The Ankura Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Valued at ~$103 billion today and projected to reach ~$185 billion by 2035, sports sponsorship has become a strategic growth lever — shaping how organizations position themselves, engage global audiences, and drive commercial value.

In this episode, Giles Morgan, Founder of ‘The Sponsorship Doctor’ and former Global Head of Sponsorship and Partnerships at HSBC and Howden, joins Jonny Gray to unpack the evolution of sports sponsorship, and why clarity, strategy, and execution are fundamental to successful partnerships.

They dive into:

- The importance of clear sponsorship objectives — and the brand risk when they aren’t defined
-  How sponsorship deals are structured in practice, from rights to activation
- Why connecting authentically with fan communities is critical to success — with real-world examples
- How digital tools are transforming ROI measurement and accelerating sector growth

The Supreme Court just proved Kate Kalutkiewicz right.

Tariffs are a defining trade story of this administration — and then, after we stopped recording, the Supreme Court struck them down.

That timing makes this episode of The Impact Exchange even more essential listening.

In this conversation, Kate Kalutkiewicz, Trade Practice leader at McLarty Associates, explains why tariffs were never a short‑term tactic, why their legal foundation always mattered, and why volatility — not certainty — was the most likely outcome. Kate walked through the constitutional risks, the economic trade‑offs, and the unintended consequences businesses and consumers are now facing in real time.

As Kate explains, tariffs raised costs, strained supply chains, and forced companies into challenging choices — leaving open the question of who actually benefits if tariffs are unwound. The Supreme Court’s decision doesn’t end the tariff story. It complicates it.

This episode explores:

- Why tariffs were deployed so aggressively — even against allies
- What happens if tariffs are ruled unconstitutional 
- Who gets refunded if tariffs are struck down — and who doesn’t 
- Why businesses hoping for certainty may get more chaos instead

If you want to understand why this moment was coming and what comes next after the Court’s decision — then this is an episode not to miss. 

In this episode of the The Business Behind Sport, Jonny Gray is joined by Aaryaman Banerji, Head of Football Governance at Lane Clark and Peacock. They discuss the ground breaking Football Governance Act 2025, its implications on English professional football and the newly established independent football regulator. 

Listen as they discuss financial sustainability, fan engagement, and the evolving landscape of football governance. 

Ready to challenge some stereotypes about Mexico's workforce?

On this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse sits down with Ankura's Horacio Gomez, a market strategy expert and transformational leader, to discuss the highly skilled and innovative labor force driving industry in Mexico. They explore the opportunities in healthcare, education, and digital transformation, and why American businesses should look southward for opportunities and growth.

As business leaders navigate intricate global transformations how can they foster a culture that embraces change? 

In this episode of The Impact Exchange, John Frehse speaks with Gloria Madrid, a global operations excellence leader with over 20 years of experience across Latin America, the US, and Europe. Gloria discusses strategies for aligning stakeholders, balancing governance with people-centric leadership, and crafting tailored approaches for successful transformations.

Tracey Abbott, a seasoned Private Equity Operating Partner and Keynote Speaker, joins John Frehse to explore the vital role of intuition, risk-taking, and AI in today's business landscape.

Drawing from her extensive background in private equity, board advisory, and coaching CEOs, Tracey delves into the power of curiosity and the significance of learning from both triumphs and setbacks to enhance intuition and foster success.

On this episode of The Business Behind Sport, Brandon Doll, Founder of Sports & Entertainment Advisors, joins Jonny Gray to discuss the crucial role of ticket sales in revenue generation of various sports organizations. 

They dive into:
- The evolution of the ticketing sales model
- How AI is reshaping ticket pricing models and inventory management
- Consumers’ shift in search to AI platforms and how this is impacting primary and secondary ticket markets
- Working with secondary markets to maintain price control

What keeps a CFO up at night? How has the role evolved beyond traditional number-crunching?

Join John Frehse as he delves into the intricacies of the modern CFO role with financial expert Elliot Fuhr on this episode of The Impact Exchange. Elliot shares invaluable insights on:
• Key financial metrics that every business should focus on 
• The transformation of finance officers into strategic business leaders 
• The power of force multiplication through technology

Unlock the secrets to effectively communicating with your CFO and drive your projects forward.

Ever wondered why the U.S. healthcare billing process is so complex? Ryan Christine joins John Frehse on the latest episode of The Impact Exchange to unravel the intricacies and challenges hospitals face with revenue cycle management.

Key insights include:

• What revenue cycle management really means
• The importance of cash flow in healthcare operations
• Tips on negotiating your medical bills as a patient

Learn how these challenges affect healthcare institutions and what solutions are being implemented. 

In an era of geopolitical challenges and energy transitions, how do businesses adapt? The latest episode of The Impact Exchange with John Frehse features Ambassador Geoff Pyatt, a seasoned diplomat with over 35 years of experience. From the frontlines of international diplomacy to the complexities of energy transitions, Geoff shares insights on Ukraine's resilience, the geopolitical landscape, and the future of critical minerals.

Learn about: 
• U.S. policies in Ukraine and their broader global strategy
• The rising demand for energy resources and critical minerals 
• The impact of geopolitical dynamics on international trade