iSportConnect’s 2022 Digital & Data Masterclass

iSportConnect are delighted to reveal our first return to physical events since the coronavirus pandemic, with the announcement of our 2022 Digital & Data Masterclass, taking place in London on Tuesday, March 29th, between 9am to 5pm.

Digital & Data is an area which has become a cornerstone of the sports industry with ever-evolving aspects, meaning a constant uptake of knowledge are necessary in order to stay at the forefront of the latest innovations.

The importance of data and utilising it in a manner which is effective to your organisation is critical across every sector, as the digital world has allowed for further analysis and tracking to become available in places they may not have been in prior decades, creating an abundance of knowledge to gain insight on whether your business processes are being successful.

Digital, meanwhile, has opened up a whole new world for sport as we are all aware, but it does not stand still. Technological advancements are changing the digital space on a near-weekly basis so staying up to date is imperative.

Our sessions

Speakers

Thursday, March 10th – Full lineup

Tuesday, March 1st – Four weeks to go: Snap Inc., InCrowd and Nagra join event roster and full agenda revealed

Anmol Malhotra – Global Head of Sports Partnerships – Snap Inc. 

Anmol Malhotra oversees sports partnerships globally at Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, leading relationships with leagues, broadcasters, and rights holders including the NFL, NBA, MLB, UFC, FIFA, Fox, Turner Sports, and NBC. In this role, he also focuses on strategy for several content partnerships and sales initiatives with leagues, teams, and athletes to help them engage new audiences, experiment with innovative forms of distribution and achieve their business objectives. In addition, Anmol helps manage international growth initiatives with sports partners across Asia, Europe, MENA, and Latin America. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and resides in New York City.

Anthony Smith-Chaigneau – Senor Director of Global Sports Marketing and Market Development – NAGRA

Anthony is a digital TV veteran who throughout his career has focused on interactive and value-added services for the consumer.

Alexandra Kyrke-Smith – Audience Strategy Director – InCrowd

Ali is a data insight expert with extensive experience in sport. She has developed fan data strategies for organisations including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Rugby League World Cup 2021, and led major research projects including for the EFL, Rugby World Cup 2015 and notably Formula 1’s award winning Fan Voice platform. Ali oversees insight delivery for InCrowd’s customers, with a particular focus on how data informs strategy and drives revenue.

You can find the full agenda for the day, containing a full download, available at the bottom of the page ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Wednesday, February 23rd – Tepper Sports & Entertainment, TikTok and the England and Wales Cricket Board revealed in speaker lineup.

Alison Crowe – Director of Digital and Data – England and Wales Cricket Board

Alison joined the ECB in January 2020 as Director of Digital and Data. She manages the Digital and Data function for the ECB across all aspects of cricket from elite England teams, through the domestic professional game, The Hundred and recreational and junior cricket. As an avid sports fan she has brought together her love of cricket with vast digital experience from her previous roles at Credit Suisse, Channel 4 and Hays. She has spent twenty years shaping digital customer experiences, enhancing digital ecosystems, representing the audience and voice of the customer and ensuring a data-led approach to product development and digital communication. 

Sean Phaler – Director of Digital Marketing – Tepper Sports & Entertainment

Sean got his first taste of the digital world in eighth grade when he was offered a $60k job as a web designer after winning an online contest. The offer was subsequently rescinded when the company figured out he was only 14. Not to be deterred, Sean has been working in web marketing world pretty much ever since. From creating a custom e-commerce website selling car parts in 2001 to where he is at today with the Carolina Panthers & Charlotte FC.

After four years of high-level college basketball and a short stint as a professional basketball player, Sean launched a successful web design and digital marketing company that catered to small businesses in the Charlotte area. He later took his talents to the NBA, where he expanded the digital footprint of the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets) with expansive interactive web elements, microsites, e-mail marketing, social media, photo/video work and mobile app adoption.

