Iñigo Aznar has been appointed as Head of Commercial Partnerships for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. Iñigo has been active in the sports industry over the last 10 years, focusing on commercial and sponsorship activities. With the Volvo Ocean Race he will take his career a step further, working with new international sponsors and partners.
Head of Commercial Partnerships at the Volvo Ocean Race - Iñigo Aznar
“The potential of this race is unexploited and we can really work on creating a successful sponsorship board,” he said. “Companies look for a return on investment in media, an incredible business-to-business platform and substantial world image management. My goal is to provide these new experiences to our clients and to create new platforms for our consumers.”
Iñigo had an early start in the commercial field. He was 22 and had just received his Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Management when he was awarded a scholarship to study German abroad. Six months later he applied for an internship in Germany with Sport-Markt, one of the biggest national research and consultancy companies in the sports world.
“After finishing my studies, I realised that you could dedicate your professional life to doing something you really like. I thought that having studied Business Administration meant I could work in any company worldwide and that I could focus my career on things that I enjoyed like music, theatre and most of all, sports. ”
A seven-month internship providing research on the Spanish market led to the opportunity to manage Sport-Markt’s new office in Barcelona, where Iñigo developed business, signed up major clients for the company and came to the attention of Real Madrid, with whom he never reached an agreement but later on would receive a job offer.
“I wasn’t sure about leaving Barcelona, but I had the feeling I had to say yes,” he admitted. “Through the years, I have learned that it is better to regret something you’ve done than something you’ve never done.”
From 2004 Iñigo has developed commercial activities for Real Madrid, executing and commercialising sponsorship rights products, image rights of players and advertising platforms.
Earlier this year he decided to join the Volvo Ocean Race team to work in the Commercial Department at Race Headquarters in Alicante and decided that it was time to take advantage of his potential at an international level.
“It’s one of the most prestigious and global sporting events in the world and it can be even more. This challenge is amazing, we have the opportunity to do really great things and that’s what most persuaded me from the start,” said Aznar.
Iñigo comes from a background of football and basketball clients, but he is convinced that he can take the Volvo Ocean Race sponsorship to a new level.
Key members of the Commercial Team:
Greg Miall (GBR) – Commercial Director
Iñigo Aznar (ESP) – Head of Commercial Partnerships
Mike Marques (ESP) – Head of Business Development
Sharon Tuff (GBR) – Head of Commercial Partnerships UK
Gavin Brown (NZL) – Brand Manager
Jessica Dahlgren (SWE) – Client Services Manager
Neith Astradsson (AUS) – Hospitality Manager
