Partnerships Manager at World Football Summit
Marc brings an excellent professional report, which can easily help you chart an incredible career in the sports industry.
After completing his studies in a large academy, today he is inserted in the football industry, working for WFS, a leading international event organizer with a focus on building and maintaining relationships with great stakeholders in this industry (clubs, federations, and professionals).
Come to find out more details about this interview and learn a lot with a sports manager.
Thanks, Marc to share with us!
Marc, to help our community get to know you better, could you share with us your background and your professional experience?
Having lived and studied abroad for over 17 years of my life (in countries such as Mexico, China, UK, Switzerland, and of course, Spain), I would consider myself a global citizen. I graduated high school with the IB Diploma at Nanjing International School in China. I then continued my studies at the University of Plymouth doing BA International Business. After many years of living abroad, I decided to go back home start my professional career in sales. Four years after I decided to pursue my dream of entering the sports industry and for this I felt the best way was to do a Sports Management Master with AISTS at the Olympic Capital, Lausanne. Thanks to this I have been able to work at World Football Summit as Partnerships Manager, giving me this great and unique opportunity to work in the football industry.
What was the main point where you changed segments in your career and specialize in sport management?
I have always known that I was going to work in the sports industry, it was just a matter of time. The decision to make the change and do the sports management course at AISTS came when I was working at home in a different industry, and realizing that at the age of 27 that I had at the time, was the perfect time for me to do so. I had received a great education but I also had the chance to grow professionally, which I feel is key before jumping into a Masters.
With so many cultures where you’ve had contact throughout your career so far how do you see or put into practice these influences in your area of business opportunities?
Understanding different cultures is key if you want to create business opportunities, especially in the Orient. Being able to live in different cultures gives you the ability to become very open-minded and also very tolerant to others, which is always a plus when approaching companies.
How was your perception of having studied in an institution endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)? And if you can add to the challenges at the time by the covid-19 epidemic.
The course of AISTS is a great institution with great professional people behind it. Studying in the Olympic Capital gives you the great opportunity to network with people in the sports industry as the vast majority of the International Federations under the IOC have their HQ in Lausanne. As we all know, the pandemic was a huge struggle for everyone and whilst it is true that having to cut short the experience in Lausanne, the organization was able to adapt the classes online and our studies continued via internet.
Follow WFS on SportIn Global: https://www.sportinglobal.com/organisation/profile/worldfootballsummit_com/world-football-summit
What are the main challenges and what tips would you give to those who want to act in the relationship with customers in the sports industry?
Understand and know your client. It is key, especially in the sports industry you know your customer and their necessities. Many clubs, leagues, federations are approached by brands that want to collaborate or partner with them, but many don’t do their research prior and waste their time. People in the sports industry do not have a lot of time to spare, so it is key you do your research before approaching anyone.
A final message to our audience.
Pursue your dream of working in the sports industry, the people you meet, connections you make and experiences you live are really special and memorable.
