We
breathe
soccer
breathe
soccer
This morning, ISL hosted a press conference in Orlando, Florida with FC Barcelona announcing the 50th Barça Academy will be coming to Orlando in Fall 2019. ISL have been trusted by FC Barcelona over the years to strategically plan and execute an expansion strategy for the Catalan club, and it continues with the opening of the milestone Barça Academy Orlando. Key FC Barcelona, ISL and local Orlando figures were in attendance drawing strong local media attention.
Xavier O’Callaghan, FC Barcelona managing Director North America, was quoted on the launch saying “This is a unique opportunity for Orlando-area youth to receive the methodology and values from coaches with one of the premier soccer clubs in the world.” Xavier O’Callaghan leads the FC Barcelona strategy of establishing and maximizing representation of the club in the North American market. Part of the club establishment, is led by Carles Martin, Director of the Global Barça Academy project. “One of the main goals of Barça Academy has always been to give players around the world the opportunity to be exposed to our methodology, acquiring our core values and soccer capacities” Said Carles.
Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe was in attendance and showed her enthusiasm for Barça Academy coming to Orlando in saying “The fact that FC Barcelona is coming to Orlando gives us the opportunity to involve our diverse community in a project that has a dedicated foundation and integration base. These standards are very well aligned to our operative mindset. This could be a major boost for Orange County.”
Barça Academy Orlando will begin play in Fall of 2019 at Austin Tindall Regional Park.
The move is part of the club’s giant push for a bigger footprint in the United States, and a worldwide boost of its Barça Academy project. ISL are looking forward to continuing its work with FC Barcelona, and ISL co-founder said of being an official partner “This new program will not only help local players experience firsthand the best international, professional and developmental soccer pathway, but will also reinforce Orlando in a Global Soccer Stage.”
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.
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.
