TS Galaxy’s Marketing Director, Dudu Sukazi, is making strategic moves to positively impact the sponsorship space as she leads the charge at the Premier Soccer League club.
Sukuzi’s impressive list of duties include overseeing marketing strategies, selling of merchandise, social media, branding, activations, and all that has to do with the club image.
She believes that with the work she has done with the club’s marketing team since their time in the ABC Motsepe League has led them to be one of the most marketable football sides in South Africa.
Hailing from KwaZulu-Natal, Sukazi is the Director of a sport clothing line, Sizzling Sports, which outfits the club as well as their ladies’ team campaigning in the Sasol League.
Sukazi is also the founder of the TS Galaxy FC Cheerleaders – a platform where young women are given opportunities in football.
She says the initiative currently takes care of 12 teenage girls that were brought to Johannesburg from Mpumalanga and are provided with education and accommodation.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Sukazi shares advice to women who aspire to venture into marketing and sponsorship.
Dudu, thank you chatting to us! Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m the Marketing Director at TS Galaxy FC, I’ve served in this capacity since we were in the ABC Motsepe League. I’m responsible for all the marketing strategies for the club. Marketing has become an important part of football and I would like to believe that TS Galaxy FC is one of the most marketable teams in the league.
I’m also the Director of a sport clothing line that also dresses up the club, Sizzling Sports. It is one of the most fastest growing clothing labels in the country. Not so long ago, we had Mathaithai from Free State wearing our brand in the Nedbank Cup. Our ladies’ side that is campaigning in the Sasol League are also using Sizzling Sports.
I’m also the founder of the TS Galaxy FC Cheerleaders (a platform where we give young women an opportunity in football). I’m taking care of 12 teenage girls that we brought to Johannesburg from Mpumalanga.
We take care of all their daily needs including their education and accommodation. I’m very loving and strict at the same time.
In addition to this, I own a kiddies salon called Kiddocut based in Fourways Crossing, it came about with my love for kids – I have two precious daughters.
What does your routine entail as Marketing Director of TS Galaxy?
I now mostly oversee all the marketing strategies that comes with my marketing team and advise on how to go about them. From the selling of merchandise, social media, branding, activations, and all that has to do with the club’s image.
In your opinion, what does it take to be a good Marketing Director?
It takes creativity and being very analytical. You have to be able to think for your target market and what they need and giving them just that. Your communication skills have to be astute. It also requires an ability to observe and research effectively. You have to be on par with your competition in South Africa and meet international standards, especially when it comes to social media activities and website.
What’s the one thing one shouldn’t do when trying to attract sponsors?
To avoid making the sponsorship about what the sponsor will help you achieve and focus on how you can help them reach their goals. Your sponsor is essentially paying you to market their company and you know best how you can put those funds to use so keep that in mind when negotiating a sponsorship deal. It is imperative that they get value for their investments. It is our duty as the club to ensure that they get the return on investment by spreading their product to the supporters and the media.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy the most about my job is travelling and meeting new people, also coming up with creative ideas to market the club and putting them into action.
What do you think needs to improve for women’s sport to attract more sponsors?
I think we need to improve in finding the right sponsors by knowing the right potential sponsors, a good proposal sponsorship deal and good presence on social media.
Our women’s football needs big corporate companies to invest in the local game because running a football club is an expensive exercise. Without sponsors, it becomes very difficult to fulfill your vision.
What’s your advice to women who aspire to work in marketing and sponsorship?
Preparation, planning and putting your ideas in to action, knowing your product, audience, brand and give the right content at the right time.
What is it that people don’t know about you?
What people don’t know about me is that I grew up in a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal known as Eshowe. I’m the mother of two precious daughters and I’m married to the President of TS Galaxy FC, Mr. Tim Sukazi.
What’s your motto in life?
Train your mind to see the good in every situation.
Photo 1 Caption: TS Galaxy’s Marketing Director, Dudu Sukazi, is making strategic moves to positively impact the sponsorship space as she leads the charge at the Premier Soccer League club. Photo: Dudu Sukazi (Instagram)
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
