In my own words
— Mark<p>"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects.
The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se." - Charles Eames</p><p><br></p><p>Let's connect at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksperling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksperling/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Learn more about <strong>Group Y </strong>and upcoming events at <a href="https://www.groupy.co" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.groupy.co</a></p>
Trajectory
Jul 2006 — Now
Co-Founder / CEO · Group Y
The original and leading collective of professionals focused on Youth Marketing, Lifestyle, and other progressive and expressive cultures. Our mission is to intersect influencers across industries and ignite ideas that inspire current and next-generation leaders and decision-makers. Leveraging events, outreach, content, and consultation, Group Y takes the work out of networking and strengthens the areas where industries overlap.
• Producer and Head Curator organizing over 270 nationwide events and content viewed by millions
• Building a highly engaged online and live event community
• Curating over 1,000 guest speakers from the world of business, fashion, music, entertainment, sports, media, tech, finance, politics, and more, who all share a common talent: authentically engaging with youth culture.
EVENTS:
• Adidas 747 NBA All-Star Weekend Festival
• Adidas #TLKS
• Agenda Festival
• Agenda Emerge
• Agenda Workshop
• ASC Action Sports + Culture
• Assembly Vegas
• ComplexCon
• ComplexCon(versations)
• Coachella - Live Broadcast x Coachella Curated Global Production
• CreativityFlow Speaker Series
• GOODCon
• Good Is The New Cool Summit
• Hall Of Flowers - Speaker Series
• K-Swiss CEOs Wear Sneakers Speaker Series
• Land Rover 4xFAR Festival
• NBA Con - NBACONvos Stage
• Oakley 50th Anniversary
• SDSI Talks
• SIMA Speaker Series
• Snowboarding Industry Conference
• Something In the Water Festival - More Than The Music Panels
• Surf Summit
• Two Farmtables And A Microphone Dinner Series
• X Games Forum
WEBSITE:
• GroupY.co
• Authenticity.co
• CreativityFlow.co
FOLLOW US AT:
Instagram & Twitter: @GroupY
Facebook.com/GroupYnetwork
Youtube.com/GroupY
Linkedin.com/company/Group-Y
Oct 2015 — Dec 2017
Head of Partnerships & Events · Agenda Show
• Agenda Emerge - Co-Creator & Executive Producer
• ComplexCon(versations) at ComplexCon - Talent Producer
• Agenda Festival - Panel Talks Producer
• Agenda Workshop - Executive Producer
• Assembly Vegas - Executive Producer
Partnerships for Agenda Show, Capsule Show, Axis, Agenda Festival, & ComplexCon || Reed Exhibitions & ReedPop properties
Oct 2014 — Jun 2015
Director, Global Partnership · Nitro Circus
Managed global partnerships alongside Nitro's Head of Business Development & Global Partnerships on strategically leading the revenue generation of the business by identifying brand partnership, sponsorship, licensing, broadcast, digital, emerging media, merchandise and global tour opportunities. Identifying and managing with our Commercial team, partnerships with Sony, NBC, Toyota, Red Bull, Nexen Tires, Snapchat and in discussions with over 850 leading global brands.
Sep 2010 — Jan 2012
National Partnership Marketing · Red Bull North America
Created company-wide partnership directives, responsible for corporate brand partnerships on global and U.S. national initiatives.
• Secured $4.5MM in event, media, national & global partnerships with Fortune 500 / Lifestyle brands. Generated leads with 320+ brand partners. Managed brand's relationship with CAA Sports
Developed customized programs utilizing brand assets from;
• Red Bull Media House -- Digital / Social Media, YouTube Channel, Red Bulletin Magazine
• Sports Marketing & Culture -- Global, National & Regional Events, Red Bull Records
• Brand Marketing, Consumer Collecting, and Regional Business Units
• Sales and Retail Marketing
• Teams -- Red Bull Racing F1, NASCAR, and New York Red Bulls MLS Soccer
Jan 2009 — Dec 2010
Global Marketing Director · Troy Lee Designs
• Secured +$1MM in corporate sponsorships and partnerships for supercross /motocross racing team.
