{"id":47836,"date":"2018-11-15T19:14:40","date_gmt":"2018-11-16T00:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.portada-online.com\/?p=47836"},"modified":"2018-11-15T19:14:40","modified_gmt":"2018-11-16T00:14:40","slug":"soccer-marketing-to-latinos-starts-at-the-grassroots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portada-online.com\/sports-marketing\/soccer-marketing-to-latinos-starts-at-the-grassroots\/","title":{"rendered":"Soccer Marketing to Latinos Starts at the Grassroots"},"content":{"rendered":"
What: <\/strong>Super Soccer Stars, a growing grassroots program looking to build the game in 24 cities in 13 states, has hired longtime sports marketer Adam Geisler as CEO. There is no doubt that the world\u2019s soccer powers see North America as the next unconquered land in terms of fan and brand engagement and talent development<\/strong>. However much of that engagement starts, as Major League Soccer (@MLS<\/b><\/a>)\u00a0<\/span>has learned, at the grassroots. Getting young people to engage in the game, understand the game, and be active builds fans for life, and that is key in every community, especially among Latinos who may have a cultural affinity for the game.<\/p>\n One of the key groups that has done that engagement at the youth level really well is Super Soccer Stars<\/a> (@SuperSoccerNY<\/b><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n Founded in 2000, Super Soccer Stars is the largest grassroots program in New York City and also features locations in 24 cities in 13 different states reaching 150,000 children. The mission is to focus on a healthy lifestyle and basic athletic skills development<\/strong> while having fun and building self-confidence and teamwork. Soccer Super Stars\u2019 custom coaching and player development modules are designed for players from 12 months up to 8 years of age and various skill levels. They recently also made a key addition on the business side<\/strong>, adding sports marketing veteran Adam Geisler<\/strong> as CEO. Geisler, whose background includes building brands like Everlast (@Everlast_<\/b><\/a>)\u00a0<\/span>and MISSION (@MissionAthlete<\/b><\/a>)<\/span>, will be charged with figuring out how to harness that grassroots power, as well as the data that exists to grow not just the business, but the grassroots soccer community<\/strong> as one.<\/p>\n [comillas]Super Soccer Stars … speaks directly to the interests of families and young kids in the Latino demo.[\/comillas]<\/p>\n How does all that data, and all that engagement play out with young Latinos? Pretty well: so we asked Super Soccer Stars COO Sarah Natchez<\/strong>, and Dean Simpson<\/strong>, their Chief Programs Officer, to break it down for us.<\/p>\n
\nWhy it matters:<\/strong> The organization can serve as a blueprint for matching support of youth soccer with marketing opportunities for brands also looking to grow the sport.<\/p>\n