This is a past event. Registration is closed. View other AmCham Shanghai events.
Mark Fischer
CEO of Eastbridge Sports Management (Shanghai) Co., LtdMark Fischer has enjoyed more than two decades of building successful sports and media businesses in China and other key markets in Asia; including as the founding Managing Director of NBA China, and later of UFC Asia. He is currently CEO of Eastbridge Sports Management, a Shanghai-based agency providing sports marketing, management, social media and advisory services to brands, rights holders, and related entities seeking growth opportunities in China and vicinity.
Ricky Tong
Vice President at NBA ChinaRicky Tong, Vice President of NBA China, graduated from Fudan University majoring in Radio and Television Journalism, and holds an EMBA degree from Management School of Fudan University. Ricky Tong joined NBA China in 2012 and is currently responsible for commercialization of business related to licensing, sponsorship, merchandising and retail.
Ricky Tong's career spans across retail, marketing, and IP industries. Prior to joining NBA China, he worked at Adidas China and Jack Wolfskin China as the Basketball Category Manager and the Product Director. He has 16 years of experience in the sports, apparel, and consumer goods industries.
Craig Smith
CEO of Burton ChinaCraig Smith has been working for Burton Snowboards for over 20 years. Before his present role as CEO of Burton China, he was the SVP of International business for Burton and before that he held dual roles as SVP of APAC and General Manager of Burton Japan. Before Burton Craig work for Oakley for 5 years and was responsible for establishing Oakley’s subsidiary in Japan. Craig started his professional career at JSM Sports Marketing company in Tokyo where he oversaw management of the Powerbar brand in Japan.
Brittany Li
Relationship Director of Manchester UnitedBrittany Li is the Relationship Director at Manchester United, who is responsible for the Club’s partner relationship in Asia and Global partners China activations. Having been in the Sports and Entertainment industry in China for over 10 years, Brittany has extensive experience in sports and entertainment marketing, and worked with top sports talents such as Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, and Ronda Rousey.
Josh Lee
Head of Esports/Tournaments at Perfect World EsportsNearly a decade in esports with roots in North America and Asia. Stories, experiences, and perspectives from behind the scenes, in front of the camera, teams and organizers, and everything in between. Currently running events and tournaments at Perfect World Esports, focused on DOTA 2 and CS:GO. I like good mass transit, soccer (football), and new digital ideas.
Roy Jia
Director, Media and Business Development of NFL ChinaRoy has more than 15 years of experience in sports brand marketing and media distribution.
Roy joined NFL China as a founding member in 2007 and has witnessed the growth of the business to its present state. Roy leads the China office and is responsible for the following areas: developing marketing strategies, managing media and sponsorship partnerships, and growing youth football.
Roy received a master's degree in sports management from Ohio State University and recently completed the advanced management program at CEIBS.
Sergi Torrents
Managing Director of LaLigaSergi Torrents is, since 2014, the Managing Director of LaLiga for Greater China and since 2020, also the CEO of SFCM, the joint venture founded in 2020 by LaLiga, Mediapro and Super Sports Media in charge of marketing the rights of the competition in the territory.
With over 17 years of experience in the sports industry in China, Sergi was the General Manager and Partner of the sports marketing agency, Grupo-11, working in Football, Basketball and Motorsport industries with top properties as FC.Barcelona, Real Madrid, Euroleague Basketball or Formula-e in sponsorship, media, events and promotion.
Ronnie Cai
Managing Partner and COO at Orangetheory Fitness China.Ronnie has more than 20 years of senior management experience in the global health and fitness industry, with career experience in Australia, Southeast Asia and China. Prior to the establishment of Orange Theory Fitness in China, Ronnie was the Vice President at Wills Fitness Group with L Catterton for their transformation.
Before that, Ronnie served in Singapore Pure Fitness Pure Yoga He also held a number of senior management positions in Fitness First Asia and Australia. Ronnie is now in charge of Orangetheory Fitness franchise business development across China.
