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Strategic Marketing

Sponsorship

Fundraising

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ACROBAT FCSM is a leading consultancy concentrating on strategic marketing, sponsorship and fundraising. It evolved through the natural merger of ACROBAT Consulting & Marketing LTD and FC Sports Marketing LTD. Its’ specialisms are sports and leisure with many activities in the markets of United Kingdom, Turkey and Romania. Our Founder was the Chair to the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s specialist consultants group for these sectors. So made in sports and leisure, but now in demand in multi-sectors, as our skills are transferable.

We are an award winning consultancy including the prestigious, Winner of the CIM’s SWOT Award for marketing excellence for support to a client. Since 1995, we have worked on funding schemes to in excess of £200M. This skillset evolved from having been one of the original Assessors appointed by the National Lottery and also Assessor with UKCES (on competitive funds open to employers to invest in current and future workforces). We are renown for our cost-effective retainers providing either a supplement or alternative to in-house resources.

Overseas we have worked on projects with a focus in the main around marketing, sponsorship and licensing including for some of the top brand names as defined in the Deloitte’s “Football Finance Report” and Brand Finance’s “Sporting Brands”.

We are proud to have ‘partnered’ with our clients, from global brands to micro-businesses. A few might be identifiable to you from these logos.

We are very much ‘hands-on’ in our approach with enthusiasm and dedication to take our clients’ aspirations forward. As further evidence, that we ‘practice what we preach’, we also own a portfolio of businesses.

We are a Guest Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan (MMU) and Sheffield Hallam Universities; lead Associate Lecturer at MMU on “Sports Branding and Sponsorship”; formerly on the SMT at the Centre for Enterprise at MMU working on programmes that develop enterprise and entrepreneurship capability; and Founder to Sporting Genies and Town Crier Club.

We are a full-service agency and all Directors retain Chartered Marketer status with CIM. That means that there is no aspect of marketing that we can’t sensibly advise on. We have most skills within our Team and at times complement with reliable associates.

Case Studies

Manchester City Council

Fundraising

“Manchester Leisure has contracted the services of ACROBAT FCSM on a number of occasions, most notably as project development consultants for the Belle Vue Hockey Centre of Excellence Sports Lottery bid (awarded £1.9M) and currently in an advisory and liaison capacity seeking private sector involvement in a major sports project.

At Manchester Leisure we have always found Acrobat to be extremely professional in their approach, delivering whatever is required to the highest standards and on deadline. In addition, all members of ACROBAT’s staff take a keen interest in the job to be done on behalf of the client, and offer a personal, friendly and efficient service which achieves a successful outcome. Manchester Leisure would have no hesitation in using ACROBAT FCSM in the future.”

Manchester Giants

Sponsorship

“Adrian was an excellent colleague at the professional Manchester Giants basketball club, very professional, focused and successful. He is a pleasure to work with and I`m sure we will work on future projects together, an all-round good guy!”

Oldham Athletic FC

Fundraising & Sponsorship

“I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks for your efforts and continued support – it has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Manchester Rugby Club

Fundraising & Sponsorship

“In my position as Chairman of a sports club, Adrian was brought in to improve the profile of the club and assist in fund raising and event organisation. Adrian has a wealth of knowledge and was easy to work with whilst maintaining a high standard of professionalism. His input into the Club undoubtedly improved the clubs profile and financial position.”

Football Partnerships

Marketing & Sponsorship

“In the short time I have known Adrian, I have been thoroughly impressed by his ethic, his reliability, and his thoroughness. He currently serves Football Partnerships as a Networking Captain, a volunteer position, through which he assists our New York-based office in the organization and execution of KICKOFF: MANCHESTER, a football-related networking function in Stockport. If appointing Adrian to said position proves a wise decision, which it thus far has without question, I would have zero reservations in recommending prospective clients to ACROBAT FCSM.”

Regenda Homes

Feasibility Study & Strategy

“Had a brief look through… looks absolutely brilliant! Yep – a few extra images/a few better images. No doubt some small amends to the wording but really… it exceeds my expectations. Thanks once again.”

Arriva

Research & Marketing

“The results have more than lived up to our joint expectations with both overall patronage and modal shift figures surpassing our twelve month targets within the first four months of operation.”

“The Project was nominated in the Bus Industry Awards for a Marketing Initiative Award (Local Authority/Joint) and given recognition as Highly Commended status.”

