DONNA FURLONG STELLING
Global Sports Advisor | Specialist in Sports Diplomacy | International Partnerships
Donna Furlong Stelling is a leading sports executive from Australia with over 25 years experience in international sport working on high profile projects in more than 50 countries spanning from Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Europe to the United States. As an International Advisor in Sport, Donna's work is focused on uniting countries, cultures, and communities through sport. She creates high impact partnerships and campaigns for Sports Organisations, Olympic Committees, Leagues, Clubs, Teams, Brands, Agencies and Athletes.
Donna is the founder of the Sports and Culture Collective (SCC). She worked as Director of Olympic Marketing for McCann WorldGroup, Director and Partner of TSE Consulting Middle East, and Sponsorship Director of ATP and WTA Tour events. Donna also served as Director of Commercial Marketing for the Asian Games and Marketing Consultant for the Olympic Council of Asia.
A specialist in emerging markets across Asia Pacific, Donna brings ideas, impact and innovation to Sports Diplomacy and Sport for Development. A global advocate for Sport and the United Nations, Donna is passionate about building a new vision for and a better world through sport including Gender Equality, Peace, Human Rights, Refugees and Climate Action.
Donna completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Business from Victoria University. She is scheduled to speak at the IWG Women in Sports Conference in New Zealand, the world's largest women's sport conference, with talks on "Connecting Culture and Sport" and "How Indigenous Women in Sport are Inspiring Positive Social Change Worldwide."
CONSULTING
Global Projects in more than 50 countries
Global Partnerships
Building high impact commercial, social, cultural and creative partnerships for sport and athletes with brands, media and agencies. Creating new partnerships between sports and culture including fashion, film, music, art and design.
Global Sports
Consulting to global sports organisations on their internationalisation strategies. Helping to grow their global fan bases through targeted local and regional campaigns that effectively build new audiences, partnerships and revenues.
Global Goals
Leveraging the global reach and appeal of sport as an important tool for promoting and achieving the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development, Social Change, Health, Education and Equality. Advising Sport for Development organisations.
United Nations
Partnerships between sport and athletes to team up with UN agencies including UNICEF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UN Women, UN Development and UN Environment. Campaigns to promote United Nations' Days such as World Refugee Day.
Sports Diplomacy
Bringing ideas, impact and innovation to Sports Diplomacy for Sports Bodies, Governments, Cities, Consulates and Embassies. Exploring new sports diplomacy projects for event legacy, development, trade, tourism, investment and nation branding.
Major Events
Winning campaigns for bidding and hosting of major events including World Championships. Events specialist in sponsorship, hospitality, broadcasting, merchandising and marketing. Consulting from event strategy to event legacy.
PROJECTS
Featuring the biggest sporting events in Asia and the world
Asian Games (Doha, Qatar)
The Games of Your Life
Director of Commercial Marketing on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia for the second largest event in the world and the biggest multi sport event in Asia, featuring 9,500 athletes, 39 sports.
Asian Indoor Games (Macau, China)
Ulitmate Asian Power
Director of Commercial Marketing for the Olympic Council of Asia for the largest multi sport event in Macau and the second edition of the event in Asia. Hosting 1,790 athletes, 44 nations and 17 sports.
Asian Beach Games (Bali, Indonesia)
Inspire the World
Marketing Consultant for the Indonesia Olympic Committee for the first edition of the Beach Games in Asia and one of the largest events in Indonesia, featuring 41 nations and 17 sports.
Olympic Games (Beijing, China)
One World, One Dream
Director of Olympic Marketing on behalf of Interpublic Group (USA) for integrated marketing pitches with agencies including McCann-Erickson, FutureBrand, Momentum and Weber Shandwick.
FINA World Championships (Dubai)
Water is our World
Ambassador for the City of Dubai for major event bid campaigns in Rome and Shanghai to host the FINA World Swimming Championships and the FINA World Short Course Championships in Dubai.
FIFA World Cup (Japan, Korea)
Field of Dreams
Director of Sports Marketing for McCann Erickson Advertising. Pioneered sports branded television including a football TV series for sponsors of the FIFA World Cup with the Chinese Football team.
ATP and WTA Tour (Shanghai, China)
For the Game
International Sponsorship Director for the ATP and WTA Tour events and Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai for clients including Adidas and Rolex, with sponsorships across the Asia Pacific region.
Rugby Sevens (Shanghai, China)
Game Changers
Consulting for the hosting of the first edition of the Rugby Sevens in China. Corporate hospitality management for major rugby events including the Bledisloe Cup with Australia and New Zealand.
