Whether he\u2019s marketing clubs or calling on Andy Murray, Chris Gregg knows how to make a sports brand sing. The Callaway Golf EMEA marketing director takes us inside his strategy, setbacks and swing-for-the-fences mindset.<\/p>\n
But when the man behind the work brings with him such extensive sports marketing experience, plus a clear and burning ambition to make Callaway Golf Europe one of the world\u2019s most vibrant sports brands, there was always confidence it was going to be a success.<\/p>\n
Chris Gregg was named Callaway Golf\u2019s EMEA marketing director at the beginning of the year, having spent the previous six leading various marketing, commercial partnerships and corporate sales activities for the brand. Prior to that, he was the partnership planning & creative manager at City Football Group, playing a key role as Manchester City and associated clubs embarked on their own mission to change the face of football marketing.<\/p>\n
With further experience across tennis licensing, SAP\u2019s golf sponsorship and leading Vitality\u2019s football, rugby and cricket partnerships, there are few better placed to talk sport. And as a new wave of golf influencers, the emergence of LIV golf and a rather sensational Rory McIlroy-winning Masters thrusts the sport even further into the limelight, we felt it was time to put Chris in the 10 Questions<\/a> chair\u2026 <\/p>\n 1. If you could go back and relive one day in your career, which would it be?<\/p>\n I\u2019d go all the way back to day one in the sports industry, on the IMG summer internship. I was taking my first steps behind the scenes of Wimbledon and the 2012 Olympics \u2013 literally one of the best years of sport this nation has ever seen! To now be walking through the gates with a workers pass at events I used to queue at as a kid was truly special!<\/p>\n 2. \u2026Now tell us about the day that still gives you nightmares.<\/p>\n I was mc\u2019ing an activation for SAP at a Gary Player Invitational event and I introduced Fred Couples as Tom Watson. Right there on the first tee. It didn\u2019t go down well.<\/p>\n 3. Who gave you the piece of advice you still live by \u2013 and what was it?<\/p>\n My dad always said to my sister and I, \u201cAim for the stars and if you miss, you\u2019ll land on the moon.\u201d That\u2019s always stuck with me. It\u2019s something I live by as well as work with my team on because, in a cluttered sports marketing environment \u2013 and especially in golf \u2013 you need to aim beyond what you think is possible if you want to achieve great things. It\u2019s surprising how many people are limited by their own beliefs \u2013 remove those barriers and open your eyes to what\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n 4. What piece of work done by someone else are you truly jealous of?<\/p>\n