Global soccer experts Alfonso Alanis-Cue and Rob Swain to lead Intersport FC, expanding the
Chicago-based agency's global
sports marketing and consulting capabilities
CHICAGO, July 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning
agency Intersport has launched Intersport Fútbol Company
(Intersport FC) to offer brands the most holistic one-stop resource
for activations and sponsorships that meaningfully connect with
fútbol (soccer) fans. The expansion of its partnership consulting
practice will be led by distinguished industry experts Alfonso Alanis-Cue and Rob Swain, who together bring more than 40 years
of international experience and a slate of soccer connections
across clubs, leagues and federations.
"Soccer is on the cusp of a monumental breakthrough in
North America," said Brian Graybill, Intersport president. "Alfonso
and Rob are world-class soccer experts who bring a deep
understanding of the sport, its fan bases, the global landscape and
brand opportunities. Combined with our capabilities in experiential
marketing, content and property creation, hospitality and
partnership consulting, Intersport FC is uniquely positioned to
offer the most robust and well-rounded services—from ideation
through execution—for brands to break into or grow in
soccer."
Intersport FC equips marketers with rich insights and unrivaled
soccer know-how to cut through the noise and guide brand
strategy.
"We are delighted to join Intersport's renowned team to
introduce and lead its soccer-focused business unit, whilst
building on its legacy in the sports industry," said Rob Swain, Intersport FC general manager.
"Intersport FC is ideally situated to provide clients a single
destination for all things soccer, leveraging our collective
knowledge, expertise and network together with Intersport's
prominence and track record as a leading full-service agency."
The timing of this launch comes as the world's biggest, most
popular soccer events are coming to the
United States over the next four years, including the
2026 FIFA World Cup. To help brands maximize these
opportunities, Intersport FC offers custom marketing strategies to
meet individual brand needs backed by Intersport's industry-leading
practices and capabilities. Prior Intersport experience includes
brand activations, commercial and operational agreements, brand
platforms and partner programs for FIFA World Cup, CONMEBOL Copa
America, Allstate All-America Cup, Liga MX, Major League Soccer
(MLS), Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (Mexico Soccer Federation),
Federación Puertorriquena de Fútbol (Puerto Rico Soccer Federation)
and more.
"With the rise in soccer activity throughout North America in the coming years, brands are
looking to capitalize on the potential opportunities. Having a
thorough knowledge and understanding of the sport is critical in
steering the flourishing but fragmented soccer scene,"
said Alanis-Cue. "Intersport FC gives brands a trusted partner
in the soccer space to develop the right strategy that engages with
the passionate and evolving fan bases."
Alanis-Cue and Swain most recently served as co-founders and
managing partners at O Street Consulting, a boutique sports agency
acquired by Intersport in the launch of Intersport FC.
Alanis-Cue is a global sports executive with extensive
experience working with top soccer properties throughout
the United States and Latin America. His prior experience includes
leading business development and marketing strategy with MP &
Silva in the Americas, overseeing partnership marketing at MLS and
heading business units for top consumer companies. Alanis-Cue holds
a Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in
finance from Georgetown University.
Swain is an expert commercial and legal strategist, highly
regarded as an informed advisor within the soccer world. He
previously served as in-house counsel for the Fédération
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and has helped
numerous organizations navigate the sport's complex landscape on a
global level. His prior experience also includes work in private
practice, government, a Fortune 100 media company and a technology
start-up. Swain holds a Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law, a bachelor's degree
in political science from Georgetown
University and a master's degree in sport management from Le
Centre International d'Etude du Sport.
Through Intersport FC, the Chicago-based agency builds on its four
decades of experience at the epicenter of sports marketing and
consulting to further expand its global market position. As the
largest independently owned sports marketing agency in the United States, Intersport's partnership
consulting portfolio represents Fortune 500 and global brands with
significant spending power across professional leagues, college
sports and championship teams. In addition to its growth in
soccer, Intersport's growing sports portfolio has recently
included the launch of the first-of-its-kind World Champions Cup
golf tournament, the revival of the Women's College Basketball
All-Star Game and the acquisition of the Association of Pickleball
Players.
Brands interested in working with Intersport FC or learning
more should contact Intersport at
communications@intersport.global.
About Intersport:
Intersport is an award-winning
agency and leader in the creation of ideas, content and experiences
that attract and engage passionate audiences. Its industry-leading
team offers expert insights in content creation, experiential
marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform
development. The Chicago-based
agency also owns and operates events across the professional
and collegiate sports landscape, including basketball, football,
golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered
in Chicago since its inception in
1985, with additional offices in Boston, Detroit and New
York. It was recognized on Event Marketer's 2024 It List
featuring the top 100 agencies serving the experiential industry.
Its inaugural World Champions Cup was also recognized by Sports
Business Journal as a finalist for the 2024 Sports Breakthrough of
the Year Award. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on social
media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook).
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SOURCE INTERSPORT