Nicole Racine
New York,NY
Summary
Strategic revenue leader with proven success in the professional sports league space. Dedicated and accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in driving top revenue results within the dynamic landscape of professional sports leagues, television, OTT, social, digital, sponsorships, and advertising. Adept at new business development, strategic planning, and major account acquisitions, I bring a track record of excellence in cross-platform selling. Key strengths include revenue leadership, professional sports expertise, business development, cross-platform selling, industry network, and client relations. With a proved track record as a top revenue leader in the sports landscape, consistently exceeding targets. A professional sports expertise with extensive experience within professional sports leagues, leveraging in-depth industry knowledge for business growth. Business development that adepts at cultivating new business opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships to drive revenue growth. Cross-Platform selling that demonstrates expertise in seamlessly integrating TV, OTT, and digital platforms to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions for partners. Industry Network: Extensive contacts within professional sports leagues, and TV networks facilitating collaboration and business expansion. Client Relations: Established relationships with agencies, and clients, ensuring satisfaction and delivering tailored solutions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships
MDE Tennis
03.2021 - Current
- Successfully enhanced sponsor revenue by $1.5M in 2023, achieving a total of over $6M from national and local sponsors, including prominent brands such as SeatGeek, Mubadala, Har-Tru, Kim Crawford, Real Azul Tequila, Veroni, City Ridge, Destination DC, Tecnifibre, Lacoste, and Hyundai.
- Spearheaded a $1.2M increase in sponsor revenue in 2022, securing over $4.5M in sponsorships for the tournament. Notable sponsors included Citi, GEICO, Insperity, FedEx, BMW, Moet Chandon, Heineken, Events DC, and Pepsi.
- Played a pivotal role in rebranding the Citi Open under new ownership, transforming it into a profitable venture.
- ·Managed on-site signage, activations, digital & social content, and on-air features through the Tennis Channel and ATP/WTA media.
- Effectively forecasted and achieved quarterly, and yearly goals for ownership, contributing to the overall success of the organization. Helped bring down cost in trade for all operational expenses.
- Cultivated and maintained deep client and agency relationships, resulting in securing high-dollar national sponsorship deals.
- Established and nurtured agency and client relationships, consistently securing new sponsors with double budget increases year after year.
- Oversaw all aspects of merchandise, ticketing, and sponsor budgets, creating comprehensive budgeting forecasts for the next three years.
- Managed a cross-functional team of 5 employees, including ticketing, merchandise, marketing, and sponsor groups, fostering a collaborative and result-driven work environment.
- Developed sales decks, recap decks, and sponsor proposals encompassing fan engagement, on-site activations, social and digital integration, local watch parties, and custom content in collaboration with Tennis Channel and ATP/WTA media.
- Enhanced company profitability by implementing strategic business plans and optimizing operational processes.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Developed new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key sponsors.
- Spearheaded organizational restructuring initiatives, streamlining operations and reducing overhead costs by closing trade deals.
Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships
World TeamTennis
05.2020 - 03.2021
- Achieved a milestone in 2020 by securing an additional $1M in sponsorships surpassing revenue targets and elevating existing deals by an impressive 100% in a covid year.
- Successfully onboarded notable clients such as Guaranteed Rates, DraftKings, Chosen Foods, Dolby Labs, Zenni Optical, Mack Weldon, Weatherman Umbrellas, and Hospital for Special Surgery.
- Collaborated with the CEO to establish and achieve goals for all sponsorship sales.
- Cultivated partnerships with major sports networks such as CBS, CBD Sports Network, ESPN, and Tennis Channel. Produced comprehensive sales decks and crafted proposals for sponsors, ensuring effective communication of value propositions.
- Collaborated with professional tennis athletes to create tailored content for advertisers, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
Senior Account Executive
CSI Sports
05.2019 - 05.2020
- Increased account retention by building strong relationships with clients and addressing their needs promptly.
- Developed new business opportunities for company growth through effective networking and client presentations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of products and services, resulting in high customer satisfaction.
