Sponsorship Bureau International Limited

What Sponsorship Bureau International Limited does

Strive Sponsorship, the trading name of Sponsorship Bureau International Limited (company registration 07541825), is a UK-based independent sponsorship, marketing and brand consultancy founded in 2015 by Malph Minns following his tenure as Head of Partnerships at Team Sky (now Ineos Grenadiers) from 2010-2014. The firm operates from London with a registered office in Colchester, Essex, and serves four primary client segments: brands, rights holders (teams, leagues, governing bodies, events), agencies, and investors. Its sectoral specialism spans sport, music, esports and film, with a stated 18-year foundation of 360-degree sponsorship experience and a delivery model that pairs a small core internal team with a network of specialist strategic partners engaged as briefs require.

The service catalogue is organised around three pillars: brand-side advisory (sponsorship strategy, portfolio audits, platform and property identification, campaign planning and activation, research and insight, measurement and evaluation, contract negotiation); rights holder advisory (commercial strategy, commercial audit, rights valuation, sales story development, partnership strategy, events and hospitality); and investor and capital-raising services (market intelligence, acquisition strategy, due diligence, M&A advisory, financial modelling, investor memorandum preparation). A specialist esports and gaming consultancy practice is layered on top, having delivered board-level workshops to the ECB, Badminton World Federation, SailGP, World Rugby and Fortress Melbourne. Named clients include Specsavers (lead partnerships agency following competitive pitch), SBK (Smarkets), Premier Sports, Huddersfield Town FC, Dundalk FC, Blackpool FC, Bradford City, Guinness, British Airways, 888.com, Jaguar Land Rover, ClubPickle, Esports Scotland, and Fortress Melbourne.

The business model is bespoke professional services: engagements are won through competitive pitches and direct enquiries, with pricing determined by project scope and not publicly disclosed. The firm reports 65% revenue growth in 2022 and a 100% client retention rate. Geographic scope spans the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe and Australia, with a stated global footprint. The firm is privately held with no disclosed external institutional investment, no subsidiaries, no M&A activity, and no funding rounds recorded. Its competitive position rests on the personal brand and industry tenure of the founder-MD, an ESA membership, and the 2011 Sports Industry Awards 'Best Sponsorship of a Sports Team or Individual' recognition for Team Sky work.

Name

Sponsorship Bureau International Limited

Legal name

Strive Sponsorship Ltd

Website

https://strivesponsorship.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Strive Sponsorship is a UK-based independent consultancy providing evidence-based sponsorship, marketing and brand strategy services to brands, rights holders, agencies and investors, with specialisation in sport, music, esports and film partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sponsorship Consultancy

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (54181), Other Services Related to Advertising (541890), Media Representatives (541840), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (71141)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKALAK

Sponsorship Sales, Valuation & Analytics Services (Rights Sales, Measurement, Consulting)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Sponsorship & Endorsements

SECONDARYBPAFAAAH

Experiential, Event & Sponsorship Marketing

Business & Public Services/Marketing, Advertising & PR Services/Full-Service Advertising Agencies

SECONDARYMPAAAGAE

Sponsorship & Sports Experiential Marketing

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Advertising, Marketing & PR Services/Experiential & Event Marketing Agencies

SECONDARYMPAKALAA

Athlete & Team Sponsorship Deals (Official Partners, Jersey/Kit Sponsors)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Sponsorship & Endorsements

SECONDARYMPAKALAB

Event & Tournament Sponsorship (Title/Presenting Sponsors, Official Suppliers)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Sponsorship & Endorsements

SECONDARYMPAKALAH

Hospitality, VIP & Experiential Sponsorship (Suites, Fan Zones, On-Site Activations)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Sponsorship & Endorsements

Keywords

• Sponsorship consultancy
• Brand strategy services
• Marketing consultancy
• Rights holder advisory
• Esports gaming strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Consultancy Services: Provides evidence-based and insight-led sponsorship, marketing and brand consultancy services to brands, rights holders, agencies and investors. Services span strategy, activation, measurement, and communications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Strive Sponsorship provides evidence-based and insight-led sponsorship, marketing and brand consultancy services to brands, rights holders, agencies and investors. It specialises in sport, music, esports and film and also covers fashion, the arts, cause and broadcast sponsorship. Services are delivered by a core internal team supplemented by a network of specialist strategic partners, covering brand strategy, sponsorship strategy, audit, activation, research, measurement and evaluation, contract negotiation, and rights-holder commercial strategy and valuation.

