MR ABHISHEK WAKANKAR

145/B, Shantiniket, Parvati

Pune 411009,
Mobile: +91 9560622844
Email: abhishek_w10@hotmail.com
An ex-professional football player and a motivated worker with excellent knowledge of the
sports industry and exceptional transferable skills such as communication, negotiation and
research. Experienced in sport marketing and sponsorship and well versed with the usage of
strategic and management principles in the sports industry.

Emplo yment:
FC Pune City, Pune, India

June 2015 Present

Senior Manager Marketing

Plan and execute fan engagement drives in order to increase club fan base.
Manage sponsorship sales & activation and brand marketing.
Creation & implementation of marketing activities to attract fans & sponsors.
Organizing & planning club events like Team Welcome, Fan Memberships, Kit Launch etc.
Delivery of multi-channel ad/marketing campaigns for various club initiatives.

Libero Sports India Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon, India

November 2012 May 2015

Manager Player Representation

Shortlist and scout Indian and Foreign players to be signed and track their performance.
Create strategies for the development of the company brand and client pool.
Liaise with domestic and foreign football clubs and analyze their player requirements.
Manage all legal, commercial, marketing & branding opportunities of players.

Rhiti Sports Management (P) Ltd, New Delhi, India

March 2012 October 2012

Deputy General Manager Marketing and Sponsorships

Managing commercial rights of MS Dhoni, Saina Nehwal & Chennai Super Kings.
Creating and implementing structured marketing and sponsorship strategies attracting
new associations with brands.
Sponsorship sales pitching, negotiation, client servicing and client management.
Media and PR imaging, news planting and effective implementation of strategic vision.

Blackburn Rovers FC, Blackburn, United Kingdom

February 2011 March 2012

Commercial and Marketing Executive

Assist in creating and maximizing revenue streams into the club including sponsorship
new business, sponsor activation and brand marketing.
Co-ordinating and Planning club related events (Season Ticket Launch, Memberships,
Kit launch etc)
Creation and implementation of marketing campaigns that attract fans, hospitality users
and sponsors to the club.
Planning and proposing strategies to increase the fan base of Blackburn Rovers in Asia.

Managing data and resources for the ticketing and retail department.

JJB Sports Plc, Coventry, United Kingdom

September 2009 February 2011

Sales & Marketing Executive

Responsible for meeting assigned sales performance and profitability criteria.
Assist in implementing and monitoring store prospecting plans to increase sales.
Design and implement strategies for new products to enter the target market.
Market research and recommendations to adapt to new trends in the industry.

The Football Association, London, United Kingdom

January 2009 September 2009

Research Intern
Conducted research and critically examined the various apprenticeships in the Active
leisure and learning sector.
Recommended business opportunities in the Active leisure and Learning sector for the
FA Learning department.
Completed a 15000 word internship report on apprenticeships in and around football.

Projects:

Oaks Consultancy, Meriden, United Kingdom

Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom

June 2009 August 2009

December 2008 January 2009

Education and Qualifications:

MBA in International Sport Management
Coventry University, United Kingdom

2008-2009

Bachelor of Commerce
Pune University, India

2004-2007

HSC
Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, India

2002-2004

Additional Skills:
Communication:

Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills developed through

client meetings, conferences, brand activations etc.

IT/Technical:

Fully competent with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and See

360. Language:

Fluent in English, Hindi and Marathi languages.