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We had the pleasure of chatting with Théo Launay, who shared with us his experience as an Event Manager & Business Developer Junior and what his role entails. He also talks about the key skills his position requires and how to overcome potential challenges.
“My choices were guided by discipline and determination. I had a very specific goal and, for me, the best way to achieve it was to give my all to have a CV that stood out from the competition, which in the sports business is very tough.”
When I left high school, I didn't want to specialise out of fear of closing doors. So I started my higher education with a DUT in Marketing Techniques which allowed me to go and live in Norway for 6 months, during which time I did some deep self-reflection. I learned to know myself, to understand myself, to identify what really drives me. I started to create a healthy environment in which I could evolve and flourish.
Being passionate about sports and events, my research quickly led me to discover AMOS, a school specialising in sports business. At the same time, I met Pierre-Antoine Guillet who, at the time, worked at this school. We had many calls and exchanges with each other, and he gave me a lot of advice and guidance. He became a sort of mentor. After being admitted to the competition, I joined the AMOS Nantes campus in the Bachelor Grande École Program.
Then, for the Master, I joined the International Program on the Paris campus; I was thus able to continue my specialisation in sports business and, at the same time, improve my English with a full English track program (a version that I had already loved in Norway). During my second year of Master's, I went to Lisbon on a university exchange: I then combined university studies, an internship at Benfica Lisbon and writing my dissertation in English. I then completed my studies with an internship at Alpine Hearing Protection and I recently received the prize for the best dissertation for my work on the attractiveness of Ligue 1 stadiums.
"I think it's the writing and publishing of my two books that have made me evolve and grow the most"
Since the beginning of my higher education, my choices have been guided by discipline and determination. I had a very specific goal and, for me, the best way to achieve it was to give my all to have a CV that stood out from the competition, which, in sports business, is very tough.
During my higher education, I therefore gained experience by working for many players in sports business: PSG, Benfica, FC Nantes, HBC Nantes, Euro de Volley, Foot Air, Sportpack, Intersport... Volunteering allowed me to increase my skills and I took advantage of the summer holidays to finance my studies and student life. It was a good balance, I am a simple person, I don't need much to feel good. As long as I am healthy and my environment is conducive to achieving my goals, then everything is fine.
To conclude on my journey, I think it is the writing and publication of my two books that have made me evolve and grow the most. First with "Stades: enjeux, objectifs, évolutions", which allowed me to meet great people and better understand the sports business industry. Then, "43 jours par an", a book on addiction to social networks, appearances and pretences. These two publications allowed me to appear on the radio, in podcasts, to have my book win on TV, to be interviewed in newspapers, etc.
Alpine Hearing Protection is a Dutch company specialising in hearing protection. Thanks to its expertise, Alpine has quickly become a partner and official licensee of major events in the world of motorsport (Formula 1, MotoGP, 24h du Mans) and music (concert halls, festivals, stadiums, etc.). We operate in (very) noisy environments where the decibel level represents a danger to hearing. Above the threshold of 80db, the noise becomes harmful and there is a high risk of hearing damage. This phenomenon is irreversible, which is why it is important to protect your ears, at any age. At Alpine, our number 1 goal is to ensure the safety and comfort of the spectator by offering quality hearing protection that allows you to enjoy the event in complete peace of mind.
"Problem solving and working under pressure is what I love about my job. You have to be able to withstand stress and put your emotions aside in order to make the best decisions possible."
My job is very broad and the missions are very diverse, which is why I resonate more in terms of vision and objectives:
1) Protect the hearing of spectators: I am proud to contribute to their well-being by offering quality products that will benefit their health in the short and long term.
2) Increase my skills in order to become an expert in my field: be impeccable in the setting up of my events, in my processes, in my management…
3) Achieve my quantitative and qualitative objectives, do not set myself limits: demand is growing strongly, because people have understood the importance of protecting their hearing. It is a booming market in which everything is possible. At Alpine we have the ideas, the expertise and the experience.
4) Maintain excellent relationships with partners.
5) Take maximum enjoyment: be aware of how lucky I am to participate in such events without developing imposter syndrome, because I have worked hard to get there.
Like the service we offer to spectators, customer satisfaction is one of our priorities. We do our best to respond to customer requests directly at the event, but if this is not possible, they are then redirected to the after-sales service, to which we attach great importance.
"I always keep in mind what a speaker told me during my DUT. Success is all about: Work, Talent, Luck."
In the world of events, there are a lot of things to manage: customer relations, inventory management, cash collection, partner relations, accreditations, management, HR management, high demand, post-event reporting, etc. Problem solving and working under pressure is what I love about my job. You have to be able to withstand stress and put your emotions aside in order to make the best possible decisions.
For us, creativity and design reduce risk and build confidence early in any plan. A good design approach produces smarter ways to connect your business goals to each customer’s needs. Through early research and continuous iteration, we can validate opportunities quickly. Design is a team sport that’s about reducing friction and inertia, and accelerating the delivery of better outcomes.
Preparation, rigor and discipline in the execution of processes are the three elements that, together, allow to limit the unexpected as much as possible. I organise each event with to do lists and mind maps. My rigor and my organisation are one of my main strengths.
Sports business is a very competitive environment. There are more and more specialised training courses and students motivated to turn their passion into a career. Everyone wants to work in a football club, for the Olympic Games, for Formula 1, etc. Sports business is one of the most competitive environments I know. I always keep in mind what a speaker told me during my DUT. Success is a combination of Work, Talent, Luck.
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