Justin Downes
President at Axis Leisure ManagementJustin Downes serves as President of Axis Leisure Management and has held a number of Senior Resort & Tourism Leadership roles over 25 years and on 3 continents including some of the industry's leading four season resorts. Justin has been based in Beijing since 2007.
Prior to founding Axis, Justin served as Sr VP Operations for Melco China Resorts; responsible for the planning, development and operation of 5 major resorts in China’s North East, including Yabuli, & Beidahu Resorts, home to the World Winter Universiade & Asian Winter Games respectively. Justin later served as COO for Genting Secret Garden Resort - Hebei, overseeing business and master planning for this 2022 Olympic venue leading up to its grand opening. Axis is currently involved in several high profile destination mountain resort developments in North East China,including Thaiwoo & Taizicheng Resorts in Chongli, and the Yanqing Olympic Alpine Venue, and multiple Indoor Ski & Snowplay projects across the country. Justin & Axis work closely with its Global industry leading expert partners such as Majid Al Futtaim’s ‘Global Snow’ (operator of Ski Dubai)– to design, implement and operate some of the best snow entertainment facilities in the world. Justin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Freestyle Canada, and the Canada China Business Council.
Prior to coming to China in 2007, Justin held the role of CEO for Hotham Skiing Company, one of Australia’s leading tourism assets. From 2000-2005, Justin served as the opening General Manager and Developer of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. As the leader of this project, Justin oversaw all aspects of the development and operations that lead to it becoming one of North America’s leading resort properties. Throughout the 90’s, Justin held a number of Executive roles with Intrawest ULC, in Whistler & Panorama BC.
Axis is a leading international leisure and hospitality management company & consultancy headquartered in Beijing, - specializing in four season development projects on behalf of domestic developers and investors. Axis offers turnkey solutions to the winter sport and resort industry and focuses on the year round long term viability of its projects.
About Axis
Axis Leisure Management, headquartered in Beijing, specializes in offering support and solutions in the development and operations of the sport & wintersport, hotel, resort, hospitality, leisure and entertainment sectors in Asia. Axis assists in the development and execution of business expansion of leisure development businesses throughout China and the Asia Pacific and assists in initiatives that contribute to the growth and success of brands worldwide. The Axis team comprises likeminded and hardworking experts and has worked for, and along side global leading developers, operators, designers and planners counting some of the world’s leading wintersport, resort, leisure and hospitality developments in its portfolio. More information is available at www.axisleisure.com
Ker Gibbs
President at AmCham ShanghaiKer Gibbs is the president of AmCham Shanghai. He first came to China in 1985 and has worked in various roles giving him broad exposure to US-China relations and business issues facing American companies operating in Asia. In the 1990s Mr. Gibbs worked for the Boston Consulting Group in Shanghai. Since then he has split his time between Asia and Silicon Valley, serving in executive positions with Apple, Disney, and high-growth Internet businesses. He moved to Shanghai in 2002 as head of Asia Pacific for a Nasdaq-listed network security company that was acquired by McAfee. His career in high tech led him to banking; he became head of technology and media in greater China for HSBC. As an investment banker he worked with Alibaba, Baidu, and other firms advising on mergers and cross-border transactions. From banking Mr. Gibbs moved to direct investments. He was a founding investor in the Crystal Orange hotel group, helping grow the company to 130 properties and 1,500 employees in China. He also led successful investments in real estate, e-commerce, and medical technology companies. Before his appointment as president, Mr. Gibbs was elected three times to the Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and served as chairman for 2016 and 2017. He also sits on the board of the United Way in China and volunteers with Renewal, a local homeless shelter. He is an op-ed contributor to the Wall Street Journal, South China Morning Post, and other publications. Ker Gibbs holds a BA in economics from UCLA and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.
Denis Green
Head of Communications at Mailman GroupDenis has spent 10+ years working within China's burgeoning sports media industry, including roles spanning journalism, business development, PR, and communications.
Four of those 10 years have been spent at China's leading sports digital agency, Mailman, where he leads the company's international communications & brand management.
