A passport to the world through a career in sports marketing 06/02/2012
Name: Torrey Jay Dorsey
Company: Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
Position: Corporate and International Partnerships Manager
University & degree: Towson State University, Maryland, USA (1990); Bachelor of Science - Phy. Ed./ Sports Management degree
Current home town: Hong Kong
CAREER
Q. Who/what inspired you to pursue a career in the sports industry?
A. I am a former tennis professional and have a passion for sport and the business of sport.
Q. What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A. Highlights so far include working in a media role during the commonwealth games in Melbourne, Australia and on centre court at the Australian Open tennis championships; participating as "fifth man" with Emirates Team New Zealand during the Extreme 40 Sailing Series in Singapore and management of the Singapore Polo Club (club and events).
The travel and opportunity to work in many different countries and cultural environments is a regular highlight; having worked in the USA, UK., Hawaii, Macau, India, Egypt, Australia, Puerto Rico, Singapore and Hong Kong!
Q. What does your typical day at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club involve?
A. Prospecting for new commercial partnerships/sponsors; client meetings; conceptualisation of events; negotiation of sponsorship agreements; sponsorship activation.
Q. What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
A. The internal administrative requirements (sponsorship contracts and agreements, and the legal aspects of these important documents) as I prefer to be with my clients - prospective and existing - and on-site at the events!
Q. What are the most enjoyable aspects of your job?
A. Travel and the interaction with such a diverse group of people.
Q. What tips would you give to students wanting to break into the sports industry?
A. You must have a willingness to adapt to many different situations and be able to protect the interest of all parties (flexible, understanding and diplomatic).
Q. What are the most common mistakes you’ve seen candidates making?
A. Exagerrated perception of value or "money to be made" in this industry! Life is about experiences and if you work hard, with honesty and integrity, the money will take care of itself!
Q. How has elite sport changed since you first entered the industry?
A. Sponsorship has become more sophisticated (in the way that is measured by corporations/organizations) and the number and variety of sports (particulary the rise of extreme sports), and participating countries has grown tremendously.
SPORT/ LIFE
Q. Favourite sports to participate in:
A. Tennis and polo.
Q. Favourite sports to watch:
A. Tennis, American football or US collegiate sports, polo or the final of any major sporting event.
Q. What in your opinion has been the sporting highlight of the past 12 months?
A. Dependent on your nationality or country of residence; Rugby World Cup.
Q. What will be the sporting highlight of the next 12 months?
A. NFL Superbowl, NCAA National Basketball Championship, London Olympic Games (personally - travel to Sanya, Hainan Island for the Volvo Ocean Race and excursions to Shenzhen, Kaohsiung and Hainan for major offshore yacht races).
Q. Non-sport hobbies:
A. Valuable and precious time with my son, music and reading contemporary literature.
Q. Where did you go for your last holiday?
A. Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
Q. What piece of technology would you be lost without?
A. iPhone
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