Sports Pundit Podcast with Andy Marston Andy Marston
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Brought to you by Andy Marston, the Sports Pundit podcast is your ticket to conversations around industry-defining ideas and trends with athletes, executives, founders, and investors - keeping you ahead of the pack within the ever-evolving world of sports and entertainment.
The Sports Pundit podcast is part of the Pundit Media Group and you can also dive into weekly newsletters and score details on monthly events in cities like London, Manchester, New York, and Los Angeles at SportsPundit.co
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Why People and Businesses Should Lead More Consiously with Soulhub's Carmen Rendell
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Carmen Rendell, Founder of Soulhub.
She’s not your usual therapist or business owner. She’s a community space holder and a truth seeker. She says herself she loves to get under the bonnet and get to the real stuff. Talk raw truths. To stop the pretence and help you or your business say and see it how it really is. And she’s done this for some huge businesses like HSBC, eBay, and WhatsApp.
My conversation today is unlike others that I’ve held, far more introspective, but I hope that, like with all the content that I put out, it provokes thought and ideation.
Ultimately at the centre of every business and every sport are humans, and it’s important to take a step back and recognise that fundamental truth.
Time Stamps:
2:00 - Carmen’s Journey to Founding Soulhub
15:00 - What is Soulhub?
22:00 - Recruiting and Bringing People into your Mission
26:00 - What has Wellbeing and Spirituality got to do with Sport?
29:00 - Getting the Best out of Ourselves and our Teams
35:00 - Balancing Morals and Values with Necessity
38:00 - Sitting with Difference
Additional Links
Souhubbers Podcast - Episode 1 – Who is Carmen Rendell?
The Growing Importance Of Employee Wellness: How Are You Responding?
Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
Captivating Motorsport Fans in New Ways with Formula E's Jeff Dodds
Today’s episode I’m joined by Formula E’s Jeff Dodds.
In his role as CEO, Jeff is spearheading the evolution of the pioneering electric motorsport world championship, best-known for it’s promotion of sustainability within elite sports—a mission that's more vital than ever.
Before taking the helm, Jeff honed his leadership prowess within the dynamic landscape of Virgin businesses. From his most recent tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2, to his multifaceted roles at Virgin Media prior to that, which included spells as COO, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer.
Having also held executive roles outside of Telecoms, at the likes of Callaway Golf and Honda UK, Jeff has a wealth of insights to bring to the table for the still-young racing series as it moves into it’s next phase of growth, something that we discuss heavily.
So, without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Jeff Dodds.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Applying Lessons from Telcos
4:00 - Working for a Virgin Business
7:00 - What Differentiates the Formula E Product?
10:00 - Balancing Purpose and Product
15:00 - Retaining Competitive Balance
21:00 - Hosting an E-Prix on the Streets of Tokyo
27:00 - The Benefits to Being Young
29:00 - Can Men and Women Compete in the Same Racing Series?
36:00 - Going Behind a Paywall in the UK
45:00 - Looking to the Future
Additional Links
Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
How AI-powered Video can Unlock Opportunity for Grassroots Sports with Veo's CEO Henrik Teisbæk
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Henrik Teisbæk, co-founder and CEO of Veo Technologies.
Veo was founded in Copenhagen in 2015 with a vision to democratise video broadcasting and analytics which at the time was reserved mostly for professional teams.
The company creates smart, AI-powered cameras that let anyone record their match without a camera operator. The automatic recording and video-editing then enables coaches and players to watch and share their sport.
While predominantly focused on football, I recently partnered with Veo when I launched the Sports Pundit rugby predictor game for both the men’s and women’s Six Nations. From that initial conversation about a partnership also grew a curiosity to learn more about their product, as well as how it was being utilised - particularly at the grassroots level - something rarely discussed within sports industry content.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Founding Veo
4:00 - Transitioning from Software to Hardware
10:00 - The Commercial Benefits of Video
13:00 - Targeting the Grassroots
19:00 - Expanding into New Sports and Markets
24:00 - The Opportunity in Women’s Sport
27:00 - Launching the People’s Puskas Award
30:00 - Creating New Jobs
34:00 - Looking to the Future
Additional Links
Great goals can come from everywhere: Veo unveils People's Puskas 2023
AI camera startup Veo targets further expansion after US$80m funding round
Mastering Moments: Unveiling the new Veo Cam 3
‘We’re creating a video network for all of soccer’: Veo’s goal to take AI tech to the masses
Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
Creating the Data Foundation on which the NFL is Building with Next Gen Stats' Josh Helmrich
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Josh Helmrich - Senior Director, Media Strategy, Business Development and Next Gen Stats (NGS) at the NFL.