• Directed worldwide marketing initiatives with international distributors and dealers.
• Developed PR and digital strategies to support sponsored athletes and product design teams.
• Managed roster of sponsored drivers, athletes & celebrities in F1, MotoGP, IndyCar, NASCAR, Supercross, LeMans, World Cup MTB, and other disciplines
Jan 2008 — Dec 2009
Sponsorship Sales Director · Live Nation
Directed corporate sponsorships for Live Nation & House of Blues venues, music festivals, and developing customized partnerships, pricing, and interfacing with +100 U.S. national clients.
Jan 1999 — Dec 2008
Founder · GLTR Girls Learn To Ride
The largest and original series of female-only outdoor / action sports clinics, retreats & events.. GLTR evolved also into an online magazine focusing on women in action sports and events surrounding the lifestyle.
• Produced, managed and co-sponsored over 250 events nationwide per year in Surfing, Snowboarding, Skiing, Skateboarding, Wakeboarding, Motorcross, and Mountain Biking
• Created and coordinated women's professional competitions & "Girls Day" activities for ESPN X Games, NBC Dew Action Sports Tour, Woodward Camp and ASA Supergirl event.
• Secure over $1MM in marketing sponsorship and partnerships.
** Company was sold in 2006 to Airborne Media.
Jan 2002 — Dec 2006
Partner · No Comment PR
Successfully manage multi-facet marketing and public relations services agency specializing in youth-based consumer targeting, marketing campaign development and implementation, partnership / sponsorship development, and results from analysis for both small and large businesses.
• Key Clients included Target, Tylenol, Best Buy, Quiksilver, and Intrawest
• Orchestrated media campaigns resulting in +$1.8MM ad value and +$1MM sponsorship value.
• Guided Target stores into the action sports market, advising on athlete partnerships & events.
Jan 2002 — Dec 2003
Marketing & Sponsorship Director · Tony Hawk Inc.
Developed marketing and sponsorship for Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom Huck Jam inaugural 25-city arena sports and music tour.
Jan 2001 — Dec 2002
Marketing & Events Director · PRIMEDIA
Directed marketing, experiential, PR, and signature events for Action and Outdoor Sports print & online titles - Surfer, Skateboarder, Snowboarder, Bike and Powder publications.
Jan 1998 — Dec 2001
Global Marketing Director · Split USA
Industry respected men's, juniors & youth lifestyle apparel brand. $25M in annual sales.
• Increased annual revenue of 280% in 1st year. Executed company sale to the licensee in 2nd year.
• Developed entertainment partnerships with music tours, product placement, celebrity relations, and retail promotions. Increased PR ad value 98% over two years.
• Managed over 120 action / motor sports sponsored athletes including top-ranked & gold medalists Dave Mirra, Carey Hart, Ryan Nyquist, Andy Macdonald, Roland Sands, and more.
Jan 1997 — Dec 1998
National Publicity & Promotions Manager · Hard Rock Cafe International
Directed U.S. national and global special events and grand openings of Cafes in new markets.
Jan 1997 — Dec 1997
Tour Coordinator · Lollapalooza
Jan 1993 — Dec 1997
Marketing & Special Events Manager · Transworld Media
Leading Publisher of Action Sports and Youth Culture publications & websites; TW Snowboarding, TW Skateboarding, Warp, Transworld Business, TW Surf.
• Created marketing, events & PR campaigns, including the magazine’s first digital media presence.
• Developed signature events including the inaugural Warped Tour, Vans / Hard Rock Triple Crown, Hard Rock Cafe World Championships of Skateboarding, and BoardAID for LIFEbeat.
Jan 1992 — Dec 1992
TV Production & Promotion Assistant · MTV Networks
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Activity
Projects
ComplexCon
Education history
University of California, Irvine
BA, Psychology
