Chris Pope

Serve as the lead representative for Learfield’s multimedia rights partnership with UC Riverside Athletics, overseeing revenue generation, corporate partnerships, and strategic brand alignment for the department. Responsible for developing and executing comprehensive sponsorship strategies that drive financial growth while enhancing the fan experience and supporting the university’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of corporate partnership sales, activation, retention, and renewal efforts for UC Riverside Athletics.
• Develop integrated marketing partnerships across digital, social media, in-venue signage, game-day promotions, broadcast, and community engagement platforms.
• Manage and mentor partnership sales and service teams to achieve annual revenue goals.
• Build relationships with local, regional, and national brands to create customized sponsorship solutions that align with business objectives.
• Collaborate with university leadership, coaches, and athletics staff to identify new revenue opportunities and maximize asset utilization.
• Negotiate sponsorship agreements and oversee contract fulfillment to ensure exceptional partner service and long-term retention.
• Drive strategic planning and inventory development for athletics properties, including venue naming rights, presenting sponsorships, hospitality, and premium experiences.
• Analyze market trends, sponsorship performance metrics, and industry best practices to optimize partnership programs.
• Represent UC Riverside Athletics and Learfield within the Riverside and Inland Empire business communities to strengthen relationships and expand brand visibility.
  * Manage annual partnership revenue budgets, forecasting, and reporting.

• Achieved a 250% increase in annual corporate sponsorship sales over 11 seasons while leading multiple sales teams.
• Personally established and nurtured 36 strategic corporate partnerships, while overseeing the servicing of 90+ sponsors, resulting in a 13% volume variance revenue increase.
• Led a team through a successful restructuring, resulting in a 20% increase in overall team goal achievement.
• Maintained long-term relationships with 20+ key partners, resulting in increases to annual sponsorship retention and renewal rates.
• Championed a customer-centric approach in relationship management, resulting in a 90% client retention rate and the establishment of long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Oversaw the rebranding and relaunch of the company's marketing materials, resulting in increases to consumer recall and brand recognition.
• Led a cross-functional team in executing an integrated marketing and social media campaign, resulting in the Quakes ranking as one of the top MiLB teams in audience reach and engagement.
• Contributed to successful community events, encompassing hospital visits, charity fundraisers, golf tournaments, amplifying brand recognition and fostering deeper community engagement.
• Initiated and developed successful partnerships with local organizations, resulting in brand awareness, good will, and community event sponsorship revenue.
• Managed the sales pipeline and end-to-end cycle, creating, developing and presenting sales proposals, negotiating contract terms, building sponsorship strategy and fostering C-level relationships
• Led a high-performing team in achieving and surpassing individual and team revenue targets through innovative marketing solutions and continuous client engagement.