NFL Next Gen Stats provides clubs with data to analyse trends and player performance, while enhancing the fans’ experience in-stadium, online and during game telecasts.
Having worked at the NFL for almost 15 years across various roles, Josh has seen first hand the increasing prevalence of data both within the league and across the wider sporting ecosystem.
Taking time out of his schedule at the recent SportInnovation Summit in Dusseldorf, I sat down with Josh to discuss the impact of the Next Gen Stats program so far, and what he’s aspirations are for it in the months and years ahead.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Getting into the NFL
4:00 - What is NFL Next Gen Stats?
7:00 - Identifying Puka Nacua, the offensive Rookie of the Year
11:00 - Working with External Vendors
14:00 - Bringing in Technology from Outside Sports
17:00 - Considering the Competitive Balance
21:00 - Applying data to the Betting Industry
25:00 - The Evolution of Data Collection
28:00 - Customising the Viewer's Experience
31:00 - Future Ambitions
Additional Links
Rams Share Behind-the-Scenes Video of Decision to Draft Puka Nacua
NFL and Genius Sports provide new fan insights during games
Here's How The NFL's Next Gen Stats Technology Actually Works (And How It's Changed The Game)
ESPN's Toy Story Funday Football: The tech behind Falcons-Jaguars fully animated alt-cast
7 AI-powered features you’ll find on Prime Video's ‘Thursday Night Football‘ this season
Connect with Josh on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
Bringing German Football to the World with Bundesliga International CMO Peer Naubert
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Peer Naubert, CMO and Managing Director of Bundesliga International.
Growing up in Germany, Peer has gained experience working in South Korea, China, and the Netherlands. His current role involves working closely with clubs to further develop a joint international approach, providing them with global marketing and commercial opportunities and offering financial support for their global activities.
Managing a team of 44 employees across Frankfurt, Singapore, New York, and Beijing, Peer is focused on developing and executing local marketing strategies that drive fandom. To date, this has resulted in the Bundesliga becoming the fastest growing, among Europe's top football leagues, in terms of awareness, interest, and media consumption globally.
Taking time out of his schedule at the recent SportInnovation Summit in Dusseldorf, I sat down with Peer to discuss what he has done, and what he’s aspiring to do in the months and years ahead.
Time Stamps
2:30 - A Recap of SportInnovation Summit
6:00 - Peer’s Journey to the Bundesliga
9:00 - Lessons from Living in Korea
12:00 - The Arrival of England Captain, Harry Kane
16:30 - The Launch of Fortuna for All
23:00 - Appealing to the US Soccer Fan
26:00 - Remaining Affordable
33:00 - Building Up a Database of International Fans
35:00 - The NFL and Playing Internationally
38:00 - Overcoming the Language Problem
Additional Links
Sports Innovation 2024: Wonderment and warnings in equal measure as AI dominates Düsseldorf event
Fortuna Favours the Brave
Connect with Peer on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here -
Innovating to Stay Ahead of the Game with Juventus' Mike Armstrong
Today’s episode, I’m joined by Mike Armstrong.
Mike is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Juventus.
Moving from Toronto to Torino, Mike joined the club in September 2021, with a remit to innovate and to grow the club's global supporter base.
As the only English-speaking native within the organisation, this has required some cultural readjustment. As has moving into life working within a sports rights holder environment, having previously spent his time working in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) with both Kraft Foods and AB InBev, as well as in media at CBC, Google, and esports upstart Overactive Media.
The result is a unique perspective, and an approach that is unlike any other from across the top football clubs in Europe.
Time Stamps
2:00 - Ronaldo’s Exit
6:00 - Working Closely with Fans (Rather than Customers)
9:00 - Addressing the Economic Headwinds Facing European Football
11:00 - Lessons from Working in Consumer Packaged Goods
14:00 - Merging of Chief Marketing and Chief Communications Roles
18:00 - Embracing Generative AI Tools
21:00 - Brining Fan-Created Content In-House
26:00 - Content as a Driver of Fandom
30:00 - Creating for Netflix vs TikTok
35:00 - Reducing Reliance on Individual Star Power
38:00 - Borrowed vs Owned and Operated Platforms
42:00 - Becoming a Distribution Channel for Other Content
48:00 - Getting More Women In Football
53:00 - Plans for the Future?
Additional Links
Brain games, 'LA-style' creator labs & TikTok: Embracing innovation at Juventus
TikTok Tactic: Juventus tap into the Freestyle World Championships
Chiesa to Segura: How Juventus' Creator Lab is Driving a New Approach to Content Creation
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn - here
Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - here
Customer Reviews
Great Pod for those interested in Sports Industry
Love the pod. I also receive the email newsletter which is very insightful. Would recommend for anyone interested in sports biz and sponsorships.
Great job 👏🏼