Breathing Life into Sponsorships

In Japan, sakura season marks the arrival of spring – a time for growth, hope, and boundless potential. Their fleeting blossoms symbolise the ephemeral beauty of life, a reminder to seize the moment and create a lasting impact.

At Sakura Sports, we believe great sponsorships should do the same.

We help brands and rightsholders unlock the full potential of sport & entertainment by developing sponsorship strategies to increase commercial revenue in an impactful, measurable way.

What we stand for

The world of sport is built on moments – jaw-dropping skills, raw emotion, controversy, and unforgettable experiences.

For brands, these moments are a chance to:
Tell a story and create emotional connections

Drive brand consideration
Increase revenues

For rights holders, they present opportunities to:
Enhance the fan experience

Monetise assets

Drive commercial success

Sakura Sports turns vision into action – and partnerships into performance.

Our Philosophy

Every brand is different. So is every sport. We match the two; aligning brand objectives, target audience, and opportunity.

We believe great sponsorship should always be:
Authentic to the brand
Strategic in design
Creative in execution
Measured in impact

Our Process

Our process is focused, flexible, and shaped by your objectives from day one.

Listen, understand, prioritise 
We start by listening – we identify your challenges, prioritise your objectives then we shape your priorities into a clear, actionable plan

Define success from the start
We begin with the end in mind combining audience insight, business priorities and tailored KPI’s to understand what success looks like

Spot the right opportunities
Using our deep understanding of the sporting sector, combined with market research and fan data, we identify partnerships that match your audience, objectives, and budget

Build the business case
We equip you with the insights and evidence you need to make a confident, informed decision that this sponsorship is a worthwhile investment.

Secure the rights, maximise the value
We negotiate the deals bringing insight, experience and rigour to the table that deliver strong results.

Measure what matters
We track the right results ensuring success metrics are hit – and use them to keep improving what you do next.

About me

I’ve worked in sport for over three decades; from Red Bull in Formula 1 to agency-side roles with IMG across football and golf, plus a few other brilliant projects along the way.

I’ve led international commercial teams building strategies that deliver real results, often through the power of well-placed, creatively activated sponsorships.  I combine customer insight, strategic thinking, complex deal negotiation, and deep sporting knowledge to create partnerships that drive meaningful, lasting results.

Much of my career has taken me to Japan, working with global brands like HondaMizuno, and Mikasa. It was there, during sakura season, that the name for this consultancy came to life. The cherry blossom’s symbolism; growth, hope, and the value of every moment, mirrors everything I believe sport and sponsorship can achieve when done well.

Sakura Sports was born from that belief, and from a desire to bring brands and rights holders together in ways that are thoughtful, authentic, and built to last.

I’d love the opportunity to help you do the same.

Matt Strachan of Sakura Sports