Steve Elworthy, Managing Director – ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP
(2019 ESA Diploma graduation guest of honour)
The ESA Diploma is unique, which is absolutely fantastic and it can only raise the standards of the industry. I learnt through marketing and then being a sponsorship manager you’ve got to figure out the ecosystem – learning about all the different rights and what sponsorship means. Having a diploma in sponsorship is fantastic because it’ll fast-track the students in the industry – their understanding of the industry will just be at a different level and they won’t have to learn on the job, and that is one of the key successes.
At the inaugural World T20 tournament in 2007, when you think about what those sponsorship agreements looked like in comparison to sponsorship now, the space has gone through an incredible evolution, the pace of acceleration is so rapid. The industry needs to understand where the market is going and the ESA Diploma equips its students to do that.
Feedback from 2019 Diploma Graduates
Edward Barnard, professional cricketer – WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB
I absolutely loved the ESA Diploma. The amount of work was perfect, it struck the balance of being really engaging but also manageable during the cricket season. The quality of work was tough at times but [Course Director] Peter Raymond was brilliant and was always free for a chat.
The quality of people on the course and all their diverse backgrounds has opened my eyes to the full potential of sponsorship and marketing and broadened my knowledge so much. The course is held in such high esteem and that will open up opportunities for me in the future.
Harry Eckersley – CSM
I couldn’t recommend this course highly enough. It was a challenge but being taught by someone with such an amazing passion about the discipline of sponsorship is amazing. I’m just starting out my career in sponsorship so it was an amazing learning curve and has equipped me with the skills I need to move forward. Within CSM it’s already opened up some conversations, so as a qualification it’s obviously well thought-of within the business and the industry.
Sharon Fuller – PWC
I thoroughly enjoyed the ESA Diploma. The course was challenging but that’s good because it means you’re learning continuously and putting those learnings into action throughout the course. I was lucky enough to be promoted within PwC recently and I have the diploma to thank for that – my experiences with the course got me across the line. I found the content extremely good – as someone from the brand-side of the industry it was really interesting to get new perspectives and I found the course gave me a really broad knowledge of the whole industry.
Naivasha Oakes – ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB
The ESA Diploma is a diverse course that allows you to build a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the wider sponsorship landscape, beyond your specific disciplines or sports. The ESA team are incredibly supportive throughout the course and the opportunity it gives you to meet a wide range of people within the industry is fantastic.
Feedback from 2018 Diploma Graduates
Every year our students submit feedback via an anonymous survey. Here is a selection of their comments:
“The ESA Diploma has greatly enhanced my confidence to create sponsorship packages which I know are going to provide real value to our clients, and will change the nature of the sponsorship that we sell.”
“My involvement in this course certainly contributed towards me stepping into a more senior role at work. The course has allowed me to take everything I have learnt and practically apply it to the day-to-day decisions and challenges I face. I’ve enjoyed connecting with like-minded individuals who have a passion to excel in this arena.”
“The course provides an essential skill set to anyone looking to work in sponsorship. I’ve learned a broad range of knowledge regarding the industry and its functions. It was hugely enjoyable and insightful, and has given me the knowledge to allow me to better undertake my job.”
“The course provides an excellent overview and subsequent interrogation of the sponsorship industry that has provided me with a key set of tools and understanding to take into a new role. It has also provided me with some insight into the types of roles available within the sponsorship industry.”
“…the Diploma has just been great fun – and has re-invigorated my desire to progress in the industry. I really enjoyed the assignments, the seminars were brilliant with some fantastic speakers, and the after seminar drinks were great for networking. Overall, I’d highly recommend the Diploma to anyone working in sponsorship!”
“Well organised and the course covered a breadth of topics that are all relevant to the industry. Some great speakers too.”
“It was great to gain a deeper understanding from professionals that have been in the business far longer than I had been and learn from their experiences/journey.”
“I think consciously and subconsciously my industry knowledge has been furthered and I feel a lot more confident talking about subject matters outside of my day to day activities.”
“Very happy, helpful how easy it was to access resources online for distance learning.”
“I have really enjoyed doing the course. I have learned a lot and meeting people from different rights holders and agencies has been an added bonus. I feel I now have the background knowledge to sponsorship which I was lacking – and I’m now more confident in my role at work.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the entire diploma. It was extremely informative, especially for an individual with limited experience within this space. It provided me with opportunities to understand a deeper look into the world of sponsorship, covering an array of areas which I may not have considered. I feel i’m now more equipped within my own role at work and have more wider breadth of knowledge to enhance my work performance. It was also a great opportunity to increase my network within the sponsorship sector.”
“A truly wonderful course that has really blown right open to me, the wide ranging world of sponsorship. It has provided me with an increased level of confidence to talk about the industry with clients and other stakeholders.”
“Exactly what I was looking for as a broad overview of the sponsorship industry. Not only have I increased knowledge, but I have gained more confidence now that I have a wider understanding on the role of different stakeholders in partnerships.”
“It has helped develop my external knowledge of the whole sponsorship landscape from start to finish. It has helped me understand the wider picture and helped me immensely when talking to clients and helping strategically advise.”
“I found the course extremely engaging. Peter is so passionate about the Diploma and that runs through the course and is frankly infectious. I would absolutely recommend it to others in my company! I felt like I learnt a great deal and have already been putting my learnings into practice within my day job!”
“I loved studying the ESA diploma. I feel much more knowledgeable about sponsorship and feel it has already propelled my career, even just in my confidence. I understand more, and feel much more capable to take the brand’s sponsorship campaign to the next level. I also feel that my employers have more confidence in me too.”
