European Sponsorship Association (ESA) is proud to announce the results of this year's ESA Diploma, the industry's flagship qualification course for those aspiring to advance their careers in sponsorship.
Following the largest Diploma intake ever, 57 students have successfully graduated with five achieving the prestigious status of Distinction (+75%) and a further 26 being Commended (+65%). A special mention is made of Phil Horswill who, in addition to being this year's Top Student, achieved the rare distinction of also submitting this year's Top Set Brief.
"These excellent results reinforce our unshakeable belief that the future of the industry is in good hands and that anyone who passes the ESA Diploma has taken a stepping stone to a more fruitful and successful career." Peter Raymond, ESA Diploma Course Director
The 2017 class comprised students from a cross-section of sponsorship and marketing agencies, brands, rights holders, corporate sponsors and governing bodies – including eight students from Premier League football clubs and a 13 strong contingent representing the industry from Ireland; as well as individuals wanting to enter the sponsorship industry.
Each year, ESA surveys its students in order to continually develop and add value to the Diploma. Here's a selection of 2017 comments:
"Having done the ESA Diploma I now feel SO much better equipped to do my job and feel like I am working at a completely different skill level. Cannot recommend it enough to anyone working in sponsorship."
"Fantastic course and invaluable to get the perspective from brands, rights-holders and agencies. The course has given me a great overall insight into the world of sponsorship and I know I will refer back to my notes regularly in the future."
"Each time I came out of a seminar I felt inspired, and wanted to put what I had learnt straight into action. It has given me the confidence to lead conversations about sponsorship within my workplace and with clients."
"An enjoyable learning experience, especially applying learnings to my current role within sports sponsorship, and also understanding the world of sponsorship beyond sport. It has given me the confidence to approach client and stakeholder conversations with more authority and demonstrate my expertise within the industry."
"It was great to meet other people in the industry and I found the seminars to be absolutely fantastic." the best part of the course and where I learnt the most."
"Coming from agency-side, it was particularly useful to learn the viewpoints, approaches and processes from the point of view of rights holders..."
To mark the students' achievements, a graduation ceremony will be held at BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) in London on 30th November.
Enrolment for the 2018 ESA Diploma is open and a special early bird rate is available if payment is received in full by the 3rd November 2017. The 2018 course runs from January to August. Visit ESA Diploma for full details.
For more information please contact:
European Sponsorship Association (ESA)
e: charliestaerck@sponsorship.org | t: +44 (0)20 8390 3311 | www.sponsorship.org
About European Sponsorship Association:
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) is a membership association whose mission is to inspire, unite and grow the sponsorship industry for the benefit of its members. ESA will do this through education, guidance, representation, the recognition of excellence and the sharing of best practice and performance. Its many activities, which include policy, governance and corporate responsibility, education and training, information, networking and the ESA Excellence Awards, all have these goals as their core objectives. ESA's reach encompasses all types of sponsorship activity from sport, broadcast, education, the arts and culture through to environment and the community. Its membership includes sponsors, rights holders, agencies and consultants, professional advisors and suppliers.