Johnson Jiang
Director, Asia Business of Blizzard Entertainment / Overwatch LeagueJohnson Jiang is the Business Operations and Product Director of Blizzard Entertainment / Overwatch League. As the regional leadership, Mr. Jiang leads product strategy, business operations and manages team owner relationship in Asia. He also oversees the infrastructure that supports the Overwatch esports ecosystem in the regional market.
Previously, he was part of Esports International Operations team at Blizzard Entertainment, where he was responsible for driving strategic initiatives across regional markets. During the tenure he had led product iteration and business development efforts for several key projects in China market, including Overwatch APAC Premier and Overwatch Premier Series. Mr. Jiang joined Blizzard Entertainment since 2009, and had served across different disciplines at the company, including Localization, Regional Publishing, and Game Design. Mr. Jiang is an avid gamer and sports enthusiast. He enjoys watching soccer and basketball, as well as playing those sports in the form of video gaming with friends.
Echo Li
Managing Director, Greater China Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships of Sportfive Greater ChinaEcho Li is Managing Director, Greater China & Senior Vice President Global Partnerships at SPORTFIVE (previously named Lagardère Sports) and the youngest and only female country manager across SPORTFIVE’s 55-year history and Lagardère Group’s 196-year history. She was entrusted by SPORTFIVE HQ to spearhead Greater China business in 2016. Since then, Echo has been leading the Greater China business development from scratch to developing a team with exponential revenue growth. SPORTFIVE China proudly leads the sports sponsorship and comprehensive consulting service in the market and providing comprehensive sports marketing activation solution consisting of asset analysis, customization of commercial rights and negotiation, content creation, digital solution and offline fan experience.
Echo is graduated from Cheung Kong EMBA and invited as guest speaker for MBA programs on how to use sports to support Chinese brands’ globalization and corporate social responsibility commitments, including Finance MBA programs at Cornell, Peking and Tsinghua Universities.
Eric Oetting
Founder & CEO of Planet OEric Oetting, founder and CEO of Planet O is a seasoned serial entrepreneur and market entry expert with futuristic insights into the next generation of eSports and location-based entertainment. Since first coming to China in 2005, Eric has been focused on the high-growth sector of China’s consumer-based industries.
Founded in 2016, Planet O is a pioneering new-age entertainment company dedicated to location-based entertainment, high tech eSports, and XR experiences. The flagship hub – PLANET ONE, a joint-venture between Planet O and NetEase Games VR, officially launched in Shanghai this June 2021, with plans for continued expansion across China.
Mr. Oetting has served as business coach to numerous startups, as well as founded and developed a series of businesses including: De Refter Belgian Bar & Brasserie, Gourmet Week China, ROCKART Asia, Big E entertainment centers, and Planet O.
Mr. Oetting holds a degree in Organizational Leadership & Supervision with a focus on international business from Purdue University. He has lived in Shanghai since 2008 and is fluent in English and conversational in Chinese Mandarin.
Jay Li
VP, International at WWEJay Li was born and raised in Shanghai China and educated in the United States. Jay joined WWE as Vice President and Greater China GM in April of 2016. He is now VP of WWE international and oversees international markets: APAC, Canada, New Zealand, India, and China.
Before WWE, Jay was the Greater China GM for Skullcandy Inc for four years where he helped launch the brand in China. Jay also worked for the Chinese sporting goods giant Li Ning, as the General Manager of International Division, head of Footwear as well as head of Li Ning’s Global Innovation Center. Jay also served as a board member of the World Federation of Sporting Good Industries (WFSGI). Previously, Jay was a management consultant and his prior employers included IBM Business Consulting Services, PriceWaterhouseCoopers Consulting, and Accenture. He has worked extensively in both China and the US. Jay received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Politics and Economics from Middlebury College.
Michael Lin
Senior Business Director of MailmanMichael is a Senior Business Director at Mailman for the past 8 years heading the US Sports and Brand businesses. He has been in China the past 20+ years, and has witnessed every step of China's digital evolution.
