Campobasso FC’s Authentic Approach Attracts Sponsors and Global Attention
NEW YORK – mark Consuelos and business partner Matt Rizzetta are building a soccer success story with Campobasso FC, a club they acquired in 2022 and have rapidly elevated through the Italian football ranks. Their strategy? Authenticity, wich they highlighted at a recent ADWEEK House panel during Advertising Week.
Consuelos, who has Italian heritage, initially viewed the acquisition as a social project, recognizing the need for financial investment to sustain the amateur team. He and Rizzetta demonstrate their commitment to the club’s roots by conducting press conferences in Italian and prioritizing respect for local culture and customs.
“Authenticity is really the keyword for cmos and for marketers nowadays,” Rizzetta stated. ”If it’s a real, authentic project that aligns with the values of the brand, they’ll sign up for it.”
This approach has attracted partners like Liquid Death, and fueled promotion through Consuelos’ platform on LIVE with Kelly and Mark. Consuelos noted the synergy between his television presence and the club’s story, stating, “Once I was on a talk show, I could, in a very authentic way, talk about this project.”
A recent jersey swap with Ryan Reynolds,co-owner of Wrexham A.F.C., during a LIVE appearance generated national news coverage in Italy, demonstrating the club’s growing reach.
Beyond soccer, Campobasso FC is also shining a spotlight on the lesser-known italian region of Molise, captivating audiences and marketers alike.
“Anytime people jump on the bandwagon, they promptly become part of the family,” Rizzetta said. “There’s something to be said about that in this world of sometimes overly commercialized sports and franchises…there still is this very authentic, true, old-fashioned project, and we have come to represent that in many ways.”
