Lions vs. All Blacks BBQ

July at the BCCJ started with a unique afternoon networking event in association with the ANZCCJ at the Embassy of New Zealand, Shibuya, featuring a panel discussion on sports sponsorship, a BBQ, and a live screening of the second British & Irish Lions vs. New Zealand All Blacks.

After welcome drinks and networking, the event kicked off with a panel discussion on sport sponsorship. Panelists Thomas Sailer (Marketing Director, Adidas Japan), Neil Slater (CEO, Standard Life Japan), and Matthew Walker (AIG Japan), and Ryann Thomas, (Tax Partner at PWC) shared insights from their long careers in the sports business. The panelists discussed how businesses choose which sports, teams and athletes align with their organisation’s mission and vision, the rationale behind sponsorship decisions, and how return on investments can be measured, and welcomed the interesting questions of the guests.

In the following live screening of the British & Irish Lions vs. New Zealand All Blacks, British viewers were delighted to see a 24 – 21 lead over the team ranked number one in the world, the New Zealand All Blacks. And after a great afternoon of suspense, drinks, a delicious BBQ, and plenty of networking, the evening ended with a fabulous prize draw with lucky guests winning two return tickets to New Zealand, a signed shirt and rugby ball, as well as mini rugby balls.