ONSIDE and the Marketing Institute invited its members to 'Who Won the Summer of Sponsorship' in 2017. The event examined the changing sponsorship landscape and explored how brands have reinvented popular platforms to achieve new success, while also looking at the opportunities and challenges for sponsorship Ireland games plans in 2018.
AIB AND VODAFONE BIG WINNERS IN SUMMER OF SPONSORSHIP 2017
Sky Sports duo Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara’s entertaining #RoadtoCroker series helped AIB win the “Summer of Sponsorship” for the second consecutive year. Whilst 75% of survey respondents named AIB’s GAA campaign as effective highlighting the #RoadtoCroker campaign, the results also saw AIB top the list of brands most associated with sport overall this summer.
John Trainor, Founder and CEO of ONSIDE sponsorship and research highlighted: “Industry professionals rated AIB as the brand with the best sponsorship activation overall while Vodafone topped the list of brands that were top performers in the non-sports sponsorship space thanks to their Centrestage music and comedy sponsorship campaign”
PANEL SPEAKERS
Gerry Nixon Senior Sponsorship and Engagement Manager , Vodafone Ireland
As the current Senior Sponsorship and Engagement Manager for Vodafone, Gerry has been instrumental in developing and implementing the brand’s sponsorship strategy for its most high-profile partnerships, including Irish Rugby and the music and comedy platform Centre Stage.
Irene Gowing Communications Manager, Bord Gáis Energy
Irene joined Bord Gáis Energy in 2008 and was involved in the design and creation of the organisation’s sponsorship programme. Today as Communications Manager she is responsible for defining and implementing the PR, brand and sponsorship strategy to ensure it delivers ROI for BordGáis Energy.
Garrett Tubridy Tournament Director, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017
A former Management Consultant with Deloitte in London, Garrett was responsible for Commercial Delivery and Operations of the Heineken Cup from 2005-2015. In 2015, he was appointed Tournament Director for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017, with overall responsibility for the IRFU’s strategy, planning, organisation and delivery of the Tournament.
Sorcha Fennell Sheehan Sponsorship Programme Manager, Bord Gáis Energy
Sorcha joined the communications team in Bord Gáis Energy in 2014 and has worked across the organisation’s sponsorship properties in her time there. Currently her primary responsibility is to manage the brand’s sponsorship of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship driving customer loyalty and brand awareness.
SPECIAL GUEST
Joe Canning Centre-Forward, Galway Senior Hurling
Joe Canning, Galway Senior Hurling centre-forward, is regarded as one of the modern greats of the game – who will forget the last minute point against Tipperary in this year’s semi-final? Most recently, Joe was a crucial part of the team that led Galway to its first All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 29 years.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Brian Keating Group Brands & Propositions Director, AIB
Brian is a leading Marketing professional for over 20 years in senior roles within consumer focused organisations such as Diageo, The Coca-Cola and Aryzta, building & leading Marketing teams in Ireland, UK & North West Europe. In 2013, Brian joined AIB with the responsibility for leading the rejuvenation of the AIB brand.
Sarah Keane President, Olympic Council of Ireland
Sarah Keane is the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, having served on the Council board since August 2014. A former National Level Swimmer and International Water Polo Player, she became the first Chief Executive Officer of Swim Ireland in 2004 and held the position for over ten years
