Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:
Gareth Lippiatt @ FanHub. He sold me on his vision for his business and is building something special.
Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours):
Dream Crazy and Joga Bonito – Brazil.
Best agency (that isn’t yours):
The work that Roc Nation have been doing within European football has been very impressive. They are bringing over their success in music to the beautiful game, leading from the front with athlete
storytelling/empowerment and helping clubs like AC Milan redefine their brand.
Best young industry talent:
Mustafa Tasdemir. He is a fantastic coach at Chelsea that is also learning the sports agency game from one of the best agents in the game in Akin Solanke-Caulker. Mustafa has the willingness to learn and tenacity to be successful. Watch out for him!
Best sporting event attended:
The Olympics.
Best sporting event on TV:
The easy answer is the FIFA World Cup but non-football definitely Wimbledon or heavyweight boxing.
Best brand ambassador:
Marcus Rashford
Best industry event or conference:
Leaders In Sport
Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:
Brad Pitt (Billy Beane) in Moneyball “if we try to play like the Yankees in here, we will lose to the Yankees out there.”
Best book recommendation:
Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday. (thank me later)
Best bar or pub:
I wouldn’t say I have a favourite, but I do like Golden Bee in Shoreditch. I am more of a pub person.
Best restaurant:
Anywhere that does a good steak.
Best holiday resort:
Bali
Best box set:
Breaking Bad is the best series of all time, but of ones still running, Money Heist or Ozark.
Best influence on your career:
Everyone I have met along the journey (the list in endless)
Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):
Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, Elon Musk, David Falk & Jay-Z
Best job in the sports biz:
Working for a sponsor/rightsholder. So many exciting brands in industries from fashion to music are dipping their toes into sports business. To be the person managing the relationship, leading the activation or taking an existing one to new heights is exciting.
Best professional regret:
No regrets, we live, and we learn. Everything happens for a reason.
Best skill you most covet:
Writing code for websites and apps.
Best trait you admire in others:
Thinking big and taking action.
Best overrated virtue:
Patience to an extent depending on the context.
Best ambition:
To make the What The Footie Podcast the best football business podcast in the world.