MINDY COPPIN was named Octagon’s head of Asia Pacific business development and strategic initiatives in January. She joined Octagon after almost 17 years with IMG Artists Asia Pacific, where she most recently served as senior VP and managing director. Coppin is based in Octagon’s new Singapore office.
On the biggest challenge of her job …
Coppin: Octagon is a leading agency in the region, with vast opportunities across sports and entertainment event management, insights and strategies, consulting and athlete representation. The challenge is to leverage our experience and expertise across all of those opportunities across such an expansive region.
On her choice of a career in event management …
Coppin: I’ve always loved the process of creation that happens in event management, and seeing the power that live events have to connect brands and athletes and personalities to sports fans. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a successful event or project from inception to completion.
On the differences between managing arts/culture events vs. sporting events …
Coppin: There aren’t as many differences as you might think. The thought process and the management and operational structures you have to put in place, the planning, contract negotiations and final implementation -- and of course sponsorship and fundraising -- are all very similar. It comes down to passion, which is the common thread across them all.
On what sport she thinks has the greatest potential for growth in the Asian market …
Coppin: The region is a combination of a diverse set of cultures, religions and traditions and passions. When we look at Asia, it’s challenging to identify one sport. One of Octagon’s areas of focus is tennis and golf. There’s a significant amount of interest and passion for both of those sports and we continue to find opportunities for growth in both. [With] the blurring of borders in the digital age, and the increasing penetration of sports into non-traditional and developing markets, we may start to see more crossover opportunities between countries.
On the completion of the Singapore Sports Hub and its impact on the sports culture in Singapore …
Coppin: The Sports Hub, with its amazing facilities, will help encourage the big names in sport and entertainment to come to Singapore across more disciplines and genres. The facility will allow us, as marketers, more opportunities to showcase sports and entertainment on a grand stage and provide fans the content they’re craving.
On the venue’s effect on Octagon’s presence in Singapore and Asia …
Coppin: Every new venue brings with it opportunity. I don’t see Sports Hub being any different. It gives us the opportunity to discuss and explore new ideas and projects with our clients and partners. I see the next 10 years being a period of remarkable growth for sports and entertainment in the region and continued growth for Octagon.
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