معرفی
Thilo Kunkel is a Professor in the Sport and Recreation Management Department at the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA.
His research lies at the intersection of strategic management and sport marketing, with a focus on digital consumer engagement, brand relationships, athlete branding, and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) monetization. He investigates how individuals and organizations position themselves competitively through brand strategies, particularly in digital environments. His expertise in athlete brand development has influenced major sport organizations' NIL policies and has been featured in national media.
Dr. Kunkel has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in top marketing and sport management journals and has presented his work at more than 80 national and international conferences. His research spans themes such as fan engagement, sponsorship activation, and digital branding in sport.
Scientific Awards:
- Emerging Scholar in Sport Marketing, American Marketing Association (2018)
- Lifetime Research Fellow, North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) (2018)
- Lifetime Research Fellow, Sport Marketing Association (2024)
Advising and Grants: Dr. Kunkel has served on the dissertation committees of nine Ph.D. graduates and was the primary advisor for two students who won the NASSM Student Research competition. He has consulted sport teams, sponsors, mobile app developers, and athletes on brand positioning and sponsorship strategies, indicating active engagement in applied research and industry collaboration.
Labs and Research Centers: He is affiliated with research initiatives at Temple University, including the Athletic Innovation, Research, and Education Lab, contributing to innovation in sport management and athlete development.