- Negotiated contracts that maximized profit margins while maintaining competitive pricing for clients.
- MMA/Boxing/Kickboxing/Special Series national sales across RSN’s in all top markets
- Instrumental in launching a non-guaranteed network into a national sales network Nielsen-rated
- Built sales decks along with rate cards for guaranteed deals
- Leader in bringing in new sponsorship ideas and platforms for advertisers
- Worked with Nielsen to establish a national sales plan for CSI Sports
- Established a funnel for all ad sale procedures from RFP’s to closing of deals
- Leader in establishing a national ad sales group
- Work with MMA/Boxing leagues to establish a client’s presence within live fights or onsite
- Launched OTT channel with production securing sponsorships
Senior Account Executive
Ovation TV
New York, NY
2015 - 2019
- Increased revenue by 25% in the first year including bringing in new accounts and in year 2 increased by 35%.
- New accounts added to the portfolio include Samsung, Henkel, Novartis, KIND bar, and Chrysler.
- JOURNY OTT/Ovation Now: Lead point person for all internal proposals. $100K first year revenue highest within company. New advertisers: Mars, Novartis, Geico and Lindt.
- Strong Knowledge (or proven experience) of the OTT landscape, worked closely with Roku, and Xumo to come up with the best media plan for clients and JOURNY.
- Instrumental in developing grids and materials for sales pitches for the entire sales team.
- Solid expertise in building and maintaining relationships with top clients, ad agencies, and other key decision-makers.
- Proficient in selling content across multiple platforms, building market awareness within the advertising space with a target focus on programmatic, social, digital, and OTT.
- Custom Sponsorship for a top show with Lindt integration into The Wine Show (custom vignettes/animated BB) airing across multi-platforms including OTT and Social sites
- Actively pursued advertisers that had organic messaging to the network and OTT channel.
- Leader for a nurturing and positive work culture for the Ovation office which includes: traffic, ad sales, and research teams. Spearheaded all group activities
- Managed a team of 4 employees
Senior Account Executive
Fox Sports
01.2008 - 02.2015
- Increased account retention by building strong relationships with clients and addressing their needs promptly.
- Developed new business opportunities for company growth through effective networking and client presentations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of products and services, resulting in high customer satisfaction.
- Negotiated contracts that maximized profit margins while maintaining competitive pricing for clients.
- Negotiated and maintained deals with top spending sports advertisers including Samsung, T-Mobile, and Pizza Hut
- Delivered above and beyond sales goals every year +20% per year
- Developed strong relationships across agency leadership (from buyers to VPs), and leagues
- Work with leagues including but not limited to NFL, NASCAR, UFC, MLB, EPL, FIFA, BIG EAST Basketball
- Additionally, built direct and substantial relationships with clients at the decision-making levels
- Developed brand strategies with new and innovative custom ideas to integrate products into studio shows and or live games. New media dollars of up to $500K per show
- Uncovered and closed on the largest sponsorships for the UFC and FOX Sports with Samsung. Created a Multi-platform sponsorship on both linear and digital levels utilizing an exclusive opportunity for live streaming with Samsung phones.
- Led integrated negotiations with digital counterparts for Foxsports.com, speed.com, fueltv.com, and foxsportsgo
- Managed a team of 3 employees
Sales Planner
Fox Sports
01.2004 - 01.2008
Sales Assistant
Fox Sports
01.2003 - 01.2004
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI06.2000
Skills
- Lead Generation
- Organizational Skills
- Sales Leadership
- Contract Negotiation
- Business Development
- Proposal Writing
- Metrics Tracking
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Account Management
- Partnerships and Affiliations
Timeline
Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships
MDE Tennis
03.2021 - Current
Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnerships
World TeamTennis
05.2020 - 03.2021
Senior Account Executive
CSI Sports
05.2019 - 05.2020
Senior Account Executive
Ovation TV
2015 - 2019
Senior Account Executive
Fox Sports
01.2008 - 02.2015
Sales Planner
Fox Sports
01.2004 - 01.2008
Sales Assistant
Fox Sports
01.2003 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Rhode Island
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