With over 14 years in the digital marketing space, he has served as Account Director for the NHL over the last 2 years as well as managed a variety of other top leagues, teams, athletes, and brands overlooking their marketing strategy, partnerships, and growth in China.
Vance Lin
Director, Business Development of MLB ChinaVance Lin is the Director of Business Development for China of Major League Baseball (MLB), the premier level of professional baseball in the world. Vance is currently responsible for business development, commercialization, and government relations at MLB China.
Prior to joining MLB, Vance served in management positions at Mediapro Asia, Alibaba Sports and IMG. With over 10 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific sports industry, Vance has developed a strong network with a wide range of international brands, sports organizations, agencies and government entities across the region. He has a proven record of closing sponsorship deals and managing sales teams for several influential global sports IPs such as Formula One, London Olympic Games, Rugby World Cup, English Premier League, HSBC Champions and SEA Games. Vance has been based in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a master’s degree in Sport and Recreation Business Management.
Diane Long
Co-founder of Active Kidz ShanghaiFor over three decades, Diane Long has had a ringside seat to what can only be described as an economic and social revolution. Diane’s unique and diverse skill set was developed in the cauldron of a forever changing landscape as China marched forward with reforms at a scale and speed never before seen in history.
Currently serving as managing director at Xanadu Enterprise Shanghai, a bilingual, bicultural consultancy, she provides insights and services to support companies in various stages of entering and operating in the China market. Diane previously held senior leadership positions in global corporations such as Liz Claiborne and adidas as well as executive roles in start-ups. Her breath and depth of leadership experience enables her to assist both first-to-market as well as established firms to build for success in China. The many years working across industries allows for understanding and explaining China in a multilayered context.
Parallel to her business career Diane has been a leader in the Shanghai community having co- founded five non-profit organizations responding to a variety of social needs. Starting in 1987 Diane was an early leader in the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai (Amcham) including Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer as well as establishing both the Sourcing and CSR Committees and serving on the NEC twice.
In 1999 she co-founded with corporate executives and diplomats who were also parents, Active Kidz Shanghai (AKS) a not-for-profit membership organization providing quality team sport experience including soccer, basketball, baseball and volleyball for youth from 4 to 17 years old. AKS mission is to stimulate the development of physical and social skills, which encourage the values of teamwork, good sportsmanship, self-confidence and respect for others. Today AKS serves over 500 international and local families. Diane is an enthusiastic soccer coach, and continues to serve on the board of AKS. Diane has four boys of whom her youngest is just starting his soccer career so she has many more years to stay involved with youth sports here in Shanghai.
Gary Mi
Head of Operations at DRL ChinaGary Mi is the first hire for the Drone Racing League (DRL) in China and has been spearheading its operation for the past four years. Since its launch, DRL has seen tremendous growth in viewership, fan base and engagement across various social media platforms. DRL is now the most followed drone account in all of China with 2 million fans and over 270 million views.
Before joining DRL, Gary was in the gaming space for over 20 years working in renown companies such as King (Candy Crush Saga), Electronic Arts (Battlefield, Need for Speed), and PopCap (Plants vs. Zombies, Bejeweled). He has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University and a degree in business administration from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Nic Nie
GM at PacificPine Sports ShanghaiNic Nie is the Shanghai GM of PacificPine Sports (PPS), China’s leading youth sports education group. PPS is currently partnered with more than 50 schools in 10 cities around the country, offering comprehensive sports education programs and services. The PacificPine Sports Group brings top sports IP under the group umbrella including PGA of America Academy, AC Milan Football Academy, Five-Star Basketball Academy, WTA Tennis Academy (Hong Kong SAR) and other top world sports brands. PPS also enjoys close partnerships with large, successful companies in China such as PingAn, Mission Hills, Huafa Group, and Huarun Group.
