Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:
My colleague Mike Billcliffe who I used to work closely with when I was his assistant. In our meetings with clients he was really impressive pitching to them.
Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours):
It's got to be Nike Joga Bonito with Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry Wow! I used to wait for the advert to come on the TV, I must have been about 14 years old at the time and hounded my parents to buy me the weighted Jogo Bonito football so I could practice my "around the worlds" haha Memories!
Best agency (that isn’t yours):
The Mailroom agency, I really admire the way they tell the stories of their talent through the content they create around them.
Best young industry talent:
Ose Egbejale, who I only met a couple of weeks ago on the journey back from the Man U vs Arsenal Game. He runs one of the biggest social media football teams called Baiteze Squad, he is the brand manager for Elite Project Group who are football agents to the likes of Saka, Sancho and Iwobi. He also runs his own creative consultancy called Zero Formation focused on sport and culture. Really inspiring fella!
Best sporting event attended:
Arsenal Vs AFC Wimbledon last year, reason being my wife historically has not been a football fan and normally leaves me in the living room to scream at the TV whilst I watch the Gooners, but this was the first game she ever watched live and she had so much fun and now she joins me screaming at the TV when the Gooners are playing!
Best sporting event on TV:
The Champions League is Undefeated!
Best brand ambassador
Michael Jordan for Nike/Jordan I mean!
Best industry event or conference
I am going to say….The Wise Up event especially as I met some really cool people and it was held at the best stadium in the world!
Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:
The Last Dance!
Best book recommendation:
Creative Artist Agency - Powerhouse probably the longest audiobook I have listened to (25 Hours!) but this book taught me so much about the entertainment industry as whole and the fact that an initial idea or business can evolve to something way bigger than you could imagine.
Best bar or pub:
Be At One! Me and my wife’s favourite and the Man-Goes Bananas is the best drink on the menu!
Best restaurant:
Cheeeky Nando’s of course!
Best holiday resort:
Fontainebleau Miami, the frozen strawberry daiquiris are the best!
Best box set:
Probably the hardest question on here as I am a TV fiend! Kayne West’s Jeen-Yuhs Documentary is super inspiring.
Best influence on your career:
My career in talent management has been a short one but I would say my good friend Joel Beya. I have known him for a few years through my little brother SV2 who I manage and when I started my business I reached out to him to give me some pointers with him being talent himself .This year he’s invited me to so many events and introduced me to a lot of people in the industry to help grow my network. We have also recently worked with him on a video on the BLRZ YouTube Channel so a nice full circle moment!
Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):
Thierry Henry, Lebron James, Robert Greene, Meek Mill, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
Best job in the sports biz:
Chief Marketing Officer of Arsenal Football Club
Best professional regret:
Starting my business now and not earlier
Best skill you most covet:
Public Speaking!
Best trait you admire in others:
A clean heart
Best overrated virtue:
Trying to be the most important person in the room.
Best ambition:
To support the talent I work with in achieving their dreams.