If you like Formula 1, you’re in for a treat with our latest Industry Insider. We had a chat with the “The F1 Guy” Vincenzo Landino about his career, best advice and much more!
Tell us about yourself, what is your current role and what roles have you done previously?
Hello my name is Vincenzo Landino and I’m currently an independent motorsport analyst and consultant.
I also run a creative studio that focuses on content development and events. I have previously held roles in partnerships with technology and analytics firms.
What do you do in your current role?
I am focused on creating content for brand executives around the business and culture of Formula 1 as well as other motorsports. I take aim at helping brands understand the value of motorsport sponsorships.
“Normal” isn’t a thing in sport so what does an “average” week look like for you?
A lot of reading. A lot of calls and emails. I spend at least half of my work time consuming, connecting with people, and researching and the other half creating videos, newsletters and threads.
How did you end up where you are right now? When did you know you wanted to work in sport?
It may not be a sexy answer, but I realised one day that I didn’t want to have a boss. I had thoughts and ideas I wanted to get out there without worry of representing anyone but myself. I wanted to put those ideas out into the world without having them squelched.
Since I was a young boy I knew I wanted to be in sport. Of course, when you’re younger you dream of being the driver winning Monaco or the game-winning scorer in a match. As I grew up, I took a keen interest in business and media. That along with my love for sport put me in a position to marry those passions together.
What is your number one focus when it comes to your work?
That everything I put out there, someone learns at least one thing. Just one. I’m not trying to change the world with every tweet or video. That’s where a lot of people make mistakes. They try to do too much in every piece of content. But it’s not one piece of content, its a series of content over a period time (consistency) that move the ship.
Can you tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it?
It depends on what you consider failure. I started a business one time that was focused on building up the local entrepreneurial community where I lived. It didn’t really go as planned, and I ended up leaving the project as the direction it went in was not as I had really planned.
Now, nearly 10 years later, the concept makes much more sense to the people we were trying to reach at the time. So, I don’t see it as a failure because what I learned from it is that you never know when things are going to turn upwards for you.
I love the Albert Einstein quote where he modestly said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” I try to follow the same thing in my life.
What are you excited about in your industry at the moment?
I’m overjoyed at how much Formula 1 has become a hit in the United States. Growing up watching F1 in the 1990s was awesome, but it always was missing something that the NFL and MLB had — fans to enjoy it with. I was fortunate to have my uncles that were really enjoyed motorsport and we would go to races and karting all the time. But it wasn’t the norm.
Formula 1 is truly enjoying a renaissance over here and I’m having conversations with friends and family that have never watched a second of it to executives and decision-makers that want to get involved. It’s really exciting.
If you could change one thing about your Industry, what would you change?
For such a fast sport, the industry around it moves slow. Things are picking up now, but it would be nice if independent creators had opportunities for access as much as the old guard.
There are so many content creators out there that are absolutely smashing coverage of motorsport from so many angles. And it’s all free publicity for the series they cover. It’s wild to me that they don’t get more respect for their part in growing the sport.
Sport is a hectic industry, what do you do to switch off?
I’m blessed to be a father now, so spending time with my little girl is the best. It allows me to really shut off everything and focus on her. If I’m not spending time with my family or friends, I’m playing calcio, golfing, working out, cooking, and reading.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to work in the sports industry?
Use social media and all your skills to your advantage. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there online creating exactly what you want. If you want to be a video creator for a team, create the kind of content you would want to create if you already worked for that team. Make your online presence your resume. And even though it seems cliche, keep grinding, even as things might look bleak, push through it.
How to connect with Vincenzo Landino…
Readqualifier.com ← free newsletter
@vincenzolandino Twitter + YouTube
@thevincenzolandino Instagram
Thanks for reading our chat with Vincenzo Landino! If you want to read more from our Industry Insider series, you can do so by clicking here.