Major Events (Melbourne, Australia)
Sporting Capital of the World
Corporate Hospitality and venue management for Melbourne major events including the AFL, International Cricket Series, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open, and Formula1 Grand Prix.
ATHLETES AND ARTISTS
Represented the world's biggest stars in sports and entertainment
DAVID BECKHAM
Exclusive commercial representation in Asia on behalf of 19 Entertainment and Simon Fuller, UK.
VICTORIA BECKHAM
Exclusive commercial and media management of Victoria Beckham's first visit to China including partnerships with Shanghai Fashion Week, Swatch Product Launch and a television documentary special with Channel V China.
JENSON BUTTON
Commercial representation and endorsements in China on behalf of World in Sport Europe.
CULTURE
Creative Sports and Cultural Partnerships
Connecting Sport to Youth Culture, Urban Culture, Popular Culture, Global Culture and Indigenous Culture through Fashion, Film, Television, Music, Arts, Design, Illustration, Animation, Media, Books, Literature, Language, Heritage, Architecture and Photography.
VALUES
Global Advocate for Equality, Diversity and Sustainability in Sport
Women in Sport
Gender Equality
Global advovate for a level playing field for women and girls in sport with a focus on developing countries in Asia and Africa. Supporting women's football teams in Somalia and Pakistan with media and communications including articles in the Guardian and CNN. Co-owner of the Lewes Football Club in the UK, the first club in the world where women's and men's teams are treated equally.
Human Rights in Sport
Activism
Supporting campaigns which promote sport for human rights including general counsel for the Human Rights Football Cup in South Africa celebrated on Human Rights Day with the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR). Proudly supporting organisations in Player Welfare, Integrity, Safeguarding and Concussion in Sport.
Sustainability in Sport
Climate Action
Creating environmental campaigns for sports organisations aligned with International Days including World Environment Day and World Oceans Day. Proud supporter of the World Water Day Run. Promoting sustainable sports facilities in Asia Pacific including bamboo, rattan, and earth architecture. Former founding member of Sport and Sustainability International in Asia.
Indigenous Sport
Advocacy
Global advocate for Indigenous Sport. Supporting Indigenous athletes who raise their voices as activists, ambassadors and role models. Speaker at the IWG Women in Sport Conference on how Indigenous women in sport are inspiring positive social change around the world.
HONOURS
Awards, Skills, Memberships and Charities
Awards
Selected to train in the Australian Springboard Diving Squad for the Pan Pacific Games Japan. Victorian State Netballer. Melbourne League Netballer. State Athletics Representative.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Sport Business from Victoria University (Australia) with first class honours. Courses in Leadership from Harvard Business School Online, Sports Diplomacy from Latrobe University, Director Education Course from Sport Australia and Sport for Good from Torrens University. Courses in Human Rights, Refugees in Sport, Sport for Sustainable Development, Sports Law and Sports Diversity.
Skills
Diversified skills in Sports Business including Management Consulting, Commercial Marketing, and Strategic and Operational Planning. Skilled in International Partnerships; Athlete Management; Sponsorship Activation; Creative Campaigns; Broadcasting; Media; Communications; Digital; Licensing and Merchandising. Specialist in Sports Diplomacy, Sport for Development, Major Events, Legacy and International Relations.
Memberships
UN Women Australia, UN Victoria, Women Sport Australia, Women Sport International, Women's Sports Collective (UK), Sport and Citizenship (Europe), Sports Environment Alliance (Australia).
Charities
Supporter of charitable marathons including the Marathon of Afghanistan, UN Gaza Marathon, Free to Run Iraq Marathon, James Foley Freedom Run, and the Indigenous Peoples Day Marathon.
Volunteering
Marketing, media and outreach programs for Sport for Development organisations including CONIFA, Goal Click, Kit Aid Australia, PowerHouse Rugby Club, Sport for Sustainability International.
CLIENTS
Projects with local, regional and international sports organisations across the globe
MEDIA
My Comments in the Media
New Tokyo 2020 Chief Seiko Hashimoto Brings Wealth of Olympic Experience
My comments on Women In Sport reflecting on the new presidency of the Tokyo Olympic Games in the Japan Sports Notebook from Japan Forward.
International Perspective on Mori Fallout
My perspective on Gender Equality and Sport for Social Change at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the Japan Sports Notebook from Japan Forward.
Three Asians, one African out of 42 show lack of diversity among Laureus awards nominees, says Global Sports Consultant
My opinion on cultural diversity in sport featuring leading athletes from the Global South featured in the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong.
