Michael V. Brant
Chicago
Summary
Results-driven senior leader with over two decades of experience in sponsorship sales, event production, and strategic partnership management. Proven track record of generating significant revenue, cultivating relationships, and leading high-performing teams in fast-paced environments. Adept at driving business growth through innovative marketing solutions, cross-functional collaboration, and meticulous execution.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director, Sponsorship Sales and Strategy
Sparks, a Freeman Company
Chicago, IL
12.2024 - Current
- Directed sponsorship sales and engagement strategies for large-scale global technology events, serving as the primary liaison for sponsors, partners, clients, and stakeholders.
- Managed and expanded high-value corporate sponsor accounts while ensuring contractual sponsorship benefits and deliverables were executed successfully.
- Partnered with event operations teams and external vendors to oversee sponsorship activation and implementation across all event phases, including pre-event planning, onsite execution, and post-event follow-up.
- Developed sponsorship pricing models, sales targets, prospectuses, and engagement timelines to drive revenue growth and maximize partner participation.
- Created and maintained sales dashboards, KPI tracking tools, and weekly reporting for account leadership, alliance teams, partner marketing groups, and strategic operations teams.
- Administered sponsor engagement activities through sponsor portals and event management platforms, ensuring operational workflows aligned with program objectives.
- Coordinated sponsor approvals, branding assets, signage, messaging, and communications to ensure consistency, compliance, and timely delivery.
- Delivered onsite event management and sponsor support, ensuring seamless fulfillment of sponsorship commitments and exceptional attendee experiences.
- Produced comprehensive post-event reports detailing sponsorship revenue, engagement metrics, attendee feedback, survey analysis, and program performance insights.
- Maintained proactive communication with internal teams, clients, and sponsor accounts through recurring meetings and collaboration platforms including Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace, and event management systems.
Sr. Director, Sponsorship and Event Production
Mile Zero, Inc.
Chicago, IL
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Engineered and executed the successful launch of a premier craft beer and food festival, driving the entire project from initial concept to final execution, including brand development, website creation, ticket sales, and sponsorship acquisition.
- Directed all financial and operational aspects of the event, including strategic budgeting, event planning, targeted marketing campaigns, staff recruitment and management, and all logistics coordination.
- Built strategic alliances with media outlets, high-profile vendors, key sponsors, and essential partners, significantly enhancing the festival’s visibility and success.
Director, Global Partnerships
AEG
Los Angeles, CA
11.2022 - 08.2023
- Spearheaded the business unit driving sponsorship sales and partnerships for all Midwest properties while delivering over $7M in revenue across properties in AEG portfolio.
- Cultivated and leveraged robust relationships with national brands, tapping into an extensive network of industry contacts to enhance the company’s sponsorship reach and influence.
- Partnered closely with internal sales and activation teams to guarantee flawless execution and fulfillment of all sponsorship agreements, ensuring optimal client satisfaction and long-term partnership success.
Director, Sponsorship and Agency Operations
Mile Zero, Inc.
Chicago, IL
03.2016 - 10.2022
- Directed the comprehensive operations of an event and sponsorship sales agency, driving success for high-profile clients including large-scale music festivals, food and drink festivals, and government contracts.
- Expanded the agency by strategically building and leading a team of 10 high-performing sales and activation professionals, consistently exceeding client expectations and achieving sales targets.
- Secured over $30M in sponsorship deals for agency clients while significantly boosting the agency’s revenue year over year.
- Cultivated and strengthened strategic partnerships with top decision-makers at major corporate brands and experiential agencies, positioning the agency as a leader in the industry.
Sponsorship Director
Red Frog Events
Chicago, IL
01.2012 - 02.2016
- Orchestrated the creation and launch of the groundbreaking sponsorship program for Firefly Music Festival, driving $50M in sales from its inception, and establishing the festival as a premier destination for top-tier brands.
- Led and mentored a high-performing team of 4 full-time Account Executives and 2 Sponsorship Activation Coordinators, ensuring seamless execution of sponsorship initiatives and maximizing team productivity.
- Cultivated and managed strategic partnerships with brands such as Toyota, Anheuser-Busch, and Diageo, strengthening the festival’s brand presence and expanding its influence.
- Innovatively integrated brand partnerships into festival operations, collaborating with internal teams to create unique, immersive experiences that resonated with attendees and enhanced brand engagement.
Education
Master of Arts - Sport and Business Administration
Illinois State University
Normal, IL11-2010
Bachelor of Science - Park and Recreation Administration
Illinois State University
Normal, IL12-2008
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Culture transformation
- Team management
- Policy development
Websites
Timeline
Senior Director, Sponsorship Sales and Strategy
Sparks, a Freeman Company
12.2024 - Current
Sr. Director, Sponsorship and Event Production
Mile Zero, Inc.
08.2023 - 12.2024
Director, Global Partnerships
AEG
11.2022 - 08.2023
Director, Sponsorship and Agency Operations
Mile Zero, Inc.
03.2016 - 10.2022
Sponsorship Director
Red Frog Events
01.2012 - 02.2016
Bachelor of Science - Park and Recreation Administration
Illinois State University
Master of Arts - Sport and Business Administration
Illinois State University