[Alumni story] : Paul DE BELAIR

Paul, P23, MSc in International Marketing graduate and former vice-president of BDS Rennes'Ver Back Down. I did my exchange at the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, China, as well as a gap year in 2014/2015. My first six-month placement was as an assistant brand manager at Sportfive, a sports marketing agency in Paris, followed by a second in Montreal, Canada, for the FIFA Women's World Cup, as a communications officer, working in particular with the media during the tournament. Two great experiences, one more strategic and the other more operational, which enabled me to join LOSC, the Lille football club, on a work placement at the end of my studies. I stayed in the north of France for 5 years, working mainly on fan experience and brand development. I then moved across France to join Olympique de Marseille, where I spent 3 seasons working on sports and corporate communications, before joining the SPK collective last summer, still in Marseille.

• What do you do?

I'm Head of Business Development at SPK. SPK is a collective of experts and enthusiasts for and around sport, based in Nantes, Marseille and Milan, which today brings together 5 core businesses: marketing agency, communications & influence agency, content creation studio, digital media and training organisation. My role is to continue to grow this ecosystem by strategically diversifying our customers into new territories and new sports, thanks to the diversity of our offerings and the skills of our 70 employees.

• Your greatest achievement?

Turning my passion into a profession. Sport, and football in particular, has always been part of my life and very quickly became a professional goal. I'm proud to have achieved it by joining two of France's biggest clubs. The day I found myself on the plane with the players to play in a Champions League match, it was truly the child who wanted to become a professional footballer who realised his dream. Experiencing first-hand the French league title with LOSC in 2021 will also remain an unforgettable moment in my professional and personal life.

• What's the aim of the network in general?

Meeting new people! In my opinion, there is nothing more enriching than the exchanges resulting from the connections that can be created through networks. The structure of an Alumni network helps to speed up these encounters thanks to a shared experience base.

• Can you tell us about an opportunity you had thanks to the school?

I think the campaigns for the Sports Office as soon as I arrived at RSB will remain a key moment. In the space of two months, you experience a condensed version of everything the school has to offer on a professional and human level, and I'm convinced that they had a positive impact on the rest of my career.

• Tell us about you commitment to the Alumni Network

As a student, I often found it hard to find advice or practical information on how to get into the sports industry. So, I want to share my experience of the industry through the various communication channels of the Alumni network, so that they can pick up what they're looking for.

• What was your best encounter at Rennes School of Business?

My best friends! More than 10 years later, the friends I met on the RSB benches are still the same. But instead of going to student parties, we go to weddings, and instead of playing football, we send each other kudos on Strava!

• What advice would you give to a recent graduate?

Get moving! Multiply your experiences, get involved in associations, read interviews, meet people, travel if you can... Nothing happens by itself and if you have a passion, a dream, the best way to achieve it is to start by getting closer to it.

• Do you have a hidden passion/talent?

Karaoke. But I can't quite work out whether it's a passion, a hidden talent or both. 

• The final word?

I really miss the galette saucisse.