Athletics Corporate Partnerships Practicum/Internship Description

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JMU Sports Properties - (Program Advisor) Jordyn Vannes – Coordinator- Partnership Services - jordyn.vannes@jmusportsproperties.com

What is Learfield? - https://www.learfield.com/partner/james-madison-dukes/

Department Overview: JMU Sports Properties is the local, dedicated LEARFIELD team representing James Madison University. In complete collaboration with the university, this team is committed to extending the affinity of the JMU brand to businesses and corporations of all sizes looking to align with the undeniably loyal and passionate collegiate fan base. As James Madison Athletics’ exclusive multimedia rights holder, JMU Sports Properties manages all aspects of the rights relationship, providing corporate partners both traditional and new media opportunities with JMU in which to bolster their own brand and garner maximum exposure through inventory such as venue signage, event sponsorships and promotion, corporate hospitality, radio and television and digital engagement and visibility.

Department Description: This department works in synergy with marketing promotions to develop partnerships with a broad range of businesses. The focus is selling advertising components at athletic events to corporate partners and to raise money through those partnerships.

Team Philosophy and Goals:

Sponsorship Goals: JMU Sports Properties' goals are primarily generating revenue for the JMU Athletics department while meeting the needs of our corporate partners. The boundaries of all our work will always be to come up with creative initiatives for clients' marketing strategies while also coming up with new inventory to sell.

Grow and Develop as a Sports Professional: Identify strengths and areas for growth through self reflection. Be accountable to the team(s) and yourself. Become a polished professional.

Communicate Transparently and Effectively: Communication will include assigned teams, within the department, within athletics, and with appropriate stakeholders. Communicate to fans. Game day timelines and info, deadlines, signage, marketing materials, PA scripts, emcee requirements and video board needs.

Internship Description: An internship with JMU Sports Properties will allow the student to gain experience in a variety of ways within the external affairs department of JMU Athletics. The incumbent can expect to gain insight into both the sales and fulfillment processes surrounding corporate partners of JMU Athletics. The ideal candidate would possess the following:

Passion for working in sports
Team-oriented
Willingness to learn college athletics as it relates to raising revenue

Below is a breakdown of some possible tasks for each semester.

Fall Practicum/Internship:

Assist with fulfillment of partnership contracts for all Fall sports (Football, Soccer, Volleyball,)
- Proof of performance pictures: document successful partnership activations through compelling visual evidence
- Client meetings: attend and contribute to client meetings, fostering strong relationships and understanding client needs
- Game day execution tasks (promotions, table setups, etc.)
Logging partnership advertising elements
Active sales participation: involve actively in the sales cycle from prospecting potential clients to engaging in client meetings, gaining firsthand experience in the sales process.
Basketball season planning: contribute to the strategic planning process for basketball season advertising elements, assisting in crafting effective partnership strategies

Spring Practicum/Internship:

Assist with fulfillment of partnership contracts for all Spring sports (Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse)
- Proof of performance pictures: document successful partnership activations through compelling visual evidence
- Client meetings: attend and contribute to client meetings, fostering strong relationships and understanding client needs
- Game day execution tasks (promotions, table setups, etc.)
Gain valuable sales experience through:
- Prospecting
- Logging meetings/calls
- Sales
- Fulfillment of contract
Plan & participate in partner renewal and new client meetings

Summer Practicum/Internship:

Gain valuable sales experience through:
- Prospecting
- Logging meetings/calls
- Sales
- Fulfillment of contract
Assist with the planning process of football fulfillment of advertising elements: collaborate in the planning process for football partnership fulfillment
Plan & participate in partner renewal and new client meetings

Calendar