CHRISTOF MARTI
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Stations. Projects. Positions.
1982-1987: University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Study of business administration (lic.rer.pol.)
1987–1989: University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Project Manager, Research Center for Association and Cooperative Management
1989: Pro Sport & Leisure AG, Zürich
Sponsorship Project Manager
1989–1997: Union Bank of Switzerland, Zürich
Team Leader, Vice Director, Sponsorship and Events, Ticketing
Various SBG internal mandates in the areas of marketing & communication
1997–2009: UBS AG, Zürich
Department Head, Global Sponsorship & Events, Managing Director
Management of Global Sponsorship and Event Organization (Teams in Zürich, London, New York, and Hong Kong)
Principal areas of activity: Sponsorship, Events, Hospitality, Ticketing
Various board positions: Board of Directors, Ticketcorner AG and Swiss Access Group; Board of Trustees, UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra, involvement with lecturing and training
UBS AG, Zürich
Representational duties and board positions
Board of Directors on behalf of UBS at ticketing companies Fastbox AG and Ticketcorner AG (merger of Fastbox AG and UBS Ticketcorner)
Board of Directors on behalf of Ticketcorner AG at Swiss Access Group AG (ticketing for Expo.02)
Board of Trustees at Fondation de l’ Orchestre de Verbier (UBS Verbier Festival Youth Orchestra);
Lecturing and training duties, internally and externally
2009–2011: Farner Consulting AG, Zürich
Head of Sponsoring & Events, Member of the Executive Board
Establishment of the sponsoring & events business area
Spring 2011: Founded my own agency
Foundation of the own agency
«Marti Management & Consulting AG»
Advice to companies, rights holders and athletes
With a focus on sponsoring, events and live marketing
From April 2021 to November 2022: active as
«Marti-Spahni Management & Consulting AG»
COMPETENCIES
30 years. 360 degrees.
Seniority is not a question of age, but of experience. And the ability to look at the various facets from different perspectives and to draw the right conclusions for the benefit of the customer.
With over thirty years of experience, I understand all facets of contemporary and innovative, digital and analog marketing and sponsorship. I fully incorporate my in-depth knowledge of how sponsorship and event marketing work into your projects, from conception to implementation. I take the perspective of both the sponsor and the sponsorship recipient. At the same time, I take into account internal structures and processes, as well as the available human and financial resources.
The key to success lies in creative conception and consistent implementation, in the seamless transition from strategic thinking to operational action. I bring my 360-degree experience and perspective to your engagements, as well as my international and national experience. The stage is yours. Together we'll make the most of it.
ABOUT ME
Fascination. Interest. Joy.
For over 30 years I have been fascinated by combining culture, sport and society with the corporate world in marketing terms. I follow the relevant projects and institutions with interest and pleasure - from a distance and often as part of this scene.
In the Thick of It, Not Just Along for the Ride
Marketing in general, and sponsorship in particular, have fascinated and captivated me since I completed my studies. During my twenty years at UBS, most recently as Global Head of Sponsorship & Events, I actively shaped the rapid development of this marketing instrument at the forefront. While emotional decision-making processes were predominant in the early days, rational, goal-driven sponsorship strategies have increasingly gained significant importance – activation, efficiency, and impact measurement have only recently become a focus compared to other marketing measures.
Keeping a Finger on the Pulse
Today, it is well known that rational decisions combined with emotional execution form the foundation for maximum success in sponsorship. This development is ongoing; current topics – such as the role and impact of socially-oriented sponsorship, the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility and sponsorship, or the design of sales-oriented sponsorship – engage me as intensely as the question of how organizers and organizations can refinance their sponsorship and event commitments.
Individual Support
Collaboration with personalities from sports, culture, and society as ambassadors, testimonials, or influencers is now considered standard for most organizations. As a coach, advisor, and trusted companion of former top athletes for the past ten years, I have witnessed firsthand the massive changes brought about by online marketing and social media. I draw on this experience, as well as my time at UBS, in supporting individuals in sponsorship and marketing.
Adapting to Change
Changes require adjustments: target audiences and their affinities evolve, and consequently, marketing and sponsorship must be continuously reviewed for relevance. In sponsorship today, the focus is no longer on what to sponsor, but how to sponsor – all resources of sponsorship teams must be realigned and deployed. My work as a speaker and lecturer, combined with my interest in the development of these topics, allows me to stay at the forefront, blending extensive experience and know-how with current trends and developments.
MOTTO
“You have to stand out from the crowd”
Successful contemporary marketing calls for new, creative and authentic approaches and solutions. It is important to stand out from the crowd, to critically examine the conventional and to reach and inspire the target groups in a smart way. The basic premise applies: quality instead of quantity, focus instead of diversification, great attention to detail, passion and the pursuit of perfection.
SMART COMMITMENT
Navigate the flood of information
Basic branding such as perimeter or start number advertising certainly serves a certain purpose, but today target groups have to be addressed in a much smarter way in order to get through to the recipients in this world flooded with advertising. It is important to gain the interest of consumers and to activate them with authentic and precise messages. This applies to any kind of engagement in the field of marketing.
Content for own and third-party channels is becoming more and more important, but again, only good, creative and inspiring content achieves its goal, especially since today's consumers are very selective about who and what they give their 5-10 seconds of attention.