Nic has a deep passion and love for sports as an athlete (basketball, golf), academic (majoring in sports management) and professional. He has extensive experience in the sports industry, working in China and thirty other counties around the world for over ten years in multiple roles: Sports management for the PGA TOUR, LPGA TOUR, ATP, ICC, WTT, D1 Grandprix etc; Professional Athletes Agent as the first registered Chinese Agent in the PGA TOUR for pro-golfers Li Haotong & Huang Wenyi; Sports sponsorship, doing marketing for the PGA TOUR CHINA, the ATP Tour; and finally, overseas IP purchasing & management for the D1 Grandprix in Tokyo, Japan. Nic is now applying his dedication to sport and breadth of experience to the development of youth sports education in China.
Tor Petersen
Senior Consultant at Eastbridge Sports ManagementTor is an accomplished China business veteran with extensive experience in new business development, marketing, branding, finance, and sales operations; and a track record of rapid revenue growth. In his 20+ years of management and advisory experience in China, Tor has worked in brand and sports marketing for MNCs such as Nike & Coca-Cola; market entry and business development for Footlocker, Under Armour, NFL, GoPro and Space (SpaceCycle); and strategy and restructuring projects for brands such as Li-Ning, Reebok, and Guess.
Tor’s experience in grass roots sports dates back to the mid-1990s when he led Nike’s initial grass roots sports efforts in China. He later established the NFL’s Junior High School American Football League in 2004; and is currently working on a major market entry project in China’s dynamic personal fitness industry.
Jason Shi
Director of Marketing at Hyperice ChinaStarting professional career as a correspondent covering basketball news in China and US, Jason turned into a marketer from 2014 and work on delivering brand value for adidas, Monster Energy and current company Hyperice, the most innovative sports recovery brand in the world.
Mark Simon
Hockey & Marketing Consultant at China Hockey GroupOne of the leading experts on ice hockey in China, Mark has been working to develop the sport in this market – including for youth, amateur, and professional teams and leagues -- for more than 13 years now. He is currently a key member of the leadership team for China Hockey Group, China’s largest organization dedicated to running high-level adult & youth hockey programs. In this role he leads strategy, planning, and operations for the organization, acting as the go-to person advising on all matters relating to hockey programs in mainland China. He meanwhile works closely with the NHL’s official PR & social media partner in China on various marketing projects. Mark is also Co-Founder of Hockey Hands, a non-profit organization teaching English & Hockey to orphans, migrant children & children with disabilities. He is originally from Montreal, Canada and speaks four languages: English, French, German and Chinese.
John Steere
SVP & MD at 160over90A Chinese American marketing, digital and experiential professional possessing broad commercial, technology and customer-oriented experience with top global brands
and agencies, including, Visa, Gartner, AT&T, IMG, McCann, Saatchi and DDB. Currently John leads Endeavor’s (WME/IMG) cultural marketing agency 160over90’s China business, which recently acquired Mailman, the leading sports marketing agency in China.
Most recently he was Managing Director of Imagination China, a global experience company that specializes in creating experiences that change the way people feel, think, and act. Prior to that he was President of MyMM China, (owned by Lane
Crawford & Wharf Holdings) which operates a fashion, beauty and lifestyle ecommerce marketplace targeting Chinese consumers.
John has proven expertise in managing China and regional APAC operations, identifying key market opportunities, and cultivating strategic business partnerships. His career covers a diverse range of marketing disciplines, which include digital, ecommerce, experiential, PR, activation, ATL, BTL, retail design, and media.
John was born in Vietnam to a Chinese mother and an American diplomat father. He grew up a true international person, living/working in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Germany and Austria. With a BA in Modern Chinese History and Politics from the University of Washington, he began his career teaching at the Sichuan International Studies University. He speaks Mandarin and is conversational in German and Russian. His wife is Singaporean and they have 3 children.
Anthony Wong
CEO of Ryft Esports AgencyAnthony Wong, CEO of Ryft Esports Agency. Ryft specializes in KOL marketing, digital marketing, social media, events, and sponsorship sales for the esports industry. Ryft is backed by YouFirst Sports. Anthony also:
-Founded Roar Esports, an organization that has owned 5 professional esports teams.
-VP of Esports at Z+ Game Console, China's first attempt at a Next-Gen console.
-VP at UBG, a private Chinese investment firm with over $2 billion AUM