#303: Gemba, Marketing Strategy Consultant | Sam Waring

11/17/24 • 57 min

Meet Sam Waring, a Strategy Consultant at Gemba. Sam assists brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Netflix with with their sponsorship strategy across sports and entertainment.

Before he was mixing in the big leagues, Sam started his journey as a Marketing Intern with the NZ Breakers before making his way to Australia. After getting rejected for his current role once, Sam stepped away and addressed his skill gaps, only to return and land his dream job.

Sam’s story is packed with advice on overcoming rejections, staying persistent, and building your skillset. If you’re eager to understand the behind-the-scenes of a career in sports marketing and strategy, you’re going to love this episode with Sam.

We cover:

(6:57) - Introduction to Sam's career and journey

(11:23) - Breaking into the sports industry and early experiences

(16:45) - Challenges of landing jobs in competitive sports roles

(21:30) - Importance of sponsorships in sports marketing

(27:15) - Developing strategies for brand partnerships

(33:00) - Insights into working with high-profile clients like Coca-Cola

(38:20) - Bridging creative and commercial strategies

(43:50) - How agency work differs from in-house roles

(48:30) - Examples of successful sports campaigns

(54:00) - Advice on networking and career growth in sports

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#175: Gemba, Senior Strategy Consultant | Oliver Gilbert

#287: MKTG Sports + Entertainment, Sponsorship Manager | Jeffery Leong

#99: Octagon UK, Managing Director | Joel Seymour-Hyde

#236: Sports Marketing Consultant | Danny Bowerin

-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok

-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok

-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities

-Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sport

Big thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.

Thanks for listening, much love!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Sam Waring, a Strategy Consultant at Gemba. Sam assists brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Netflix with with their sponsorship strategy across sports and entertainment.

We cover:

(6:57) - Introduction to Sam's career and journey

(11:23) - Breaking into the sports industry and early experiences

(16:45) - Challenges of landing jobs in competitive sports roles

(21:30) - Importance of sponsorships in sports marketing

(27:15) - Developing strategies for brand partnerships

(33:00) - Insights into working with high-profile clients like Coca-Cola

(38:20) - Bridging creative and commercial strategies

(43:50) - How agency work differs from in-house roles

(48:30) - Examples of successful sports campaigns

(54:00) - Advice on networking and career growth in sports

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#175: Gemba, Senior Strategy Consultant | Oliver Gilbert

#287: MKTG Sports + Entertainment, Sponsorship Manager | Jeffery Leong

#99: Octagon UK, Managing Director | Joel Seymour-Hyde

#236: Sports Marketing Consultant | Danny Bowerin

-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok

-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok

-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities

-Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sport

Big thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.

Thanks for listening, much love!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

#302: Paris 2024, Content Creator | Stella Barry

Meet Stella Barry, a Social Media Producer for both the Australian Open and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Stella’s work involves creating engaging social media content, where at the Paris 2024 Olympics, she managed influencer partnerships and creatively leveraged trends to engage younger audiences.

With previous experience working at IMG Academy and Nebraska University, Stella’s social media expertise was honed through hands-on roles where she developed content and learned video production, storytelling, and athlete engagement. Her experiences, including working with major global sporting events, provided her with unique insights into the world of digital content in sports.

If you're struggling to break into the sports industry, Stella’s journey offers valuable advice on the power of networking, resilience in the face of rejection, and the importance of gaining diverse experiences. Discover how Stella overcame rejection and used her background in tennis to build a successful career in social media. This interview is perfect for anyone looking to avoid the frustrations of job rejections and gain insights on how to succeed in sports media.

We cover:

(08:34) - Introduction to Stella Barry and her background

(14:02) - Stella’s journey to working with Paris 2024

(20:14) - Challenges of moving to Paris and working in sports media

(27:35) - Insights from working with global sports teams and organisations

(34:46) - Dealing with language barriers in international roles

(41:12) - Strategic approaches in content creation for major sports events

(48:19) - Stella’s experience working as a TikTok host

(55:43) - Managing partnerships and collaborations

(01:01:29) - Highlights from interacting with athletes at the Olympics

(01:08:10) - Future goals and the impact of Olympic experience

If you like this ep, give these a go next:

#170: Cricket Australia, Social Media Producer | Emily Collin

#197: Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Social Media Producer | Sophie Ries

#286: GWS Giants, Head of Content | Jacob Gaynor

-Follow SportsGrad on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok

-Follow Reuben Williams on LinkedIn, Instagram or TikTok

-Subscribe to the SportsGrad newsletter for job and networking opportunities

-Become a SportsGrad Member to shortcut your next job in sport

Big thanks to Deakin University for making this episode possible. Check out their Master of Sport Management, ranked #1 in Australia.

Thanks for listening, much love!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

#304: How to get hired by Cricket Australia | EGM of People & Culture, Allison Robison

Meet Allison Robison, the Executive General Manager of People and Culture at Cricket Australia. Allison leads recruitment and culture for one of the nation's most iconic sports organisations, helping build teams that bring cricket to life. Her insights into hiring practices, including strategies for acing interviews and crafting standout applications, are invaluable.

With a background in senior roles at National Australia Bank and board positions at Swimming Australia and Athletics Victoria, Allison has a wealth of experience in people management and recruitment strategies. She has also been a driving force in promoting the importance of relationships and networking in career success.

If you're a young job hunter seeking to break into the competitive sports industry without the anxiety of endless rejections, Allison’s advice will help you approach the job hunt with confidence. Learn about avoiding job-hunting mistakes, crafting compelling applications, and networking your way to opportunities in sport.

We cover:

(8:27) - Introduction to Alison Robison and her role

(11:45) - Key strategies for standing out in job applications

(14:30) - Understanding the recruitment process at Cricket Australia

(18:00) - Networking: The cornerstone of career success

(21:10) - Building relationships within the sports industry

(25:00) - Role of AI in recruitment and its implications

(28:45) - How to tailor resumes to job descriptions effectively

(32:15) - Tips for succeeding in behavioural interviews

(36:00) - Importance of showcasing personality and passion

(39:10) - Final advice for navigating job applications

If you like this ep, give these a go next: