The IQ

Welcome to The IQ, GSIQ’s blog featuring insights and trends in sports and sponsorship. Discover industry news, updates on GSIQ, and informative articles designed to help you stay ahead.

GSIQ NEWS

PRESS RELEASE

📣We’re thrilled to welcome Campbell Jamieson as our new Director for Australia and New Zealand, marking a major milestone in GSIQ’s growth in the region.

EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

📣This exclusive partnership combines advanced analytics and sector expertise to deliver targeted consumer insights to drive data-driven decision-making in sports, sponsorship, and tourism.

PRESS RELEASE
24 October 2024

GSIQ has launched GSIQ Tourism Insights, a new division focused on delivering tailored research and intelligence for the travel and tourism industry. Co-founded by industry experts Eva Stewart and Oliver Rowe, the division strengthens GSIQ’s global offering, combining industry expertise with innovative strategies.

PRESS RELEASE
21 November 2024

GSIQ is thrilled to announce Nicole Hollomon as our new Managing Partner, United States. This expansion reinforces GSIQ’s mission to empower agencies, brands and rights-holders with actionable insights that enhance decision-making and drive sustainable growth.

PRESS RELEASE
1 October 2024

GSIQ is excited to welcome Ted Harwood as our new Managing Partner, Australia & New Zealand. Ted will lead our expansion into these vitally important markets, applying GSIQ’s bespoke approach to data-gathering and analytics to help sports and sponsorship clients meet a distinctive set of regional challenges.

PRESS RELEASE
27 June 2024

We are delighted to welcome Sam Dawson as our Managing Partner for the MENA region. Sam will spearhead GSIQ’s mission to create pioneering intelligence for industry stakeholders to capitalise on opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-developing markets.

PRESS RELEASE
4 June 2024

GSIQ has appointed Frank Saez as its new Chairman. A leading authority in global sports business analysis, Saez brings over 25 years of experience to GSIQ, enhancing its growth plans. Saez joins co-founders Charlie Dundas and Josh Marcus, and Managing Partner Joseph Eapen, to redefine client-agency relationships with human-backed intelligence.

PRESS RELEASE
14 May 2024

Joseph Eapen brings a wealth of experience and deep knowledge in the sports and sponsorship intelligence sector. He has held senior positions at top sports research firms including YouGov Sport, SMG Insight, Repucom, MRUC and aMap. Over his 25-year career in marketing research and media measurement, Joseph has also established a reputation as a specialist thought leader on the sports economies of India and Pakistan.

PRESS RELEASE
14 May 2024

Industry veterans Charlie Dundas and Josh Marcus have launched GSIQ, a boutique agency specializing in human-backed data intelligence. With over 30 years of combined experience, GSIQ aims to revolutionize client experiences through tailored, insightful solutions in the sports and sponsorship industry.

GSIQ CLIENT PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLIENT PARTNERSHIPS ANNOUNCEMENTS

GSIQ is proud to announce our partnership with Emirates Dubai 7s.

As one of the largest sports and entertainment festivals in the Middle East, Emirates Dubai 7s continues to set the standard, bringing together elite rugby, netball, cricket, fitness, and padel, alongside an electric festival atmosphere with live music, fan activations, and entertainment.

Taking place at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, the event is a cornerstone of the HSBC SVNS World Series – attracting top international teams and thousands of passionate fans from around the world.

At GSIQ, we were delighted to support the 2024 edition with Attendee Research, Economic Impact Analysis, and Sponsorship Evaluation – helping to unlock valuable insights that drive growth, enhance fan experiences, and strengthen commercial partnerships.

Through our tailored market intelligence solutions, we empower rights holders and brands to make informed decisions that elevate their impact. With Emirates Dubai 7s, we have worked to uncover opportunities that ensure the event continues to thrive as a global leader in sport and entertainment.

A huge thank you to the Emirates Dubai 7s team for their trust in GSIQ. We look forward to continuing this exciting journey together!

GSIQ to provide strategic insights as PSA Squash Tour builds towards LA28

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has partnered with GSIQ to unlock the full commercial potential of its global assets – a major step as the sport builds towards its Olympic debut at LA28.

Squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympics is a landmark moment for the sport, providing a global stage for its elite athletes. To maximise this opportunity, PSA has partnered with GSIQ, whose insights will help optimise its commercial strategy, enhance visibility, attract new partners, and drive long-term growth.

