Programme

It is expected that Russia will spend a total of approximately USD 20 billion on hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018. This sum includes not only the cost of building and refurbishing stadiums and other sporting facilities, but also expenditure on developing rail, air, and road networks, as well as on expanding and modernizing the available stock of hotels and other public and tourist facilities. What factors must be taken into consideration when organizing major sporting events to ensure the effective use of infrastructure in the future? How can investments like these increase Russia’s tourism potential and holidays to sporting event venues? What impact can optimizing logistics have on the general economic climate in Russia’s regions? What are the social consequences of huge sporting events?

Moderator:
Igor Stolyarov , Deputy General Director, Sovetsky Sport

Igor Stolyarov

Deputy General Director, Sovetsky Sport

At the beginning of his career, Igor worked for Coca Cola. In 1995, he became business manager of Duracell, Gillette Group, and five years later worked as area manager for Gillette International for CIS and Baltic States. He supervised the company’s projects in Melbourne, Australia. From 2004 to 2006, he held the post of Vice-President for Sales and Service of the biggest Russian of cellular communications operator, MTS. In 2005, he was recognised as Best Business Manager, according to the Managers’ Association. In 2007, he was honoured with the Russian Government’s award for his assistance in starting up State Corporation RosNanoTech. From 2007 to 2014, he worked on the Organising Committee for Sochi 2014 in the capacity of Senior Vice-President. Mr. Stolyarov was awarded the memory medal and diploma of the Russian President, numerous Letters of Appreciation from the IOC and OCR for the preparations for the Olympics. In 2014–2015, he was Acting envoy of Infront Media AG to Russia. Igor is a Member of the Board of a number of agencies engaged in marketing sports channels. He teaches marketing, branding and economics of sports assets at the Academy of the National Economy, RIOU, MGIMO and RGGU.

Panellists
Natalia Vodianova , Founder, Naked Heart Foundation; Ambassador of FIFA World Cup 2018
Tinatin Kandelaki , General Producer, Match TV
David Neal , Executive Producer, FOX Sports
Andrey Peregudov , Director General, Management Company Dynamo; Project Director, VTB Arena Park
Ekaterina Petelina , General Director, Visa Payment System LLC
Oleg Safonov , Head, Russian Federal Agency for Tourism
Aleksey Smertin , Ambassador of FIFA World Cup 2018
Michel Sher , Head of Sport and Entertainment, Mediacom

Natalia Vodianova

Founder, Naked Heart Foundation; Ambassador of FIFA World Cup 2018

Natalia Vodianova was born in Nizhny Novgorod. Her younger sister suffers from cerebral palsy and severe autism. Forbes has named Vodianova one of the world’s five most successful supermodels over the last 10 years. In 2003, she became the most highly-paid face ever of Calvin Klein. She has also worked with such brands as Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, L’Oreal, Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, etc. Since 2004, charity has been an integral part of Natalia Vodianova’s life and work. As a mother of four, her name is associated with motherhood, children and charity, as well as a career as a supermodel. Over the last 11 years, Natalia Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation has collected more than 30 million euros, built more than 137 inclusive parks and playgrounds throughout Russia and established a programme called “Every child deserves a family”, aimed at breaking Russia’s tradition of abandoning children with special needs.

Tinatin Kandelaki

General Producer, Match TV

Tina (full name: Tinatin) Kandelaki was born on November, 10 1975 in Tbilisi (Georgia). Her father is an economist and her mother a physician. Tina graduated from the journalism department of Tbilisi State University and from the department of international relations of the Russian State University for the Humanities. Prior to 1995, she worked at Radio 105 radio station and for Georgian television. After 1995, she worked for the radio stations and television channels M-Radio, RDV, Serebryany Dozhd, 2x2, Biz-TV, Muz-TV, Vremechko on TVC, YV-6 in Moscow. 2002–2007: host of the Detali programme on the STS TV Channel. From 2003: host and producer of The Smartest programme. 2008–2011: host of the TV programme Unreal Politics on REN TV and later on NTV channels. In 2008, Ms. Kandelaki became a co-owner of Apostle Media (later –Centre for Strategic Communications Apostle), specialising in PR and production of television and video content. In 2010, she was author and host of the discussion programme Alternative on the Vesti FM radio station. In August 2011, she organised and conducted the first National Educational Forum Smart School. 2010–2012: member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. In 2013, together with Margarita Simonyan, she co-hosted the political talk show Iron Lady on the NTV channel. From 2014, she was co-investor and art director of the elite club village Shelestovo in New Moscow. In July 2015, Tina was appointed General Producer and Deputy General Director of the consolidated sports editorial board established on the basis of the new federal TV Channel Match TV.

