Paolo Macchi’s Guidance on Sponsorships, Intellectual Property Rights, and Networking
To conclude the semester of the Meet the Manager event series, the Next in Management team had the pleasure of welcoming to Franklin University Switzerland, Paolo Macchi, an attorney at Law in New York, California, and Italy alongside his assistant, Matteo Fontebuoni who is a trainee lawyer. At the event, Macchi talked about legal issues and sponsorship from a multidisciplinary point of view focusing on sports, media, entertainment, and licensing thus, making the event informational for a wide variety of students. Furthermore, he discussed his specific career path from his time at law school to his current job and explained the behind-the-scenes of being a lawyer in multiple fields.
In particular, during his presentation, Macchi introduced students to the concept of Ambush Marketing, a strategy where non-sponsoring companies create the impression of an association with a high-profile event. This tactic often employs creative marketing methods to capitalize on the media attention surrounding the event without having to pay for official sponsorship rights. Macchi elaborated on six distinct types of ambush marketing, explaining their mechanisms and impact.
After his presentation, students had the opportunity to ask Macchi questions in an informal Q&A session during which he shared valuable advice with the students. For example, he emphasized the importance of building a professional network. “I would focus on establishing a strong and reliable network,” he said. “If feasible within the curriculum, I’d also aim to secure an internship—whether locally or abroad during the summer—to make the most of my studies at Franklin University Switzerland.” He highlighted the competitive nature of today’s job market, underscoring the value of connecting with others early. Macchi expressed that even if you feel young and inexperienced, it’s crucial to reach out to older, more experienced individuals for professional advice. Seek internships—even unpaid ones—to gain real-world experience and step out of the academic bubble.
In addition, students were interested in hearing about his motivation for meeting university students at such events. Macchi explained that he received significant support as a student, particularly during law school, where he was mentored by various people who guided and encouraged him. “They gave me so much support,” he said. “I’ve always felt the need to give back to others—especially to those just starting out—to help them grow and create opportunities for them. For me, giving back is incredibly important; it’s a principle that was instilled in me during my time in law school in the U.S.”
Finally, he discussed the key takeaway he hoped students would gain from his talk. For Macchi, it was the importance of passion. “I hope students leave inspired by the passion I bring not only to the legal field but also to sports,” he shared. For him, it’s essential to love what you do, especially in a specialized field like law, which can sometimes feel monotonous. If you can find something within it that you’re truly passionate about, that’s the key to success. Without love for your work, it’s nearly impossible to achieve long-term success.
This final Meet the Manager event of the fall semester not only provided students with insightful information on Paolo Macchi’s career and work as a lawyer and his experience with sponsorship during sports events but also offered students valuable post-graduation career advice.
Written by Vitória Gomes Araújo and Alexandria Fraser
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