As the Manager of Digital Innovation at Pentair, Sean flourished by disrupting the old B2B manufacturing model and transition the once Fortune-500 company into a leading digital powerhouse. At Ingersoll Rand Sean led two Global Center of Excellence Programs (COEs) in digital marketing and demand generation for a $16B organization. Also, during his tenure he was part of the enterprise marketing team to spinoff and brand an all new pure play climate company – Trane Technologies.

Now at Tepper Sports and Entertainment, Sean is driving digital marketing strategies across the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and Bank of America Stadium. Under owner David Tepper, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC are looking forward to a new era of continued success, business growth and even deeper engagement with the community, fans, marketing partners and other constituents.

Dominic Burns – Director, Global Business Development – TikTok

In his role as Director, Global Business Development, Dominic is responsible for building partnerships with major content owners and rights holders from the worlds of entertainment and sport at TikTok. Prior to TikTok Dominic was Senior Vice-President, Brand Management & Commercial at NBC Universal International Studios and occupied a similar role at Fremantle, where he looked after the commercial and digital strategies around some of the world’s foremost TV IP. Dominic started his career at Eurosport, where he moved up the ladder to become Sales Director for UK, Benelux & Nordics and Head of Commercial Strategy.

Tuesday, February 8th – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Evil Geniuses and the Kansas City Chiefs join our lineup.

Christian Magsisi – Vice President, Technology & Digital – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

Christian Magsisi is Vice President of Technology & Digital at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) where he leads Product Design, Engineering, Research and Development. He works with MLSE’s professional sports teams (Argos, Leafs, Raptors, TFC) and business operations to create technology solutions for front office, coaches and players, as well as enhance the digital fan experience for those watching at home as well as the fans in MLSE venues such as Scotiabank Arena and BMO Field. Prior to joining MLSE, Christian has worked in technology for 15 years starting with telecom at Rogers, then moving into software consultancy, building digital products globally for: energy, retail and government sectors.

As an immigrant to Canada from the Philippines, Christian is passionate about uplifting the lives of families in developing countries and works with several charities to leverage technology for good by assisting with shelter, stem education and humanitarian relief. Outside of his professional work, you will find Christian in his woodshop building furniture as a hobby or chasing his daughter and wife through the many trails in Durham region where they reside.

Nicole LaPointe Jameson – CEO – Evil Geniuses

As the CEO of global esports organization Evil Geniuses (EG), I’m proud to head up a legacy sports brand that has helped to define the modern era of competitive gaming and continues to break boundaries today. Overseeing strategy and operations around EG’s competitive sports, technology, education, streaming and entertainment, and merchandise as well as masterminding expansion into new business sectors, I lead a team across Seattle, Belfast, Monaco, and LA focused on ensuring one of the most successful brands in gaming remains as competitive and fan-focused as ever.

Founded in 1999, EG has since expanded to encompass over 35 professional players, streamers and influencers spanning 6 distinct games. In my tenure, the org has undergone a major brand relaunch and made winning debuts in multiple competitive esports, including a franchise slot in the League Championship Series (LCS), the third most popular overall sport between 18-34 year olds in North America. Additionally, I’ve personally championed major commitments to increasing diversity and representation in the gaming space, working with content creators, competitors and collaborators who reflect the multi-faceted audience they represent.

A statistics graduate of Columbia University, I enjoy drawing from my analytical background to make calculated decisions on business operations and strategic opportunities on behalf of EG. As an associate at PEAK6 Investments, I drove the due diligence assessment prior to the acquisition of EG and ultimately stepped in to lead its revitalization as CEO. With experience in capital allocation through private equity and portfolio company operations, twinned with a deep understanding and affinity for the digital and gaming audiences, it’s my ongoing goal to bring the worlds of esports and business operations together for successful fan experiences. A native of Connecticut and currently splitting time between Seattle and Oahu, I’m also a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Business Insider 2020 Transformer, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Esports Business Summit. 

Robert Alberino – Vice President, Content & Production – Kansas City Chiefs

Rob Alberino re-joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 as the Vice President of Content and Production after originally serving as the club’s Vice President of Media and Marketing for three years (2010-13). He enters his fourth season with the club and his 27th season in the NFL in 2021.

