30Under30 Nominee: Victor Renner
Great to hear from Global 30 Under 30 Nominee, Victor Renner, a Research and Insights Manager within the Partnership Solutions and Insights Team (Global Partnerships Department) at FC Bayern München AG, based at the club headquarters at Säbener Straße. In Victor’s role, he collects, manages and analyses internal and external data to measure sponsorship impact and identify commercial opportunities for FC Bayern Frauen’s partners. Victor also coordinates external studies, supports market and media research projects, monitors relevant trends and provides FC Bayern Frauen partners with tailored, insights-driven analyses.
How did you find your way into research, data and insights?
Having played football my whole life, working as a DFB referee, and coaching a youth team for several years, working in the sports industry was always my dream. How I found my way into the research and insights side was a path shaped by seeing two sides of the same coin during my Sport Management studies.
I was lucky to gain early insights into the industry through internships, first on the brand side with UniCredit’s FC Bayern Business Cooperation Team, and later directly with the club’s Research and Insights team, where I’m very grateful to be working full-time today. Experiencing both perspectives made me realise how crucial data-driven storytelling is in sports marketing.
What part of your work are you most proud of and why?
Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of initiatives. Together with my colleagues at FC Bayern, one area I’m particularly proud to have contributed to is advancing our Insights support for our FC Bayern Frauen partners, including fan surveys during our highlight matches to help guide operational decisions and better understand fans’ needs.
Additionally, I’ve been able to help refine our social media tracking for our partners. By providing more targeted reporting, we are able to show them the impact of our owned and earned social media reach and demonstrate how our growing global coverage directly contributes to the overall value of their partnerships.
What have you learned so far that you wish you’d known when you started your career?
The importance of just diving in and using internships, as well as your time during university, to discover what truly drives you. I learned that academic theory only becomes powerful when applied to a field you are genuinely passionate about. For me, that field has always been sports, but I believe everyone needs to find the specific area they truly burn for.
Looking back, I realise how much it helps to connect with as many people as possible, learn from their experiences and simply ask for advice along the way. Additionally, I would encourage anyone who has the chance to gain international experience during their studies. My semester abroad at the University of Technology Sydney was incredibly shaping for me. It was an eye-opening experience that gave me completely new perspectives on data and especially global partnerships in an international context.
What excites you most about the future of insights and what would you like to help change?
I am really excited about moving away from just presenting static numbers and shifting toward real business translation. Our generation has a unique opportunity to reshape insights from a traditional ‘reporting tool’ into a core strategic driver. Personally, I would love to contribute to making sponsorship impact more transparent, helping brands understand not only their reach but also the true depth of the connection they build with fans.
Naturally, I am incredibly curious to see how AI will impact our industry. In this fast-evolving landscape, accurate and well-translated data is becoming even more valuable. For me, it’s all about staying open-minded and learning how these new tools can help us uncover the deeper insights that will help shape the future of sports marketing.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry today?
Embrace a continuous learning mindset and don’t worry about knowing everything from day one. For me, it’s really about finding the specific field you’re truly passionate about and staying curious enough to learn from the people around you every day. If you genuinely love the subject matter, whether it’s sports, entertainment or consumer goods, the analytical rigour will naturally follow, and you will find real joy in turning numbers into narratives.
Who has helped you along the way?
I would love to thank the entire Global Partnerships Team for the fantastic daily collaboration. Most importantly, a huge thank you goes to my immediate Research and Insights Team: Harry, Karina, Isabell and Sarah. Their mentorship, support and trust have been invaluable to my development and truly made this nomination possible in the first place. Beyond that, I feel very lucky to work with so many great colleagues across different departments at FC Bayern, whose professionalism and dedication make this job incredibly rewarding.
