Two weeks from this morning we will be gathered at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) Ireland annual event.
Kicking off with registration and networking from 08:00 and running through to lunchtime the event will feature leading voices in sponsorship, marketing, and brand partnerships from Ireland and across Europe.
Welcome and Introduction
ESA Board Director and Managing Director of The Brand Fans, Daragh Persse will open the event with a welcome and introduction, setting the stage for the day’s discussions.
ESA Update and 2025 Sponsorship trends
Chair of the European Sponsorship Association, Sophie Morris is also Co-Founder and Director of Sponsor View, an independent sponsor satisfaction research service. With over two decades in marketing and sponsorship, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the event.
Building the Business Case to Invest in Women’s Sport
An award-winning sports broadcaster and journalist, Marie Crowe brings over 15 years of experience covering major sports events across Irish national media. Her recent accolades include Journalist of the Year in 2024 and a Royal Television Society Award for investigative journalism. At the ESA event, she will delve into building the business case for investing in women’s sports.
As Senior Sponsorship Manager at Royal London, Jess Glover has been instrumental in pioneering partnerships, notably influencing the creation of the first-ever Lions Women’s team. Her previous roles include leading partnership management at The IRONMAN Group and activating PepsiCo’s sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League at Fuse.
Group Managing Director at Wasserman, Lenah Ueltzen-Gabell oversees the agency’s growth across the UK, Middle East, and China. With a background as a former equestrian, she champions growth and equality for women in sports, music, and culture.
The Breathing Space: 2025 ESA Awards Sponsorship of the Year 2025
Co-Founder and Creative Director at NOSLEEPTILLBROOKLYN, Aris Theophilakis boasts a portfolio featuring brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Red Bull. His agency’s triumph at the 2025 ESA Awards with Gjensidige adds to a distinguished collection of industry recognitions.
MII AIM Awards Sponsorship Winners Panel
Shane McGonigle of the Marketing Institute of Ireland will host a discussion with some of the winners from last week’s All Ireland Marketing Awards.
ELEMIS x Aston Martin F1
Global Partnership Director at ELEMIS, Amy Mansell has over 20 years of experience spanning sports, fashion, music, and entertainment. She currently leads the groundbreaking ELEMIS x Aston Martin F1 partnership, marking a significant entry of a beauty brand into motorsport.
The event is free for ESA members, with registration available through the ESA website.
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SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
With plenty of networking opportunities and an audience engagement being run by the team at Verve, it promises to be a great morning and we look forward to seeing you there.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The event runs from 08:00 to Lunchtime on Thursday, June 12th
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The Brand Fans, Energia, Onside, Core, Legacy Communications, Wilson Hartnell, Verve, Teneo, Wasserman, Electric Ireland, and Tennis Ireland from the ESA Ireland Steering Group are all among the 300+ members of the Sport for Business community, which includes all of the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies, individuals interested in our world, and an increasing number from beyond these shores taking a keen interest in Ireland.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
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