He spent seven seasons (2013-19) as Vice President/Executive Producer for the San Francisco 49ers between his stops in Kansas City. With San Francisco, Alberino oversaw all marketing, creative and design, as well as the launch and direction of 49ers Studios, the team’s in-house production division. His group created all multimedia and broadcasts across all platforms, while he managed branding, events, social media and new media.

Prior to joining the Chiefs in 2010, Alberino spent 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1997- 2010) as Vice President of Broadcasting where he helped launch the Eagles Television Network, earning 38 Regional Emmys and more than 100 Tellys and other regional accolades. He spent two years (1995- 97) as a filmmaker/producer with NFL Films where he was a writer/director for HBO’s “Inside the NFL.”

Monday, January 24th – Warner Music, Boots & The Gym Group announced as opening speakers.

Scott Cohen – Warner Music – Chief Innovation Officer, Recorded Music

Scott Cohen is Chief Innovation Officer, Recorded Music, Warner Music Group. Scott works closely with Warner’s senior management team to help chart the long-term course of the company at the intersection of music, technology, and culture. A prominent public speaker and lecturer, Scott travels the world evangelizing new business models for the digital age. An outspoken proponent of AR, VR, Blockchain and AI, he is also testing the limits of technology and biology and became a cyborg in 2016 after developing the NorthSense.

In 1997, Scott and Richard Gottehrer founded the first digital distribution company for music, The Orchard, to provide independent artists the ability to sell their music to mainstream audiences. Two decades after its formation, the company was sold to Sony Music and remains the largest distributor of music in the world.

Paula Bobbett – Boots – E-Commerce Director

Paula is an experienced e-commerce professional with over 20 years’ of retail experience across a number of different sectors. In December 2020, Paula joined Boots UK as Director of boots.com, to manage and develop the online and digital capabilities of the leading health and beauty retailer.

Jim Hingston – The Gym Group – Digital Product Director

Jim is an experienced product & digital leader working for the Gym Group where he has led their digital transformation to deliver the Gym Group’s  mission of breaking down barriers to fitness for everyone in the UK providing top quality gyms and fitness at affordable prices. Jim has experience across retail, eCommerce and telco sectors where he has built world class products and lead the teams who have delivered them.

What will we be covering during the event?

Driving Digital Innovation in Music

The music industry has been navigating disruption to traditional business models for decades and it feels like we in sport are in many ways walking in their footsteps. How have the challenges they faced evolved, where is the music industry today, what’s next and what can sport learn?

Data Driven Customer Experiences

The business of sport has become adept at collecting data but arguably not so adept at leveraging that data to improve fan experiences. In this panel we explore specific use cases and experiences of leading experts from inside and outside of the sports industry to unearth the secrets to data success.

The Loyalty Debate: Build Versus Retain

Sport faces increased competition for the attention of new generations of fans as well as international fans. How do we find the right formula of engagement with our current fans to optimise loyalty while investing in building relationships with new fans?

The Future of Sports Content Consumption on Social

The role of social media in sport and society in general has evolved since the early days of Facebook. Gen Z have grown up with a plethora of platforms and content formats to choose from. What can we learn from the consumption habits of emerging generations that can help us to understand how we can better leverage social media. 

The Evolution of D2C

Sport has talked about going direct to consumer for many years. However, the offerings have evolved little beyond OTT video platforms. How can the industry go beyond the focus on OTT video and enter a true direct to consumer era driven by the needs of fans? 

Information

iSportConnect’s Masterclasses are a place to connect, to inspire, to share ideas, to start conversations and open doors through the world’s largest private sports business network.

Our events provide a media & sales free opportunity to network and learn with like-minded people, building the relationships that will change our industry for the better.

This is an invitation-only event for our iSportConnect community, which is free to sign up to for anyone working within the sports industry. If you would like to register your interest in attending, please follow the ‘register interest’ button at the bottom of the page.

REGISTER INTEREST