Events and Reports
The Awards return for the third edition
The Leaders Under 40 Awards is back for a third year to uncover the best global talent in sport business. The annual awards, created by Leaders and Aspire Academy, recognises the off field visionaries who are shaping the future of the sports industry. The awards ceremony celebrating those chosen for the Class of 2017, will return to the iconic Natural History Museum on the 3 October 2017.
The annual campaign involves an extensive search of all geographies, sports and job functions, to identify those individuals helping to drive the industry forward. To uncover this exceptional work and highlight outstanding potential, over 60 established international judges will seek out individuals across 5 categories: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Digital, Marketing & Communications, and Sales to form a talented Class of 2017.
Last year’s ceremony was a night of celebration for the 35 exceptional individuals who were selected to join the Leaders Under 40 Awards Class of 2016. All 35 candidates were called on stage to collect their award in front of an audience of over 400. In the room there was an eclectic mix of aspiring and established leaders from across the sport business spectrum. Herbert Hainer, former CEO at Adidas, picked up the coveted Inspirational Leader Award. André Villas-Boas, Head Coach at Shanghai SIPG also took to the stage to offer an expert insight in a one to one interview with evening host Mark Chapman.
James Johnson, Head of Professional Football, FIFA and Class of 2016 member in the Leadership category, commented:
‘The 2016 Class is really exceptional and for me it’s a privilege to be part of this group.’
James Worrall, Founder and CEO, Leaders, commented:
‘The Awards really have gone global and established itself as the awards ceremony for the leaders under 40 in the business of sport. Aspire Academy are all about inspiring the next generation of leaders, so it was a natural fit to join forces and hopefully the sum is greater than the parts.’
Ivan Bravo, Director General, Aspire Academy and Founding Partner of the Leaders Under 40 Awards, commented:
‘The Leaders Under 40 Awards is the perfect platform for us to uncover the most talented individuals operating in sport business, and the industry recognises those who are really making the difference. For us recognising talent also provides a reference point for those aspiring to be leaders in the industry.’
Nominations for the 2017 Leaders Under 40 Awards are now open. To nominate yourself or someone you know, click here. Or to find out more about the Leaders Under 40 Awards, click here.
Leaders Under 40 Awards Class of 2016
Digital
Chris Schlosser, SVP and General Manager, MLS Digital, MLS
Alexandra Willis, Head of Communications, Content & Digital, Wimbledon
Tim Greenberg, SVP Digital, World Surf League
Diego Gigliani, SVP, Media and Innovation, City Football Group
Victor Alvarado, Chief Marketing Officer, Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación, A.C.
Nuno Moura, Global Brand Digital Director, Nike
Stephen McArdle, EVP, Digital Media & Strategic Planning, NHL
Entrepreneurship
Will Dean, CEO & Founder, Tough Mudder
Sanjit Atwal, CEO & Co-Founder, Squawka
Igor Ulis, CEO & Co-Founder, Omnigon
Danny Townsend, Chief Revenue Officer, Nielsen Sports
Jason Robins, Co-Founder & CEO, Draft Kings
Nicholas Horbaczewski, Founder & CEO, Drone Racing League
Tom Vernon, Founder & Chairman, Right to Dream & FC Nordsjaelland
Leadership
Rory Brown, President, Bleacher Report
Sam Hollis, Chief Operating Officer, America’s Cup Event Authority
Elkhan Mammadov, General Secretary, Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan
Omar Berrada, Chief Operating Officer, Manchester City FC
James Johnson, Head of Professional Football, FIFA
Connor Schell, SVP and Executive Producer, ESPN Films and Original Content, ESPN
Nakisa Bidarian, Chief Financial Officer, UFC
Marketing & PR
Daniel Glantz, Global Head of Sponsorship, AIG
Olivier van Lindonk, Senior Vice President, IMG Tennis, IMG
Matt McKie, Global Marketing Director for EA SPORTS FIFA, EA SPORTS
Todd Fischer, SVP, Global Sports and Entertainment Consulting, GMR Marketing
John-Olav Evans, Marketing Director, Norwegian Ski Federation
Melissa Proctor, Chief Marketing Officer, Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club and Philips Arena
Scott Bowers, Group Communications Director, The Jockey Club
Sales
Matthew O’Donohoe, Head of International Sales and Business Development, CAA Sports
Cole Gahagan, Chief Revenue Officer, Ticketmaster
Nathan Lindberg, Director of eSports Sales, Twitch
Brett Clarke, Global Head of Business Development and Marketing Partnerships, Nitro Circus
Wendy Jiang Jing, Commercial Vice President, APAC, Women’s Tennis Association
Nick Baker, Senior Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships
John Younger, Senior Director Corporate Partnerships, Hulman Motorsports Corporation – IndyCar Series & Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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