Kahlen has been fortunate to work with some amazing people and organisations that have helped shape his career and affords him a broad view of the sports industry.
He began his sports career in advertising within sports media, talkSPORT and ESPN, but recognising the emergence and transformative potential of digital joined sports start-up Pulselive as their Business Director. Securing transformative contracts with organisations like World Rugby and Premier League, he helped establish what is now one of the most respected digital services providers within sport. This experience helped him realise a lifelong dream of working for the International Olympic Committee, where he led Digital Partnerships, within the IOC’s Media Rights team – focussed predominantly on the launch, commercialisation and distribution of IOC’s digital products and first D2C offering.
Kahlen now leads the international division of Snap’s Sports Partnerships team, responsible for developing partnerships with Rights Holders, Rights Owners, Teams, Leagues and Athletes to serve Snap’s community. He sets the strategic direction for sports internationally, defining how Sports Partnerships support these organisational goals and mobilising internal XFN stakeholders to make them happen. From leading the successful activation of major sports tent poles, Beijing and Tokyo Olympic Games, UEFA EURO’s 2020 & 2022, FIFA 2022 and 2023 World Cup, to managing ‘always on’ partners, such as Sky Sports, beIN SPORTS, Formula 1, La Liga, Manchester City and PSG amongst others, he is driven by the unique power of sport to mobilise people and the immense opportunities that still remain.
Having grown up in different countries, sport served as an anchor in his life, helping him to make friends, learn languages and make lifelong memories. He is inspired by the potential of sport as a power for good and societal change and is an eternal optimist. A guiding piece of advice he was given is to always assume positive intent – it will transform how you see the world, unlock incredible opportunities and inspire people around you.
