We
breathe
soccer
breathe
soccer
ISL recently helped connect two of the worlds biggest sports stars, Luis Suarez and Deandre Hopkins. ESPN FC, FC Barcelona, Houston Texans, and ISL worked together to create and capture the unique moment.
Ahead of Uruguay’s friendly with Mexico, ISL facilitated the opportunity for Luis Suarez to stop by the Houston Texans training facility. The Uruguay international got a quick tutorial on how to play quarterback, and played “catch” with the 3 time NFL Pro-Bowler Deandre Hopkins. The two athletes traded jerseys, took memorable photos, and started a new friendship.
As a core element of their marketing and brand awareness strategy, Audi wished to strengthen their connection with soccer in the US. To help them to do so, ISL identified a unique opportunity to align Audi and FC Barcelona, in order to present the sporting performance and dynamism of the brand to a grassroots American soccer audience.
Audi is one of Germany’s most prestigious automobile manufacturers, and one of the best-selling luxury automobile brands in the world. Its brand identity is focused on technology, strategy, and team spirit, making it a perfect partner for the sport of soccer.
The Second Generation Q7 is Audi’s flagship crossover SUV. Lighter, more efficient and more technologically advanced than the original Q7, the new line is truly luxurious and sophisticated.
As an established partner and sponsor of regional and international sport for decades, Audi had set a new objective to more closely align their brand with soccer in America. They had already made progress towards this goal in 2015 when they signed a partnership agreement with Major League Soccer, becoming the Official Automotive Partner of MLS.
In the summer of 2016, Audi wished to build off their extended sponsorship agreement with FC Barcelona to further reinforce their relationship with the club, and with American soccer. They identified the perfect opportunity to do both by integrating the launch of their Second Generation Q7 with the FC Barcelona Escola Camps.
ISL’s clients, Jonathan and Giovanni Dos Santos, wanted to create a global brand that would represent themselves as soccer players, community leaders, and business men.
Through a unique relationship, ISL were entrusted by the Dos Santos brothers to develop a comprehensive brand strategy for them which could be used as a versatile, timeless, and limitless image of the brothers to be used now and after their playing careers are over.
Jonathan and Giovanni Dos Santos are two of the most recognizable and popular Mexican National team players. Both of their careers include time spent at some of the largest soccer clubs in the world including FC Barcelona, Villarreal, Tottenham Hotspur, and LA Galaxy. As well as illustrious club careers, both Jonathan and Giovanni Dos Santos have featured in the the FIFA World Cup for the Mexican National Team.
The two brothers now are key players for the LA Galaxy of the MLS. Both players are strong, marketable assets for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The city is one of the strongest soccer markets and one of the most heavily populated Hispanic-American markets in the United States.
Jonathan and Giovanni wanted to create a marketable brand encompassing the Dos Santos values and image. The brand needed to be relatable for both a Mexican and Hispanic-American market, as well as youth and adults. In order for execution of this goal, the brothers needed some one to develop, market, and manage the roll out of the brand.
When the clients came to ISL, they didn’t have a name or image in mind; just this intention of developing a lasting, versatile, and timeless brand. It fell on ISL to turn the dream into a reality.
Our clients, including the legendary Spanish soccer player Xavi Hernández, wanted to create a product to help the next generation of players improve their ball control and passing technique.
ISL provided comprehensive product and brand development expertise, creating a sound business model and strengthening the brand of Xavi the athlete.
Xavi Hernandez is one of the worlds greatest players of his generation. His career is studded with silverware, including 8 domestic league wins and 4 Champions League wins with Barcelona FC, and one World Cup title and two European Cup titles with the Spanish National team.
He is internationally renowned as one of the greatest central midfielders and playmakers in the history of the game.
Together with a group of Spanish investors, Xavi wanted to create a revolutionary training device to develop the soccer skills of young players.
Xavi wanted to use this product to leave a legacy behind to future generations that focused on the skills that he was most famous for. Voted best playmaker four times throughout his career, those were his incredible abilities to control and pass the ball.
When the client came to ISL, they didn’t have a name or a product in mind; just this intention. It fell on ISL’s shoulders to turn that dream into a reality.
Thiago Alcantara and his partnered charity, Zikkomo, were seeking the opportunity to put together a special benefit event with the ultimate goal of raising donations for underserved students in Malawi. In order to achieve their vision, ISL Foundation were trusted to develop, plan, organize, and execute their vision.
Thiago Alcantara is one of the worlds biggest soccer stars. The Spanish National team player has played at some of the worlds biggest clubs like FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Thiago, with his wife, is passionate about giving back to those less fortunate.
Thiago Alcantara’s partner charity, Zikkomo, is a non-profit charitable organization with the aim of improving and financing the education of children in Malawi and Catalonia. Zikkomo believe that quality education is the building block to the strength of a nation, and helping children achieve their education will help improve their country.
Thiago Alcantara and Zikkomo had a vision to put together a special soccer event that would raise funds for children’s education in Malawi. The clients knew they wanted to put on a special event, but were unsure what kind of soccer event to put on. They knew an organization experienced in event management, among other capabilities, was needed to execute their vision.
Utilizing the services of ISL and ISL Foundation, Thiago Alcantara and Zikkomo achieved their goal of hosting a soccer event which would raise funds for education funding in Malawi, successfully raising over $20,000.
FC Barcelona needed help to extend their brand into the North American soccer market. To achieve this, they entrusted ISL to create an integrated management and marketing strategy that would spread the Barça name through Soccer Camps and Schools.
In just three years, ISL grew participation in FC Barcelona’s Camps and Schools by 1,470%, firmly establishing the club in the United States.
The Client
Barcelona Football Club (FC Barcelona, FCB) is one of the largest clubs in the world, having won the European Champions League five times and their domestic league 25 times.
The Challenge
FC Barcelona needed to strategically extend the Barça brand, and transmit the club’s philosophy of hard work and values, but were unable to gain traction for their Soccer Camps and Schools (Barça Academy). The club hadn’t managed to develop systems that applied to the unique requirements of the American soccer market. FC Barcelona needed a strong, strategic partner knowledgeable of the market they were wishing to reach.
As part of our 6 year anniversary celebration, we’re taking the time to look back at our short yet productive history as a company. Over the past several months, we have been revealing our story, bit by bit, a story that wouldn’t exist without everyone who has helped support ISL along the way.
For our fourth look back at our story, we take a look as we began to truly expand, and grow in ways we couldn’t imagine.