Read full press release

We are proud to announce our partnership with the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL T20) as their official media and sponsor evaluation partner.

The CPL is a trailblazer in cricket, captivating fans globally since 2013. In 2024, the tournament saw thrilling matches across Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago, with the Saint Lucia Kings crowned champions.

The GSIQ team, leveraging their expertise and cutting-edge tools, will deliver comprehensive data insights by evaluating the total viewership of the 2024 tournament and analysing the value generated for all its commercial partners. These insights will not only provide a detailed understanding of the 2024 tournament’s impact but also play a vital role in shaping strategies and plans for 2025 and beyond.

We’re thrilled to support CPL’s continued success and innovation in cricket as they look ahead. Here’s to a winning collaboration!

Read full press release here

GSIQ is proud to announce our partnership with Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC).

Launched in October 2023, the ADXC brings together multiple disciplines and innovative matches, reflecting the UAE’s vision to promote jiu-jitsu and martial arts on a global scale in a unique way. ADXC has already hosted six events across three continents.

We’re excited to be supporting ADXC with advanced analytics, delivering valuable insights into event impact for key stakeholders, and helping to unlock commercial potential. At GSIQ, our Sponsorship Valuation services combine decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology to provide actionable insights and maximise sponsorship ROI.

We look forward to collaborating with ADXC as they continue to expand their global reach, deepen fan engagement, and foster new commercial partnerships.

GSIQ is proud to announce our partnership with New Balance in the Middle East.

New Balance has achieved substantial growth in recent years, becoming a global sportswear giant, driven by best-in-class products and experiences across running, lifestyle and performance. Specific to the MENA region they are one of the fastest growing sports brands.

Focused on accelerating regional growth through a consumer first, insight driven approach, GSIQ have onboarded New Balance MENA as part of a deeper dive into MENA consumer trends, brand performance and audience intelligence.

Stuart Henwood, Regional General Manager Middle East, Africa and India says, “The key is understanding and listening to our consumers and partners in these markets. Then tailoring solutions to meet their needs, while driving consistent global brand product assortments and messaging.”

At GSIQ, we tap into consumer behaviour with our specialised consumer insight services, overlayed with trusted industry expertise. Geared for sport and entertainment, our market research solutions provide invaluable insights to drive informed commercial decisions and boost brand engagement strategies.

We look forward to playing a key part in New Balance’s continued mission to expand their connection with consumers in the region.

GSIQ is proud to announce our partnership with the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH), the global governing body of field hockey.

As the driving force behind field hockey’s growth and innovation worldwide, FIH plays a pivotal role in elevating the sport to new heights. We’re excited to provide them with actionable insights and advanced analytics to support their ongoing efforts in expanding the sport’s global reach.

At GSIQ, we leverage our proprietary sponsorship image recognition technology, powered by SIQ+. This cutting-edge system enables real-time exposure tracking with data refreshed every 3 seconds, delivering sponsor insights that make a real difference. Our goal is to empower informed decision-making and support FIH in crafting impactful sponsorship strategies.

We look forward to collaborating with FIH as they continue to advance the sport on the global stage.

GSIQ TEAM NEWS

NNENNA OYEKA

Founders’ Associate

ANJALI ARORA

Senior Account Manager, MENA

ALMIR GASHI

Account Manager, MENA

LAURA FUGE

Client Services Director

CONNOR TOMSON

Media Strategy & Operations Director

SHARON HAVENHAND

Global Head of Brand & Marketing

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

We’re delighted to announce a new partnership between GSIQ, including our specialist division GSIQ Tourism Insights, and Event Host Evaluation. By joining forces, we are now offering advanced planning, measurement, and reporting capabilities for rights holders and host venues worldwide. 🌍

UK SPONSORSHIP AWARDS

We’re excited to share that GSIQ is now a proud sponsor of the 31st UK Sponsorship Awards! 🎉 We’re looking forward to celebrating the best in the field!

SOLO TRAVEL

Solo travel has become more diverse, inclusive, and meaningful. Today’s solo travellers seek personal growth, adventure, and social connections, with many being older and more willing to invest in enriching experiences.

DUBAI 2025

Dubai kicked off 2025 with a vibrant January sports calendar, blending iconic traditions with bold innovations that not only captivate global audiences but also unlock significant business opportunities. From the Dubai Marathon to the Dubai Desert Classic, these hallmark events continue to draw thousands of runners and world-class golfers, creating lucrative avenues for sponsorships, investments, and collaborations within Dubai’s thriving sports ecosystem.

GSIQ INDIA

Today, we shine a spotlight on GSIQ in India, a true powerhouse of research excellence and their incredible achievement of ringing in 100 new projects. This milestone reflects the dedication and innovation of the GSIQ India team, led by Managing Partner Joseph Eapen.

GIRLS IN SPORT

In the U.S., 2024 has been a landmark year in the landscape of girls’ youth sports, marked by inspiring milestones. Such as record-breaking participation rates in girls’ team sports.

SPORTS TOURISM

Sports tourism is a rapidly growing industry, encompassing everything from travelling to participate in or watch amateur, college, or school sports, to attending professional matches and tournaments. The sector is thriving 🏀

GSIQ MENA

GSIQ’s Managing Partner for MENA, Sam Dawson, attended the iSportConnect Dubai Summit — a brilliant event that brought together a packed house of the smartest minds in global sport.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Proud moment for GSIQ India 🌟 We are thrilled to share that Joseph Eapen, Managing Partner of GSIQ India, successfully conducted a workshop on Sponsorship Evaluation for the Sports Marketing course at MICA on 27th November 2024.

THANKSGIVING TRAVEL

Americans are redefining thanksgiving travel by elevating travel experiences🦃✈️ This year, over 80 million Americans will take to the road, skies, and rail to reconnect with loved ones.

AFLW: THE 2024 GRAND FINAL

30th November 2024, history will be made as the NAB AFLW Grand Final is played under lights for the first time. Kicking off at 7:45 PM AEDT, this groundbreaking evening match at Ikon Park, not only redefines the tradition of daytime AFLW grand finals but also marks a pivotal moment in Australian sport.

GSIQ GLOBAL TEAM

At GSIQ, uniting our global teams is essential to delivering innovation and valuable outcomes for our clients🌏 Last week, our global leadership came together in Mumbai, with representatives from the US, UK, Europe, MENA, and Australia joining our growing India team to align on strategies for the future.

GSIQ TECHNOLOGY: SIQ+

Intelligence is at the heart of the GSIQ brand. And SIQ+ – our proprietary sponsorship image recognition technology – helps us deliver insights that make a real difference.

CRICKET

The West Indies’ win over England has reinvigorated excitement around Caribbean cricket, coming fresh off the back of co-hosting the T20 World Cup with the USA earlier this year. Events like these highlight the incredible potential for brands to connect with fans in the Caribbean and benefit from the region’s iconic culture and unmatched energy. From boosting fan engagement to driving tourism, cricket has the power to ignite growth in the Caribbean like few other sports can.

TOURISM TRENDS

It’s a busy week in the travel and tourism industry and GSIQ Tourism Insights is right in the heart of the action! Yesterday, Eva attended STRZSummit, and today, Eva Satkute Stewart and Oliver Rowe at the World Travel Market London, one of the most influential three days in the global travel calendar.

MARATHONS

What can the TCS New York City Marathon tell us about the future of mass participation events? They are now central to the brand-building efforts of many cities and serve as a huge driver for charitable fundraising. They provide compelling possibilities for sponsors, from brand exposure to direct marketing through event communication channels, and more.

TENNIS: SIX KINGS SLAM

The early results are in. 🔍📊 GSIQ’s LIVE analysis of Rafael Nadal’s Final Clash with Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam – A historic farewell to one of tennis’ greatest rivalries🎾🏆 GSIQ conducted a live examination of the social media buzz and brand exposure performance from the highly anticipated third-place match between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.

BASKETBALL: WNBA

How is the WNBA changing the face of basketball? On Sunday 20 October, the New York Liberty took the 2024 title with a heart-stopping 67-62 overtime win in front of 18,800 fans at the Barclays Center. The numbers are sky rocketing. We ask what future does this suggest for the women’s game? How does this exposure impact youth participation and future-proof the games fandom? And as the NBA returns for 2024/25, how will it influence wider basketball fandom?

SIQ+: SPONSORSHIP

Erling Haaland has been a human highlight reel during the first four games of the Premier League season. But what impact on Manchester City’s Partners? We analyse Aldar, their Official Real Estate Partner.

SAUDI PRO LEAGUE

The ROSHN Saudi League, arguably one of the most ambitious projects in world football, returned last week for its 2024/25 season. But what is its long-term trajectory?

PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

We’re proud to have supplied the media analysis audience data for this unforgettable moment! 🥈 Neeraj Chopra’s silver win at Paris 2024.

ESPORTS WORLD CUP

The Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia is approaching its final week of competition. So has it changed the game?

OUT OF OFFICE

JOSEPH’S PASTA COOKOUT

With the kitchen heat on and the stakes high, GSIQ’s Joseph Eapen stepped up to the plate this weekend at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Pasta Cookout. Never one to back down from a challenge, Joseph brought his A-game and, with the expert partnership of Meena Bhatia, VP & GM of Le Meridien New Delhi, they formed a winning duo. Together, their culinary skills shone through, earning them the top spot in this fiercely competitive cook-off.

JOSH AND TODO CIUDAD FC

In a landmark grassroots football sponsorship, GSIQ has officially signed a multi-year front-of-shirt deal with Islington Midweek League veterans, Todo Ciudad FC. Of course, there’s a twist: with GSIQ’s Co-Founder Josh Marcus at the helm of both the sponsor and the team, some might joke that he’s sponsoring himself! But, as analysts note, when the numbers add up, who’s really counting? 😉

AROUND THE GLOBE

THE E1 SERIES – JEDDAH

GSIQ’s own Charlie Dundas getting a close-up of the action at the opening race of the E1 Series season in Jeddah! Kicking off the second season on 24–25 January, this spectacular event continues to showcase innovation and sustainability on the water.

FORMULA 1

How is Formula 1 reshaping expectations about how and where sports bodies can reach their fans? The world’s premier motorsport series is back from a month-long break this weekend for the United States Grand Prix, and its return comes after a succession of commercial partnerships.

LUXURY BRANDS & SPORT

How are events like the America’s Cup helping luxury brands reach their target audience? Louis Vuitton is the title partner of the 37th edition of sailing’s most prestigious competition, which this week sees Ineos Britannia try to wrest the title away from long-time holders Emirates Team New Zealand.

UK WOMENS SPORT

Rugby union captain Rachel Malcolm’s 50th cap last Saturday proved the perfect kick-off for Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2024: a nationwide initiative celebrating, inspiring and driving female participation in sport.

NFL: BRAZIL

How will the first NFL game in Brazil change the global marketing profile of the world’s richest sports league? Can sustainable commercial growth build beyond North America?

PARALYMPICS 2024

For many athletes, converting the concentrated attention of a major event into long-term media and sponsorship interest is a vital challenge.

TENNIS: US OPEN

How can the US Open tennis tournament keep growing? The final Grand Slam of the year is also the richest, bringing in US$580.7 million for the United States Tennis Association in 2023.

PARALYMPICS 2024

How are the Paralympic Games changing expectations around accessibility and inclusion?

PREMIER LEAGUE

What will we learn about audience behaviour in the new Premier League season?

PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

After the high of Paris 2024, how do sports like athletics pursue sustainable audience growth?

PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

Paris 2024 has sent a jolt of energy through the Olympic movement. But how will the next Summer Games meet its audience?

PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

It finally happened: at 37, Novak Djokovic is an Olympic champion, and only the fifth tennis player ever to complete the ‘Golden Slam’.

PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are here – and they could reveal a lot about the dynamics of sports audiences.

5Qs: GOLF & THE OPEN

Golf’s final major of 2024 is in the books – and once again, The Open has demonstrated its unique appeal to golf diehards and casual fans alike.

CRICKET: INDIA V ENGLAND

India face England this week in the semi-final of a men’s ICC T20 World Cup that has underlined how South Asian influence is reshaping the sports industry.

TENNIS: WIMBLEDON

With Wimbledon just a fortnight away, Sir Andy Murray returns to London’s Queens Club this week for his likely final appearance at the Cinch Championship.

FOOTBALL: UEFA EURO 2024

UEFA Euro 2024 is a huge moment for football – and for brands. How will they generate exposure and convert that into gains off the pitch?

CRICKET: ICC T20 WORLD CUP

On Sunday 9th June, India will meet Pakistan in cricket’s ICC T20 World Cup – in New York. It is a new setting for one of the greatest sporting rivalries of them all.

THIS IS GSIQ

GSIQ Cycling Insight & Research

This is a time for specialised guidance in audience research – particularly in sport. And many of those questions concern their fans. Who are they? What do they want? What do they really value? And where can I find more people like them?