David Neal

Executive Producer, FOX Sports

One of the most prolific and accomplished sports producers of his generation, with more than 30 years of production experience and 35 Emmy and Peabody awards to his name, David Neal serves as Executive Producer of FIFA World Cup on FOX and Vice President, Production for FOX Sports. David Neal joined FOX Sports in 2012 and is responsible for all aspects of the FIFA World Cup on FOX and other high-profile events involving the U.S. National teams. Under Neal’s guidance, FOX Sports set new viewership records for its coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2016 Copa America Centenario. Before joining FOX in 2012, Neal spent more than 30 years at NBC Sports where he produced nine Olympics, four NBA Finals, two World Series and a Super Bowl pregame show. At NBC, Neal held dual roles as Executive Vice President of NBC Olympics, responsible for the production, programming and technical engineering departments of NBC’s Olympic division, also serving as Executive Producer of NBC Sports, giving him additional responsibility for all NBC Sports productions. In addition to 33 Sports Emmys and two Primetime Emmys, Neal’s innovative and creative vision was recognized with a Peabody Award for NBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Beijing.

Andrey Peregudov

Director General, Management Company Dynamo; Project Director, VTB Arena Park

Date of birth: November 21, 1956. Position: Senior Vice President of JSC VTB Bank, VTB Arena park project Director. Education and qualifications: Institute of Asian and African Studies of Moscow State University – degree with distinction, holds the CCIM designation. Experience: Since May 2011: General Director, UK Dinamo CJSC; 2009: Chairman of the Board, UK Dinamo; 2006: Vice-President and Head of Property, JSC VTB Bank; 2005–2006: Head of Property Department, then Executive Director, MTS; 2001: Vice-President of the Department for Investment Sales, Royal Le Page Commercial, Canada; 1996–2001: Head of Investment Sales, CBRE, Toronto, Canada. Andrei Peregudov began his career at TBS AG, Group Lepine and DTZ in Moscow. He has many years’ experience of working for major Russian and international companies. Andrei Peregudov began his career at TBS AG, Group Lepine, and DTZ in Moscow. 1996–2001: Head of Investment Sales, CBRE, Toronto, Canada. 2001: Vice-President of the Department for Investment Sales, Royal Le Page Commercial, Canada; 2005–2006: Head of Property Department, then Executive Director, MTS; Andrei Peregudov became Senior Vice President and Head of Property at JSC VTB Bank in 2006. In 2009, he became VTB Arena park project Director.

Ekaterina Petelina

General Director, Visa Payment System LLC

Ekaterina Petelina is Country Manager for Visa Russia, effective April 18, 2016. Ekaterina is a banking executive with more than 16 years of experience at Russian and multinational companies, which includes developing strategy, leading large business-units and managing complex cross-functional projects. She joined Visa from VTB24, the second largest issuer in Russia, where she was Deputy President and Chairman of the Management Board, and Head of VTB24’s Retail Business for 4 years. Prior to that, she was Head of Strategy and Board Member of VTB Group. Before joining VTB Ekaterina worked for McKinsey & Company primarily for the financial institution. She graduated with honours from Nizhny Novgorod State University, and in 2003 completed her education with honours at Emory University, Atlanta, the USA, getting an MBA degree.

Oleg Safonov

Head, Russian Federal Agency for Tourism

Born in 1969 in Tselinograd (Kazakh SSR), graduated magna cum laude from the State Financial Academy (currently, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation) with a degree in finance and credit. Ph.D. in Economics.Married, has three children. Upon graduating, worked at several Russian banks (UNIKOMBANK, Eastern European Investment Bank, Soyuzaviakosmos and ORGRESBANK). In 2003 — 2007 — Head of the Financial Department at the Stock Market «Russian Trading System».In 2009 — 2010 — Deputy General Director for Economy and Finance at «UralVagonZavod» Scientific Industrial Corporation» PLC. In 2010 — 2014 — Financial Director at «Center for Science-Intensive Technologies» OJSC. Since May 2014 to the present — Acting Head of the Federal Agency for Tourism, Ministry of Culture of Russia. Ph.D. in Economics. Speaks English. Married, has three children.

Michel Sher

Head of Sport and Entertainment, Mediacom

Miсhael Sher is Worldwide Vice President, Sport & Entertainment at Mediacom, one of the leading integrated marketing and communications agencies of WPP Group. Industry veteran with over 15 years' experience, Michael has advised and worked alongside some of the most admired global brands, events, teams, and talent in creating innovative partnerships that truly harness the power of sport. Some of the clients Michael has advised over the years include American Airlines, Shell, Allianz, Indeed, Sony, and Toyota. He has also been the architect for a number of high profile endorsement deals for talent including Pelé, Mesut Özil, and Eniola Aluko with blue-chip brands like Under Armour, Coca-Cola, P&G, VW, Beats by Dre and Subway to name a few. The division he leads leverages comprehensive consumer and brand insight to inform sponsorship investment which is then developed as a part of the broader marketing and communication strategy. Michael's opinions have featured in leading global publications including The New York Times, Fortune, CNN, CMO, Marketing Magazine, and Sport Business International.