John Trainor is founder and CEO of Onside sponsorship agency. He works with sponsors and rights holders, helping to influence €50 million of sponsorship spend annually in Ireland and Europe. He is a fellow of the Marketing Institute for his contribution to sponsorship in Ireland and is the elected Irish board member of the European Sponsorship Association (ESA).
01 When are you happiest?
In a forest with family
02 Apart from loved ones, what’s your most treasured possession?
My lines copy from primary school taught me a lot
03 Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn?
04 What’s the worst job you’ve ever done?
Managing a call centre in Sydney where the tele-team were part-time actors from Home & Away and liked to ‘perform’ while on calls #chaos
05 Favourite writers?
Tom Murphy
06 Last music you bought?
Stevie Wonder – The Definitive Collection
07 A film you’d watch again tonight?
Batman Dark Knight vs One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
08 What do some people think about you that isn’t true?
That I’m all about sport
09 What keeps you awake at night?
Conor McGregor’s fights on Las Vegas time
10 Which words do you overuse?
“When you think about it…”
11 Favourite ad?
Guinness Christmas
12 Favourite gadget?
Apple Watch
13 A brand experience that disappointed you?
My first car that packed it in after a month. Shall remain nameless
14 What living person do you most admire?
Big picture, Bono
15 Most embarrassing experience?
Pre-marriage course being taught about the birds and the bees via a projector and asetates
16 Someone or something that strikes you as beautiful?
Something? The Aviva Stadium
17 In what other era would you like to have been born?
Late-1940’s. That would allow me to be the right age when Galway won three GAA All-Ireland football titles in a row in the mid 60’s
18 Best advice you’ve heard?
“A moment of patience in a moment of anger saves you 100 moments of regret”
19 What would be your fantasy act of heroism?
Making a Rugby World Cup 2023 in Ireland the game changer for a global health challenge
20 You’re on Death Row, what’s your last meal?
Chicken wings and a Coke float from Counter Burger in Dundrum
