Neste x Antti Autti - The only way is forward
Sponsorship act of the year 2017

Neste is Antti Autti's long-term partner. Sponsorship began in 2012 when Antti switched from competitive skiing to freeriding. Through Antti's genuine personality and pioneering story, Neste has been able to address the youth target group in its marketing more efficiently. Sponsor partners adhere to the "The only way is forward" pledge in all of their collaborative operations. 

 

"In the winning sponsorship, in addition to genuine collaboration, courage and surprise stood out, which one might not immediately associate with the relationship between an international corporation and an individual extreme athlete. Almost immediately, the impactful communication of shared values and the diverse implementation of the relationship were also recognizable. In addition, the relationship had been carried out consistently over several years, which strengthens the associative imagery between Neste, Autti, and their respective fields," commented Risto Oksanen, CEO of the Association of Sponsorship and Event Marketing, on the jury's rationale. 

 

Neste's Marketing Director Sirpa Tuomi praised the smoothness and effectiveness of the collaboration. "This is a wonderful recognition of a long-term sponsorship collaboration that has strengthened over time. "The only way is forward" storytelling has evolved to include messages about safety and climate change, which are fundamental in both Neste's business and snowboarding. Working with Antti has been an amazing journey that has strengthened Neste's image, especially as a domestic, high-quality, reliable, and responsible pioneer." 

 

Antti Autti is likewise overjoyed with the honor. "Victory feels really good! We have truly worked together. We defined what collaboration can ideally be between an individual athlete and a large company. I think this award is a great example of the importance of understanding what matters in a collaboration! It's fantastic that the creative aspect of my sport is receiving such recognition. It is precisely snowboarders and action sports professionals who have long been pioneers in content creation." 

 

Neste and Autin's campaign contended as Finlands representative for the title of Europe's finest sponsorship at the European Sponsorship Association's (ESA) The Best of European Awards banquet held in London.