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No. 24 · 7 Apr 2025 · 5 min

What is your GMPLN for 2025?

GMPLN25 Conference Summary

Hey,

I hope you're doing well! Last week, I attended a sports conference in Cologne, Germany — GMPLN25. After the event, I wanted to share a quick summary of key highlights from some of the industry's top experts, along with the story of how I got my individual ticket. 😉

What’s inside:

  • What is GMPLN?

  • How did I get the ticket?

  • Key insights and takeaways

  • Summary

  • A note from the author

Kind reminder ⏰

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  • Leave your Comment 💭

  • Share with your network ➡️

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What is GMPLN? 👾

GMPLN25 is an innovative sports conference that took place on April 3-4, 2025, at Motorworld Cologne in Germany. This event is dedicated to the next generation of sports, media, and fans. The event itself had approximately 1,100 attendees.

The first edition of the conference was in 2023.

The conference included keynotes, talks, and deep-dive sessions covering various topics in the sports industry. It’s a great opportunity to learn from the top experts in the industry, look for new opportunities, and network.

These are just a few names to make sure you’ll reserve your spot for 2026.

Julie Haden (National Women's Soccer League)
Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer

Fabrizio Romano
Football Journalist & Transfer Expert

Daniel Grieder (HUGO BOSS)
CEO

Mateo Price (MrBeast)
Chief Strategy Officer

Phil Cook (WNBA)
Chief Marketing Officer

The level of the speaker is soooo good, and I enjoyed it.

GMPLN Format 👾

The conference was two days, with keynotes and main speakers on the first day, and deep-dive sessions on specific topics during the second. One thing I really liked was the dedicated area featuring special experiences — you could try out a racing car simulator or explore special photo zones. It was one area filled with engaging activities alongside the main stage area for talks.

The overall organization of the event was top-notch. What I appreciated most was that it never felt overcrowded. The check-in process was smooth, and getting into the venue was easy. Before the official start on Day 1, lunch was available, and after the event, there was both dinner and an after-show party. While these weren’t the main reasons to attend, they definitely contributed to a seamless experience where you didn’t have to worry about finding food or drinks between sessions.

How did I get the ticket? 🎫

Here, I would like to cover the story about my ticket to the event itself. Honestly, I got information about the event from LinkedIn, where I saw the post that one guy is attending GMPLN this year. It was just 3 weeks before the event itself.

I opened the website, read the names of the speakers, and realized that I definitely need to visit it. It was clear as day, but I had one issue. GMPLN doesn’t provide individual entries for the event. I opened the FAQ and found the information that you can book a social table for 4-8 or a branded table for 10-12.

One more time. No individual tickets.

Well, I understood that at least I should try to get my own ticket and decided to try the following action.

  • I just wrote an email where I asked about individual entry

  • I’ve created a LinkedIn post where I asked my network to share, comment, and support in order to get more visibility.

I decided that having some bright designs might be a good idea.😅

…two days later, I received an email with a proposal to get a ticket for one of the social tables at the event.

I was IN!

Key insights and takeaways ⚡️

Content

  • Reaching new Audiences is key, and 9:16 short-form content is the format to choose.

  • Use technology to create content, but creativity is the difference between communicating with existing fans or generating new ones

  • Use entertaining formats that address a broad audience while keeping the barrier to participation low

  • Try new perspectives and embrace the Off-season as a time with huge potential

  • Identify trends that fit to your athletes, and don’t be afraid to be too late to the party

  • Create formats that work organically and let your partner participate in social reach and engagements

The skillset of the future

AI Skills:

  • AI tools promoting

  • Research

  • Coding

  • Data analysis

  • Manage agents

  • Creative work

Domain knowledge:

  • Products

  • Customers

  • Markets

  • Functional skills

  • Actual experience

Soft skills & strategy

  • Communication

  • Storytelling

  • Personal brand

  • Negotiating

  • Create partnerships

  • Have good sense & taste

When building a sports brand…

  • Go deep into strategy

  • Multiply your media

  • Think outside the box

  • Find your brand voice

TikTok acts as an entryway to sports.

  • 29% of TikTok users became more interested in a sport after watching content about it on TikTok

  • 28% of TikTok users discovered new sporting events through TikTok content

  • Interest in WNBA has quadrupled in the last 4 years on TikTok

  • Creators are new trendsetters

  • 71% of sports fans agree TikTok allows athletes and teams to build stronger connections with fans

Summary 📄

Honestly, there are countless thoughts and insights you can take away from this conference. Everyone finds what they need — and gains that extra motivation to keep pushing the industry forward. As I mentioned before, the level of speakers is absolutely amazing, and I’d highly recommend booking your seat for 2026 if you want to be part of this party next year.

  • The real game isn’t football, rugby, cricket or basketball. It’s attention.

  • Fans are looking for the real experience.

The most unexpected speaker for me was Daniel Grieder (CEO of HUGO BOSS). His story about branding and comebacks was something special. He talked about their desire to enter the sports market and how they were looking for someone who could blend fashion, style, and sport. The choice was obvious — David Beckham.

It was hilarious when he said that, with this example, it doesn’t even matter what kind of target group, audience, or geography you’re aiming for in your campaign. It just works — because everyone loves David Beckham.

A note from the author ✍️

What stood out most to me was that almost every speaker, by the end of the day, talked about the growth of women’s sports. It’s just another proof that the industry is booming and continues to grow. A particularly special moment was when Julie Haddon from the NWSL showed a note she had written:

Make the world a better place for women through sports.

So, I’ll leave it at that — but before I go, I highly recommend watching the chronicles from GMPLN24. I think it’ll give you even more reasons to join the conference next year.

Cheers,
Taras ✌️