The Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) in Sochi has announced its first ever international course – a pioneering Brand Building and Communications Programme set to become one of the world's leading Olympic-oriented education programs for sports managers when it launches this November.
RIOU has issued a global call for applications for the course, targeting sports organizations aspiring to the very highest echelons of world sport. The course will run from 14 to 25 November 2011 at the institution's headquarters in the next Winter Games host city. The innovative 10-day programer will be delivered in conjunction with one of the sports industry's most respected brand building and communications experts, Jon Tibbs. The team of renowned guest lecturers will also include leading experts from Russia, as well as top BBC broadcaster, David Eades, and sports journalist and IOC Press Commission member, Alan Abrahamson.
Professor Lev Belousov, Chief Executive Officer of RIOU, outlined the motivation behind putting together this unique course: ‘In the current climate, sports organizations are finding it more and more difficult to win the share of voice they need, to interact effectively with stakeholders and key audiences. A coherent brand architecture and sophisticated communications strategy are now more important than ever before. Our Brand Building and Communications Program will help organizations from all over the world and in every sphere of sport meet that pressing need.'
The first week of the course will center on why behaving like a brand and professionalizing communications is a vital step for every ambitious sports organization, alongside the core principles of brand building and media relations. The second week will have a more practical focus and address topics including communication strategies, issues management, media training, social media and evaluation techniques.
Jon Tibbs, whose agency JTA is working with RIOU to develop the course's cutting edge content, emphasized what sets this program apart: ‘I am convinced that this Brand Building and Communications Programe will deliver real, tangible value to sports organizations. Delegates will benefit from hands-on, highly interactive classroom sessions, lectures, debates and case studies, and the invaluable expertise of some of the world's top specialists. JTA is honored to be a part of this historic moment in RIOU's history – it's first ever international course – and I'm sure this partnership can help us raise the bar for brand building and communications across the sports industry.'
