A student from Bournemouth University (BU) will work with FC Bayern Munich to develop his business idea for the German football club, after reaching the final of an international competition.
Final year Sports Management student Mats Hjertum and teammate Stian Pettersen, from the Norwegian School of Sport Science, travelled to the German superclub to pitch their idea after being shortlisted in the competition, run by FC Bayern Munich and Procter & Gamble.
Teams from as far afield as New Zealand submitted ideas for the competition, which asked for innovations for football across three key areas: home games, international fanbase and marketing potential/medialisation.
Mats and Stian were among just five shortlisted teams chosen to go to Munich to meet key stakeholders from the club and competition, and work on their idea – which centres on connecting fans to the club through music – before pitching to a jury.
They were then picked as one of two winning teams who will work with FC Bayern Munich for the next eight weeks to develop their idea, with access to coaching, funding and experts from the club.
“The trip was an amazing experience,” said Mats.
“We got a tour around Munich, a stadium tour and museum tour at the Allianz Arena, as well as great seats to watch all four games of the Audi Cup 2017.
“We also got meet with, and received guidance from, FC Bayern Munich partners such as Procter & Gamble and Allianz, among others.”
Mats, who aspires to work in the football industry, added: “It was an amazing feeling to be shortlisted and an even better one to go through the next round where we were up against some really impressive teams and ideas.
“I can't go into the specifics of our idea but our concept is to connect the fans, players and club through music in a unique way and the feedback we got was that FC Bayern Munich really liked the idea of emotionalising the fans through music.”
Mats and Stian were mentored and supported in the competition by Tim Breitbarth, Principal Academic in BU’s Faculty of Management.
He said: “Being challenged to advance the marketing of an already very successful Top 3 global football club truly requires cutting-edge thinking.
“Matt and Stian will now be able to further develop their idea and plan in discussion with top executives and pitch for further investment.
“The benefits of this process are multiple - ranging from developing an entrepreneurial mind, negotiating ideas and turning them into feasible business products, as well as presenting to, and networking with, top industry decision-makers.”
