Source: Peatix

"Off the Pitch" is a talk event that invites guests who are involved in professional sports clubs in various ways, such as front desk staff and activation staff from sponsor companies, to talk about the appeal of their jobs, brag about their own clubs, and share their concerns.

The first event to be held during the J-League break is
It's not just about advertising! Sponsor Activation
What to look at and what to sell? A meeting of merchandise managers
Videos? Chants? Alcohol? A supporters' group that supports the club in various ways
The event will be held in three parts:

This event will allow you to come home from work on a weekday night, take out the uniform that you couldn't wear over the weekend from your bag, and enjoy watching soccer with a beer in hand, making your soccer watching even more enjoyable!

Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
OPEN 18:15 START 19:00 END 21:30
Venue: Tokyo Culture Culture (Shibuya)

General admission: 3,000 yen
J.League club personnel: 2,000 yen (business cards will be required at the reception on the day)
(*Please make at least one order at the venue)
Ticket sales: June 13th (Thu) 20:00

After the event, we are planning to hold a photo session with Miran Yamaguchi.

*There are no plans to stream the event.

[1st leg.]
It's not just about advertising! Sponsor Activation

Keiko Kanai (@kanai_soccer)
(Money Forward, Inc. Head of Corporate Identity Promotion)

Taking advantage of our company's corporate culture, we are exploring various ways to create a "new form of partnership" with Yokohama F. Marinos and are creating excitement! Our favorite players are Ryuta Koike and Kota Mizunuma.

Mori Uchu (@uchu0718)
(General Affairs Department, I-Tech Co., Ltd.)
Joined Shimizu S-Pulse as a new graduate in 2010. After six years in operations and seven years in corporate sales, he moved to ITEC in 2023, where he was in charge of public relations and sports sponsorship. 36 years old. Father of three children. His recent enjoyment is accompanying his two sons to soccer games on his days off.

Tetsuya Sasaki (@NikonPhotoST)
(Nikon Corporation, Imaging Solutions Promotion Office, Business Planning Division, Principal Expert)
After supporting companies as a consultant for 20 years, he has been leading the business development of Nikon's sports service "PhotoSapo" since 2023. He is currently promoting co-creation between fans and clubs in professional soccer and motorsports.

[2nd leg.]
What to think and who to sell to? Merchandise Managers' Meeting

Asami Tsukano (@albirex_goods)
(Manager, Business Department, Business Headquarters, Albirex Niigata)
Since joining the company as a new graduate, I have been in charge of MD and food and beverage business in the business division. I already know about delicious stadium food! I like to travel and watch soccer, and I look forward to watching Albirex's away games at my leisure. I recently started collecting goods of my favorite players.

Michika Ikeshita (@yokohama_fc)
(Yokohama FC Merchandise Manager)

Shonan Bellmare Goods Manager (@bellmare_staff)

JEF United Chiba Merchandise Manager (@jef_united)

[3rd leg.]
Videos? Chants? Alcohol? A supporters' group that supports the club in various ways

Miran Yamaguchi (@yamaguchi_miran)
(A Maritime supporter whose purpose in life is to drink after a victory)
Her name comes from ACMILAN, but she is a Yokohama F. Marinos supporter (she has been visiting the stadium frequently since 2019) and a former After School Princess.
My hobby is collecting beer cups from stadiums all over the country! My uniform number is 8, which stands for Kita C!
While feeling happy and sad about Marinos, I am sipping on some alcohol tonight too🍶♡

Hiroka (@hiroka_shioya)
(A Urawa supporter who goes to almost every game)
He became addicted to watching soccer after watching Urawa Reds, and last year he watched 94 games live. He is currently posting soccer watching vlogs on SNS with the desire to convey the appeal of watching soccer. He is currently preparing to quit his job and start a business to become a sponsor of Urawa.

Ojibanada (@RYOMA007)
(Fashion photographer)
He is active in a wide range of fields, including fashion advertising, fashion magazines, music magazines, and DVD jackets.
(PARCO, EDWIN, NIKE, Yohji Yamamoto, UNITD ARROWS, WOWOW, etc.)
In X, he works as a chant dancer for "Ojibanada," the song of Tachibana Kento's uncle.

[Moderator]
Kaoru Aoyama (@sweet_jef_music)
I started my own business in 2020 because I wanted to go on all the expeditions.
The company has signed a contract to become an assist sponsor for JEF United Chiba and an official partner for the local Nankatsu SC.
Although he is involved in many entertainment-related businesses, his first career actually began as a producer of talk events.
The third biggest piece of furniture in my room is the "Mega Big Jeffy"

[Q&A]
Q. Can supporters of clubs other than the speakers also participate?
A.Of course you are welcome. It's more fun when the audience is colorful.

Q. Is there a dress code on the day?
A. Nothing in particular. The speakers will probably be wearing their team uniforms.

Q. Can I eat and drink at the venue?
A.The venue, Tokyo Culture Culture, is an event house-style restaurant, so food and drinks will be provided.
It is a cash-on-delivery system, so please order and pick up your food and drinks at the counter.
This is a drinking party for J.League fans and club staff, so there's no need to be too formal.

Q. Can minors/20-year-olds participate?
of course!
Please note that as we are a restaurant, we may ask for your age when ordering drinks.

Q. I will be late for work-related reasons...
A.We are planning to hold the event in a format that allows unreserved seating and makes it easy to move between seats.
Please feel free to come and visit.

Q. Can I post about the event on social media?
A.You are welcome to join! Please use the hashtag "#OffThePitch" when posting.
However, please be aware that off-the-record topics may come up during the event.
(If it is off the record, some kind of signal will be given, such as holding up the referee flag sideways.)
Also, please be considerate to avoid capturing the faces of attendees in photographs, except on stage.

Venue