InteRefurb

Marketing

“I’ve known and worked with Adrian for around 20 years now… ouch. I’ve come across so many unqualified “experts” in the field it’s refreshing to work with somebody who has great depth of Business and Marketing knowledge which he is able to convey in a straightforward, practical and easily understandable manner.”

Salford Red Devils

Sponsorship

“I worked alongside Adrian for a mutual client and found Adrian to be passionate and knowledgeable about marketing in the sporting world and beyond. Adrian is always keen to open up his networks and facilitate connections, an enthusiastic and driven marketeer. I would have no hesitation in recommending Adrian to businesses who need to explore funding, sponsorship and marketing assistance.”

Cardea Solutions

Marketing

“Adrian has worked as Non-Executive Marketing Director for Cardea Solutions for the past 5 years, in this time he has proved himself to be an invaluable asset to the business. He is a loyal and trusted colleague who can be relied upon at all times. Perhaps Adrian’s biggest asset though is his contact database, I would have no hesitation in saying that Adrian is the best connected person in business that I have ever met.”

“Adrian is a vastly experienced marketeer having held senior management marketing positions in a variety of sectors in the past. He has, for roughly 20 years, run a successful marketing consultancy which is highly regarded by business professionals. I would have no hesitation recommending Adrian’s services to any company that is looking to inject instant enthusiasm and vibrancy into its marketing function.”


News

January 2025

Row The Boat

It is a relatively hidden secret, yet here locally we have a small Charity that is making a huge difference to improving the lives for our young people.   All Aboard Youth Rowing – AAYR (formerly known as Warrington Youth Rowing) provides social, health and educational intervention through the sport of rowing to children, many on Pupil Premium/free school meals.  Not only does the academic year-long programme bring hope and optimism to these young lives but recent research has proven that educational attainment has approved from participation in the AAYR programme.

These phenomenal results do not happen alone and parents, grandparents, carers, teachers, coaches and volunteers deserve much acclaim.

Sustainability is critical for all such charities to continue and grow these activities to meet the ever increasing demand for such programmes.  This story is a plea for a few companies to come forward and work with us to share the enjoyment and benefits of social inclusion, camaraderie and team work.  Presently, weekly the coaching runs from Warrington, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Runcorn, Northwich and Leek.

There are a few ways that businesses can get involved.  Not only will they ‘feel good’ from this partnership but also supporting these efforts is an ideal way to show social impact through corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, governance (ESG) plans.

Make a splash and row the Boat Race

Mirroring the distance of the iconic Boat Race on the River Thames (6,778 metres), All Aboard Youth Rowing invites you to take on an exciting challenge that combines fun, teamwork, and a powerful cause!

It is looking for companies or groups of people that want to challenge themselves and support our fundraising campaign.

The details:

  • 4 people per Team.
  • Prizes and merchandise on offer.
  • AAYR provides the rowing machines and full briefing on a prearranged date for you to do in your own premises.

Run the Marathon

All Aboard Youth Rowing is incredibly excited to announce that Chris Farrell, Head of Community at British Rowing, is going to be running The London Marathon in aid of AAYR .

Chris is a great supporter of the Charity, and the impact it has on our local community so we couldn’t be more delighted that he’s doing this for our young people.

We can’t wait to see Chris’ progress as he starts training in earnest this month, and of course to cheer him on in April.

If you would like to support Chris’s efforts, which in turn massively supports AAYR, please donate what you can right here!

Link: https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/chris-farrell

Be Oarsome!

Every month, All Aboard Youth Rowing runs a business networking group of like-minded business people.  Why not drop in on one?  Its really good fun and business opportunities are shared,

Anyone interested to discuss the above ways to help the Charity can contact: Adrian Stores on adrian@allaboardyouthrowing.org.uk or 07831 713003,

March 2024

Moor Than A Club

Playing on his former Club’s strapline (‘mes que un club’ – FC Barcelona), Director – Adrian Stores continues to grow the impressive networking forum at Heaton Moor Rugby Club where he has been retained for a third year. Interested parties: adrian.stores@acrobatfcsm.com

November 2023

Return to Latics

Welcome to the team, Adrian!

Today we welcome our new, and first ever, Fundraising and Commercial Manager, Adrian Stores!

Adrian joins us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in commercial and marketing, looking at engaging with the Oldham community to raise vital funds for our charity to continue and grow the work we do for our community.

You can contact Adrian via email at adrian.stores@oact.org.uk

This a return after successfully helping save the Club from extinction in 2004.

Find out more about Adrian and other members of team OACT here: https://lnkd.in/ehjWcUtM

#OACT | #OAFC