Jean-Claude Blanc is a General manager and marketing executive of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and former Chief Executive Officer of Juventus Football Club.
Education
Blanc holds an International Business and Marketing degree from Skema Business School and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He then became the Chief Executive Officer between 1994 and 2000 (after taking his Master of Business Administration at Harvard) of Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), a branch of a media company owning and operating the main sporting events in France in cycling, motoracing and athletics (Tour de France, Paris/Roubaix, Paris/Dakar race, Paris Marathon).
Career
Between 1987 and 1992 Blanc was Sales and Marketing / Opening and Closing Ceremony Director for the Albertville Olympic Games in France and worked very close to Jean-Claude KILLY, chairman of the Organizing Committee. JCB boosted ASO"s revenues and international reach as well as created an all news television network / L"Equipe television During his tenure, the French Open reached a new level of development and success thanks to JCB"s innovative ideas like adding an extra week-end of grand Slam tennis by starting the tournament on a Sunday instead of a Monday. Before becoming Chairman of the Board of Juventus Football Club in October 2009, Blanc was brought in as a board member during the club"s worst period in history when it was relegated to the second division (Serie B) due to the Calciopoli scandal.
Blanc focused immediately on rebuilding the team and the technical staff
He also renegotiated all major business contracts and improved the financial health of the Club. The team made a great and immediate come back in season 2006/2007 to the main division (Serie A), reaching an unexpected third place(season 2007/2008)then second place (season 2008/2009) while operating the Club"s finances at break even.
Blanc"s masterpiece in the last five years has been also to radically modify the new stadium project as well as close the financing for the construction of the new Juventus arena. This arena along with a 35,000 square meters mall is the first to be built in Italy since 1990 and is the only one privately owned by an Italian football club
Blanc has stated many times that the stadium is the future for Juventus, a major revenue-booster and the new soul of the team
On May 19, 2010, Blanc left his role as Chairman of the Board of Juventus to Andrea Agnelli, son of former club president Umberto Agnelli. Blanc retained his role as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. Agnelli"s response to Blanc"s confirmed responsibilities was, "He will take care of the operations management of the club at 360 degrees and focus mainly on the development of revenues, managed our international relations with Union of European Football Associations and Fédération internationale de football association as well as follow up on the stadium project strategic for the future of the Club". On May 11, 2011, in line with his working contract and in agreement with the owners of the Club, Blanc released his executive powers to the Board of Juventus and resigned as Chief Executive Officer. However, Blanc tendered his resignation and left the post on October 15, 2011.
Membership
Instead, he became a member of the Board of Directors.