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From EMLYON To Head of Eurosport: Masters Student's Sporting Rise

Arnaud Simon studied at EMLYON Business School years ago - but it has had a profound influence on his rise to the helm of broadcaster Eurosport France.

Sat Apr 26 2014

BusinessBecause
It has been many years since Arnaud Simon left Lyon. But the Masters graduate still has much to thank the picturesque French city for.

“EMLYON offers students the great opportunity of studying outside of Paris,” said Arnaud, talking about the prestigious French business school. “It forces a lot of Parisian students, in particular, to leave behind what's familiar.”

He left Ecole de Management de Lyon – EMLYON Business School to most businessmen – back in 1991. Since then the sports-savvy executive has risen to the helm of Eurosport France, the leading television sports network.

“I spent three wonderful years there,” said Arnaud, who studied media – fittingly. But so much has changed since then. And he still has so much more to do. From his Parisian base, the sports director will hope to boost viewing figures and expand Eurosport’s offering. Just last month he announced a deal with MotoGP, which will see the racing world championship broadcast exclusively on the channel until 2017.

He will also have a keen eye on the football broadcasting rights battle that is gripping France. Major broadcasters Al Jazeera and Canal Plus are set to enter a competition to secure Champions League football. The sport’s television rights have proved lucrative. Eurosport may also bid.

US television network Discovery has just bought a minority stake in the company. “The channel itself is changing,” said Arnaud. “We are now part of a powerful group, which has vast experience in international pay-tv.”

But he sees the changing nature of the corporation’s structure as his good fortune. “Whenever I have arrived at the end of an experience, I've been offered the chance to move forward within the group to another stage,” he said. "Working at Eurosport is like sports: full of adventure and excitement.”

At 45, Arnaud has seen plenty of change. He has had to get to grips with social media. His feat of 5,000 or so Twitter followers is impressive. “It's a valuable tool for identifying true sports fans,” he said.

It is not all serious business, though. “People who apply to us and who are active on Twitter and make comments and post relevant, funny remarks about sports, start out with an advantage,” he hinted toward Eurosport’s recruitment.

Arnaud started out with an internship at TF1, the parent company of Eurosport, several years ago. He first broke into Eurosport as its program controller, he said. “I had the good fortune of reporting to an English head of broadcasting. The Anglo-Saxons have a more open view of business practices than their French counterparts,” he joked.

After managing the international Eurosport channel, whilst also acting as project manager for Eurosport 2, he became head of broadcasting for the channel, he said. Three years ago he became managing director of Eurosport France and director of TV content for international programming.

It is some climb to the top of the corporate ladder. It has taken Arnaud more than a decade. Eurosport is broadcast to more than 130 million homes across 54 countries in 20 languages. Although falling slightly, Eurosport reported revenues of €342.5 million for the first three quarters of 2013. Operating profit soared €8.2 million to €54.7 million.

This year is the company’s 25th year of in the business of broadcasting. But Arnaud has clearly lost none of his zeal for the sports business; the company still gets his juices flowing.

“What excites me the most is definitely working all day long with very different profiles and trades: managers, creative talent, specialists in sports law [and] program buyers,” he said. “We also have to manage our relationship with the audience in a highly competitive market.”

The television network was just awarded the rights to the French Football Cup for the next four years, Arnaud said. The channel has exclusive rights for most of the games. “I really love this mixture of rationality, professionalism and at the same time, a large share of intuition and feeling.”

His business school, EMLYON, has been gaining more international recognition. Arnaud admitted that the media program 20 years ago may have “lacked” – but the school is “pragmatic and produces profiles that correspond precisely to real needs”.

He added: “At present, I would be delighted to get back in touch with the current classes, through debates about sports on TV.”

But if there is one thing that has led him to achieve such success, it is passion. “You can't lie about your passion or your knowledge of sports,” he said. “Because at Eurosport, my job is more than just a profession – it's a passion.” 

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

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4/12/2023

On Campus

Intense courses, helpful professors

I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA. The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.

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18/03/2023

On Campus

Leadership in an amazing city

I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends

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23/11/2021

On Campus

A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.

You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

MSc in Digital Marketing

Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.

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14/10/2018

Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs

EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.

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9/06/2020

Emlyon campus in Paris

It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.

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21/11/2022

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Entrepreneurship

Overall good content and good activities. Lack of administration but still ok. Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.

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25/05/2020

Good Reputation and International Business School

The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark. The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments. The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources. Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.

Edel

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11/07/2024

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MSc International Hospitality Management

The best educational experience of my life so far! It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.

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11/07/2024

On Campus

Real networking opportunities

- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school. - going abroad to study luxury - being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM) - having such a great professional core

Daphné

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14/07/2024

On Campus

white baccalaureate in the world of work

I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.

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11/09/2024

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Great

Pretty great ! Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.

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