The Business Side of the America’s Cup
Influence Sports & Media has been appointed by Emirates Team New Zealand as the exclusive commercial agency to assist in its Defence of the 36th America’s Cup.
The international sports marketing agency, based in London, will work closely with Emirates Team New Zealand and its partners, the Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Challenge, and Prada, the Presenting Sponsor of the 36th America’s Cup.
The agency will provide commercial services including partner sales, partner management, media rights and implementation for the 36th America’s Cup Defense.
The agency team will be led by Alistair Watkins (pictured below), Founder and Managing Director of Influence Sports & Media, Stephen Nuttall, former Director at Google / YouTube and Ekrem Sami, previously CEO at McLaren Marketing.
Grant Dalton, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Team New Zealand and the 36th America’s Cup: “I have known Alistair for several years – it is going to be a busy and enjoyable few years putting in place the key elements of the 36th America’s Cup – we are confident that all our stakeholders including our sailing and sports fans will love what is coming.”
Alistair Watkins, Founder and Managing Director of Influence Sports & Media: “The America’s Cup is a truly unique sporting property and given the agency’s commercial knowledge and experience of working with global rights holders and luxury brands, we look forward to providing our expertise and playing a key role in ensuring the next America’s Cup is the best yet.”
Key dates:
November 21, 2017: AC75 Class concepts released to key stakeholders
January 1, 2018: Entries for Challengers open
March 31, 2018: AC75 Class Rule published
June 30, 2018: Entries for Challengers close
August 31, 2018: Location of the America’s Cup Match and The PRADA Cup confirmed
August 31, 2018: Specific race course area confirmed
December 31, 2018: Late entries deadline
March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched
2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched
During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match
Alistair Watkins
