Name: Vijay Setlur
Title: York Univ. Schulich School of Business Sports Marketing Instructor (Toronto); Visual Sports Dir Marketing & Communications
Age: 41
Where I’m from: Toronto
Focusing on right now: Schulich becoming a talent pipeline for the Canadian sports industry. I’m leading our undergrad and MBA sport business clubs in planning our program of events for the '16-17 academic year that includes the second editions of our Sports Industry Alumni Mixer and Sports, Media and Entertainment Internship Fair.
Best advice: Nobody is irreplaceable. It constantly drives me to make things happen, produce results and achieve goals because there’s a long lineup of people waiting who’d love to do what I do, especially teaching.
A must for a new hire: In volunteers I’ve recruited for past events like FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada ‘07 or Toronto ‘15 Pan Am Games, I’ve sought a few key qualities, since just one isn’t an adequate predictor of future success. They’re the same for a new hire and are an ability to communicate, especially in writing, professionalism, spirit of collaboration, strong goal orientation, knowledge of the industry and a business mindset, as opposed to a star struck frame of mind.
Exec I admire: Disney Chair & CEO BOB IGER. He's navigated the world’s largest media company, and some of the most respected and beloved brands in the world like ESPN and Disney, towards record revenue year after year, while integrating new acquisitions and expanding into new markets around the world. Now if I can just summon up the will and strength to be able to wake up at 4:30am everyday.
First thing in the morning: I start off with a prayer to express gratitude for having another day to achieve something and impact people in a positive way. Then I perform some simple exercises to get physically ready. While eating breakfast, I read the Toronto Star and Globe & Mail. Once that’s done, I make a to do list of everything I’d like to accomplish that day. I drive to the office with the song, “HALL OF FAME,” by THE SCRIPT and WILL.I.AM playing in the background.
Talking tech: Virtual reality, wearables, augmented reality, cameras, and even analytics and OTT, which emerged from advances in technology, are revolutionizing sport marketing practice. Even the technology built into Visual Sports’ SwingTrack golf and multi-sport simulator continues to amaze me though I see it and play it in the office everyday. Technology and digital media are key topics in my course and the pace of technology innovation is even faster than my efforts to update my curriculum.
Food for thought: Fortunately, living in the world’s most multicultural city, I’m exposed to a variety of cuisine including Indian, Italian, Thai, Persian, Mexican, Ethiopian and North American, so the world’s food is within my reach. I’ve been a vegetarian from the beginning and luckily Toronto has a great collection of North American vegetarian and ethno-specific vegetarian restaurants.
How I unwind: One of my favorite things is heading to Toronto Island in Lake Ontario, which is a sanctuary from the activity on the mainland and provides stunning views of the skyline, and the “Manhattanification" of Toronto.
Day in the life: Once I arrive at Visual Sports, I first monitor the media for coverage of the company that requires action or could lead to new business. I then focus on executing our marketing and communications plans that include anything from developing new marketing opportunities to planning for an upcoming trade show to writing a news release on a new SwingTrack product. In the evening, I put on my Schulich hat and work on a variety of tasks. Through the summer, I conduct research, update the course curriculum, secure project clients and work with our two sport business clubs to plan the program of industry events for the new academic year.
