David of KICK brings two decades of commercial expertise to Irish Sponsorship Awards ‘25

David, Managing Director of KICK, stands out as one of the industry leaders shaping the judging panel at this year’s Irish Sponsorship Awards. With over 20 years’ experience helping brands achieve exponential growth, his career reflects both commercial acumen and a deep understanding of how sponsorship drives business success.

Before joining KICK, David led the commercial division of News Ireland for more than a decade, steering major partnerships and building revenue strategies that reinforced the organisation’s market strength. His earlier career included senior positions with Associated Newspapers, where he served as head of commercial, and with Cadbury Ireland, where his leadership helped strengthen one of the country’s most recognisable brands.

Such experience equips David with a unique perspective on sponsorship’s role in aligning brand ambition with consumer engagement. His insights contribute to the balanced and robust judging process that underpins the Awards, ensuring winners reflect true excellence in innovation, strategy and impact.

With judges bound by strict confidentiality and guided by rigorous standards, the integrity of the process remains paramount.

View the full list of judges shaping this year’s awards.