5 to WATCH 2016 Sophie Kotsopoulos
Channel: George Brown College
Date: 2021-09-09

Director, Integrated Marketing
National Hockey League


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MALE NARRATOR: As director of integrated marketing for the National Hockey League, Sophie Kotsopoulos leads the league’s largest portfolio of marketing partners; responsible for a sponsorship book of over 70 million dollars. She and her team build global sport marketing activations that inspire the fan base and drive league revenue through partner renewal and program development.

DON MAYO: One of the first times I met her was at the Heritage Classic and her commitment and passion to make sure everything was perfect from the attendees, the people watching to the sponsors, to the suppliers; it didn’t matter where it was, how little the issue was, she wanted to make everything not just good, not great but exceptional. And I think that’s the first note-- the first thing I noticed about her.

MALE NARRATOR: Leading emerging media sponsorships, Kotsopoulos oversaw the league’s first commercial project in virtual reality and the successful integration of that unique content with Rogers and Samsung Gear VR. Kotsopoulos oversaw the successful transition of Rogers as the NHL’s strategic marketing partner in the category, managing national brand activation; Rogers NHL GameCentre LIVE product marketing; experiential programming; over 360 activations in year one of the partnership. 

LAURIE KEPRON: She was the equivalent of a first draft pick. You know, she had the skills and ability; she had the style and the substance; and she really brought a joy to her work. People enjoyed working with her and you knew and I saw that early on she was just going to sort of meet the challenges and really become a game changer as it relates to our work and our partners. 

MALE NARRATOR: She also manages NHL community based programming and is responsible for the sponsorship marketing awards hall of fame program Kraft Hockeyville which garnered over six million votes, 3200 plus nominations across Canada in its tenth year in the market. Sophie Kotsopoulos, director of integrated marketing for the NHL. One of the 5 to Watch.

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