overlooked by every other club. These elite recruitment decisions contributed hugely to an era of huge success, amassing four premierships in eight years. It just goes to show, a sports club success, largely depends on bringing the right people into your team. If you were a Sports Manager, how would you ensure you aren't missing your own version of ‘Buddy Franklin’? Ps: I’m not a Hawks supporter (go Swans!), but I’m happy to give credit where it’s due. 😉

Simple and smart.

The Future of Football is Female.

The National Football League (NFL)'s dedication to expanding flag football, the non-contact version of the sport, is driven by Commissioner Roger Goodell's strategic vision. 🏆💡 With an aim to introduce more people globally to the NFL, Goodell has been fully invested in growing flag football, recognizing its potential to become a global powerhouse. ⬆️🌎 Flag football appeals to girls, young athletes in countries where tackle football isn't widely played, and provides a more accessible entry point for those who can't afford traditional equipment. 🙌👩🦱🏘️ The NFL's recent partnership with Toyota North America, making them the presenting partner of NFL Flag tournaments, underscores the league's commitment to elevating the sport through strategic sponsorships. 🤝💰 With an estimated 20 million players in 100 countries and its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, flag football's growth trajectory is soaring. 📈🏅 Stay tuned as the NFL continues to innovate and prioritize player safety, exploring the potential for flag football to evolve into a professional sport. 🚀🔒 #YouthSports #Sportsbiz #LinkedInSports #YouthSportsBiz #NFL #Football https://lnkd.in/gUxNTSSN

Most people have heard of the USA Basketball "Dream Team" 🏀 But do you know the Jerry Colangelo story? He transformed US basketball into an unstoppable gold medal force. In 2004, USA basketball was made up of some of the most talented stars in their sport... But they spectacularly failed on the big stage. The 2004 humiliation called for change, and Team USA chiefs turned to Jerry Colangelo to steady the ship and get the side moving back in the right direction. How did he do it? 1️⃣ Team selection Choosing your people is the first decision you make as a leader so make it a good one. Jerry took interviews very seriously and took time to conduct personal, face-to-face interviews to: 🤝 Emphasise the commitment & what is expected of you 👤 Find out who you are outside of the game 🇺🇸 Understand why you believe in the team's cause/mission 2️⃣ Team makeup He kept Carmelo, Wade, Boozer and Lebron from the 2004 losing US team. Those people have more at stake and can help teammates understand the greater context of the frustration and heartbreak of the last tournament. Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. The best teams in history contain a mixture of: 1) Experienced players who bring credibility and institutional understanding 2) Young players who bring energy and keep the overall team environment fresh and relevant Make sure you have a good mix of both in your team. 3️⃣ Team character Jerry made sure all individuals were united by a foundation of character. He made players want to give more of themselves and be part of something bigger. Michael Redd exemplified this. He drove from his team practise in Milwaukee, where he was one of the best players - averaging 20 points a game - to meet with Jerry in Chicago ahead of team selection. When Jerry answered the door, he was still in his gym clothes so he asked to use the restroom. Strange request upon arrival. A few minutes later he emerged in a suit and tie. Details matter. The players had started to treat the process with the utmost respect. ------ Before you get into the mission and strategy, the people are the ones who will accomplish that mission. Take more time than you think you need to select your Xs and Os. ------ Enjoy this? Share it with your network ♻️ and follow me Alex Ayin for more in the future. #Leadership #Team #Success #Basketball

Episode 206 – How Equitable is the World of Sports?

👨🎤 Erling Haaland is one of the world's most famous footballers, but could his off-pitch talents allow him to become a global multimedia sensation? 🎭 With a few exceptions like Damian Lillard, Lewis Hamilton, or David Beckham, sports stars don’t become rappers, singers, actors or fashion designers until they retire. 🌟 As the lines between sports and entertainment blur, we're left wondering: how long can sports hold back the creative potential of its biggest stars? 🎤 We spoke with sports marketing, branding, and partnerships experts, Yao W., Simon Oliveira, Sean Jefferson, and Ron Wiegand about the challenges athletes face in branching out beyond their sport. 👉 FREE TO READ: https://lnkd.in/eMMf6wJF ✍️ Matthew Glendinning

This city is more than ready for the NBA to bring a team back. Last Friday, we had the honor of hosting the pre- and post-game parties at #QueenAnneBeerhall, and the energy was electric! Sonic legends, iconic Seattlites, media, and even a few Hall of Famers showed up in style. Some standout moments included Rashard Lewis, who joined the Sonics at just 18 and played here from 1998-2007—what a class act and a blast to be around. George Karl, my personal GOAT Seattle coach, reminded us of what he built when he arrived in ’91. That squad, still my all-time favorite, came so close to another championship if it weren’t for thar legendary 96 Bulls team of Jordan, Rodman, Pippen led by Jackson. And of course, we had the legends: Payton, Kemp, and Big Smooth—Mr. Sam Perkins. These guys not only shaped Seattle basketball but made everyone—our staff, patrons, and fans—feel amazing all over again. I’m so grateful to have been part of this experience. I can’t wait to be back in green and gold, welcoming a new era of basketball to the Rain City! The NBA is moving closer to expansion, with Seattle and Las Vegas being the frontrunners for new teams. Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated that after finalizing the league’s media rights deal in 2024, the NBA will likely turn its attention to expansion. The league has already secured a new collective bargaining agreement, and once the media rights are settled, expected by mid-2024, discussions about adding new teams will begin in earnest. The expansion process is not expected to be immediate, as owners will need time to agree on fees and logistics, with expansion costs potentially exceeding $4 billion per team. Seattle’s bid would revive the beloved Sonics, while Las Vegas is also seen as a prime market. #FreshSqueezed #BringBackOurSonics #Seattle #NBA

𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 Yesterday I was at a football (soccer) match of the Dutch team (a fun game to watch). One of the key players, Memphis Depay (top picture) was wearing a white headband. I said to my son, "that looks pretty neat". In the US many NBA players have been wearing headbands for ages. In fact, the NBA even came up with their own NBA branded headbands. Today I learned that the fact Depay was wearing this headband sparkled quite some reactions. The former player Van der Vaart, now tv analyst made a comment that Depay probably was going to play tennis... And the head coach (who I in fact do admire; shouldn’t he bring out a book about his management style?), also made some comments about this. How interesting. Do you think that when King (LeBron) James (bottom picture) wears a headband that his basketball coach will say something about it? Or any of the many other coaches who have players with headbands? I actually thought it looked pretty darn cool. The missed opportunity here is that Nike and the Dutch football association (KNVB) should come up with their own branded orange version and launch it now the European Cup is coming up soon. Personally I would embrace this. As a team, as a sports apparel brand, a football association, as a marketer and as a coach and even tv analyst. Afterall, it’s not like he is wearing a fedora, a fez, a top hat or a cap. In the end it’s about the performance on the pitch, isn’t it? What do you think? How do you manage or overcome cultural differences? #businessculture #FocusOnTheResult #perform #management #resultsmatter