Product overview

Strive Sponsorship is a sports, music, esports and film consultancy providing evidence-based and insight-led sponsorship, marketing and brand consultancy services. The firm operates as a single integrated consultancy rather than a software platform, offering strategic services across brand strategy, sponsorship strategy, campaign planning, research and insight, measurement and evaluation, communications and content, investor services, and specialist esports and gaming consultancy. Services are delivered through a core internal team with over 18 years of experience, supplemented by a network of specialist strategic partners when briefs require additional expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brand Strategy Creating the purpose and positioning for businesses while providing the reason and means for people to connect with them, offered to brands across sport, music, esports and film.
• Sponsorship Strategy Using the power of sponsorship to support the successful delivery of business, marketing, commercial and brand objectives for brands.
• Sponsorship Audit Evaluating current sponsorship portfolios under the lens of strategy and objectives, ensuring clients have the right properties and assets in place.
• Sponsorship Platform and Property Identification Helping brands pick the right platforms and properties to meaningfully engage target audiences through sponsorship.
• Campaign Planning and Activation Defining how to effectively connect brands with target audiences via passion points, leveraging sponsorship assets through campaign planning and activation.
• Research and Insight Acquiring understanding of fans and their behaviour to develop insight for informed sponsorship decision-making.
• Measurement and Evaluation Building robust measurement and evaluation frameworks to influence and report return on investment (ROI) across sponsorship portfolios.
• Contract Negotiation Support and Advice Ensuring clients have the necessary rights and protections in sponsorship contracts at the best price.
• Communications and Content Services Campaign management, tactical PR, moment messaging, press office management, crisis communications, content creation, social media strategy and YouTube optimisation for sponsorships.
• Sports Law Services Creating, acquiring, exploiting and protecting sports media and marketing rights for brand clients.
• Hospitality and Guest Management Precision planning and management of hospitality and VIP guest experiences for senior executives tied to sponsorship activations.
• Brand Experience Events Bringing brands alive through event-based experiences, from idea to delivery.
• Commercial Strategy Creating a structure and strategy to maximise the value of rights-holder properties through sponsorship and additional revenue streams.
• Commercial Audit Evaluating current rights-holder asset lists and value drivers, identifying additional commercial opportunities.
• Rights Valuation Establishing an independent value for tangible sponsorship assets and the intangible value of association.
• Sales Story Development Creating a sales narrative that clearly and persuasively articulates the partnership opportunity for rights holders.
• Partnership Strategy Defining an approach with supporting processes to effectively manage rights-holder partners and increase retention and upsell potential.
• Events and Hospitality for Rights Holders International event management from idea to delivery, plus hospitality and guest management for VIP guests of rights holders.
• Investor Services Sport and esports industry insight, market intelligence, acquisition strategy and screening, co-investor sourcing, due diligence, M&A advisory, and management and operational support for investors.
• Capital Raising and Business Sale Services Commercial strategy, financial modelling, valuation analysis, investor memorandum preparation, and investor outreach for sports and esports businesses raising capital or executing a sale.
• Esports and Gaming Consultancy Specialist insights and workshops on esports and gaming opportunities, audience understanding, and strategic recommendations for sports rights holders and brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% client retention rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and major.

• SpecsaversflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 May 2026Strive appointed as Specsavers' lead partnerships agency following competitive pitch. Central strategic partner for sponsorship activity across the organisation. Work includes identifying sponsorship opportunities, advising on properties, and building programmes for national and local impact.
• parkruncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 March 2026Specsavers' multi-year partnership with parkrun, brokered by Strive Sponsorship, designed to expand participation in weekly 5km community events among groups under-represented in physical activity. Focuses on addressing barriers for people with visual impairments, hearing loss, and social isolation.
• ClubPicklecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Strive appointed to support ClubPickle in establishing strategic foundations for UK's largest dedicated pickleball venue on Greenwich Peninsula (12 indoor courts, planned 2026 launch). Work includes sharpening purpose and vision, articulating narrative for players, fans, partners and investors.
• Premier SportscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2025Multi-platform content and media partnership between SBK and Premier Sports. SBK became official sponsor of 'Scottish Football Social Club' podcast, will feature in LALIGA and SPFL social content, and Premier Sports subscriptions offered to SBK customers.
• Huddersfield Town FCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 August 2025Multi-year partnership where SBK became Huddersfield Town's Official UK Betting Partner. Includes new club podcast, post-match coach reflections sponsorship, social media graphics, and in-stadia brand presence.
• Dundalk FCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 August 2025SBK's first Irish football partnership with one of Ireland's most decorated football clubs. Multi-year agreement with matchday, digital assets and fan-focused initiatives.
• Blackpool FCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2025Multi-year partnership between SBK and Blackpool FC (Seasiders) as part of SBK's EFL club partnership expansion.
• Bradford City AFCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 July 2025Multi-year sponsorship between SBK and Bradford City to drive fan-focused growth.
• World RugbymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2023World Rugby engaged Strive to evaluate gaming and esports opportunities. Scope included workshops on esports/gaming landscape, developing understanding of audiences and revenue, and recommendations on strategic approach.
• SailGPmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2023SailGP appointed Strive to broaden esports and gaming thinking after eSailGP success. Workshop delivered to C-Suite on esports audience, revenue and trends. Recommended iterating eSailGP offering and watching brief on broader opportunities.
• Badminton World Federation (BWF)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2023BWF selected Strive to inform esports and gaming strategy. Board workshops on esports/gaming landscape and recommendations on strategic approach based on priorities.
• England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 July 2023ECB enlisted Strive to assess esports and gaming opportunities to determine if esports marketing strategy might help deliver strategic objectives. Recommended watching brief approach.
• Esports ScotlandcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 June 2023Delivered sponsorship workshop to Esports Scotland's commercial team covering building commercial value, monetising audience, articulating opportunity, and developing partnership structures and assets.
• Fortress MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2023Southern Hemisphere's biggest dedicated gaming and esports venue selected Strive as esports marketing agency to lead sponsorship strategy ahead of 2020 launch.
• Eddie MaycoreOthersSeasoned sponsorship and brand strategist brought in as lead consultant on Specsavers account. Contributed to successful pitch response.
• Sarah JacksoncoreOthersFormer Partnership Manager for Women's Super League Football (WSL) supporting Specsavers account.
• European Sponsorship Association (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA is the voice of the sponsorship industry in Europe. It seeks to inspire, educate and raise standards within the sponsorship industry through policy and governance, corporate responsibility, education and training, provision of information and networking activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Two Circles: Sport sponsorship and data-led consultancy advising rights holders and brands on commercial strategy, audience and partnerships — overlapping significantly with Strive's rights holder and brand services.
• Synergy Sponsorship: Independent sponsorship consultancy providing strategy, valuation and measurement services to brands and rights holders in sport, entertainment and esports — directly comparable service offering and client base to Strive.
• CSM Sport & Entertainment: International sport sponsorship and entertainment consultancy (part of Interpublic Group) offering strategy, activation and commercial advisory to brands and rights holders — a near-direct competitor for marquee UK and European accounts.
• Futures Sport + Entertainment: Independent sport and entertainment consultancy providing strategy, research and analytics to brands, agencies and rights holders — directly comparable consulting offering and client base to Strive.
• Octagon: Global sport sponsorship and experiential marketing consultancy (part of IPG) that advises brands, rights holders and investors on sponsorship strategy, activation and measurement — directly comparable to Strive's service mix across sport, music and esports.

Regional players

• Two Degrees Sport: Australian-headquartered sport sponsorship and commercial strategy consultancy advising brands, rights holders and investors across Asia-Pacific — comparable offering to Strive with primary geographic overlap in Australia.

Broad incumbents

• Sportfive: Global sport business consultancy and rights holder (part of Havelange/Bain) active in sponsorship sales, rights exploitation and consultancy across football, winter sports and more — competes with Strive on European rights holder work.
• IMG (Endeavor): Global sport and entertainment powerhouse covering sponsorship, licensing, events, media rights and athlete management — competes with Strive for rights holder commercial mandates and brand sponsorships across multiple categories.
• MKTG (Dentsu Sport): Global experiential and sponsorship marketing agency within Dentsu, offering sponsorship strategy and activation alongside media and creative — competes with Strive on integrated sport marketing briefs at greater scale.

Emerging players

• Brand Finance: Independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy with a sports sponsorship valuation practice — competes with Strive on rights valuation, sponsorship ROI and measurement work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/strive-sponsorship

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sponsorship Bureau International Limited