Pictured at ISS 2017 in Croke Park was Bruce Mansour, Make it Happen.
Pic Orla Murray

Sometimes you need a pair of fresh eyes to give you new insights on things.

It took a man from thousands of miles away in Canada to help the Irish advertising, sponsorship and media community to find out more about itself and the wider global sector.

Now firmly established as an annual event the 2018 Irish Sponsorship Summit is coming around again and it’s founder, Canadian Bruce Mansour has lined up another impressive global cross section of experts in their field to give pointers on where the sponsorship world is going.

Offering global insights and unparalleled networking, international keynotes will share the latest developments and facilitate discussions with over 300 of the industry’s most influential marketers.

Alexander Shapiro, Visa’s Head of Sponsorship in Europe is among the big name additions to the programme for this years event to be held at Croke Park on Thursday, March 15th.

Shapiro will talk the audience through how Visa activated its global sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer.

One of the smartest sports governing bodies across broadcasting, social media and commercial partnerships, the European Golf Tour will be represented by Nathan Homer and Max Hamilton explaining at how sponsorship is developing across different European markets. A special focus on experiential marketing is also in prospect with Ashley Bowen, the Global Director, Consumer Marketing, at IMG’s Action Sports and Endurance Divisions.

In a move that will be welcomed by those based in the regions this years event kicks off at lunchtime which means a few hours can be put in at the office before relocating to GAA headquarters, allowing networking before and after.

Ballywire Media has been a partner of the event since it’s inception and here is a flavour of the insights you can expect from our report on last years event.