Monique Jacobs

Director, Sports & Entertainment Partnerships

EssenceMediacom

With a background in purpose-driven partnerships, Monique brings unique insights that unlock a mutual value-exchange between brand and sponsee for a roster of major brands like Mars Wrigley, Airbnb, adidas, and more. Monique finds the intersection of sports and culture and its potential for positive social impact and thrives on crafting strategic partnerships across a variety of brands and sports properties. In her current role, Monique works in a national and global capacity to deliver programs that integrate custom content, paid media, and cultural drivers to resonate with consumer communities and provide measurable impact. Recent examples include spearheading partnership strategy for a breakthrough new Mars Wrigley brand launching in Feb. 2025, led creative execution on behalf of Airbnb of a podcast series focused on women Olympic athlete’s stories, launching in conjunction with the 2024 Paris Olympics, and navigation/activation of a premium sponsorship at the inaugural World Championship Cup Golf Tournament on behalf of Shell. Prior to her current role, Monique was dedicated to automotive brand partnerships and led Ford Motor Company’s women’s strategy including Ford’s foray into dedicated women’s sports media and first women's focused F-150 media campaign, developed a partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing with a custom paint scheme and licensed merchandise/royalties, and carried out a fan-centered content series with the NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame. The journey to her current leadership role has honed her expertise in sports business, and internally garnered a reputation as the resident women’s sports expert taking immense pride in educating clients on the strategic approach to partner with women’s sports leagues, teams and athletes. It's not just about the campaigns she creates; it's about the lasting community impact and strategic business outcomes achieved together with clients and partners. On a personal note, Monique lives in metro Detroit with her husband Justin, three children and two fur babies. She will be graduating with a Masters in Business Administration in May 2025, and when not bogged down with responsibilities she finds every reason to travel and explore.