The SponsorshipX Podcast

Season 2 of the SponsorshipX Changemakers podcast keeps pushing boundaries, and in this episode, we’re joined by someone doing just that in women’s sports: Marianne Brooks of the Northern Super League.Marianne’s journey from competitive golf to the boardrooms of sports marketing isn’t just a career pivot. It’s a lesson in how discipline, humility, and values-driven leadership can reshape an entire league.In this episode, listeners will learn how the Northern Super League isn’t just talking about values; they’re living them. From every meeting to every handshake, their approach is built on authenticity, inclusion, and accountability. Marianne breaks down how those values aren’t just corporate buzzwords but guiding principles that shape real behaviour and decisions.We also delve into why calling herself a “boring golfer” was never a put-down, but rather a quiet flex. It’s a glimpse into the mindset of someone who traded personal trophies for collective wins and found her drive amplified, not dimmed, in the process.One of the most powerful moments? Marianne’s take on leadership and belonging. She opens up about the deep connection that forms when you’re in rooms with others who’ve faced the same walls, fought the same fights, and found ways through. There’s a shared strength in that, and Marianne captures it with rare clarity.And if you’re looking for inspiration, you’ll find it here as Marianne shines a light on the trailblazing women in marketing who are rewriting the rules and the ones to watch as the next wave of changemakers.This isn’t just a podcast episode. It’s a must-listen for anyone serious about the intersection of sports, leadership, and values.*

🎙️ The SponsorshipX Podcast Season 2: The Changemakers JourneyIn this episode, Mark Harrison takes listeners inside the SponsorshipX Changemakers Summit, unveiling the sessions, speakers, and experiences that will ignite Toronto this NovemberFrom Impact Tracks and Spotlight Sessions to Challenge Labs and Mission Studios, Mark shares how every moment is designed to turn purpose into performance and connection into action. Expect bold ideas, honest conversations, and powerful community energy.The journey begins with an exclusive screening of The Pitch at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league. Then, step into The Changemakers Experience on Thursday: a full day of learning, networking, and activation at the stunning Waterworks Food Hall, complete with a dedicated networking space and an exclusive VIP Lounge for SPX Global members, speakers, and sponsors.Your Summit pass also includes a ticket to the Northern Super League Final at BMO Field, where inspiration meets celebration on the biggest stage. This isn’t just an event, it’s your invitation to embark on your Changemaker’s Journey. 🎧 Listen now to get inspired and ready for the Changemakers Summit, November 13–15, in Toronto.

TranscriptIn this episode of the SponsorshipX Changemakers Podcast, Ashima Chopra, Founder and CEO of FanVerse, joins Mark Harrison to explore how she’s redefining the future of fandom.A lifelong big-picture thinker, Ashima brings a rare blend of experiences in law, human rights, and venture capital to her entrepreneurial mission. That combination fuels her bold approach to changing ecosystems, building businesses, and rebuilding how communities connect, belong, and grow.At its core, FanVerse is about creating belonging. For Ashima, that means designing a platform where solo fans become social fans and where feedback from the community isn’t an afterthought; it’s the foundation. Together, she and Mark unpack how FanVerse is tackling the “default fan” problem, ensuring women and underrepresented voices are no longer sidelined in sports culture.They also explore what brands can learn from this model: that investing in women’s sports isn’t a side initiative; it’s a growth strategy. Beyond sports, Ashima shares lessons any tech, retail, or health leader can use to build inclusivity and engagement into their business DNA.🎧 Listen now to hear how Ashima Chopra proves that real change follows when ventures listen to their communities.

TranscriptMark Harrison, Founder of SponsorshipX, sits down with Jay Downton (Co-Founder & CEO, The Nation Network) and Adam Seaborn (VP Global Ad Sales, Better Collective) for a candid conversation on building a challenger brand in Canadian sports media.From the origins of Oilers Nation to 17,000+ pieces of monthly content, they explore how fan-first communities scale, why rejecting the status quo fuels growth, and what it takes to keep the “pulse of the fan” in a shifting media landscape.Expect insights on sponsorship, talent, culture, and the next wave of platforms—from YouTube-first podcasts to WhatsApp and Discord communities.

TranscriptAnother talk from the mountain as Mark Harrison, Founder of SponsorshipX, sits down with fellow entrepreneur Darren Kinnaird, the Managing Partner of Crankworx.Listen in as they discuss everything from building a global property from Whistler to tackling inclusion in mountain biking. The rising talents of women riders and their increasing participation in the Red Bull Joyride are notable. The integration of adaptive athletes in sponsorships with partners such as SRAM. Who knew that a conversation about inclusion would erupt at a mountain biking event?Here is about the Red Bull Joryide, termed the Super Bowl of Mountain Biking, the biggest slopestyle event in the world. It's a unique event that brings together the best riders from around the globe to compete in a gravity-defying spectacle. Beyond spectacular, and it gets bigger every year.Learn how Darren and the Crankworx team build a cultural showcase that not only drives patron value and tourism dollars but also makes a significant societal impact. It's more than just a sporting event; it's a platform for positive change.Crankworx and its partners are creating opportunities. But not overnight. What happens when you give an eight-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl each a bike? What would they be able to do at eighteen? Listen in to find out!

TranscriptRecorded outdoors in Whistler — complete with a soundtrack of mountain wind and laughter — this conversation brings Mark Harrison together with Eliot Jackson: Red Bull commentator, content creator, founder of the Grow Cycling Foundation, and curator of Aspire, the Whistler event that champions cycling culture and community.Eliot shares stories from his mother’s entrepreneurial journey to his partnership approach in building sustainable change through Grow Cycling. Along the way, he opens up about his creative content work for Red Bull, the unique way he balances sport, storytelling, and social impact, and what it takes to curate community-driven events that actually leave a legacy.Listeners will walk away with a mix of sharp business insights, authentic life lessons, and more than a few laughs. This is Eliot's best: candid, inspiring, and relentlessly curious.About Eliot JacksonEliot Jackson is a former professional downhill mountain bike racer who has become one of the most dynamic voices in cycling. As a commentator for Red Bull and co-host of some of the sport’s biggest broadcasts, he’s known for his energy, insight, and ability to connect fans to the action. Beyond the mic, Eliot founded the Grow Cycling Foundation, dedicated to expanding diversity and access in cycling. He is also the curator of Aspire, a cultural event in Whistler for an inspiring evening dedicated to building authentic partnerships with BIPOC organizations in cycling and the outdoors.